The company “Biobambi” in Lagodekhi municipality produces biodegradable drinking straws made of Georgian reed. A few days ago it was announced that the export of these straws is planned to Cyprus and Spain from September.
The company was established just one year ago and, due to high demand, decided to expand. As a result, 200 million biodegradable straws can be produced annually.
Giorgi Chikovani, the managing director of “Biobambi” told “Business Formula” that the company will be able to fully satisfy the demand of the local market.
“After the operation of the enterprise, we will start supplying products to several eco-friendly institutions,” Chikovani notes. “Popsicle sticks have become quite popular. We started negotiations with network companies and faced the need to adopt the BRC standard, which includes ISO certification. Implementation of the standard will allow us to export products to any country.
“We have started the process of standardization, expansion is underway and full automation of production is taking place,” Chikovani adds. “We will reach the maximum level of production in the middle of August. We think that we will fully satisfy the local market and we will also export.
“We plan to export the products from September. The first will be European countries where the use of plastic straws is completely banned. We have negotiations with Cyprus and Spain, as well as with the USA, although there we will need to get permission from the US Rural Development Agency, after which we plan to export. We plan to start exporting to Cyprus and Spain this year.”
According to Chikovani, biodegradable straws made of Georgian reed will compete with plastic and paper straws on the market in terms of quality and safety, as well as price.
“Biobomb” appeared on the market in 2022. Initially, 150,000 GEL was invested in the opening of the enterprise, of which 125,000 GEL was co-financed by the rural development program. As a result of the expansion and introduction of the BRC standard, the total investment reached 500,000 GEL.
By Mariam Gorkhelashvili
