Public Participation in Developing a Common Framework for the Assessment and Management of Sustainable Innovation

Related sector

• C - Manufacturing
  • Manufacture of coke and refined petroleum products

SI Lead organisation

VAS. & EK. Kottaridi G.P. - - Business actor ( Small private organisations (SME) )

http://klimiscoal.gr/

SI Scope

SI Process

Since its establishment in 1968, the company uses the woody part of Greek olive pits as heating fuel for the kiln it owns, in order to bake lime stones to produce lime pulp for use in building construction and lime powder for use in agriculture purposes. Woody part of olive pits (remnant from pomace factories) is a solid biomass fuel, sustainable and therefore a renewable energy source produced during the process of collecting olive oil. A black powder is created from the incomplete combustion of the woody part of olive pits in the kiln. Since 1992, after lengthy experiments, this black powder is utilised to create the barbecue briquettes. Currently, apart from the Greek market the product is available in several foreign countries.

Link to H2020 SI Priorities

• Alternative raw materials
• Climate change mitigation solutions
• Eco-solutions to reduce raw materials use
• Resource efficient sustainable lifestyles
• Climate action by sustainable lifestyle

SI Type

• Product / Process - The eco-innovation and awarded product is barbecue briquettes made from Greek olive pits (biomass). An EU-patented product, the briquettes provide a sustainable source of energy which is 100% natural. These briquettes are not only the first green product of their kind, but are also produced in an innovative and environmentally-friendly manner from waste fuel.

• Marketing - An environmentally-friendly briquette made from olive residues holds great marketing potential for alternative raw materials with a highly sustainable method.

SI Objectives

• 1. Production of an innovative environmentally-friendly product from waste fuel.
• 2. Production of an alternative raw material.
• 3. Contribution to the reduction of deforestation.

• 1. Maximise resource efficiency by using natural, olive by-products with no additional environmental strain.
• 2. Promote recycling and smart usage of by-products.

SI Origin

The founder of the company Mr. Klimis Klimentidis moved to Kalamata, Greece in 1922. He was surrounded by landscape abundant in olive groves which inspired him to create this product. Realising that waste olive pits left over from the olive oil presses could be used as a source of heat when fired, he began his lengthy experiments to invent an alternative fuel for cooking food. Eventually, recognising the value of turning a waste product into a sustainable fuel, he patented his olive pits briquettes and started to sell them locally in 1992.

SI Factors of success

• Technological - Compared to wood charcoal, the product is advantageous during combustion: it does not spark, smell and smoke, it lights up easily, and holds great calorific power.
• Environmental - An innovative and EU patented product, a sustainable source of energy, 100% natural, created from waste fuel using environment-friendly methods. The product eliminates greenhouse gas emissions and prevents global climate change; life cycle studies show that biomass to energy produces very low net carbon dioxide emissions compared to fossil fuels. Moreover, it eliminates deforestation, as no trees have to be cut or burned to generate charcoal. During combustion, the product emits 30% less carbon monoxide than wood charcoal.

Sources

• Primary - Information on the specific activity was drawn from the company\’s website, as well as from internet articles referring to the product\’s awarding of prizes for its environment-friendly character and use.
• Secondary - The Marketing Manager of Klimis offered us details on the technical characteristics of the product.