Philippe Cognet is the chief sales officer at Hello Nature, a global leader in sustainable Ag Tech solutions. Philippe is a dynamic leader with over 30 years of experience in the international agriculture industry and a strong commitment to innovation and growth. Before joining Hello Nature in 2008 (then Italpolina), he held senior executive roles across the EMEA region with Kemira Oyj Specialty CropCare, where he was instrumental in expanding business operations and driving strategic development. He has a deep belief that agriculture must evolve toward greener, more nature-based technologies. At Hello Nature he took on the mission of launching and leading the company’s international sales division. Under his leadership, Hello Nature now has a presence in over 80 countries, delivering cutting edge biotechnological solutions to farmers worldwide. Philippe holds a master’s degree in business and Company Management (Master 2) from Université Catholique de Lyon – ESDES HESTRAD.

Q1: Hello Nature recently announced the expansion of its biostimulants plant in Italy. What drove this decision?

We have recently initiated operations at our Novamin facility in Italy with the goal of gradually doubling its production capacity. The primary driver behind this expansion is the strong and growing market demand for biostimulants based on our proprietary Plant Stimulating Peptide (PSP) technology. This traction clearly signaled the need to scale up our production capabilities to better serve our partners worldwide.

Q2: How will this expansion strengthen Hello Nature’s ability to serve both local and international markets?

Currently, we operate two key production sites: the Novamin plant in Italy (which is now being expanded) and the Hello Nature Bioscience facility in Indiana, U.S. From these two strategic locations, we supply biostimulants to nearly 80 countries. The Indiana site primarily serves the U.S., Canada, Mexico and in some cases, South America, while the Italian facility supports markets across Europe, Asia, the Middle East and Africa. This geographic distribution allows us to be agile in responding to global demand while also providing flexibility amid shifting geopolitical conditions.

Q3: Can you share how this increased capacity will impact the availability or range of your biostimulant products?

The expansion will enhance availability in two ways. First, it will help us meet the increasing demand for our products and fulfill the forecasted needs in the years ahead. Further, the increased capacity supports a broader impact across our product portfolio. Our Plant Stimulating Peptide technology is the foundation of our biostimulants, available in both liquid and powder forms. It is the cornerstone of our innovations, like our peptide-based Biochelates—the first of its kind in the agricultural market—and our biostimulant boosters that enhance the efficacy of chemical or microbial inputs. This technology has applications well beyond traditional biostimulants, and increasing production definitely strengthens our ability to innovate across these various categories.

Q4: Sustainability is a growing focus in agriculture. How does this new facility support Hello Nature’s commitment to sustainable production?

Sustainability is a core consideration in every investment and product launch we undertake. The Novamin plant is designed with a strong focus on environmental responsibility, as detailed in our most recent ESG report published last spring. From energy efficiency to waste reduction and beyond, the facility reflects our deep commitment to sustainable practices in agriculture.

Q5: What roles do innovation and R&D play in the expanded plant’s operations? Will it enable faster development or scaling of new products?

Innovation and R&D are absolutely central, crucial even, to our operations. As a family-owned company, Hello Nature has always prioritized bold innovation as a driver of international growth. R&D fuels everything we do, and expanding our production capacity directly supports the development and scaling of new products. We have a strong pipeline of new concepts and technologies under development. The challenge today is not so much about finding ideas, but strategically focusing our efforts—deciding, for example, which segments of the agricultural industry we want to lead over the next five to 10 years.

Q6: How do you see this expansion contributing to Hello Nature’s overall growth strategy in the coming years?

This expansion is directly aligned with our commercial growth strategy. It is not just about preparing for future opportunities; it is about meeting today’s market realities. Demand is already here, and our partners require greater volumes now. Increasing capacity allows us to respond in real time and gives us much better stability for long term growth.

Q7: Are there plans to replicate similar expansions in other regions, or is Italy set to remain the central production hub for biostimulants?

Yes, we absolutely plan to replicate this model elsewhere. Even if PSP technology is complex, we believe in developing smaller, flexible production units in regions with strong demand. This approach would not only help meet local needs but also reduce our carbon footprint and enhance local rural development. Moreover, if you consider the increasingly unpredictable geopolitical landscape, local production (either independently or in partnership with regional stakeholders) adds critical stability and visibility to our operations globally.