Olive waste becomes green gold: sustainable bioplastics are created!

Olive waste becomes green gold: sustainable bioplastics are created!

A new European research project called Olinwasse recently received its starting signal in Rome. This project aims to convert waste from olive mills into sustainable bioplastics, clean energy and plant -promoting compounds. Olinwassste is carried out by Vincenzo Lionetti by the Sapienza University Rome and comprises nine partners from six European countries, including Austria, represented by Acib GmbH.

With a financing volume of 4 million euros by the European Commission as part of Horizon Europe, the project is created for four years. Each year, up to 9.6 million tons of waste from olive mills, such as pomace and kernels, are produced in Europe. The improper disposal methods currently cost up to 10 percent of the total production costs and lead to considerable ecological problems, such as soil deterioration and water pollution. Olinwasse wants to change this.

objective and technologies

The main goal of Olinwassste is the development of a fully integrated biora -refinerie for the olive mill residues, which is supposed to work free of emission. By using green chemistry and microbial processes, valuable organic products such as bioimmunostimulants, biopesticides, biodegridents, bioplastics and bioenergy are to be obtained from waste. This strategy contributes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by using waste flows efficiently and generating thermoelectric energy.

Another innovative aspect of the project is the development of a digital twin system that uses machine learning to optimize olive waste treatment. This shows how modern technologies can be integrated into bio -economic research and provides a view of future approaches in the circular economy.

bioplastics for a sustainable future

bioplastics play a crucial role in promoting circular bioeconomy. The EU has taken measures to support the development of these materials through collaborative research projects. According to a forecast, the amount of plastic in the oceans could exceed the amount of fishing by 2050 - a worrying trend that requires a paradigm shift in plastic production.

The transition to bio -based materials, which are made from renewable raw materials or waste streams, is of particular importance. Europe is aiming to own about a quarter of the global production capacities for bioplastics by 2021, which underlines the need for innovative projects such as Olinwatst. Bior plastic is not only more environmentally friendly, they also help to reduce the consumption of fossil raw materials and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

ecological challenges and opportunities

The disposal of these materials is another challenge. Biodegradable plastic products should not be placed in the bio bin, but in the yellow bin in order not to disturb the recycling processes. The creation of a responsible disposal system is therefore essential to truly realize the positive environmental impact.

The Olinwasse project is a promising step in the right direction in order not only to tackle the problems of waste disposal in the olive oil industry, but also to promote the development of sustainable materials. With a clear goal and innovative approaches, it could be a model for future projects in bio -economic research. While we go on this new path, it is crucial that industry and environmental preservation go hand in hand.

Further information on the requirements and the potential of bioplastics can be found at href = "https://www.umweltbundamt.de/biobasied-biological-bidbare plastic"> Federal Environment Agency .