Pressing the olive to obtain the oil produces hundreds of thousands of tons of by-products, i.e. pulp, peel and olive stones, every year. These leftovers are very valuable and should not go to waste. Moreover, the olive offers great potential for purely mechanical processing without the need for chemicals. The resulting powders are therefore a sustainable alternative to replace industrially manufactured cellulose, which has typically been added as a fiber component to reduce the content of fats and sugars and to make feed formulations more digestible.
Managing Director
BioPowder
The needs of today’s world necessitate the most efficient use of existing resources. Making the best use of every resource that nature offers us in every aspect for a sustainable future means a significant value gain in terms of the circular economy. Malta-based BioPowder is one of the companies that create value in terms of resource utilization and circular economy. As part of the agro-industrial ecosystem, the company transforms olive and fruit processing by-products in different sizes into biological ingredients that can be used in different areas, including animal feed. Kathrin Schilling, Managing Director of BioPowder, answered our questions about this transformed product line and its use in the feed sector.
Ms. Schilling, firstly, could you give us some information about BioPowder? What can you tell us about your company’s services and target audience?
BioPowder is an upcycling specialist that transforms olive and fruit-processing by-products (meaning the fruit stones and shells) into micronized powders and particles. The company is part of an agro-industrial ecosystem that seeks to valorise side streams as a way of eliminating waste. Our prior experience in the biomass industry has allowed us to build trusted relationships with raw material suppliers, meaning that we collect our raw materials right at the source. We then transform those raw materials by mechanical means only, i.e. without any chemicals or synthetic additives. Our production is industrial, modular and enables us to treat several thousand tons of raw material per month. The finished products are powders and particles in a wide range of grain sizes and textures.
Our target audience are companies in the manufacturing sector wishing to distinguish themselves as innovators in sustainability. Upcycled fruit stone particles are truly multifunctional, especially as a biobased alternative to synthetic, allergenic or unsafe ingredients and additives. Besides food and feed, we cater to industries such as personal care, coatings, composites/bioplastics and other areas of material science.
We know that you also supply the animal feed industry with plant-based ingredients. What are your plant-based ingredients for the feed industry? Could you tell us in which feeds and for what purposes these ingredients are used?
Our number one ingredient is olive stone flour made from upcycled olive stones. It is a lignocellulosic material and becomes a fluid powder when it is micronized to a fine particle range. Olive stone flour looks and feels a bit like wheat flour, but it is a grain-free alternative to conventional flours, which are added as binders, texturizers or also as a source of carbohydrates, acting as dietary fibers and energy components in feeds. The product is free of wheat protein (gluten), which makes it suitable as anti-allergic food and feed ingredients, a parameter that has become particularly important in the pet food arena.
Coming to the softer by-products of the olive – the peel, the seed, and the pulverized olive leaves – these are also sources of fibers, but, more importantly, they are rich in bioactive compounds, especially polyphenolics such as oleuropein and hydroxytyrosol. Those substances, which are powerful antioxidants, add numerous health benefits to feed products: anti-inflammatory and anti-microbial effects, improvement of cardiovascular health by reducing cholesterol levels, restorative effects on skin and digestive organs.
Apart from the polyphenolics, these powders are also sources of plant-based proteins and vitamin E, which can be particularly interesting in applications where the manufacturer seeks to replace an animal protein such as fishmeal.
What was the reason behind choosing olives as a bio-ingredient?
Olives are available in large volumes throughout the Mediterranean region. They are a cherished staple food in many cultures and the tradition of olive oil even goes back to biblical times. Pressing the olive to obtain the oil produces hundreds of thousands of tons of by-products, i.e. pulp, peel and olive stones, every year. These leftovers are very valuable and should not go to waste.
In addition, olive stone particles offer various technical benefits, for example a homogeneous particle shape, a long shelf life thanks to the minimal oil content and a neutral taste and smell.
Moreover, the olive offers great potential for purely mechanical processing without the need for chemicals. The resulting powders are therefore a sustainable alternative to replace industrially manufactured cellulose, which has typically been added as a fiber component to reduce the content of fats and sugars and to make feed formulations more digestible.
Could you elaborate on the difference between olive stone powder and other feed ingredients and the advantages/benefits of the ingredient for animals and farmers?
As explained above, olive stones tick all the boxes with regard to sustainable manufacturing and technical parameters. No chemicals are required to separate the raw stones from pulp and shell. So, at the end of the process, we can still say that the stone, the seed, and the olive peel are still part of the edible olive.
Making use of the olive oil by-products is also a way to support rural development. Our upcycling activity provides an additional source of income for the oil mills and respects the principles of a circular economy. In other words, all components of the olive are valorized in the best possible way without generating any waste.
What is the value/significance of this ingredient in terms of sustainability, environmental impact and supply cost?
Circularity, upcycling and sustainability are basically our DNA. The company was created with a mission to create value from waste, all by ensuring resource-efficient manufacturing, short transport distances and close cooperation with the local community.
The benefits of upcycling come in pairs with reduced CO2 emissions in all stages of the manufacturing value chain. Most emissions are generated as so-called scope II emissions, mainly referring to the electricity required for drying, milling and sieving. Given the trend towards increasing amounts of power from renewable sources, the footprint is likely to be further reduced in the near future.
Most remarkably, olive trees are among the plants that bind the largest amounts of CO2. Evidence shows that roughly 1.5kg of CO2 is produced per litre of extra virgin olive oil. However, an olive orchard can absorb up to 10kg of CO2 while growing the equivalent quantity of olives1. The data from the International Olive Council suggests that the olive ecosystem – including cultivation, oil production and by-product recycling – is carbon neutral or even negative as a whole.
Are there any trial studies on the use of olives in animal nutrition? How does the use of olive-based ingredients affect animal health and performance?
Two and half years ago, we conducted an extensive study in collaboration with the Fraunhofer Institute for Production Technology in Germany. The team of food/feed scientists characterized the olive stone flour, producing a detailed food and feed profile for it. With that know-how and data, we approached a few leading feed manufacturers and encouraged them to evaluate our product.
Olive peel and olive leave powders have been tried and tested by specialized Spanish labs. While companies in the Mediterranean region have used olive extracts for a long time, the trend is relatively recent in the North. BioPowder is committed to providing top-grade powders with high concentrations of oleuropein to add maximum value to any feed items.
Before targeting the Central European and other markets, BioPowder has already gained traction with feed producers in Spain, Italy, Morocco, and Egypt. In addition to the olive antioxidants, there is also growing interest in olive peel powder as a plant-based alternative to fishmeal in salmon producing countries.
Is there anything you would like to add?
Yes, it is important for me to highlight that, besides our range of natural ingredients, we can support customers throughout their R&D process. Whenever it comes to developing new feed products, testing can be long and resource-intensive. Our dedicated team can help manufacturers reduce their R&D costs and shorten their time-to-market by providing guide formulations and industry expertise.
We encourage you to contact us with your project inquiry.
References
1. International Olive Council, Application for the Calculation of CO2 Balance in Olive Farming, 27 Jul 2016
