« The world of agriculture and breeding, which was already facing a difficult global market, has been shaken by the recent health crises. This situation shows how many industrial companies have favoured short-term profit over the costs of ethical practices. By committing to a sustainable development approach, OvinAlp wants to contribute to societal and environmental progress. But, above all, this strategy is the guarantee of the sustainability of the company in its innovation, transparency, and traceability objectives. Thus, we can continue to work towards fertilisation which is respectful of the soil, farmers, consumers, and the environment. »

Éric Giovale, CEO of the OvinAlp group

Standardisation and certification
The first company to be ISO 14001 certified for its composting process, OvinAlp confirms its sustainable development strategy by extending this certification and signing up for the International Environmental Guide SD 21 000.
OvinAlp is also the first French company to benefit from composting health approval for the production of amendments and organic fertilisers.
Approval number: FR.05.118.106.

Traceability of raw materials
Sheep manure, the basis for the production of our fertilisers, is the result of extensive and recognised breeding. For the other plant, organic, or mineral inputs, OvinAlp certifies the approval, traceability and strict absence of sludge, slush, urban compost, and their micro-pollutants.

Voluntary innovation strategy
The ISO-certified composting process allows us to offer quality amendments and fertilisers which help to preserve the environment, which is an essential part of our sustainable development strategy. But OvinAlp also diversifies its offer with a biokinetic fertilisation activator, Dopactif, which can be used to avoid useless over-fertilisation; with liquid organic fertilisers, Orstim, sustainable alternatives to mineral fertilisers; and by offering technological additives benefiting approval to improve plant nutrition.

Respect for the environment
The standardisation of our production unit and its almost energy-independent operation (photovoltaic energy) represents the effort we have put into preserving our environment. OvinAlp also helps to minimise agricultural nuisances through the development of more effective fertilisers.

Respect for people
With a fully-automated and dust-free factory, we are able to guarantee the quality and work of our teams. The ergonomic performance, innocuity, and eco-biological compliance of our specialities are testaments to the quality and safety for the producer and the consumer.

By committing to a sustainable development approach, OvinAlp wants to contribute to societal and environmental progress. But this choice is also the guarantee of the sustainability of the company in its objectives of innovation, transparency and traceability, working towards fertilisation which is respectful of the soil, farmers, consumers and the environment.

Principally composed of organic raw materials, OvinAlp’s products help to restructure the soil, thus avoiding run-off phenomena leading to the pollution of the water table and waterways with nitrogen and phosphorus.

The standardisation of the production unit in Ribiers (05, Hautes-Alpes), in a very preserved environment, is a sign of the company’s responsibility towards the environment.

And OvinAlp also helps to minimise agricultural nuisances through the development of the use of more natural and more effective fertilisers.

Within the sustainable development approach it has set out, the company uses a FSH sheathing machine for packaging its bags. This has allowed the use of plastics (a material with a high environmental impact) to be reduced by 10 – 20%. At the same time, the group has installed photovoltaic panels making it almost energy-independent, bringing its activity in line with its commitment to the environment.

OvinAlp is a member of ADIVALOR for the collection and recycling of empty fertiliser and amendment packaging.

www.adivalor.fr

Our expertise is based on human intelligence. We work with people, for people. This is essential for us. We devote a lot of time to human relationships because our sector is a sector based on trust.

OvinAlp pays particular attention to the safety of its personnel, its sites and its environment. In 2007, it invested in making its factory dust free, contributing to improved working conditions for its staff.

The ergonomic performance, innocuity, and eco-biological compliance of our specialities are testaments to the quality and safety for the producer and the consumer.

Advising farmers, understanding their needs, providing expertise and the right product at the right time are what we do every day. And educational diagnostics are certainly the best illustration of this cooperation we have with those using our fertilisers, who always want to learn and understand.

In all the regions of France, in vineyards, orchards, or farmlands, the process is always the same. Producers arrive to discover the fertiliser manufacturer in the Alps. And a hole is made in an agreed location. Everyone observes what happens. These strata speak volumes about the soil. We look at the earth, we feel the earth, we observe the colours, the materials. We then tell the history of this soil. We talk about adapted crops. We develop agronomic solutions to feed its life. The life of the soil. And tongues become untied. Everyone quickly understands that it’s a subtle game: the goal is to discover what will effectively stimulate this soil!

In addition to a soil analysis, the educational diagnostic helps us understand the reality of a plot:
• structure of the soil by observing successive lines and the aeration of the soil,
• the plot’s potential for water retention,
• macroscopic activity (galleries of worms and earthworms, presence of insects, etc.),
• impact of growing techniques (compacting, organic residue, etc.),
• implantation of the root system.

The soil profile is essential data for the proper understanding of the function of a plot; it can be complemented by the IBR (Index of Biological Respiration) which will describe the biological activity of the soil.

An educational diagnosis is also the chance to recall some basic notions of the function of the soil: organic matter, calcium, macro and micro fauna, microbial activity of the soil, etc.

The performance of our fertilisers is perfectly measurable. Many of our now loyal customers began by testing the solutions we proposed on a few patches. Today, with over 4,000 customers, we have carried out over 4,000 tests throughout France.

Of course, there is always the productive effect, which is seen by an increase in revenue. Fertiliser, by its very nature, effectively stimulates productivity, it is chosen and adapted to the context, if doses are optimised, if the timing is coherent… but there is also the qualitative effect which our customers often tell us about. For a large vine, for example, the challenge is the size. The fertiliser stimulates the plant and « enriches » the grape.