Objective
VALOstones is framed in the context of sustainable innovation strategies for new value creation from Mediterranean bio-wastes. This topic is fully aligned with the Horizon Europe’s [1] and the European Green Deal’s[2]. specific goals to accelerate the development in the Mediterranean countries of a circular bioeconomy, particularly in the agri-food sector. New ways of efficient use and sustainable conversion of natural resources into bio-based products will be developed following an approach that integrates environmental, economic, and social dimensions. VALOstones aims to create new business opportunities and accelerate the transition to healthy and sustainable dietary behaviour in the Mediterranean Basin.
The overall objective of VALOstones is the exploitation of new opportunities for the management of olive stone (OS) biomass in the Mediterranean Basin to generate innovative products with high added-value in food, pharmaceutical and cosmeceutical sectors, enabling the transition to healthy and sustainable behaviour in the Mediterranean region. Environmental, economic and social challenges of innovative management opportunities will be addressed.
Development of novel processes based on eco-friendly technologies for efficient extraction, purification and transformation of the OS powder supplied from a Tunisian olive mill into valuable ingredients, particularly biopolymers (carbohydrates and proteins) and antioxidants.
Socio-economic-environmental assessment of the potential impact of the developed innovative products for the different stakeholders, from farmers, in particular olive oil producers, to final consumers. This will allow to move towards a sustainable, economically-feasible and environmentally-friendly olive oil value chain. The impact of the developed biopolymers-based cosmeceuticals and food products on consumers’ behaviour to improve both their health and habits will be assessed to increase their awareness for bio-based products. Opportunities associated with the development of sustainability and circular bioeconomy models in the domain of olive waste valorization will also be discussed with olive processing SMEs facing environmental and economic issues.
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