Antonio Battaglia, Silvateam
Silvateam (whose origins date back to 1854) confirms to be the world’s most prominent company in the field of plant-based extracts and is investing in the development of eco-friendly technologies for the tanning sector.
“Plant-based extracts are our passion”: this is still the slogan chosen by SILVATEAM, whose Group, owned by the Battaglia family, boasts ancient roots, dating back to 1854 when Sebastiano Camperi opened the first plant in Corsaglia di Frabosa (Cuneo province, Northern Italy) for the extraction of tannins from chestnut wood, that is, a widespread tree in the local forests. More than 165 years later, the company confirms to be a global leader in the production and sales of plant-based extracts, using natural raw materials such as, besides chestnut, quebracho, Tara and gallnuts. These extracts are successfully used for the tanning of the finest leathers as well as in the animal nutrition and agriculture. They can be also employed in the development of food and beverages, as showcased at the latest edition of Simac Tanning Tech, held in February in Milan: on that occasion, three bottles of Italian wine were proudly on display in the elegant (and always crowded) stand set up by SILVATEAM.
“In this edition as well,” explained Antonio Battaglia, BU Leather Director and one of the owners of the firm, headquartered in San Michele Mondovì (Cuneo province), “we foster sustainability and the virtues of tannins. As a matter of fact, at the beginning of 2020, we got the PEFC certification for the production of chestnut and quebracho tannins. Ours is the very first company to achieve such a result: in this way, we aim at reaffirming once again our commitment to the safeguard of the forests and their communities. Moreover, in order to promote the natural composition and wholesome properties of tannins, this year we have chosen to give to customers, partners and visitors the chance to taste them, either directly dispersed in an aqueous solution solution or through a selection of wines, rich in tannins.”
What kind of wines have you chosen?
In compliance with the ample variety of tastes provided by the domestic wine-making industry, we have picked a Franciacorta sparkling wine, proceeding from Lombardy and thus representing Northern Italy, Tuscany’s red Chianti Riserva for the Central regions and a rosé wine of Salento for the Southern side of Italy.
How do tannins combine with wine?
Tannins are naturally found in grapes and their seeds. Placing wine in a durmast barrel results in the extraction, via a water- and alcohol-based solution (the chemical composition of wine), of the oak wood natural tannin. Said process is similar to the one we use to extract tannins for the tanning industry. This is the perfect way to prove the natural properties of our tanning solutions.
Research-wise, what are the updates and prospects concerning tannins?
In the last few years, we have been carrying out research projects in partnership with renowned universities to assess tannins antibacterial properties when it comes to leather. As a matter of fact, tannins are natural substances produced by plants to defend themselves against fungi, parasites and bacteria. The results are very encouraging. For example, we have been focusing on the effect of vegetable tanned leathers featuring tannins on shoes insoles and linings, highlighting how they manage to avoid the formation of an environment suitable for the proliferation of those bacteria responsible for bad smell, like Staphylococcus, Brevibacterium, Micrococcus and Kytococcus. For this reason, we have chosen to kick off the registration process for tannins as antibacterial substances, in compliance with the current European regulation.
What are the results achieved in 2019 by SILVATEAM?
We registered an encouraging turnover, featuring a proceeds growth in the three industrial fields in which we operate, that is, Leather, Food and Animal Nutrition.
What is your greatest source of pride?
We were truly satisfied with the PEFC certification, as it pays tribute to our history. And it could not be otherwise, given that, for over 165 years, SILVATEAM has been operating on the same territories, by implementing sustainable supply programmes, fully compliant with the current forestry regulations. The extraction process is carried out only with hot water and it is completely devoid of any hazardous chemicals that might pose a threat to human beings and the environment. Wood scraps derived from the extraction of chestnut tannin are then turned into top-quality pellet used in household stoves and boilers, favouring high calorific value and low ash formation.
What are the prospects for 2020?
This year, we want to keep focusing on our commitment to sustainability concerning not only tannins production, but also the development, in collaboration with several partners worldwide, of innovative tanning technologies that foster the use of high-performance, low-impact chemicals such as synthetic tannins and fatliquors. In addition to a pre- tanning solution provided by Ecotan PAP, a tannin derived from modified gallic extracts, we are devising cutting-edge pre-tanning techniques with modified plant-based extracts as well. The ultimate goal is to provide leathers showing similar characteristics, when it comes to performances, to traditional chrome tanning, but completely metal- and aldehyde-free. In several cases, industrial sample-making is already underway.
www.silvateam.com