Global biofuel demand is anticipated to surge by 30% between 2023 and 2028 (International Energy Agency, 2024). This would reduce fossil fuel consumption, protect the environment, inhibit climate change, and safeguard public health. Several initiatives of the European Union (EU), such as the Renewable Energy Directive, the European Green Deal, and the European Bioeconomy Strategy, have been operational to promote the utilization of biofuels and bio-based products. These initiatives recommended the production of bioproducts through greener technologies from locally available and non-edible waste biomass.
Olive pomace (olive pulp and seeds) is an abundantly available waste biomass in the EU. It is generated during the production of olive oil by the olive oil industry. The valorization of olive pomace is tough due to its high moisture content (about 70%) and phytotoxic phenolic compounds. The conventional processes that could be used for the conversion of olive pomace into bioproducts include acid hydrolysis, enzymatic hydrolysis, pyrolysis (400–800 °C), and gasification (800–1000 °C). These processes have several limitations, such as the use of corrosive acids, expensive enzymes, and high energy consumption. To innovate an alternative, more environmentally friendly process, the main objectives of the OliPFUEL project are:
1. Investigate an integrated process comprised of hydrothermal treatment and non-conventional yeast-based fermentation technology to convert olive pomace into hydrochar (solid biofuel) and bioethanol.
2. Identify suitable process conditions for the production of hydrochar with high calorific value and to achieve a higher bioethanol yield.
The olive oil industry could adopt the OliPFUEL process for in-situ conversion of olive pomace slurry into bio-based products, which would provide them with economic benefits by saving waste management costs and marketing the bioproducts. This would protect the environment and public health from the negative impact of improper disposal of olive pomace waste and create new employment opportunities to handle the production of bioproducts. Furthermore, this would ultimately improve the social and economic conditions of the public, specifically the people employed in the olive sector.
The OliPFUEL would contribute to promoting the bioeconomy, achieving the EU net zero targets, and several UN sustainable development goals (waste resource recycling, clean environment, and renewable energy).
