Technical-economic prefeasibility of an olive pomace biorefinery for the main olive-growing areas of Argentina

Abstract

Argentina is the main olive oil producer among South American countries, with over 250.000 t of olives milled per year. Territorial dispersion, scale of production and the lack of pomace-oil extractors favors the implementation of in situ procedures towards pomace management. The present work aimed to evaluate the technical-economic prefeasibility of an olive pomace biorefinery designed to obtain grounded olive stone, pomace oil, olive husk and biophenolic extract as natural antioxidant. Geolocation, pomace generation as well as the needs and expectations associated with its management were surveyed in 14 industries of Sarmiento, San Juan and 7 industries of Chilecito, La Rioja.