AV 689 Vinany Loharanombato BP 9008 – Andranonahoatra Antananarivo 102, Madagascar
Société de Transformation Malgache et d’Exportation

Behind the scene of a supplier of Centella asiatica dried leaves

02 August 2024

Malagasy flora has more than 30 000 species. Most of them are used throughout the world to take care of human health and beauty. Based in Madagascar for more than 20 years, SOTRAMEX is one of the largest suppliers of those malagasy plants intended to manufacture cosmetic and medicinal ingredients, formulations and products. Especially, SOTRAMEX is specialized in the collection, processing and export of Centella asiatica dried leaves.

Gotu kola leaves from Madagascar
Centella asiatica leaf from Madagascar

The benefits of Centella asiatica leaves

Centella asiatica is a plant which has powerful active ingredients with multiple benefits on the skin, the digestive system and the nervous system. Also known as Hydrocotyle asiatica, Gotu Kola or tiger grass, Centella asiatica is traditionally used to heal wounds, cure skin disorders and stomach aches. From now on, this miraculous plant is a must-have in cosmetics thanks to its powerful anti-aging, hydrating, repairing and soothing properties.

The different stages managed by SOTRAMEX before exporting Centella asiatica dried leaves

Through these pictures, SOTRAMEX invites you to discover the path traveled by Centella asiatica leaves before joining throughout the world to be there transformed into exceptional ingredients and cares.

UPSTREAM AND TROUGHOUT THE COLLECT SEASON OF CENTELLA ASIATICA LEAVES

Active ingredient content analysis of Centella asiatica dried leaves in the SOTRAMEX laboratory.

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Training of SOTRAMEX pickers and collection team in right practices and working methods

Training-of-SOTRAMEX-pickers-and-collection-team-in-right-practices-and-working-methods-to-preserve-the-quality-of-Centella-asiatica-leaves

DURING THE COLLECTION CAMPAIGN OF CENTELLA ASIATICA IN EACH SOTRAMEX COLLECTION AREA

Picking Centella asiatica leaves from appropriate natural environments while respecting good practices.

Picking of Gotu kola leaves in Madagascar

Return of SOTRAMEX pickers to their villages in Madagascar, after a day of picking.

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Sun drying of the leaves following appropriate conditions, in the villages of SOTRAMEX pickers

Sun drying of the leaves of Gotu kola in the villages of SOTRAMEX pickers

Picking up of Gotu kola leaves by a member of SOTRAMEX collection team.

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Receipt of Gotu kola dried leaves in one of the SOTRAMEX sites

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If necessary, sorting of Centella asiatica dried leaves at one of SOTRAMEX sites.

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Storage of Gotu kola dried leaves previously validated by analytical and quality controls, in one of the SOTRAMEX sites

Storage-of-Centella-asiatica-dried-leaves-validated-by-analytical-and-quality-controls-in-one-of-the-SOTRAMEX-sites

AT THE CENTRAL SITE OF SOTRAMEX IN ANTANANARIVO

Reception of the dried leaves from the different collection sites, in the Central site of SOTRAMEX.

Reception-of-Centella-asiatica-dried-leaves-from-the-different-collection-sites-in-the-Central-site-of-SOTRAMEX

If necessary before storage and packaging : re-drying of the leaves at the SOTRAMEX central site

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Storage of Gotu kola dried leaves from the different sites in the warehouses of the SOTRAMEX Central site.

Storage-of-gotu-kola-dried leaves-from-the-different-sites-in-the-warehouses-of-the-SOTRAMEX-Central-site.

Before packaging:  triterpenes content analysis of Centella asiatica dried leaves sample in the SOTRAMEX laboratory

triterpenes-content-analysis-of-Centella-asiatica-dried-leaves-sample-in-the-SOTRAMEX-laboratory

Before packaging : grinding of the leaves in the SOTRAMEX production workshop.

Bagging of Centella asiatica crushed leaves by the SOTRAMEX production team

Packaging of Centella asiatica whole leaves in pressed balls

Packaging of Centella asiatica whole leaves in pressed balls

FINAL STEP BEFORE THE EXPORT OF CENTELLA ASIATICA DRIED LEAVES

Loading containers of Centella asiatica dried leaves

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A container loaded with bags of Centella asiatica dried leaves, ready to be exported.

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Read also

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The NGO « Sustainable development by SOTRAMEX ».

Created in 2000, SOTRAMEX specializes in the collection, the transformation and the exportation of Centella asiatica. In carrying out its activities, SOTRAMEX undertakes to preserve natural resources and to apply sustainable and equitable solutions for the society. That is why that supplier of medicinal and cosmetic plants has created the NGO « Sustainable Development by SOTRAMEX ». […]

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27 July 2024

Production of plant extracts in Madagascar

SOTRAMEX manufactures and markets plant extracts, having specialized in the collection of medicinal and cosmetic plants and the production of essential oils for more than 20 years. Jeune Afrique talks about that in its article which you can read by clicking on this link. Discover here our extracts of Centella asiatica leaves and our other […]