|
LBG SICILIA
 Although
LBG Sicilia has only been manufacturing Locust Bean Gum since
2000, Giancarlo Licitra’s family has worked with Locust
Bean Gum and the Carob tree over many years.
Situated in Ragusa, LBG Sicilia sources and processes
seeds from the prime Italian Carob Region in the South East of the Island,
supplementing production with seeds from around the Mediterranean. Papa
Licitra has been buying and trading Carob pods for over 40 years ago. However
in 1999 son Giancarlo returned from the Corporate world and set about building
a state-of-the-art processing facility on the outskirts of Ragusa to process
seeds into Locust Bean Gum.
By
purchasing the carob pods direct from the carob collectors
and storing large quantities in their Genisi facility, located
11 kms from Ragusa, LBG Sicilia are able to provide customers
with a consistent supply, provide accurate traceability and
ensure optimum quality in the final gum.
 This
direct sourcing from the farm also dampens much of the
historical volatility associated with the international
carob market.
Seeds
are transported to the main processing site in Ragusa, where
they are stored in dedicated specific silos to provide traceability.
Using
a unique heat treatment, the seeds undergo a series grinding
and electronic sorting steps to produce the final product.
As a resultant LBG Sicilia are able to offer a range of Locust
Bean Gums with consistent particle size, low residual husk
(often visible to the naked eye as small brown specs), and
exceptional low microbial levels.
Unlike other Carob processors, LBG Sicilia do not use harsh inorganic acids
such as Sulphuric acid which eliminates any requirements for neutralisation
and associated waste treatment.
 Through
careful seed selection LBG Sicilia are also able to offer
organic certified LBG. The manufacturing process and quality
systems are also ISO9000 and ISO22000 (HACCP) certified,
and was audited by Hawkins Watts in November 2009.
Locust Bean Gum is an important hydrocolloid and is widely used in products
such as fruit preparation and dairy products, especially Ice Cream and
Cream Cheese. Any presence of black specs from the husk in the final dairy
product is undesirable, so LBG Sicilia have developed a premium range of
gums for this application, and have pioneered work in spec numeration.
As part of the company’s
commitment to the Carob industry, the company has started
an experimental plantation of 5000 carob trees on 35
hectares . As it can take up to 15 years for trees to
grow to maturity and produce the carob pods and seeds,
crops are not expected for another three to five years.
However valuable information on planting and grafting
techniques has been gathered.
 LBG
Sicilia’s initiative will also assist with ongoing
Carob Seed production as other regions, such as Spain,
succumb to urban development.
Hawkins Watts is pleased to work on an exclusive basis with LBG Sicilia
in New Zealand and on a non-exclusive basis in Australia.
 For
more information please go to www.lbg.it
Back to the top |
|
|
 |
|
|
