One of the strengths of Esencial (AMEL Extract sh.p.k) is the R&D department. This department proposes and develops projects focused on improving the quality of products produced with SCFE CO2 green technology.
In the ambitious project of waste processing from the agro-industry, in the case of olive pomace, R&D established a main non-negotiable criterion, the drying of pomace as soon as it comes out of olive oil production. Moreover, microwave drying and further processing with SCFE CO2 were explicitly requested not to reduce the content of the main phytocompounds of olive pomace.

The need for more sustainable processes has led the food industries and scientists to develop alternative techniques in line with adopting green and environmentally friendly extraction methods. Such operations use renewable plants, green resources, and solvents, such as CO2 inert gas. To reduce energy consumption and working time, steps to valorize agro-industrial by-products such as olive pomace (waste).
Drying methods cause a significant effect on biomass matrices, as in the case of olive pomace, influencing some features of phytocompounds. Therefore, freeze or microwave drying is generally preferred, as it does not damage and reduces losses of volatile components and adverse changes in bioactive compounds' structure, color, and aroma. However, freeze-drying is an expensive process that needs to be fully aligned with economic and environmental sustainability goals. Therefore, our R&D team set up this microwave drying project.

COSOLVE 19 was a GIZ-funded initiative (2019–2021) implemented in collaboration with local partners in the Western Balkans. The project aimed to develop eco-friendly, solvent-free extraction and valorisation methods for medicinal and aromatic plants (MAPs), focusing on circular bioeconomy models and sustainable industrial applications.

Esencial Lab (AMEL Extract sh.p.k.) was a key technical contributor, leading lab-scale experiments and process development for selected MAPs.

Key Achievements

1.  Validated SC-CO₂ extraction protocols for Rosmarinus officinalis, Saponaria officinalis, and Helichrysum italicum
2.  Achieved TRL 3–4, confirming proof-of-concept for solvent-free extraction
3.  Established analytical benchmarks for purity (>95%), extraction yield, and bioactivity stability
4.  Pioneered early-stage valorisation pathways for underutilised MAPs in the Western Balkans

Role in NATURA-PURE

The COSOLVE 19 results provided the technological foundation for the NATURA-PURE proposal under the EIC Transition programme. Building on the proven feasibility at TRL 3–4, NATURA-PURE now aims to scale up the validated methods to TRL 6 and integrate them into a market-ready platform for clean-label, bioactive ingredients.