A new supply chain related to the production and processing of medicinal plants
The presence of abundant thermal waste energy led to the hypothesizing and experimenting with a new supply chain related to the production and processing of medicinal plants.
Therefore, in 2014, the first experimental field was started, planting some essences such as
Cynara Cardunculs, Melilotus Officinalis, Passiflora Incarnata, Melissa Officinalis, Tanacetum Phartenium, Ocimum Basilicum,
to test their cultivability, yield and quality.
The results obtained were encouraging, and for this reason in the year 2015 , the first supply contract was signed with a multinational pharmaceutical company.
This allowed us to see the birth of a new supply chain related to the cultivation and processing of medicinal plants.
In 2018 we built the new building used for drying, processing and storage of herbs.
We have 10 thermo-ventilated drying ovens regulated by software that
allows us to manage the different stages of drying accordingly to the individual plant and the humidity and temperature conditions present.
The drying kilns are powered by renewable energy the hot water from the biogas plant.
In the processing room we are equipped with machinery for stem-leaf separation, cutting and sizing the different sizes obtained.
The dried herb warehouse is a dark room with controlled temperature and humidity in order to ensure the best preservation of the products.
the officinal
CHAMOMILE
MATRICARIA CHAMOMILLA
4.00 ha in conventional farming
CARCHIOPH
CYNARA SCOLYMUS
ha 9.30 in conventional farming
CARDO
CYNARA CARDUNCULUS
4.60 ha in conventional farming
ECHINACEA PURPUREA
ECHINACEA PURPUREA
ha 3.00 in organic farming
lemon balm officinalis
LEMON BALM OFFICINALIS
ha 13.40 in organic farming
30.30 ha in conventional farming
MINT
MENTHA x PIPERITA
ha 5.00 in organic farming
NETTLE
URTICA DIOICA
ha 7.60 in organic farming
PREZZEMOLO
PETROSELINUM CRISPUM
ha 1.00 in organic farming
PASSIONFLOWER INCARNATE
PASSIONFLOWER INCARNATE
ha 18.00 in organic farming
28.4 ha in conventional agriculture
CULTIVATION
Plants are grown by cooperative members following specific agronomic techniques and practices.
Each processing is carried out using high-tech methods: precision agriculture, through satellite guidance systems, it allows to obtain optimal results while respecting the needs of the plant by going to
eliminate the use of herbicides on all crops, organic and conventional.
Farmers are supported by the cooperative’s agronomic manager who, throughout the production cycle, monitors the progress of the crop, and she determines together with the farmer himself which is the best agronomic practices to carry out and she determines the best time for harvesting. Since 2022, members have been recording all processing on an app installed on their smartphones. This way we know in real time what is happening in our fields, thus also enhancing our traceability system. Fertilization of medicinal plants is mainly done using DIGESTATE, organic fertilizer from the biogas plant.
the PROCESSING
Harvesting takes place during the balsamic time, the period when the plant offers the best qualities, through a mowing machine that is able to avoid contact of the plant with the soil; the herbs are then delivered to the plant, where they are dried at low temperatures (between 35°C and 55°C) and controlled humidity.
Drying begins immediately after harvesting in order to stabilize the characteristics of the plant in the shortest possible time.
The professionalism of the farmers, the constant presence in the fields of the agronomy manager and precision agriculture allow the cultivation of medicinal plants to obtain excellent results from a quality point of view.
Thanks to the introduction of the new packaging machine, we have automated all the steps of processing the dried product, from pre-cutting to final packaging.
Manual operations have been reduced, this allows us to decrease possible contamination as much as possible and improve the working conditions of the operators.
traceability
Quality and traceability are fundamental to our company.
Each plant has a specific protocol that covers the entire production process.
We record and track every single step inherent in the plant: from planting in the field, to harvesting, drying and subsequent processing.
certifications
We grow and process the product in Italy
We export to Europe, Australia, China and the United States
