Enkhuizen, The Netherlands
December 16, 2010
Norway is the second country after Sweden to invest in a large scale ThermoSeed treatment. After six years of evaluation, the Norwegian company Felleskjöpet Agri SA has ordered two machines for their seed treatment plant in Holstad. The goal is to reach 25,000 tons of ThermoSeed treated seeds annually. The machines are of the same type as the one in the Lantmännen seed treatment plant in Skara.
Felleskjöpet in Norway signs for ThermoSeed. Director of the division Agriculture Bjørn Dybvig surrounded by marketing manager Bjørn Stabbetorp (left) and industrial manager Arnfinn Sjøseth (right).
To replace a large amount of the plant protection products used is a strategic decision and gives Felleskjöpet a unique position. The decision is based on a thorough analysis of the market, the technology and its efficiency. The investment is 2.2 million Euro. Additionally, a license and support agreement with Lantmännen BioAgri AB has been signed in which INCOTEC gives its support to the project and the good functioning of the system. A factor which contributed significantly to this investment being made was the high performance of the Lantmännen ThermoSeed plant in Skara which has been operating for many years.
This is the definite breakthrough for the ThermoSeed method, says Kenneth Alness (photo, right), MD, Lantmännen BioAgri AB and INCOTEC Sweden AB. There is great interest for this technology from all parts of the world. The method can be used for seed treatment of many different crops from field crops to vegetables, and is suitable for treating both very large seed lots and very small seed lots. We are pleased to share the pioneer position with Felleskjöpet who have been working on the development for several years.
Removing certain plant protection products benefits both the farmers and Felleskjöpet and contributes to environmentally friendly agriculture. “Through centralized production together with a high amount of spring seed treatment, rational production based on the future seed treatment technology is made easy” says Arnfinn Sjöseth, Industrial Manager, Felleskjöpet Agri SA.
The ThermoSeed method is based on exposure of the seeds to hot and humid air, with no addition of any chemicals. ThermoSeed was designed and developed by the Uppsala Company, SeedGard AB, which was previously owned by Lantmännen, the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences and Anders Wall. SeedGard is now owned by INCOTEC. Today Lantmännen and INCOTEC are jointly active in the continuous development and international launching of this new technology within the global seed industry.
Lantmännen is one of the largest Groups in the food, energy and agriculture industries in the Nordic region. Lantmännen’s brands include Axa, Kungsörnen, Start, Hattings, Schulstad and Kronfågel. Lantmännen is owned by 37,000 Swedish farmers. It has 10,500 employees, operates in 18 countries and has a turnover of SEK 35,1 billion. Lantmännen operates throughout the entire food processing chain – from field to fork.
For more information, please visit us at www.lantmannen.com and www.lantmannen.se
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