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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
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