In the Calendula project, a new chain uses sustainably produced agricultural raw materials to manufacture industrial products. Know-how developed in the Netherlands is employed to do this. Knowledge gathered by this innovative, international chain can also be applied in other international chains. This concerns knowledge of vegetable oil as a raw material, knowledge of technological bottlenecks and of problems such as chain control.
Calendula produces seed with a relatively high percentage of reactive oil. This oil is very suitable for the manufacture of environmentally friendly paint systems. In these paints, Calendula replaces the harmful, volatile thinners normally manufactured from crude oil. Calendula is farmed in an economically profitable manner in Morocco. The development and intensification of contacts with Moroccan chain partners is therefore an important aspect of this project. A properly functioning chain (researchers, seed developers, growers, extractors, raw materials producers, end product manufacturers and retailers) is required in order to be able to successfully work the market.
With a view to the considerable expected demand for environmentally friendly, but simultaneously very high-quality end products, the area planted with Calendula could quadruple to well over 200 hectares in 2007, and then double again in 2008. Sowing is also taking place in the Ukraine and cultivation opportunities are currently being studied in Zambia, Tanzania, South Africa and Australia. The prospects are good: a German paint manufacturer has already ordered 40 tons of Calendula oil. Other prospects have also shown interest. |
