Hemp business from Wroclaw – Green Zebras with a new extraction technology
Green Zebras in the perspective of a few years wants to become a significant player in the Polish market of extractive processing and extraction of dried plant extracts (e.g. from hemp, hops etc.). It is building its advantage in the market thanks to an experienced team and a modern technological line, which allows extracts to be obtained from dried plants – full of phytochemical richness derived from plants. The company has a low-temperature solvent extraction line, and soon intends to launch hydrocarbon extraction as well, thanks to it simultaneous extraction of, for example, terpenes is possible, which is extremely important in the context of hemp extract and the synergistic action of the phytochemicals they contain.
“We opted for solvent extraction using, among other things, ethanol, because it is a very versatile method for extracting ingredients from the plant matrix. At this point, we have the best technical facilities in Poland for conducting low-temperature solvent extraction – the technological line is adapted for obtaining liquid extracts and thin (plastic or semi-plastic consistency). In the case of fibrous hemp, it allows to obtain extracts of full spectrum type.” – says Ewelina Stelmach, CEO of Green Zebras.
“We are waiting for the final approvals and closing of formalities. I think that in the perspective of a few months we will start the first extractions from fiber hemp. Interest in our services extraction from other plants is already very high, because we have not only great equipment, but also technological experience. Customers are also convinced by our individual approach to their problems and the fact that we have positioned ourselves as subcontractors rather than their competitors in the target markets.” – Stelmach adds.
The great comeback of hemp – green gold
For several years, many industries have seen a return to natural products and the use of plant extracts. Hemp has also returned to favor, for a long time seen only through the prism of cannabis, in addition, used recreationally. However, the phytochemical composition of these plants is not only psychoactive THC – moreover, in hemp fiber hemp this compound by law can not exceed the level of 0.3 percent. Loudly spoken about the beneficial properties of hemp, mainly in the context of CBD, and interest in its cultivation and processing is growing rapidly. There is also quite a bit of scientific and clinical research going on, increasing the possibilities of using dried or extracts pro-healthily, as anti-inflammatory, analgesic, tension-relieving and anxiety-relieving agents.
“Our technology allows us to obtain a paste with a CBD content of about 40 percent, the so-called full spectrum, devoid of anti-nutrients, including waxes and chlorophylls. Currently, we are able to process as much as 5 tons of dried product per month.” – says Prof. Tomasz Stuczyński, a member of the company’s board of directors.
The company already has permits for the purchase of fiber hemp in Poland. The company has also recently concluded its first contracting agreements with hemp growers. CBD pastes and oils are used in many industries, including cosmetics, food and pharmaceuticals. Despite the very low content of psychoactive THC in fiber hemp, its cultivation and marketing of dried hemp is regulated by the law on counteracting drug addiction. The growing demand for hemp extracts is being addressed by an amendment to this law in May 2022, which not only raises the hitherto very strict limits on the permissible in fibrous hemp for THC levels, but also simplifies the entire process of overseeing their cultivation and purchase.
“In an effort to be one step ahead, as one of the few entities in Poland, we already have the technical facilities that will allow us to obtain 100% THC-free extracts from hemp seed.” – Prof. Stuczyński explains. “We are also not forgetting the interesting prospects of cooperation with scientific centers in Poland and abroad, as a lot of interesting technologies and ideas for the use of plant extracts are being developed at universities. We believe that this approach will allow us to build an advantage in the market, so we are already seeking collaborative projects.” – he adds.
Scale of green business
The market for the hemp cultivation and processing industry is growing in rapid pace not only in Poland, but around the world. Its global size was estimated at $4.13 billion USD in 2021 and is expected to grow at a compound annual growth rate of 16.8 percent. In the current economic climate, this is an impressive growth rate. The market is being driven by growing demand for industrial hemp in consumer industries such as food and beverages, personal care products and animal care. Demand for extracts is growing very rapidly, following a periodic slowdown caused by COVID-19 and a significant reduction in production in many industries. Also in Poland, recent legislative changes provide much greater opportunities for faster and more efficient development of this industry. In the coming years we may become a leading market in the European Union.
“We do not plan to create our own products. Our business model is based on providing services and sourcing plant extracts for others. Investing in technological facilities such as ours is often beyond the reach of Polish companies using plant extracts in their products with plant extracts. Outsourcing is becoming widespread in many manufacturing and service industries, as a more efficient model for value creation. We are therefore observing and benefiting from the best and already proven models from our related fields.” – Ewelina Stelmach explains.
“This approach allows us to optimize not only costs, but also time. Hemp is of interest to us due to current trends, but our capabilities are much broader – in parallel we are working on developing and implementing optimal extraction methods for many plant species including, for example. hops and herbs, containing biologically active substances increasingly used as nutraceuticals in therapies and prevention.” – Prof. Stuczyński adds.
Kvarko harvests
Green Zebras is one of the companies in the Kvarko Group portfolio, created on a venture building. In addition to Ewelina Stelmach, Ph.D., its board of directors includes Prof. Tomasz Stuczyński, a well-known expert in the scientific community on environmental monitoring, construction of spatial information systems, the development of new analytical methods, and the construction of predictive models and decision support tools in environmental management. Prof. Stuczyński is a member of the investment committee of Kvarko Group.
“We ended up on the company’s board before it attracted its first investors. The board of Kvarko Group entrusted us with the development of this venture, seeing the great potential of the industry.” – comments Ewelina Stelmach.
To date, the company has already raised more than PLN 4 million in financing from Kvarko Group and individual investors.
“Now we have a small stock market planned. If everything goes according to schedule, and here a lot depends on the official issues and formalities we have to fulfill in order to launch cannabis extraction, our debut on New Connect has a chance to happen still in Q4 2022.” – Ewelina Stelmach adds.
GREEN ZEBRAS is a startup from Wroclaw, Poland, works with entities using plant extracts in production to create their own products: it advises, conducts extraction and performs analytical services. It proposes specific solutions to customers, customizing the technological process to meet the individual needs of producers. In processing, the company focuses on the high quality of the extracts it obtains – without impurities or hazardous substances. The team consists of specialists in chemistry, chemical technology and herbal medicine. The company’s mission is to create a technological base for entities operating in the food and cosmetics market, and in the future – also in the pharmaceutical market.
Green Zebras operates as part of a capital group associated with the Kvarko investment fund, which supports technology startups.
