EDL Nature: French manufacturer targets European market

The brand Etamine du Lys was born in 1995 in Somloire near Nantes. It is now exported under the label EDL Nature (Ecological Detergent Line). Ten years before that, Jeanine Gabory had become experienced in the manufacture of household cleaning materials and she passed on her knowledge to her children. In consequence, Samuel Gabory is today the CEO of a firm whose values are clearly reflected in its products, namely respect and regard for man and his environment.
 

In 2001, they built a large manufacturing facility that in 2008 was doubled in size to 5,500 m². Last year, turnover came to around 12 million euros, with exports accounting for 10 %. The prospects continue to be rosy: 20 % growth is expected in 2010. “Both French and foreign consumers are becoming increasingly aware of the environment,” explains Marina You (picture on left), who is responsible for exports.
 

The company employs 80 people, with about ten working in sales. They are responsible for business with the French wholefood chain Biocoop, that has more than 300 stores, and wholefood wholesalers and the specialist retail trade. Their reason for choosing this chain was that they could be sure the customer would have the help of competent specialist staff, and the firm can thus be confident that its system of values is shared by its business partners.
 

The product range of EDL Nature consists of 40 articles that are marketed in around 20 countries – for example, Belgium, the Netherlands, Switzerland, Spain, Rumania, Italy, Slovenia, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Russia, Morocco, South Korea, Taiwan, Hong Kong and Singapore. In December 2009, export manager Marina You received an award from the Maine and Loire Chamber of Commerce and Industry for the best business practices initiated by a company that had only recently started exporting.
 

The EDL brand is synonymous with multi-use products, for cleaning agents for special surfaces and for particularly demanding customers. Thus the company markets, for example, floor cleaning products, bath cleaners, toilet cleaners, washing powders, washing up liquid. “Efficacité et plaisir, l’écologie qui marche” – “Effective and pleasing – ecology that works” is the guiding principle of the company. This is why a great deal of effort has gone into research and development to create unique combinations of ingredients.
 

“The combination of different tensides explains why our products are highly effective and we have continued developing them while our competitors have been satisfied with simpler products,” explains Samuel Gabory and adds, “In total, we use more than 300 ingredients in our whole product range, and their plant origin ensures that they have a high level of effectiveness and are degradable.” The most important raw materials are sourced from agricultural products (cereals and beetroot), palms, coconuts and copra. Essential oils derived from organic cropping are used because of their disinfecting and degreasing properties. When you know this, it is easy to see why EDL products are very economical to use. Using very little you get great results.
 

Most EDL products carrying the Ecocert logo are manufactured from renewable raw materials, and they fulfil all the requirements you could possibly expect of an ecological cleaning agent. So, starting with the raw material and finishing with the product, the company is careful to avoid any environmentally damaging processes. This means, of course, that they do not use raw materials derived from oil, animal products or genetically modified plant material. Priority is given to renewable raw materials, especially from local agriculture. (Picture: View of a production tank)

 As well as specialising in household cleaning products, in 2002 the firm became a manufacturer of natural cosmetics and organic cosmetics, not least in response to increasing customer demand. The COSLYS range, produced in compliance with Cosmébio standards, is one of the leading brands in France. Export business is another success story with, for example, products for young skin, personal hygiene and refillable deodorants.
 

The different products require two special manufacturing processes. Washing powders and cleaning materials are produced on two semi-automatic production lines. The other process is reserved exclusively for manufacturing body care products. A clean room ensures that no contamination of the air is possible.
 

The company’s production facility was built in 2001 – in compliance with Haute Qualité Environmentale (H.Q.E) guidelines. The building is the company’s showcase, demonstrating that respect for people and the natural environment in the production processes is maintained. It is kept warm by means of a heat pump. Since 2006, 40 % of energy requirement is covered by solar panels on the roof (see picture). The insulation is made of hemp and maize fibres and the walls are decorated with solvent-free paints.

The building also houses a research laboratory.

As well as quality control, research and development work is carried out here, because developing of new products is a priority for the company. This is why it invests 1.5 % of annual turnover in research and development.
 

They work constantly to create even more professionalism and to be on hand to help and advise the industry. Thus, Samuel Gabory (picture) has been involved in the association Cosmébio and is now its vice-president. He also helped to develop the French guidelines for natural and organic cosmetics.

The company supports One Voice, an organization dedicated to the protection of animals. It also campaigns for water protection through Eco-Gestes Mediterranée, an association based in Provence whose aim is to raise environmental awareness in particular target groups - such as sailors – to help protect the aquatic and marine environment.

 

Tip: www.edl-nature.com  www.coslys.com
 

Contact: Marina You, Tel. 0033 6 74 83 47 29, Mail

BioFach 2010: Hall 7A/7A-225h