Chocolate may very well be humanity’s favorite food. But it is not perfect. The industry, unfortunately, generates a significant amount of waste from chocolate production. For example, cocoa pod husks and bean shells. However…there is a solution!
Prorec transforms waste from chocolate production into valuable resources for a more sustainable future. Discover how Prorec’s eco-friendly and cost-effective food recycling services can revolutionize your business and minimize your environmental impact. We help you make a responsible, intelligent choice for food waste management. This approach reduces agro-industrial waste in the cocoa industry and promotes a circular bioeconomy.
What is the impact of chocolate production and consumption?
Chocolate production waste, such as cocoa pulp waste, cocoa shells or other cocoa crops residues, can impact the environment. The chocolate industry contributes to carbon dioxide emissions, water source pollution, and soil degradation. Furthermore, fermentation (a critical step in developing a chocolate’s flavor profile) can generate waste.
Also, energy and raw materials used in the chocolate industry have a high carbon footprint. This does not mean dark chocolate is harmless, as its production generates significant agricultural residues from the tons of cocoa beans it requires. Recovering and repurposing waste from chocolate production is essential to minimize environmental impacts and promote a circular economy.
What measures should be taken to be more responsible?
Reviewing the production chain
Optimization of the chocolate production process can lead to food waste reduction:
- Energy-efficient equipment can help reduce the amount of energy consumed during the chocolate production process
- Avoiding the use of harmful chemical products in pesticides can help minimize environmental pollution
- Eco-friendly materials can be used in chocolate production to help reduce waste and minimize environmental impact
Elaborate new products from waste
We can extract valuable compounds (for example phenolic compounds) from cocoa agro-industrial waste. Those are used in a variety of industries for their antioxidant potential, as well as their anti-inflammatory and physicochemical properties. Another example is the extraction of pectin from cocoa pods, which can be used as a stabilizer, thickener, or gelling agent. And of course, as we will now explore, waste from cocoa production can be turned into animal feed, as it provides a great source of energy.
Join a team that creates value
We offer a food recycling solution
Waste from the production of chocolate includes a large quantity of cocoa bean shells. Traditional approaches for cocoa waste management include burning them for biochar production or leaving them to decompose. Both approaches to cocoa residues management have a negative environmental impact and contribute to the climate crisis (air pollution through gaseous residues, greenhouse gas emissions, etc.).
Cocoa bean shells, however, have substantial nutritional properties that can be leveraged with the right type of technology. They are a rich source of dietary fibre and have strong antioxidant properties. Prorec’s food recycling solutions, through cocoa bean shell waste, chocolate residues and declassified powder valorisation, turn organic residues from chocolate production into nutrient-rich animal feed.
Our creative solutions help businesses capitalize on the potential of food waste materials, fostering an eco-friendly and cost-effective approach. A great example of climate change resilience that happens to also be economically profitable.
Discover our wide range of animal food products
Prorec’s innovative food waste recovery solutions turn residual biomass into valuable animal feed products. They provide high-quality, nutritious, and sustainable animal feed generated from chocolate production waste, tapping into the rich source of bioactive compounds found in residual cocoa products.
Prorec’s services contribute to a circular economy in the food industry. We ensure that all organic matter in the cocoa production chain is utilized to create value-added products and reduce agro-industrial waste. Feel free to contact us for any inquiries!
