Biosens - Bio products are rather a perspective than a source of profit

Cornelia Angelescu

Dan Gabriel Iacob, CEO of Biosens: "The bio market in Romania will not suffer too much because of the crisis, because this is a niche market that develops independently from economic troubles. In Romania, bio products are rather a perspective than a source of profit."

Established in 2007, Biosens is a producer of bio products on a very dynamic niche market, according to CEOs and partners Dan Gabriel Iacob and Ciprian Lazarovici. Biosens is headquartered in Suceava and started operations in 2008 as a Romanian-owned companies. It is part of a group of companies dealing in insurance, real estate, financial investment, trading and construction.

"After a period dedicated to adjusting to the market requirements, we made significant sales in only the last few months of 2008. For this year, the orders we have received so far make us confident that we will have enough work to do to remain as enthusiastic as we were when we started as pioneers on the bio market. Consumers are interested in our products, despite the unfavourable economic conditions. Health care and prevention of the illnesses caused by unhealthy nutrition have started to get increasing attention from many people, irrespective of their age," said Ciprian Lazarovici.

The management is aware that those who invest now in ecological products are having long-term business in mind as the bio process is only starting to develop in Romania. They are convinced that the potential of this sector is quite significant and will turn into a safe business in the future. Biosens is the Romanian agent of Biotta (a Swiss producer of bio juice), Tautropfen (a German producer of natural cosmetics) and Lima (a Belgian food producer). With only six employees, Biosens is currently importing and distributing ecological food, cosmetics and juice certified as such by European institutions to guarantee the quality, transparency and authenticity of the bio products.

An example of the complexity of such certification is the Biotta portfolio, which proudly displays 7 quality certificates including Bio Suisse, Bio Inspecta, the National Organic Program and the Japanese Agriculture Standard. Having more than 50 years" experience in the production and sale of 100% ecological juices, Biotta has a portfolio of 24 juices and exports 10 million cans of vegetable and fruit juice to over 40 countries per year.

Tautropfen is a pioneer in the production of cosmetics compliant with the Demeter standards and one of the leading suppliers of ecological products in the world. The company only uses medicinal herbs and purely natural oil without any preservatives.

Lima is one of the leading producers of ecological food in the world. This is also the company that introduced the first rice-based beverages on the European market. Employing Japanese expertise, the company offers a wide range of premium quality traditional products without any gluten, salt, cholesterol and lactose, which are exported to over 20 countries.

"The products we sell exceed the requirements and directives of the various European authorities on bio products. These standards are a guarantee of the quality and authenticity of the products. This is why the Biosens sales plan has been organized onto several levels, from dedicated shops to major retailers. Our products are currently for sale in dedicated naturist shops, bio shops, premium supermarkets, pharmacies and delicatessens across the country. Our next target is to have the Biotta, Tautropfen and Lima products in the major hypermarkets such as Carrefour, Cora, Metro, Selgros etc," said Dan Gabriel Iacob.