Sustainable management of olive mill waste and the potential of biochar
Description
Efficient management of agro-industrial waste is key to moving towards a more sustainable, circular, and climate-neutral agriculture . With this objective, Cajamar is organizing the webinar “Sustainable Management of Olive Mill Waste: The Biochar Example,” a training session that will address the use of olive grove byproducts—such as olive pomace and woody biomass—for the production of biochar and hydrochar , and their application as an organic amendment or ingredient for high-quality compost.
A key issue for climate change mitigation
The Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) emphasizes that proper management of organic waste and the incorporation of exogenous organic matter into soils are practices with high potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve the resilience of agricultural systems.
The production of biochar and hydrochar is emerging as a promising avenue for utilizing residual biomass from olive groves, forestry systems, wastewater treatment plants, and agricultural residues. In the olive oil sector, mill waste has become one of the most valuable raw materials for valorization.
The webinar will explain:
- How to obtain biochar and hydrochar from olive mill waste and olive biomass.
- Their benefits as soil improvement amendments.
- Its role as an ingredient in producing higher quality compost.
- New business opportunities and value creation within the circular agri-food economy.
Webinar program
16:30 – Welcome and presentation
Carlos Baixauli Soria , Director of the Cajamar Experience Center
16:40 – Olive pomace, composting and biochar: three aces for sustainability
Ana García Rández , Researcher at the Miguel Hernández University of Elche and Director of the Sinyent Experimental Farm of AVA ASAJA
17:10 – New ways to add value to olive oil by-products
Rubén Escudero Mira , CTO of Smallops
17:30 – Biochar, the solution for the soil and for the climate
Álvaro Espuny Rodríguez , CEO of Carboliva
17:50 – Panel discussion
18:00 – End of the day
This webinar is recommended for professionals interested in circular economy, bioeconomy, sustainable crop management and agro-industrial waste management , as well as for technicians, olive mill managers and students who wish to delve deeper into innovative solutions for the olive oil sector.