INTERVIEW FEED & ADDITIVE MAGAZINE September 2024 75 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 timeto-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
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