Ovive
FRANCE
Contact: ovive@ovive-sa.fr
Localisation: Périgny (17)
Sector: Traitement des déchets
Date of création: 1988
Date of meeting: April 2021
Maturity of the projet: Mature
Ovive valorizes oyster shells in animal feed for gallinaceans.
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History of the project
Ovive was created in 1988 by three founders based on the fact that France had to import fossil oyster shells from Northern Europe to feed laying hens. The company thus valorizes oyster farming waste from the French Atlantic coast for the nutrition of poultry farms.
Today, this company of 15 employees recovers 3700 t of oyster farm waste per year. In parallel to this recovery activity, Ovive also processes other products such as cork or minerals by applying their know-how to oyster shells. In addition to these activities, the company also sells aggregates (sand, gravel, stones).
Ovive supplies three main areas [1]:
- Agriculture and breeding with its oyster shell-based products (food supplements, amendments).
- Pet industry (sand, gravel).
- Landscaping and public works (minerals, gravel and technical aggregates).
Key numbers
- 3700 t of oyster shells recovered in 2020.
- Oyster shell is composed of 95% calcium carbonate.
- 3 to 5 g of calcium are necessary per day for laying hens for their eggs.
Pillars of the circular economy
Responsible consumption due to the industrial practices employed. Ovive does not use chemicals and has a policy of reducing industrial waste. In addition, half of the energy consumed by the company comes from solar energy produced by the photovoltaic panels located on the roof of the production area
Recycling by recovering the oyster shells produced by the oyster farms of the French Atlantic coast.
Project functioning
To listen to Coline present the project, you can watch the video at the bottom of the article!
Based in Périgny, on the outskirts of La Rochelle, Ovive is specialized in the valorization of oyster shells which are dried, crushed and calibrated in order to offer a range of products which will be intended mainly for breeding (oyster shells) and agriculture (powder).
1. Oyster farming waste on the Atlantic coast
France is the first producer and consumer of hollow oysters in Europe. With 7 oyster basins (Normandy, Brittany, Vendée, Charente-Maritime, Arcachon and the Mediterranean), France alone produces 130,000 tons per year, which represents 90% of the European production.
This important production results in a significant quantity of oyster shells. These shells are the result of the death of some oysters. They remain in the oyster bag until the harvest. During the sorting carried out by the oyster farmer, he will remove the empty oyster shells from the oysters he will market.
Ovive valorizes oyster shells from the Atlantic coast, from the south of Brittany to the Arcachon basin. 90% of the oyster shells used by the company come from oyster farms. The remaining 10% come from the surrounding waste disposal sites where citizens can come and deposit their shells.
2. The process of recovery of the shells
Les coquilles, une fois réceptionnées par Ovive, vont être stockées pendant plusieurs semaines en extérieur pour permettre la dégradation des restes de matière organique. Une étape de triage est par la suite effectuée pour pouvoir retirer tout ce qui n’est pas de la coquille. Une partie du tri est manuelle. Par la suite, les huîtres passent dans un four rotatif pour sécher et hygiéniser les coquilles. Ces dernières sont ensuite broyées et passent dans un tamis permettant d’obtenir des écailles (éclats de coquilles d’huîtres) de plusieurs calibres ainsi qu’une poudre.
3. With numerous benefits for users
The shells are mainly used for the feeding of laying hens. Indeed, a laying hen needs a daily intake of 3 to 5 g of calcium to constitute the egg shell. The scales, composed of calcium carbonate, make them a preferred source of calcium for poultry farms. Oyster shells are composed mainly of calcium carbonate. Oyster shells, being composed of 95% of calcium, are therefore an excellent source of calcium for laying hens.
Ovive’s oyster shell recycling process is also beneficial for agriculture. Indeed, the crushing of oyster shells produces a powder that can be used as an amendment to counterbalance the acidity of the soil thanks to the basicity of the powder.
sustainable development approach
Environmental benefits
By adding value to oyster shells from the French Atlantic coast, the company is able to offer a local alternative to layer hen farmers and private individuals for feeding their poultry. This valorization makes it possible to reduce the importation of fossilized shells coming from Denmark. These shells are indeed recovered by dredging the bottom of the North Sea, which leads to the destruction of the sea bed.
Economic benefits
The local valorization loops allow to amplify the positive impact of Ovive on the economic fabric of Charente. Moreover, the adaptability of the production lines allow the company to valorize other products than oyster shells, such as the cork recovered by Echo-Mer (see article) which will be valorized as insulation.
Social benefits
The company favors a professional integration open to the diversity of profiles.
Copyright CirculAgronomie 2020