Olive pomace / olive pomace pellets
Olive pomace and olive pomace pellets are solid biofuels derived as by-products from olive oil production. Crude olive pomace is a mixture of finely ground skin, pulp, and pits containing residual oil, while olive pomace pellets are mechanically dried and pelletized into compact cylindrical shapes with stable dimensions. After drying and pelletizing, they achieve a relatively high lower heating value and more uniform combustion, with significantly easier storage and dosing compared with loose pomace. These biofuels are used in boilers and industrial furnaces designed for biomass fuels, particularly in olive-growing regions where they are locally available in substantial quantities.
Category
- Biofuels
- Solid biomass based on agro-industrial residue (by-product from olive processing)
- Renewable energy source when managed as part of sustainable olive oil production and waste utilization
Variations
- Raw or semi-dried olive pomace (loose form with variable moisture content)
- Olive pomace pellets (standardized pellet size, increased bulk density, reduced moisture)
- Blends of olive pomace with other biomass fuels (e.g. wood pellets, shells) to optimize combustion properties
- Bulk delivery (silos, pellet tankers) or bagged pellets for smaller users and pilot installations
Applications In The Industry
Energy systems
In energy systems, olive pomace and olive pomace pellets are used in small and medium boiler houses, heating plants, and cogeneration units located in olive-producing regions. Olive pomace pellets are particularly suitable for automatic boilers with screw feeders, grate-fired systems, or fluidized bed boilers, where stable combustion and reasonable energy efficiency can be achieved. In small district heating networks, they can provide base load or mid-load heat supply, while in cogeneration plants they are used for combined heat and power production, often co-fired with other woody or agro biomass to optimize emissions and operational reliability. When using raw olive pomace, specialized boilers with adapted furnaces, drying stages, and robust fuel handling systems are required.
Industry
In industrial applications, olive pomace and olive pomace pellets are used as fuels for process heat and steam generation in the food industry (especially olive mills, wineries, and related agro-processing facilities), as well as in small and medium manufacturing sites. Olive mills frequently install in-house boilers or cogeneration units that use olive pomace as the main fuel, closing the internal energy loop and reducing waste disposal costs. Olive pomace pellets are applied in steam and hot-water boilers, agricultural product dryers, and process furnaces where biomass with higher ash content is acceptable. By integrating these biofuels into industrial energy systems, it is possible to partially or fully replace heavy fuel oil or coal, provided that burners, fuel feeding systems, and flue gas cleaning are appropriately adapted.
Benefits Of Use
- Utilization of agro-industrial waste and reduced costs associated with olive pomace disposal
- Substitution of fossil fuels (heavy fuel oil, coal) with a locally available solid biofuel
- Relatively high lower heating value within the agro biomass segment, especially for olive pomace pellets
- Increased energy self-sufficiency of olive mills and associated industrial sites, with potentially lower CO₂ emissions per unit of useful energy compared with fossil fuels
Get a Quote
Fast ResponseWhy Choose Our Platform?
Unlock direct access to a global network of reliable suppliers. Through our platform you can source ingredients, polymers and specialty products from trusted producers with full transparency. Every product comes with clear documentation, and every supplier is checked for quality, compliance and consistency so you can focus on production, not on risk.