Ziel Partners with Portocanna to Receive the First EU GMP Certification for the Use of Frequency Technology for Microbial Control in Cannabis
May 16, 2024
SAN FRANCISCO, May 16, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ziel, the industry leader providing next-generation customized, microbial control solutions for the agriculture and cannabis industries, today announced that its partner Portocanna, a medical cannabis processor in Portugal received GMP validation for the decontamination of cannabis flower using Ziel’s radio Frequency System (RF) technology. With the GMP certification in an EU member state, Portocanna is well positioned to supply medical cannabis from their EU-GMP pharmaceutical facility to the expanding markets in Germany and the UK.
“We are delighted that our radio frequency technology has received the first EU GMP approval for microbial control through our partnership with Portocanna,” says Arthur de Cordova, CEO and Co-Founder of Ziel. “We are well positioned in the EU to solve a problem every cultivator needs to address if they want to secure a presence in the rapidly growing European cannabis market.”
GMP defines the minimum standard that medical manufacturers must meet in their product processing operations under the European Medicines Agency (EMA), which coordinates and standardizes GMP activities at the European Union (EU) level. All entities that import or export cannabis to and within the EU are required to be GMP certified, representing a substantial investment and commitment to comply with these regulations. With this first GMP certification, Ziel’s technology now provides cultivators and post-harvest processors seeking to produce within the EU, or export to the EU, a clear, streamlined pathway for integrating a microbial control step into their operations.
Unlike ionizing forms of radiation such as X-ray, gamma, and e-beam, radio frequency is a non-ionizing, thermal process compliant with organic processes. In the European market, radio frequency does not require additional labeling and licensing for use in cannabis decontamination. For example, Germany requires registration of all strains treated with ionizing radiation (X-ray, gamma, and e-beam) prior to distribution within the country; a process that takes 6 to 9 months and an administrative fee of €2,500 per strain.
“Portocanna is extremely well positioned to increase medical cannabis exports from its EU GMP-certified facility,” said Amit Adri, CEO and founder of Portocanna S.A. “The use of radio frequency in our GMP processes allows us to efficiently meet increased demand following passage of Germany’s landmark cannabis reform law passed April 1, and efficiently meet strict German regulatory requirements for cannabis safety.”
“Domestically, Portocanna’s has received approval for one of its cannabis formulations on the Portuguese market,” continued Edri. “Our products are treated with radio frequency to meet Infarmed and EU requirements for patient safety.”
To learn more about Ziel or the RFX, please visit www.ziel.com.
About Ziel
Ziel is the industry leader providing next-generation customized, microbial control solutions for the agriculture and cannabis industries. The markets in which the company currently operates include tree nuts, seeds, and select fruit, as well as cannabis and hemp. Ziel’s products harness radio frequency and microwave technologies to build customized solutions that help customers consistently meet regulatory requirements, preserve product integrity, improve operational processes, and maximize profits. Ziel has a worldwide clientele who commercially process food and cannabis products with installations in the United States, Canada, Australia, Chile, Mexico, and across the EU. Ziel’s corporate headquarters are located in San Francisco. To learn more about Ziel’s solutions visit www.ziel.com.
About Portocanna
Portocanna aims to become the leading medical cannabis processor in Europe. With a 3,000 sqm EU GMP-certified facility, an in-house R&D lab, and the largest cannabis logistics center in the EU, the company is supported by a highly skilled and experienced team. After successfully launching medical cannabis products in Germany and the UK, and with a product soon to be introduced in the Portuguese market, Portocanna is focused on expanding its portfolio in these key markets. Additionally, the company is actively pursuing growth opportunities in other European regions. With 25 proprietary cannabis cultivars developed and registered, along with significant R&D investments, Portocanna is pioneering innovative delivery methods.
Media Contact:
Raquel Heras
Oak PR
Raquel@oakpr.com
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In this episode we welcome back Arthur de Cordova, CEO of Ziel, to discuss the company's presence in the German cannabis market. We explore the differences between the medical market in Europe and the recreational market in the United States, emphasizing the importance of quality and regulatory compliance. We also touch on the potential role of the FDA in safeguarding quality in the US cannabis industry. Arthur highlights Ziel's innovative microbial control solution and their sleek RFX machine.
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Ziel Now Offering Financing and Leasing Options for Cannabis Cultivators
Change moves slowly at the federal level, especially if cannabis is involved. Since the first recreational market opened in 2012, not much has been done for the industry or its financial situation, although some recent efforts have been made. For example, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the SAFE Banking Act seven times since 2019. The Senate Banking Committee passed its SAFER Banking Act in September 2023. Even the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) recommended cannabis be rescheduled to Schedule III in August of 2023. Yet, cannabis cultivators are still struggling to find financial backing and continue to carry the weight of 280E, hurting cash flow.
To address this situation and help cannabis cultivators boost their bottom line with minimal upfront cash outlay, Ziel is pleased to announce partnerships with multiple financial institutions that have an established presence in the cannabis industry. Zie identified these direct lenders to provide our customers with a cost-effective means to finance or lease the safest cannabis remediation technology on the market—the Ziel RFX.
Using Radio Frequency (RF), the Ziel RFX decontaminates whole flower and trim to deliver a greater than 99% regulatory compliance pass rate. On average, the Ziel RFX recovers $1.1 million annually for each of its clients.
Read on to see how much revenue the Ziel RFX can recover for you and how you can secure yours with the help of our financial partners.
Financing Ziel RFX
Financing your Ziel RFX allows you to own your machine on day one. Along with your machine, you’ll get our Service Plan free for a year which includes:
- Bumper-to-bumper warranty
- Online Dashboard that provides access to all your COA data and processing parameters
- Consults with our engineers and scientists to optimize your post-harvest operations
You have the option to extend both the Service Plan and warranty once your financing term is completed.
We will facilitate the financing with our partners for no extra charge. Learn more about what’s needed to finance your Ziel RFX here.
Leasing Ziel RFX
Leasing your Ziel RFX allows you all the benefits of owning a machine but with the flexibility to walk away at the end of your lease term. Additionally, leasing offers the advantage of conserving your cash upfront. The out-of-pocket spend on day one of leasing your Ziel RFX is a little more than 5% of the out-of-pocket spend that comes with purchasing the machine outright.
Our partners offer lease terms as short as two years and as long as five years, giving you the flexibility to set terms that work with your business goals and projections. If you do decide you want to continue using RF as your preferred microbial control solution, you have the option to purchase your Ziel RFX for $1.00 at the end of your lease term.
With your lease, you’ll also get our Service Plan included for the duration of the entire lease, so you can operate your business with confidence. Similar to our financing option, we’re happy to negotiate your lease terms for you at no extra cost. Click here to read more about what’s needed to lease the Ziel RFX.
Buying Ziel RFX
There is always the option to buy your Ziel RFX outright. Like our financing and leasing options, a one-year bundled Service Plan is included in the purchase price.
Purchasing your machine allows you to immediately incorporate it into your standard operating procedures (SOPs), plus you become eligible to be one of our Authorized Tolling Partners and provide microbial reduction services to smaller and mid-size operators in your area.
Which Option Is Best For Your Cannabis Business?
To help you determine the best payment terms for your situation, we’re also excited to announce the release of our updated Business Case Calculator that incorporates leasing and financing options. Use it to quickly and easily determine if you have a worthy business case to justify moving forward with an investment in the Ziel RFX.
Using our Business Case Calculator, you can input and adjust your:
- Current harvest volume per year
- Percentage of harvest that fails microbial testing
- Wholesale pricing for dried flower and trim
From there, you can select your inputs (interest rate, down payment, and term) to evaluate what your monthly out-of-pocket payment will be for either leasing or financing.
Financial Advantages of Working With Ziel
Apart from our financing and leasing options for cannabis cultivators, and the average $1.1 million each of our customers recovers in lost revenue each year, there is another potential bottom-line benefit to the Ziel RFX. You may be able to depreciate your machine each year to reduce your taxable income.
This will require review with your accountant and financial advisors, but with the Ziel RFX as a part of your SOPs, you may have the option to claim its depreciation under your costs of goods sold (COGs). This could reduce the amount of taxes your business must pay under 280E.
Get Started with Ziel RFX
Explore our Business Case Calculator to determine your optimum financial solution. If you have questions or are curious about how to get started with your financial application for the Ziel RFX, get in touch with us today. We’re happy to help you narrow down the right financing or leasing option for your operation.