Study of the wet pomace as an additive in ceramic material

AbstractThe olive oil industry is a very important economic activity in the southeast of Spain. In the European Union, Spain produces more than the 50% of the olive oil. Twenty percent of world production is produced in the province of Jaen, Spain. This industry generates annually thousands tons of vegetable and water waste. Currently, these residues do not have an industrial application and are disposed in large quantities in ponds or landfills. It is essential to find a sustainable solution for the treatment of this kind of organic waste. The ceramics industry can incorporate large amounts of waste materials without important modifications in the manufacturing process. Its use represents a saving of raw materials and energy, incorporating inert organic and inorganic matter in the internal structure of the ceramic matrix. This study determines the characteristics of the residue from the production of olive oil (wet pomace) for its possible reuse in the production of ceramic materials.