Implemented in Ethiopia, one of East Africa’s major agricultural production hubs, this project features a fully integrated processing line designed to produce high-value extra virgin and industrial-grade avocado oil from fresh avocados, meeting export quality standards.The primary objective of the project is to process delicate, oil-rich avocados from washing through final oil clarification, minimizing product losses, maximizing oil yield, and preserving nutritional value throughout the entire production process.
Technical Process and Equipment Architecture
Avocado oil extraction requires precise, multistage separation engineering due to the fruit’s physical structure, high fiber and moisture content, and sensitivity to heat.
Fruit Preparation and Pre-Treatment Line (Washing & Destoning): Upon arrival at the facility, avocados are cleaned of foreign matter in a hygienic washing unit before being fed into a specially designed destoning unit, which removes the pits without crushing them. This helps prevent oil bitterness and minimizes equipment wear.
Crushing and Malaxation Stage: The pitted avocado flesh is processed in a crushing unit to produce a homogeneous paste. In temperature- and time-controlled malaxation tanks, the oil emulsion is broken down, allowing free oil droplets to coalesce.
Advanced Decanter and Separator Technology (2-Phase / 3-Phase):
Decanter Centrifuge: The malaxed avocado paste is separated into solid and liquid phases using our high-centrifugal-force decanter systems. Depending on process requirements and water management preferences, the system can operate in either 2-phase mode (oil and wet pomace) or 3-phase mode (oil, vegetation water, and drier pomace).
Disc-Stack Separator: The crude avocado oil discharged from the decanter is clarified in our high-speed disc-stack separator, which removes fine organic sediment and residual moisture to produce clear oil.
Key Deliverables and Added Value
Maximum Oil Yield and Premium Quality: Low-temperature, homogeneous malaxation that preserves the integrity of the fruit flesh, combined with precise centrifugal separation, helps preserve avocado oil's natural antioxidants, vitamin E, and fatty acid profile while achieving high oil purity.
2-Phase and 3-Phase Process Flexibility: The decanter system architecture offers maximum operational flexibility, allowing the plant to operate in either 2-phase or 3-phase mode according to water availability and waste management requirements.
High Commercial Value in International Markets: Ethiopia's local avocado production potential is transformed into premium-quality avocado oil that meets the demands of global food, cosmetics, and nutraceutical markets, creating added value through export opportunities.
