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2 min
The “A gesture for the Earth” section is heading today to Champagne, where winegrowers recycle their bunches of grapes once the harvest is over. A company takes care of recovering them to make biofuel or cosmetics.
Exploiting the full potential of grape grains, down to the molecules extracted from the seeds, is the gesture for the earth of this Champagne sector. During the harvest, the press runs all day at the winegrower’s. Tons of fruit are crushed for several hours. They give 5,000 liters of juice, future champagne, but also residues. Head for recycling. During harvest, the bin is filled every day.
Alcohol for biofuels
“For us, it also means processing locally, which is very important. Let it not go to other foreign countries to extract materials. Everything is made in Champagne“, explains Benjamin Rogge, the winegrower. About fifty kilometers away, a refinery recycles 100% locally.
Benjamin’s grape marc is found here. In total, 25,000 tonnes arrive in two weeks. The juice is fermented then distilled, and is used to produce alcohol for biofuel. The residue is used as compost for farmers in the region. The molecules of dried grape seeds are extracted to create antioxidants and colorings in powder form.