Date of Graduation

2015

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Type

MS

College

Davis College of Agriculture, Natural Resources and Design

Department

Agricultural and Resource Economics

Committee Chair

Todd Petty

Committee Co-Chair

Gerard D'Souza

Committee Member

Chris Haddox

Abstract

This thesis presents a market study and economic feasibility analysis on developing a facility utilizing olive oil production waste as a carbon substrate in polyhydroxyalkanoate production. Three underlying questions will be explored within this thesis: (1) Can olive oil mill effluents be utilized to produce an environmentally friendly polyhydroxyalkanoate bio-plastic?;, (2) Is there potential for the bio-plastic polyhydroxyalkanoate to enter Morocco's plastic market?;, (3) Is it likely that a bio-plastic facility utilizing olive oil mill production waste to create polyhydroxyalkanoate would have long term profitability? This research provides a pathway toward a new solution to a pervasive environmental concern facing Morocco as well as provides options for better and more sustainable business actions, decisions, products, or strategies.

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