Research on olive mill waste: Insights from patent citations

Abstract Olive mill waste (OMW), a byproduct of olive oil production, presents significant environmental challenges but offers potential for valorization. This study investigates the technological impact of research on OMW from 1996 to 2023 by analyzing patent citations. Using a dataset of 2,448 publications from Scopus, we identified 151 papers cited by patents (around 7%), including research articles, reviews, and conference papers. Patent citations were analyzed using the SciVal and Espacenet databases, focusing on key technological advancements. The results show a moderate correlation between academic and patent citations, with publications in lower quartiles rarely cited in patents. Notably, 89% of patent citations were attributed to research articles, with reviews and conference papers showing a lower global patent impact. The most cited papers by patents frequently overlap with the most cited works in scientific literature, underscoring their significant influence on both domains. Key research topics include the recovery of valuable compounds, bioenergy production, and innovative wastewater treatment methods. The citing patents reflect a strong emphasis on sustainable processes, circular economy principles, and the transformation of agricultural waste into high-value products. The study highlights disparities between the most influential countries in terms of authorship of cited publications and ownership of citing patents. While Mediterranean countries like Spain and Italy lead in OMW research output, the United States dominates patent ownership, reflecting a gap between research production and technological application. Encouraging international collaboration, particularly between research-producing and patent-owning countries, is crucial for enhancing the technological impact of OMW research.