Economic analysis and energy valorization of by-products of the olive oil process: Valdemone DOP extra virgin olive oil

The paper analyzes the biomass resulting from the processing of olive oil, in order to evaluate, in terms of economic sustainability, its importance in energy processes and the use of alternative paths other than the normal disposal process of the residues of the oil industry productive chain. Attention has been focused on the manufacturer of Valdemone DOP extra virgin olive oil, located in Sicily (Italy), in order to evaluate the possible energy recovery, directly by the farmer, of by-products of the production chain of olive oil, in order to make the whole process more efficient, using the scraps from the mill directly on site. The economic analysis aims at identifying measures for energy recovery from by-products; in order to reduce the incidence of the cost of waste disposal on the cost of the production of the oil; to energy conservation through the use of by-products as renewable fuel. (C) 2015 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.