Additional information

Tests on spruce needle juice have shown that it provides several benefits for human health. The first target of EcoSpruce was to demonstrate a business model to commercialise spruce needle juice and test available technologies for extracting a good quality product. It has been shown that off the shelf pressing machines can be used, but some modifications have to be made to lower the pressing temperature and speed so as to get a good quality juice. Press machine modifications also allowed doubling production. The juice has been tested as an additive to beer, with good results in tastings. Sample groups of end users have provided a good feedback on the juice itself too. Next steps are developing additional products from needle pressing waste which has potential for use as a construction material, pet litter, garden mulch or as raw material for the biochemistry industry.