CIRCULAR ECONOMY
Algarve 1914’s industrial activities are aligned with the principles of the circular economy, as we make full use of the by-products of the winemaking and alcohol industry. This enables us to reduce our fuel consumption and utilise 100% of the waste, to which we give a new lease of life. We use the waste or by-products of our suppliers as well as our own. As in nature, all of the waste generated serves a new and valuable purpose. In our production model, the exclusive use of by-products enables us to optimise our resource consumption and generate clear added value within the life cycle of the winemaking industry.
ALCOHOL PRODUCTION
Our Process
The majority of Algarve 1914’s alcohol products are obtained by using by-products. The grape pomace and lees produced by wineries during the winemaking process are subsequently used to make alcohol products at our distillery, thereby helping to tackle the problem of organic waste generation and management in the winemaking industry. Many of our alcohol products go back to the wineries, where they are used to make liqueur wines, fortified wines, spirits, etc.
The waste generated by the distillation of alcohol in our facilities is transformed into new products or given new uses:
Algarve 1914 transforms dried de-alcoholised grape pomace into biomass, which has a calorific power that makes it suitable for use in our steam boiler. This helps us to reduce our consumption of natural resources and use energy efficiently.
To protect vital natural resources such as water and soil, the liquid waste generated by the distillation of alcohol (this waste is known as vinasse and is invariably left over after the extraction of calcium tartrate) is stabilised and treated in evaporation ponds. Algarve 1914 is authorised by the General Directorate for the Circular Economy to use this waste for agricultural purposes, specifically to irrigate and fertilise the soil.
Actions to Promote Energy Efficiency and Sustainable Fertilisation
Our family currently owns around 120 hectares of 100% organic vineyards within the municipality of Madridejos. Our vineyards enable us to complete our circular economy by using the by-products generated by Algarve 1914 (de-alcoholised lees and grape pomace along with the ashes taken from the still boiler) to irrigate and fertilise the soil.
Consequently, we are able to fertilise our soil sustainably, using techniques designed to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases as much as possible. Moreover, every year we calculate our carbon footprint, in order to monitor and optimise our processes and thereby reduce the emission of greenhouse gases during the 2020-2023 period.
ANNUAL CARBON FOOTPRINT CALCULATION
REDUCED EMISSION OF GREENHOUSE GASES
ORGANIC FERTILISERS FROM BY-PRODUCTS
RENEWABLE ENERGY FROM SOLAR PANELS
