Silab’s French Research Center Promotes Agronomic Studies

Silab’s Agronomic Studies and Research Center (CREA) studies species and varieties of interest while developing cultivation itineraries of botanical raw materials to produce natural actives.

“At Silab, we rely on our scientific expertise and our historical mastery of natural to secure, trace and give value to botanical raw materials,” said Silab CEO Brigitte Closs-Gonthier. “Since we have precise specifications, we initiated this project not to ensure our own botanical raw material production, but to provide our partners with sustainable support. We make sure that the methods and equipment used during our trials are representative of what our producers use daily so that cultivation itineraries can be reproduced.”

A Farming Haven

Located in Silab’s single site in Saint-Viance, France, the CREA, in operation since 2024, spans five hectares with 6,000 square-meters of farming tunnels. Its purpose is to provide technical support and regular follow-ups to producers collaborating with the company to maximize and secure the quality of botanical raw materials. Compliance with the company’s specifications on botanical raw materials is increased thanks to these reinforced partnerships.

Several actions are implemented such as mastering plant and seed production to provide producers with the species to cultivate; testing and acclimatizing new cultures on the territory; developing cultivation itineraries; aiming to improve crop yield and their impact on the environment; and exploring optimal transformation parameters (drying, grinding) of botanical raw materials.