USEALOE: A PROJECT BASED ON THE UTILIZATION OF BY-PRODUCTS FROM ALOE VERA TO MAKE THE PROCESS MORE CIRCULAR.
SECTOR
AgroIndustrial
CHALLENGE
With the USEALOE project, La Vendita has addressed several key challenges on its path towards a circular economy:
1. Waste management: La Vendita faced the challenge of managing large quantities of aloe vera by-products, including 36,750 kg of inflorescences, 190,000 kg of seedlings and 160,000 kg of leaf husks per year. Transporting this waste to a composting plant 30 km away resulted in high labour costs and greenhouse gas emissions. The project aimed to turn this waste into a valuable resource, reduce the environmental impact and create new sources of income.
2. Use of by-products: The challenge was to find a way to valorise the by-products of aloe vera that were previously discarded. USEALOE aimed to incorporate these by-products into new product lines such as infusions, gels and powders.
3. Resource efficiency: The project sought to increase the efficiency of resource use by reducing the need for virgin raw materials.
4. Environmental impact: La Vendita aimed to minimise the environmental impact of its operations, in line with EU sustainability objectives, reducing CO2 emissions associated with transport and waste composting. 5. Innovation and differentiation: USEALOE aimed to develop innovative and sustainable products that would differentiate La Vendita in the market
SOLUTION
Thanks to the USEALOE project, La Vendita has transformed Aloe vera by-products, previously considered waste, into valuable resources. It has developed new innovative products, including:
-Aloe Vera Flower Infusions: Flowers were used to create infusions that enhance the flavour, aroma, and organoleptic properties of Aloe vera juice, offering a unique market product.
-Dehydrated Aloe Vera Gel: A new product combining Aloe vera flowers and dehydrated gel was introduced.
-Acemannan-Rich Gels: Flower stems, rich in acemannan (a health-promoting polysaccharide), were processed for use in cosmetics and nutraceuticals.
-Cosmetic Gels from Seedlings: Aloe vera seedlings, despite lower acemannan levels than mature leaves, were suitable for producing safe cosmetic gels.
-Aloe Vera Powder from Husks: Dehydrated and pulverized leaf husks were transformed into a storable, transportable powder with cosmetic applications.
This solution has not only solved the problem of waste management, but has also generated new business opportunities, improved resource efficiency and reduced the environmental impact of La Vendita’s operations
IMPACT
The USEALOE project has had a significant impact on various aspects of the La Vendita’s operation, encompassing environmental, economic and social benefits.
Environmental impact:
Waste reduction: a 90% reduction in waste generated by the company has been achieved, equivalent to 386,750 kg of Aloe vera by-products no longer being disposed of.
Reduced CO2 emissions: By reusing the by-products in-house, the need to transport them to a composting plant 30 km away has been eliminated, resulting in a reduction of CO2 emissions. It is estimated that the reuse of leaf shells has avoided the emission of 7,228 kg of CO2 per year.
Economic impact:
Improved resource efficiency: reuse of by-products has reduced the need for virgin raw material by 50%, resulting in cost savings for the company.
Creation of new product lines: The project has enabled the development of new products from Aloe vera by-products, such as infusions, gels and powders, opening up new business opportunities and diversifying the company’s offer.
Increased profitability: The combination of cost reduction and the generation of new revenue streams has contributed to improving La Vendita’s overall profitability.
Social impact:
Job creation: the project has generated new jobs in the region, especially in the areas of collection, handling and processing of by-products.
Local development: The job creation and economic growth of the company benefits the local community, especially in a rural environment where job opportunities can be limited.
KEA TAKEAWAY
The project is an example of how the circular economy can be successfully applied in industry, creating a more sustainable and profitable production model, and can drive sustainability, innovation and economic growth.