Portuguese Olive Mill Quadruples Capacity with Alfa Laval Innovation
4x production boost supports regional growers and transforms waste into value
In Portugal’s Alto Alentejo region, Caminhos do Futuro has significantly expanded its olive oil production capacity—from 1,500 kg/hour to 6,000 kg/hour—through the installation of Alfa Laval’s advanced Foodec Sigma decanter. This major upgrade marks a forward-thinking investment in local farming resilience and sustainability.
As the last remaining olive mill in Montemor-o-Novo, the cooperative recognized the need to modernize operations to meet increasing demand from regional farmers. “We either modernized the process or lost competitiveness,” states José Ferreira, the retired operator who dedicated over two decades to the olive oil mill.
Alfa Laval has been a long-time technology partner to the cooperative. “Caminhos do Futuro has always had a vision focused on innovation, and Alfa Laval has supported us every step of the way,” says Nelson Fialho, current general manager. “The decision to invest in a brand-new first-extraction line followed months of careful evaluation and collaboration with their experts to identify the optimal solution for our needs.”
The mill’s trust in Alfa Laval was reinforced by decades of reliable performance from existing equipment. Since 1998, the facility has operated an Alfa Laval decanter alongside two high-speed separators acquired in 1989. These continue to perform efficiently and have now been repurposed as part of a waste-to-value strategy. Since 2024, the original line has been used to process pomace—previously discarded olive residue—adding value while reducing waste.
Boosting Extraction with Smarter Engineering
The installed Sigma decanter features Alfa Laval’s latest innovations, including a longer conveyor and the patented Active Baffle Disc. These enhancements are designed to increase oil yield and ensure consistent, uninterrupted performance.
“The new conveyor, being longer, increases yield by extending the product flow distance inside the unit, while the patented Active Baffle Disc ensures uninterrupted performance, even under varying feed or process conditions,” explains Rafael Ayuso, olive oil expert at Alfa Laval. “Its simplified setup also reduces downtime and minimizes the need for manual adjustments.”
Built with durable materials and advanced wear protection, the decanter is designed to withstand the challenges of intense, shorter harvest seasons—conditions increasingly common due to climate change.
Future-Ready for a Growing Global Market
As global demand for healthy, plant-based products rises and harvest conditions become more challenging, Alfa Laval’s 2-phase decanter centrifuges are seen as a crucial innovation for small, medium, and large olive mills alike. The Sigma series delivers high efficiency and ease of operation, helping producers stay competitive while ensuring consistent product quality.
Caminhos do Futuro views this investment as essential to supporting the next generation of olive growers and continuing its role in preserving a proud farming tradition.
Learn more about Alfa Laval Foodec Sigma at:
www.alfalaval.com/sigma
