WP1 – Key environmental challenges of the

orange juice supply chain in Europe

INTRODUCTION

EU27 countries comprise the region that holds the largest

consumption of fruit juice in the world

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INTRODUCTION

Orange is the most popular flavor (35% market share )

Carton dominates the packaging choice (60% of total volume

consumed), followed by PET (25%)

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INTRODUCTION

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Orange raw juice

from press

1. Orange juice NFC

(= direct juice)

Concentration process

to orange juice

concentrate (FCOJ)

Re-dilution to orange juice

2.Orange juice FC

(made from orange juice concentrate)

One common name = fruit juice but 2 categories(acc. to European Fruit Juice Dir.)

INTRODUCTION

FC (Frozen Concentrate) vs NFC (Not from Concentrate)

Ambient vs Chilled juices: Ambient products show a higher

consumption (about 5 times) than chilled juice

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INTRODUCTION

INTRODUCTION Main producers are found in Brazil, United States of America and

in the Mediterranean area (Spain, Italy, Israel, Greece, Turkey).

Other important citrus producing areas are Central America

(Mexico), South Africa.

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Life cycle of the orange juice supply

chain

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Store Storage Fertilisers Pesticides

Processing Packaging

Transport

Retailing

Fridge

End of life

Orange production

Processing Retailing Consumption End of life

Main impacts from life cycle stages

Main impacts from life cycle stages

Cultivation stage: Fertilisers: nitrogen emissions (NH3,N2O), nitrate

leaching, K and P losses to water

Pesticides: sources of pollutants with implications

concerning human health and environment

integrity

Irrigation: usually produced in sunny regions

prone to water scarcity

Energy consumption: related to fossil fuel

consumption for machinery, and fert. production

Land use: deforestation, loss biodiversity and

CO2 emissions

1 kg of oranges:

– 170-230 l of water

– 100-450 g CO2eq

Main impacts from life cycle stages

Transport to industry: Energy: related to fossil fuel consumption for

transport (CO2, NOx,…)

Juice processing: Energy consumption: electricity (machinery), fossil

fuel consumption (thermal processing).

Water & detergent use: water consumption/pollution

Wastewater and waste: by-products (animal feed,

natural fertilisers…)

Materials consumption: NFC is directly collected by refrigerator tankers ready to be

distributed.

FCOJ is packaged in LDPE bags and stored in tanks made of low-

carbon steel.

Co-products from orange processing

after juice concentration:

- Juice 65º Brix concentrate: 100kg

- Essence oils: 0.1 kg

- Aroma: 1.1 kg

- Evaporated water: 452 kg

Main impacts from life cycle stages

Bottling and packaging: Energy consumption: electricity (machinery),

Water and detergent use: water consumption

and pollution

Materials consumption:

Depends on packaging materials (Carton, Plastic,

Glass)

Reconstitution of 1kg of

orange juice :

- Electricity: 0.083kWh

- Natural gas: 0.0073m3

Main impacts from life cycle stages

Retailing: Energy for refrigeration: electricity

Refrigerant emissions: (HCFs)

Consumer: Energy for refrigeration: electricity

Fuel consumption: transport to/from store

Waste: Depend on packaging material and waste

management scenario:

Landfill

Incineration

Recycling

Impacts from LC stages: Overview

Global warming

Eutrophication

Acidification

Water scarcity

Toxicity

Land use

Resource depletion

Global warming

Eutrophication

Water scarcity

Ozone depletion

Resource depletion

Global warming

Acidification

Ozone depletion

Global warming

Acidification

Ozone depletion

Global warming

Acidification

Eutrophication

Toxicity

Relation with other food products

Regional differences

Key Impact Categories:

Main contribution to global warming originates from fuel consumption in the transport step, followed by the agriculture (use

of fertilizers, production of pesticides and herbicides) (Beccali et al, 2009). Same trend could be found for acidification

potential. Regarding eutrophication potential more than 80% of the total impact is due to the use and production of

fertilizers, pesticides and herbicides.

Transport and agricultural inputs are the most influential stages of the orange juice value chain.

Aspects to be considered

Origin of raw material (orange juice)

Packaging (Brick, glass, PET)

Trends in the consumption of JFC and NFC

Regional differences

Thank you for your attention