Increasing extraction of EVOO at Atlas Olive Oils

Atlas Olive Oils invested in an OptiCEPT® unit for olive oil in 2019.
The effects were already visible after the first season, but even more so after an additional season. We chatted with Othmane Aqallal, managing director and owner of the Moroccan company to hear more about his impressions of the technology for olive oil production. Learn how Atlas Olive Oils increased their extraction of EVOO significantly, all while keeping their high-quality standards and improving sustainability.

“We are absolutely happy, both with its function and the extra olive oil it produces. The treatment has enabled us to reduce malaxation time. Now we only need about 45 minutes before it was between 1 hour and 1,5 hours. The oil does not get oxidated so the quality of the oil is even better and we also have 5% more polyphenols. We can feel more fruitiness in the olive oil.”

Mr.Othmane Aqallal, Managing Director & Owner, Atlas Olive Oils

About Atlas Olive Oils - Premium quality EVOO from Morocco

Atlas Olive Oils is a family-owned company with a long history that is known for its product development and high level of innovation. The company owns three farms in Morocco of 800 ha at the foot of the Atlas Mountain chain where more than 1,400,000 olive trees are cultivated.

“We have always believed in innovation and new technology; we always seek to develop and improve our production,“ Says, Mr. Aqallal.

Olive fruits are constantly monitored for optimal ripeness to ensure that can be picked at the right time and take only 20 minutes between harvesting and grinding.

Through the company’s modern extraction lines, 1,450,000 kg of excellent extra virgin olive oil with 0.2°maximum acidity is produced and delivered to exclusive dealers worldwide.

“My father and I made the decision to invest in OptiCEPT and are absolutely happy, both with its function and the extra olive oil it produces. The treatment has enabled us to reduce malaxation time. Now we only need about 45 minutes before it was between 1 hour and 1,5 hours. The oil does not get oxidated so the quality of the oil is even better and we also have 5% more polyphenols. We can feel more fruitiness in the olive oil.”

Facts - Atlas Olive Oils production

Variety: Picholine marocaine, Picholine du Languedoc, Arbequina, Arbossana, Koroneiki and Dahbia

Process: Cold extraction process at max temperature of 26⁰C

Capacity: 6000 t/h

Production: 1,450,000 Kg EVOO

Production Season: 3 months

Increasing EVOO extraction - oliveCEPT® performance

OptiCEPT® performance, during the 2019-20 production season, was to treat 6 T/h olive paste through the LO6 unit placed after the malaxation stage by keeping process parameters unchanged. After a few weeks of operation results validated a yield increase of 5%.

However, it was suggested to Atlas Olive Oils that installation of OptiCEPT® before malaxation would result in a much higher yield, an increase of even 10%, reducing in half the processing time and enabling lower processing temperature to below 25⁰C.

OptiCEPT® excellent performance gave confidence to Atlas Olive Oil for the next production season to re-install the unit before malaxation.

Production efficiency, maximum performance, and superior olive oil quality are improvements secured by OptiCEPT®.

oliveCEPT® performance data 2019-2020 harvest season

oliveCEPT® performance data 2021-2022 harvest season

We asked Mr. Othmane Aqallal about his experience with OptiCEPT®.

“We are delighted, with both its function and the extra olive oil it produces. We have gained an extra 10% without compromising quality. We have improved the olive oil taste and increased the polyphenol content of our oil by about 5%”. Says, Mr Aqallal.

More sustainable olive oil production with oliveCEPT

He also sees the sustainability impact of the technology as a clear benefit:

“Many producers, unfortunately, use additives in their oil to extract more, but this is bad for your health and the environment. So, I am really proud of the way we produce our oil and the great quality of our EVOO.”

Sustainability is highly prioritized for Atlas Olive Oils. They are one of very few carbon-neutral certified olive oil producers in the world.

“It took a lot of effort and work, but we are very proud of our work and the way we contribute to a more sustainable world. OptiCEPT has played a part in making us more eco-friendly”. Says, Mr. Aqallal.

Great service and support

The OptiCEPT® is connected to the internet, which means the function can be monitored remotely and updates to the software can be made continuously. Also, Mr. Aqallal stated that he is very satisfied with the service he gets from the OptiCept engineers and the updates of the software.

Short return on investment for olive oil producers

The OptiCEPT business model is designed to give the olive oil producers a short return on investment, consequently creating a real win-win. Depending on production capacity a return on investment can be made somewhere from 1,5-3 seasons. Below is an example of a calculation made on a capacity of 5 t/h.

Get in touch!

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