Our Process


Some of the key stages in our production process

Planting

Early spring (February-March), before the spring drought, or late autumn – after the cessation of plant vegetation.

For more efficient planting of the lavender plants, the company has got new planting machines.

Harvesting and drying the lavender crop

With special machines designed for the purpose of mowing lavender, we harvest the blooming plants. Part of the plants are dried in a tunnel conveyor belt dryer consisting of 6 autonomous drying sections. After drying the plants are sorted into stalks and flowers using a sorting machine.

Distillation of essential oils

After harvesting the lavender plants, one part of the lavender goes to the distillery for essential oil. For extracting oil purposes we have 6 pcs. of distillation apparatus with a capacity of 5.5 m³ each. A precious by-product obtained after distillation process is the so-called natural aromatic or floral lavender water.

The company has got the equipment for extraction of both light and heavy essential oils.

Capacity


The capacity of the distillery is 90 tons per day within a 8-hour day

The production of essential oils is based on the method of steam distillation under controlled technological conditions. The whole process is automated and goes through several stages. The lavender flower is placed in insulated distillation apparatus, in which high-pressure steam is fed, thus the heat treatment of the material is performed. The vapors are directed to the shell-and-tube heat exchanger and, as it passes through it, the mixture of steam, aromas and oil cools and turns into a liquid which moves to the Florentine vessel. In it, the essential oil is separated from the aromatic water by decantation.

The company has modern production facilities, guaranteeing the high quality of the final products. The equipment of the distillery has a capacity of 33 m2: 6 pcs. distillation apparatus with a capacity of 5.5 m3, as well as 2 pcs. of cohobation columns with a capacity of 2.5 m³ each.

Apart from essential oils, a by-product is obtained after the distillation process, that is the so-called natural aromatic or floral water. Its use is most widespread in cosmetics (including pet cosmetics). In addition to having a wonderful fragrance, these products also have a therapeutic, calming, anti-inflammatory, antiseptic, hydrating, healing and cleansing effect, especially for dry, sensitive and problematic skin. They are easy to use because they do not require pre-dissolution.

The produced oils and aromatic waters are safe and can be used in the compositions of a wide range of cosmetic products without any problems: shampoos, conditioners, shower gels and body lotions, face and body creams, toothpastes, etc. They are stable and compatible with traditional cosmetic raw materials.

Sub-measure 4.2

Investments in processing / marketing of agricultural products


Beneficiary: Apis Agro 98 OOD

Contract: BG06RDNP001-4.001-0197-C01 / 24.10.2019

Project: BUILDING OF A DISTILLERY FOR THE PRODUCTION OF ESSENTIAL OILS FROM MEDICAL AND AROMATIC CROPS

Project description: The project aims to build, equip and put into operation a workshop for distillation of essential oils. Company’s focus lays on the  production of a finished product that meets the European quality standards  at low production costs resulting in  high competitiveness on the market.

The main result of the implementation of this project is higher competitiveness of the applicant due to the increased production capacity through the purchase of modern equipment.

Rural Development Program (2014-2020)
/ “The European Agricultural Fund for Rural Development: Europe invests in rural areas” /

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