Upcycling Waste in Edible Oil Production: A New Business Model

The edible oil industry produces a lot of waste, from seed husks and press cakes to used cooking oil. In the past, much of this waste was simply thrown away or barely used. But now, businesses are embracing upcycling—turning what was once waste into useful products. This shift isn’t just good for the environment; it also creates new ways to make money and makes edible oil processing more efficient. Why Upcycling Makes Sense Upcycling waste in edible oil production comes with plenty of benefits. Press cakes, the solid leftovers from oil extraction, are packed with nutrients and can be used as animal feed or organic fertilizers. Seed husks, instead of being discarded, can be turned into biomass fuel to power oil mills. Even used cooking oil, which was once a headache to dispose of, can now be refined into biodiesel—helping to fuel a greener economy. Saving Money and Protecting the Planet When companies upcycle, they cut down on waste disposal costs while unlocking new business opp...