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From Waste to Wellness
From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace
Introducing "From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace" – our innovative project transforms olive pomace waste known as harmful to the environment into olive pomace extract valuable for health, chemical industry, food and natural cosmetics and skincare. By this project, we prevent the negative impact on soil and ecosystems, preserving biodiversity and promote sustainable resource use. As a result, we deliver high-quality products by a circular economy.
Albania
National
It addresses urban-rural linkages
It refers to other types of transformations (soft investment)
Yes
2023-01-30
Yes
We have been funded by GIZ Albania Co-Solve 19 to purchase the drying machine as an important step of the olive pomace total CO2 extract in 2023.
No
No
As a representative of an organisation

Our project, "From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace," delivers 100% natural total extracts of olive pomace, aiming to health, chemical, pharmaceutical, food, natural skincare, and cosmetic industries that provide high-quality products to the end customers.
Our target groups are:
1. Farmers and olive oil producers in the agricultural sector who benefit from sustainable disposal and recycling olive pomace
2. Companies from beauty, skincare, and healthcare industries that use total olive pomace extract as a raw material as an ingredient for their final products.
3. Organizations focused on sustainable technologies and natural product development, environmental issues such as research institutions and universities, certification bodies, government agencies, etc.
4. Individuals, and customers interested in natural health and skincare products.
Our specific objectives are to promote Albanian biodiversity and agriculture, with a special focus on olive cultivation—a key part of our cultural heritage and history. We are committed to ensuring that our process, from raw material to final product, respects nature. We strive to deliver natural, high-quality products to our customers while preserving the environment by reducing waste and offering sustainable, eco-friendly solutions. By following in a rigorous way the EU regulations and directives, we aim to establish a presence in both European and international markets.
By the innovative “From Waste to Wellness” project, we have produced 100% natural highly beneficial total extract of olive pomace which creates a new revenue stream and more economical opportunities. We also have contributed in reducing pollution and environmental damage by using olive pomace waste and green technology, adding value to such resource.
Sustainability
Innovation
Circularity
Health
Nature
Our key objectives of From Waste to Wellness project are:
1. To successfully produce the total CO2 extract of olive pomace with its valuable compounds.
2. To follow and comply to the european/international regulations which guarantee the safety and quality of the product for international markets.
3. To create a circular economy with priority not only the clients by delivering 100% natural products, but also the ecosystem by practicing sustainability, resource efficiency, using green technology, etc.
4. To create a high-quality 100% natural beneficial product of olive pomace extract.
5. Adding to and diversifying our portfolio of products which generates a new revenue stream and new possibilities for economic success.
6. Increase the number of employees as the production capacity will increase by this new project.
7. Training and qualifying our employees for this project for productive results
8. Creating a marketing strategy based on market research for olive pomace extract
Our key objectives for aesthetics and quality of experience for people are:
1. Enhancing natural beauty, by providing customers with effective and eco-friendly skincare solutions. We use natural olive pomace extract to promote beauty, health, and well-being.
2. Promoting Cultural Heritage, utilizing olive pomace, a by-product of traditional olive farming, connecting modern consumers with the rich history and tradition of olive cultivation.
3. Designing packaging and branding to reflect sustainability and innovation that appeals to eco-conscious consumers, natural product developing companies, and industries and highlights the project's commitment to sustainability and nature. By this, we promote and encourage a cultural shift towards such elements and qualities.
4. Olive pomace total extract is a high-quality natural product that not only benefits the clients, but sets a benchmark for others in the industry.
The key objectives of our project in terms of inclusion are:
1. Accessibility and Affordability to a wide range of consumers and businesses by developing a price strategy that makes the products affordable while maintaining high quality.
2. Educational outreach by not only educating consumers on the benefits of olive pomace extract but, also the environmental benefits of recycling olive pomace. This way we raise awareness about sustainable practices, empowering consumers to make eco-friendly choices.
3. Innovation and Research by engaging with research institutions and educational organizations such as universities etc, which fosters innovation and knowledge sharing, investing in a better future.
4. Community Engagement by involving local communities and residents, creating job opportunities for them with this project and our brand which promotes social inclusion and local economic development.
5. Training and Qualifications: Our employees have enhanced their professional skills through comprehensive learning and training programs focused on processing olive pomace through Supercritical CO2 extraction and adding value to it.
Citizens benefit from the olive pomace extract project by:

1. Having a cleaner environment (soil, water,air). By recycling olive pomace, this project reduces waste, soil contamination, and water pollution, leading to a cleaner and healthier environment for communities. Also preventing the burning of olive pomace improves air quality, reducing health risks associated with air pollution.
2. Economic benefits by creating job opportunities in the processing and production of olive pomace extract, boosting local economies and agriculture.
3. Health and well-being benefits as a high-quality, 100% natural health and skincare product derived from olive pomace is available to businesses and citizens. Also, such project and product raises awareness on such topics, encouraging healthier lifestyles.
4. Social and cultural benefits as by utilizing olive pomace, “From Waste to Wellness” project preserves cultural heritage of olive cultivation and by involving residents in such project fosters a sense of participation, pride and tradition.
We have organized different workshops and educational sessions informing especially the new generations (students) on sustainable green technologies, eco-friendly production practices and specifically on the whole process of olive pomace extract from the raw material to end product and its benefits in many aspects.
Feedback from businesses in healthcare, cosmetic and skincare industries as well as customers is an essential component in our project and such support creates a market demand that support this project.

We have broad connections and collaborations with different stakeholders from multiple industries and sectors which signify the importance of the olive pomace extract project. Our internal stakeholders such as researchers, product developers, production staff, quality control staff, etc are directly involved in processing and producing the olive pomace extract.
Our external stakeholders are:
1. Olive oil producers such as Valmi etc and farmers of olive fruit who supply us with the raw material, in this case olive pomace residue as they benefit from this by-product and its sustainable disposal methods.
2. Companies in pharmaceutics, chemical industries, supplements, pharmaceutical, food and natural cosmetics, and skincare require olive pomace extract as an ingredient to their final products which means market demand and new revenue stream. Also, they give feedback on the quality of the such extract as they test it and also provide feedback from the end consumers.
3. Certification agencies such as TUV Nord audit our quality management system and ensure that our products meet clients` and regulatory requirements.
4. Organizations based on agriculture, sustainable development and food security such as the Food and Agriculture Organization being informed on olive pomace extract project and promoting, raising awareness and advocating such practices at a larger scale.
The disciplines and knowledge fields reflected in the project: “From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace” are
1. Agriculture. We collaborated with farmers and olive oil producers to understand the seasons of olive cultivations and the generation of olive pomace and provide us with the raw material.
2. Chemistry analysis the chemical composition of olive pomace and its extract and with such study we ensure the efficacy of the extract
3. Biotechnology helps us extract valuable compounds of olive pomace by using green advanced technology such as supercritical CO2 extraction and researching/developing methods to enhance the quality of the extract.
4. Engineering helps the implementation of the SCFE CO2 extraction of olive pomace and optimizing production methods for efficiency and sustainability.
5. Economics evaluates the economic viability and market demand/ potential of olive pomace extract and develops projects and business models/strategies for stream revenue.
6. Marketing, by reaching the right target clients, raises awareness and designs an attractive brand for commercial success.
7. Health and wellness, researching the potential applications of olive pomace extracts in health, food and beauty.
8. Regulations and directives guiding the project to ensure the best quality of the product and meet all the legal criterias.
Innovative characters of olive pomace extraction project are:
1. Advanced extraction technique which is not very popular in industries at these current times and the use of eco-friendly total CO2 extraction technology is more sustainable and efficient, produces purer extracts with fewer contaminants and thus obtaining high-quality olive pomace extract compared to other traditional extraction methods.
2. Zero Waste Approach, adopting a circular industrial ecosystem and economy by repurposing olive pomace waste into a valuable resource thus minimizing environmental impact and promoting resource efficiency.
3. Community engagement, enhancing community participation and economic development, making the project socially sustainable and inclusive.
4. Multidisciplinary collaboration by integrating expertise from fields such as agriculture, biotechnology, chemistry, engineering, economics etc.
5. High-value 100% natural product that meets the growing consumers` demand for natural and sustainable products, differentiating this project from conventional alternatives.
6. Educational outreach by empowering companies, clients and customers to make eco-friendly choices and support a broader cultural shift towards sustainability.
The methodology used in “From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace” was:
1. Collaborating with olive oil production facilities to efficiently collect and transport olive pomace to the processing site.
2. Utilizing supercritical total extraction technology, which is environmentally friendly and energy-efficient. This method preserves the integrity of the bioactive compounds while minimizing the use of solvents and reducing waste.
3. Implementing quality control measures, including chemical analysis and testing, to guarantee the high quality of the final products. This involves routine testing by the laboratory for contaminants, active compound concentrations, and overall product stability.
4. Developing and designing the olive pomace extract as a product.
5. Promoting circular economy principles by repurposing waste into valuable products. Ensuring energy-efficient operations, minimizing resource consumption, and implementing environmentally friendly packaging solutions.
6. Developing marketing strategies that highlight the environmental and health benefits of the products. Establishing branding and packaging that reflect the project’s commitment to sustainability and quality and nature.
"From Waste to Wellness: Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace" project includes several elements that can be replicated or transferred to other contexts
1. Methodology and the steps required for a company starting from the raw material to the end product
2. Our project employs Supercritical CO2 Extraction technology, which is highly efficient in retaining valuable components from plants and residues. Additionally, this is a green technology, aligning with our commitment to sustainability.
3. The approach of transforming waste into valuable products promotes resource efficiency and can be implemented in different industries and regions to support sustainable practices.
4. The principles of integrating sustainability into every aspect of the project can serve as a blueprint for other initiatives aiming to balance economic, environmental, and social goals.
5. The development of health and skincare products from natural extracts can inspire similar initiatives using other plant-based materials, catering to the growing demand for eco-friendly and sustainable products.
6. The marketing strategies highlighting the environmental and health benefits of the products can be adapted to promote other sustainable innovations.
This project provides local solutions to global challenges such as:
1. Waste management by repurposing harmful olive pomace waste, a by-product of olive oil production into valuable extract. The project maximizes the use of agricultural by-products, ensuring that no part of the resource goes to waste.
2. Environmental pollution by recycling and utilizing eco-friendly extraction methods, it protects local ecosystems and promotes environmental sustainability.
3. Health and well-being by producing high-quality health and skincare products from natural extracts, the project enhances the well-being of consumers. It provides access to eco-friendly and effective products, promoting a healthier lifestyle.
4. Economic development by creating job opportunities and supporting local economies by involving communities in the collection, processing, and production of olive pomace extracts.
5. Cultural heritage preservation, by utilizing olive pomace, the project celebrates and preserves the cultural heritage of olive cultivation, promoting cultural identity and continuity.
6. Education and Awareness about sustainable practices and the environmental benefits of recycling as well as 100% natural products.
The results of “From Waste to Wellness Project Sustainable Extract Production from Olive Pomace” project are:
1. Successful extraction of valuable compounds of olive pomace using the green SCFE CO2 technology.
2. Creation of a high-quality health, food, pharmaceutical, and natural cosmetics/skincare product with proven benefits.
3. Increasing the diversity of our product list, thus generating a new revenue stream and attracting more local and international economic possibilities such as collaborations and interests from companies that are interested in this product.
4. By purchasing olive pomace residue, we have contributed to decreasing environmental harm, especially air pollution by preventing the burning of olive pomace.
5. We have maximized the use of the agricultural residue of olive pomace by transforming it into a high-quality, beneficial resource.
6. We have followed rigorously the EU and international regulations and directives which guarantee the quality of the product and it being suitable for international markets.
7. Creation of employment opportunities and training a qualified staff for the processing and production phases of olive pomace extraction.
8. We have created a clear marketing strategy attractive to eco-conscious natural product development companies and consumers.
By this project we have:
1. Fostered productive collaborations with olive producers and farmers.
2. Made a positive environmental impact by protecting the local ecosystem.
3. Utilized this resource effectively, reduced waste, and promoted a circular industrial ecosystem and economy.
4. Provided natural and eco-friendly health, food, and cosmetic/skincare products to companies across a range of industries.
5. Stimulated the local economy fostering social inclusion.
6. Preserved and celebrated the culture of olive cultivation through innovative practices.
7. Been certified with ISO 9001:2015 an international standard for quality management systems by Tuv Nord.