The process that adds value to matter
From the selection of raw materials to microbiological control, an advanced production system that transforms organic waste into superior quality fertilizers.
The production facility
We currently operate a facility in San Pietro di Morubio (VR), one under completion in Baradero (near Santa Fe), and representative offices in India and China. Our Italian facility covers an area of 100,000 m2, within which we have organized nine production departments dedicated to manure treatment, storage of raw materials, semi-finished products, and finished products, as well as production plants. The structure is completed by a building for production, administrative, and commercial offices, a meeting room open to the public, an analytical and R&D laboratory, and a greenhouse.
Each year we collect approximately 60,000 tons of manure (bovine, poultry, equine, etc.) and 80,000 tons of other raw materials, such as iron sulfate, urea, sulfur, phosphates, and potassium, which we subsequently blend with the processed manure to obtain our high-quality fertilizers.
Our transformation system
The initial treatment of manure takes place in our two enclosed departments, maintained under negative pressure. Within each department we have designated an area dedicated to unloading fresh manure, separated from the rest of the building, and an area for unloading already processed manure.
The production process
Our treatment process is based on “continuous” manure management. Materials are deposited by vehicles in the fresh manure unloading area, separated from the rest of the building by a roll-up curtain that remains lowered during unloading and is raised only for turning operations.
One of our operators, using a wheeled loader, by piling and mixing new deliveries with material already present, ensures homogenization and optimizes the use of available space. At the end of this first phase, lasting approximately 130 days, the processed manure enters a further maturation and humification period, lasting approximately 3-4 months, necessary to make it ready for blend formulation.
A Fomet Spa branded process
The method by which we process manure is called the Afrodite® process (Aerobic Fermentation and Revaluation of Organic matrix to Develop and Improve The Essence of soil).
From the Afrodite® process (Aerobic Fermentation and Revaluation of Organic matrix to Develop and Improve The Essence of soil) comes Armonia®.
Temperature control
To monitor the temperature of manure during natural fermentation, we position probes along the pile that continuously detect this parameter. The collected data is transmitted to our central server and recorded both in digital format and on paper, ensuring constant and traceable control of the entire process.
Microbiological
parameters
We carefully follow the provisions of Regulation (EC) No 1069/2009 of the European Parliament: the concentration of E. coli in samples taken at the end of treatment must be less than 10 CFU/g. We monitor this microorganism at three different stages of the process: its concentration decreases from very high values in fresh manure to levels below the detection limit already at mid-treatment. The presence of Salmonella is also verified during and at the end of storage: samples must be absent in 25 g of material as is. The controls we perform always confirm compliance with these requirements. Once full product maturation is verified, we proceed with screening, blending with any other raw materials, pelleting, and finally packaging.