Circular economy
The Iberian almond sector has also made successful progress with regard to use of the by-products it generates. This is fundamental when it comes to minimising waste and promoting the circular economy. The by-products also have a wide range of uses:
Almond shell
The perfect material for biomass energy generation and one of the most commonly used forms of agro-industrial waste, as indicated by the biofuel guide published in 2022 within the framework of the European AgroBioHeat project.
It represents 62% to 78% of the total weight of the fruit, and it is estimated that the Iberian Peninsula generates around 314,000 tonnes of shells a year.
The guide indicates that if it is stored properly and undergoes a minimal treatment to standardise the size of the particles, “a good quality biofuel can be obtained”.
Almond skins
Rich in fibre, they are no longer even considered waste, as they are increasingly incorporated into a range of functional foods.
They can also be used to obtain excipients for veterinary products.
