ANDRIANI: WITH APULIAKUNDI THE CIRCULAR ECONOMY SPIRULINA PRODUCTION PROJECT BECOMES REALITY.
In 2020, inspired by shared values, ApuliaKundi S.r.l. and Andriani S.p.A. Società Benefit joined forces and started a circular economy project by creating a sustainable development model. Andriani, assuming the role of business accelerator, started a partnership with ApuliaKundi, a young start-up based in Puglia that in 2010 brought to life an idea born in Africa during an international cooperation project in a village in Malawi. From then on, it decided to focus on micro algae research and the production of Italian, organic, natural, 100% pure Spirulina K. The two companies joined forces guided by shared values and the strive for an environmental sustainability collaborative objective: an innovative entrepreneurship aimed at preserving the planet’s natural resources such as water. To produce ApuliaKundi Spirulina micro algae the cultivation plant installed and hosted on Andriani’s premises in Gravina in Puglia uses the water from its pasta production process, purified through an oxidation plant combined with a reverse osmosis plant, thus closing the virtuous circular economy process. The Spirulina algae produced by ApuliaKundi in collaboration with Andriani – 100% Italian, natural, and organic – is grown in a controlled environment, to guarantee the highest quality standards. The micro algae, after being harvested from the production tanks using very fine mesh filters, is pressed, extruded, and cold dried to preserve its nutritional characteristics. Afterwards, a part of this incredible raw material is used by Andriani as an ingredient for its organic and naturally gluten-free Felicia brand pasta, the other is used to make a number of different ApuliaKundi products, including sticks, capsules, and functional products already available on the market. Spirulina Spaghetti were developed for the Felicia brand and are now making their debut on the large scale distribution network. Other new formats are also being studied. The pasta production process involves adding dried, milled Spirulina to the whole grain rice flour. A superfood: high nutritional value; source of fibre, iron, potassium; amazing salty taste, even if Spirulina is not sea algae. Art representing life: emerging street artist Nicola Laurora, known as Nico 189, was also involved in the Spirulina project and painted the wall along the site where the micro algae is grown in green houses with murals of great emotional impact depicting the origin of life. In fact, Spirulina is a billion-year-old mirco algae, one of the first living organisms on our planet, and by absorbing CO2 and releasing oxygen it contributed to the origin of life. The Benefits of Spirulina: known in ancient times as the “Food of the Gods”, Spirulina is a blue-green micro algae with great nutritional value and very low environmental impact, so much so that the FAO has referred to it as the “Food of the future”. This highly nutritional food, with the highest vegetable protein content, approximately 60-65%, contains all essential amino acids – unlike the other vegetable proteins – and is low in calories and in cholesterol levels. A great choice for anyone who needs an energy boost or has nutritional deficiencies, for coeliac disease sufferers, vegans, vegetarians, sportspeople, those who follow a diet or a detox diet, and more in general anyone who wants to have a healthy lifestyle and a healthy and balanced diet. Environmental Sustainability and Circular Economy: Spirulina algae production is a sustainable alternative to conventional agriculture and, when using entirely natural methods, has no impact on the environment. Spirulina cultivation does not cause pollution and contributes to reducing greenhouse gasses, capturing CO2. It does not cause soil erosion, water contamination, or deforestation, it does not require the use of toxic pesticides, and uses less water and energy per Kg of protein than any other food. The Spirulina production fruit of the cooperation between Andriani and ApuliaKundi is part of a wider journey towards Carbon Neutrality – compensating, eliminating, or absorbing the carbon dioxide emissions produced by the production plant – a goal that Andriani has pledged to reach by 2025. As a matter of fact, the implementation of the trigeneration system was followed by the installation of photovoltaic panels on the roofs of the company’s facilities. The next steps will include the production of biogases obtained through the anaerobic fermentation process of biomass – in part received from local agri-food production chains. The mixture, after being subject to an upgrading process, will become biomethane. The substances obtained from this transformation will be reused: the digested biomass, as fertilizer for the sustainable pulse production chain headed by Andriani; the liquid biomethane, as fuel for cargo transportation by road; the recovered CO2, in the Spirulina production process.
