While in Italy there is still a debate on a possible regulation of hemp that protects operators, workers and customers, a very positive testimony comes directly from the market: production which covered around 400 hectares in 2013, has risen to over 4 thousand in 2018 !
Those who realized the potential of this sector in Italy, which also enjoys a territory and agricultural know-how envied throughout the world, were the Canadians (who equalized last October ), who already in November invested massively in a well-known light cannabis company, acquiring 47% of it, for approximately 4.8 million Canadian dollars.
This time, however, the matter is even more interesting: the company in question deals with pharmaceuticals and cosmetics based on industrial hemp, thus producing essential oils and distillates from our favorite plant. It was built by Canapar Corp , a company controlled by the Canadian Canopy Rivers, with an investment of 25 million Canadian dollars , in Sicily, precisely in the city of Ragusa .
The plant has incredible growth potential, in an innovative sector such as industrial hemp. Also interesting is the new company's agreement with Sicilian farmers for the cultivation of inflorescences (with a THC content of less than 0.2% and therefore perfectly legal): the hectares that will be worked will be 1000, with a production capacity of 600 tons of biomass. The products will then be processed within the factory, which currently employs 10 people, but which according to company plans will grow to as many as 30, to then be exported using the nearby commercial port of Pozzallo.
In short, a particularly interesting investment, as it was structured around a 360-degree economic and social eco-system, based on the potential of the territory and the workers, with a series of direct and indirect benefits for Ragusa and the whole of Sicily!
According to what was reported by Il Sole 24 Ore , some estimates indicate that the hemp extract market could reach a value of 2.1 billion dollars by 2020 , with growth of as much as 700% compared to 2016 . As already mentioned, the investment is not "only" valuable for a sector that has been mistreated many times and for the labor market, but also has repercussions on research: a project has started in partnership with the Department of Agriculture, Food and Environment of the University of Catania to allow the development of technical and scientific knowledge, for the development of new varieties suitable for our very particular Mediterranean climate and for cultural evolution.
“ We decided to invest in Sicily, both for its strategic geographical position in the center of the Mediterranean and for its history as the main industrial hemp producing region in its recent past . - declares Sergio Martines , CEO of Canapar Corp - Ragusa was subsequently identified for the high potential of its industrial centre, despite a general framework of difficulties of which we are well aware, with pre-eminent companies also at an international level, a good economic liveliness, competitive costs, good level of administrative services, including public ones, compared to the other Sicilian provinces and the presence of the commercial port of Pozzallo, which constitutes a plus for us for our logistics, which is however very diversified" .
The processing of Cannabis waste is also of particular interest, in fact, Martines declares in this regard that: "This phase is under development, we are interested in composite materials, peat, feed and in having a zero carbon footprint from the industrial cultivation process of hemp. ”
Well what can I say, for once we are proud of the courage of these people and we can't wait to see the plant in operation!
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