Bio Aloe Plant in Caigua Poised to meet Half of Anzoátegui‘s Aloe Vera Demand
Caigua, Anzoátegui – A processing plant in the indigenous community of Caigua, located in the Simón Bolívar municipality, is rapidly scaling up production of aloe vera gel and powder, aiming to supply 50% of the demand within Anzoátegui state and eventually tap into national and international markets.
Currently processing over two tons of aloe vera daily, Bio Aloe, a chemical consortium in partnership with the regional government, is working towards a target of ten tons per day. The plant,boasting over 7 square meters of construction,was recently reactivated after a period of inactivity.
The company is focused on expanding aloe vera cultivation, with plans to reach 70 hectares planted with Aloe barbadensis miller. Currently,30 productive hectares are located in the El Hatillo community,Peñalver municipality,serving as the source for seedlings used to expand planting efforts. Four hectares adjacent to the plant are currently being prepared for cultivation, and Bio Aloe is providing financial support to encourage participation from local producers.
“We are growing, processing, and transforming aloe vera hear into an export-quality raw material,” stated Walter Sánchez, president of Bio Aloe. Initial export destinations are expected to be European markets.
Bio Aloe is the second aloe vera processing plant in Venezuela, but the first to utilize a spray dry process. This technology allows for the production of high-quality aloe vera powder with optimal concentrations of active components. The plant currently produces 2X, 5X, 20X, Intav gel, and 100X powder – key ingredients for a wide range of products including facial and body creams, shampoos, soaps, sunscreens, and burn treatments.
The processing involves six stages: reception of the raw material, corticating (peeling), pulping, grinding, filtering, and final packaging.
Rudy Cedeño, chemical engineer and laboratory supervisor at Bio Aloe, emphasized the versatility of aloe vera, noting its applications in both the medical and oil industries. He highlighted the use of their gel in products like aloe vera suppositories for feminine care, and the intav product for the oil sector.
The expansion of Bio Aloe is expected to generate employment and provide a significant boost to the local and regional economy, establishing Caigua as a key hub for aloe vera production in Venezuela.