Botanicals\ Ingredients -- N°65 plants voulmes, adjustment (alcohol concentra- see the box). “We are the only ones to CLOSE UP ON tion), packaging, pasteurization. propose this technique,” Christophe Ripoll SUBCRITICAL Operating on a two 8-hour shift base, the says. A technology that falls in line with WATER site can absorb a production increase the tendency towards eco-extractions and - 280 tons of extracts this year - while which is being considered for new deve- Water is a natural, non-toxic solvent also meeting the requirements in terms lopments. which is used of “diversity, be it related toquantity or Located in the countryside, the company under atmospheric pressure to extract quality”.In fact, as Christophe Ripoll is sensitive to environmental issues. Thus, polar or highly polar points out, “evenif we are moving forward it has a short-term project (2019), namely molecules. Under towards an industrial scale model, we will the creation of a lagoon-type water treat- subcritical conditions (pressurised continue to meet the demands of more ment station which shall supply water to water), water has modest customers, as well”. the nearby crops. dielectric properties comparable to those of ethanol or ◗ Development pathways ◗ The importance of methanol. This allows for the extraction of a plant sector less polar compounds Natinov achieves 30% of its turnover on and may be used as exports (€5.3 million) and wants to furtherIf Natinov’s positioning could be summed a complementary technique to expand them. From this perspective, the up in a single word, this would be stan- supercritical CO2. ability to provide “organic extracts, to dardisation - “we start from traditional ensure the full traceability of our pro- methods and we adapt them to the indus- ductions and our innovation capacity are trial scale”. To this end, “it is important to 077 as many differentiating elements on the relyon the French know-how,” says Chris- market”. Nevertheless, the company is not tophe Ripoll, who also is Chairman of the seeking to develop itself on all fronts. Forassociation Phytolia, “and therefore render instance, it does not intend to produce the French plant production sector even active ingredient concentrates from plants more competitive and visible”. (for instance, 95% curcumin), but rather With a very strong local contribution - 30% relies on innovation. Thus, it has developedof processed plants are cultivated nearby -, a process that allows producing subcriticalNatinov is fully involved in the “recognition” water extracts (Blue-Extraction® process, of these supply chains.■ News on Functional & Health Ingredients \ N°65 \ October - November - December 2018 \ ■