99 Olive grove by-products as a strategic resource: contributions of the INOVCIRCOLIVE project to circularity in the olive sector VASCO FITAS DA CRUZ AND DIOGO COELHO MED – Mediterranean Institute for Agriculture, Environment and Development & CHANGE – Institute for Global Change and Sustainability, Department of Rural Engineering, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of Évora, Mitra Campus A sec tor intransition Recent developments in the olive oil sector in Portugal, particularly in the Alentejo region, have been characterised by an intensification of production driven by the expansion of intensive and super-intensive systems. This production model has led to significant gains in productivity and efficiency in the use of water and production factors, as well as a strengthening of the olive oil sector’s international competitiveness. At the same time, the increasing mechanisation and integration of production processes have contributed to greater predictability and uniformity in production. However, this structural transformation has brought with it new challenges, particularly regarding the management of surpluses generated throughout the value chain. Among the main waste streams are olive pomace, leaves resulting from olive cleaning, pruning waste and wastewater from olive mills. The spatial and temporal concentration of these materials, often with vertically integrated farms, poses difficulties in terms of storage, transport and final disposal. However, these by-products offer significant potential for valorisation, both as sources of organic matter and nutrients, and as raw materials for industrial processes with higher added value. Their integration into circular economy strategies not only reduces environmental impacts but also generates new economic opportunities and strengthens the sustainability of production systems. It was within this context that the INOVCIRCOLIVE1 project (Funding by PRR_C05_i03_000208) was developed, with the aim of promoting innovative, scientifically-based solutions for the integrated recovery of olive oil production byproducts (including olive pomace, pruning waste, olive leaves, wastewater from olive oil mills, olive stones and olive wood), as well as other by-products from the agri-food chain. 1https://www.inovcircolive.uevora.pt/
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