Bioeconomy in the olive oil sector – COOPID infographic

Olive oil production in the Mediterranean region spans from olive groves to milling, generating by-products like pomace, pits, leaves, and pruning waste. Oleícola El Tejar, a 1967-established cooperative, processes 2 million tons of pomace annually from 240 partner mills, extracting oil and bioproducts such as polyphenols and triterpenes for pharmaceutical and food applications. Residual material is used for bioenergy, producing 300,000 MWh yearly, while ash is recycled into fertilizer. Supported by EU Horizon 2020, the company exemplifies a circular bioeconomy model.