As part of the PEI Lort’innov project, two technical field days recently brought together stakeholders working on developing and structuring a nettle industry.
On May 12, at EI Anne Muller (Ferme de Palameix), discussions covered the technical, agronomic and industrial progress made around this promising crop: growing methods, planting, weed management, harvesting, drying, retting, and leaf and stem separation, as well as prospects for use in textiles, cosmetics, nutraceuticals and agriculture.
Participants also visited the nettle plots at Ferme de Palameix, where several growing and harvesting trials are currently underway.
On May 22, the PEI Lort’innov Go Tour continued at EHP Rovillé aux Chênes, with a presentation of the project’s progress, a visit to the greenhouses, a demonstration of nettle sowing on pallets, and discussions on molecular extraction and fibre preparation using the steam explosion pilot unit.
The afternoon continued in the field with a visit to nettle plots at Ménarmont (GAEC Forterre), followed by a visit to Planète Légumes and the PEI PREDIRE project.
These two days confirm the growing interest in nettle as an innovative, local and multifunctional resource, at the crossroads of agricultural, industrial and environmental challenges.
Thank you to the funders of the PEI Lort’innov project: FEADER and the Région Grand Est
Thanks also to the Réseau Rural Grand Est for co-organising the second day, to EHP Rovillé aux Chênes, to Planète Légumes, to EI Anne Muller (Ferme de Palameix), to GAEC Forterre, and to all the speakers and participants for the richness of the discussions.
