Molini Pivetti is one of the largest soft wheat mills in Italy. In this interview project partner, Simona Baraldi talks about the importance of being part of EU projects and the other initiatives to improve the environmental impact of Pivetti’s production process.

What products and process have you contributed to developing in INGREEN? 
We have helped develop products based on the circular economy principle for food and, nutraceuticals that use bran, a substrate from the waste from our wheat milling process. This creates new perspectives for a smarter production process by upgrading and reusing by-products for alternative use.

What is the reason your company participated in this BBI project? What is the added value for your company? 
Participating in European projects is a valuable  way to contribute to scientific development of Pivetti. For our company it is important to be part of scientific research that has the goal to address challenges that touch on topical areas such as circular economy, environment and sustainability. Participating in a project such as INGREEN has given our company the opportunity to collaborate  with  experts and university professors of high level and therefore it has broadened our professional relationships in the scientific field of related sectors.

Your company has shown its commitment to sustainability by participating in the INGREEN project. What other activities has Pivetti conducted to improve sustainability?
Pivetti is sensitive to the topic of sustainability. Pivetti’s goal is to live sustainably with our land. In 2018 we presented our “Pivetti Protected Fields Initiative for the first time which is aimed at sustainable agriculture.  In 2019, the lighting system of the entire production site was upgraded to be more energy efficient. In that same year, Pivetti participated in the European project – FLIES4VALUE which focuses on using insects for the bioconversion of agro-food by-products into feed and substances with high added value. In 2020, Pivetti’s sustainable flours were sold to large retailers for the first time. We consider the Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) a valuable tool to gain insight into all phases of the production of flour, from growing wheat in the field, storage, transportation, milling, and flour distribution to consumers. Pivetti has an entire line of flour from sustainable agriculture now available for both domestic use and for professionals, with the aim of promoting new models of consumption that are oriented to safeguard the future of the next generations by offering a product that respects the planet, limiting as much as possible the environmental impact.

In 1875  a few kilometers from Cento (which is right in between Bologna and Ferrara) Valente Pivetti decides to build a steam-powered mill to grind the local soft wheat. Today just like then, the mill is the soul of the entire Pivetti Holding, a symbol of its solidity and commitment to treasure and revisit a tradition that constantly evolves and renews. 

The constant search for highest quality and the introduction of new technologies over the years have allowed MoliniPivetti to  supply the most demanding professionals in the food business. Today Pivetti Holding group consists of 3 mills 1 fruit processing company and a logistics company