New bio-products and innovative value chain from olive processing

Traditional olive orchards account for a large share of the area under olives in the EU, particularly in marginal areas. Traditional olive growing can survive only by improving olive farmer incomes and recognizing its multifunctional role. The olive oil production phase comprises the extraction of the oil and additional by-products (water, pomace and husk). By-product management is very important; the olive oil mill wastes have a great impact on soil and water environments because of high phyto-toxicity (phenol, lipid and organic acids). On the other hand, such wastes may be potentially valuable.