Eclo raises 4.7 million euros to set up a 4,200 m2 high-tech factory in Villers-le-Bouillet in the province of Liège in early 2023.This should position Eclo as a major European player in the exotic mushroom sector and produce 7,000 tons of mushroom substrates annually by 2026 from recycled organic waste.A fundraiser involving Noshaq, Investsud Bois, GoGreen Capital and private investors.The management team of Eclo: Thibault Fastenakels (Technical Director), Sylvère Heuzé (Production Director), Quentin Declerck (Marketing Director), Hadrien Velge (CEO).Eclo, an organic, circular and local ambition Since 2016, Eclo has been developing recipes where grains can be replaced by exotic mushroom substrates - usually composed of a base of wood, grains, water and mycelium - by organic residues from industrial breweries and bakeries.The first professional installations in the Cellars of Cureghem, in Brussels, yielded important and encouraging results.This is based on a strategy to supply raw materials in short circuit, through partnerships with local companies: the Cantillon Brewery for brewer's grains (or marc), the Colruyt Group and Bon Pain for organic bread.By 2021, these installations in Anderlecht will have made it possible to produce 330 tons of substrates and recycle 23 tons of brewery waste and bread scraps.A production that should strengthen the closing of a series A financing round of 4.7 million euros in which Noshaq, Investsud Bois, GoGreen Capital and private investors participated for the creation of a 4,200 m2 high-tech factory in Villers-le-Bouillet, in the province Liège, at the beginning of 2023.The aim of this fundraiser is also to position Eclo as a European leader in mushroom substrates thanks to increased production that will supply the French, Dutch, Swiss and German markets, where consumption of exotic mushrooms is growing every year."In recent years, we have seen a strong growth in the demand for gourmet mushrooms such as the shiitake and the eryngii (royal oyster mushroom). The market today has a lack of quality substrates and that creates recurring supply problems for the producers. With ECLO we have been investing in ECLO for several years now. research to improve the yield of our substrates, so much so that today we have generated significant interest from European producers", Hadrien Velge, CEO & Founder of ECLO.A high-tech factory in the province of Liège From October 2022, the company will start moving its substrate production from the Kelders de Curegem to Villers-le-Bouillet.The relocation of this part of the activity can be explained by a great need for production space.The other part of the activity, namely the harvesting of fresh mushrooms and the production of micro-vegetables and aromatic herbs, will continue to take place on the urban farm in Brussels.After a test phase, substrate sales will be able to start at the beginning of the summer of 2023.The first production phase will make it possible to produce up to 3,600 tons of substrates per year by 2024. From 2026, almost 7,000 tons of substrates will leave the factory during the second phase.“Noshaq is pleased to join Eclo and support the Liège site, on a site that matches its ambitions. This is an innovative and circular project, recovering industrial organic residues while creating local employment opportunities. These objectives are at the heart of the ecosystem strategy that Noshaq is currently developing in the agri-food sector", Alain Balthazart, Invest Manager at Noshaq.Since the production of the substrates is very sensitive to contamination, the factory will be equipped with a high-tech production line and automated for the most important parts.This is to avoid actions that could increase the risk of contamination of the substrates.The factory will also be powered by1,500 m2 of solar panels.Infrastructure that should create 20 additional jobs by 2026, in addition to the 12 people currently employed in the Brussels company.Photo of the 4,200 m2 factory located in Villers-le-Bouillet, province of Liège.Become a European leader Exotic mushroom substrates are usually composed of a base of wood, grain, water and mycelium.These substances are mixed and placed in conditions conducive to the development of the mycelium.After a few months, the mycelium completely colonizes the substrate, it is then ready to grow its mushroom.It is this fully colonized substrate that will be marketed from the factory where several varieties will be produced, including shiitake, eryngii (royal oyster mushroom), nameko (Japanese bundle mushroom), maitake (oak hare) and pompom (wig mushroom).The ambition is to position Eclo as an important player in the field of mushroom substrates in Europe.In fact, these substrates will be destined for the mushroom producers of the Belgian, French, Dutch and German markets.An in-situ production development is accompanied by a strengthening of Eclo's capacity to recycle organic residues, ie 7,000 tons of substrates for 700 tons of recycled spent grain or bread scraps from 2026.Prospects for which the company, in addition to its existing partners, intends to supplement its supply of organic brewer's grains and organic bread scraps and for which the arrival of the Investsud Bois fund will enable the supply of Belgian sawdust to be strengthened.The mycelium continues to come from the Ghent company Mycelia, Eclo's historical partner."We were convinced by the vision, dynamism and professionalism of a team of highly complementary talents. We are delighted to be part of this great project that brings added value to the related products of our Walloon sawmills", Gilles Koestel, Operations Manager at Investsud Bois.For more information: Eclo Ropsy Chaudronstraat 24 1070 Anderlecht, Belgium +32 496 20 38 46 quentin@eclo.farm www.eclo.farm.nlAll fields marked with * must be completed.Would you also like to receive our newsletter?|click hereOther news from this sector:<< Back |BioJournaal.nlSign up for our daily newsletter to receive all the latest news directly by email!You're seeing this pop-up because this is your first time visiting our site.If you always see this message, you have disabled your cookies and they will continue to appear.