kõrvaltoote

Kõrvaltoode is an Estonian word that translates to "by-product" in English. It refers to a secondary product that is generated during the production of a primary product. This secondary product is not the main focus of the manufacturing process but is a natural consequence of it.

By-products can arise from various industries and processes. In agriculture, for example, crop residues such as straw or husks can be considered by-products of grain harvesting. In the food industry, whey is a by-product of cheesemaking. In manufacturing, slag can be a by-product of metal smelting.

The economic significance of by-products varies greatly. Some by-products have little to no value and may even incur disposal costs. Others, however, can be valuable resources that can be sold or further processed, contributing to the overall profitability of the primary production. The identification and utilization of by-products are increasingly important for resource efficiency and waste reduction. Concepts like the circular economy emphasize finding value in all outputs of a production process, including by-products. The term can also be used in a more general sense to describe something that happens incidentally or as a secondary effect, not necessarily related to industrial production.