Capsum, an artisanal cosmetics manufacturer from France, has launched an innovative vertical farm to grow its natural ingredients with an IT-driven approach in a fully controlled environment. A pilot laboratory farm is able to produce microgreens, herbs and flowers. All processes are software-driven, with no human/weather/logistical factors - enabling totally predictable nutrients with absolute eco-safety. Vertical farming is widely used to produce ultra-fresh leafy greens and vegetables locally in cities.
iFarm has completed work on Capsum's state-of-the-art agricultural laboratory, a joint project announced for late 2021. Located on the company's existing R&D site at its Marseille plant, the lab enables Capsum scientists to grow their own high-quality ingredients for new cosmetic formulas. Using iFarm technologies for vertical farming, Capsum will grow a range of crops, including microgreens and flowers. The experimental farm is controlled by iFarm Growtune software, which provides Capsum with the tools and data needed to optimize plant growth.
" Indoor cultivation is perfect for the beauty industry, as it allows us to grow in a fully controlled environment, without pesticides or harmful chemicals. iFarm's technology meets the needs of our researchers, as they can vary a wide range of parameters "said Capsum CEO Anthony Briot. The pilot lab includes the automatic control system and three growing rooms with experimental racks based on Ebb-and-Flow hydroponic technology. The facility enables Capsum to conduct experiments, test new plant varieties and streamline its supply chain with home-grown, pesticide-free cosmetic ingredients. Microverts are one of the plant types used in Capsum's organic cosmetics, and they are currently researching innovative extraction methods. The research process is long and complex, but all the technologies needed to continue production and R&D year-round are already in place. The potential benefits of indoor farming for innovative cosmetics companies go beyond the laboratory setting. " With iFarm, customers can start with an R&D project, then expand to industrial production of herbs, flowers and micro vegetables, with full hardware and software support along the way. A stable, predictable crop throughout the year, guaranteed to be free from potential contamination by pesticides or other harmful chemicals, would also be beneficial for larger production volumes. "said Timo Koljonen, iFarm's Vice President of Sales.
