They installed a mega solar park in the countryside, produced “green soybean oil” and exported it to India

Upon reaching the gate on the first floor of soybean oil produced with solar energy people encounter two things: a huge sign that says Rumará SAwith the motto “the power of work” and a little altar with the image of the Virgin of Lujánpatron saint of Argentina.

The agroindustrial and religious scene can be seen in a field of more than 9,000 hectares in Saint Andrew of Gilesprovince of Buenos Aires. There, just over 100 km from CABA, the Miroglio family produces more than 300 tons per month of “green soybean oil”a product that was registered under the brand ““Oil Green”the first to be produced based on renewable and clean energies.

But in the next few hours they will announce the export of three containers of 100% green oil to India and the construction of a bottling plant. These developments will be announced in the middle of a soybean agricultural exhibition, on the same premises, and in front of 150 rural owners, transporters, agricultural unionists, project financiers, and other special guests.

“Crises are an opportunity”says a wise religious and political leader, and that was what inspired the Miroglio couple, owners of Rumaráwhich in 2020 with the confinement of the pandemic decided to open wide. In reality, the one who illuminated the country house was his daughter Catherinewho in the middle of presenting his thesis to receive a degree in Business Administration, gave the kickoff to produce the revolutionary “green soybean oil.”

How the world’s only “green soybean oil” is produced

The big difference with other production methods is the origin of the energy used to operate the machines installed in the 1,500 square meter industrial warehouse: a solar park with 412 panels, which generate 227 KW. In that huge warehouse, this media was able to see first-hand how the extruded and oilseed processing plant to obtain expeller and refined soybean oil, and the grinding, with a capacity of 250 tons of soybeans per day, operate with clean energy. which allows it to process 95,000 tons per year.

“We have machinery that allows us to use 85% less agrochemicals on the land, this is a relief to the soil and of course we save on chemicals,” he also said. Gustavo Miroglioon the cloudy morning in which he received this chronicler, along with his wife Alexandraand her other daughter, the veterinarian Antonela. According to the producer, this equipment weeds with 40,000 signals per second that it sends to weeds the size of a fingernail, identifies it by color and can cut it at 20 kilometers of speed. Another fact of cleaner production is that the oil they manufacture does not contain solvents, does not generate waste that pollutes and does not use water.

But in their desire to produce with fewer pollutants, Miroglio They are already thinking about using biodigesters to provide gas to the entire company and in the fields, and even inject excess photovoltaic energy into the distribution network.

Standing in front of hundreds of German solar panels, Gustavo Miroglio He anticipated that others are on the way 1,900 panels from China. According to him, they heard the idea of ​​using solar energy from a family friend, who told them about the recommendations of the World Bank and the delivery of productive credits if they used green energy. The new energy equipment will occupy two hectareshe assures. It will be a true solar energy park nestled in the fertile lands of Buenos Aires.

Oil Green Soybean Oil Solar Panels

During the visit, Gustavo and his family opened the doors of the energy room (it feels very cool due to the refrigeration of the equipment) and the oil shed, which has a sign similar to the one on the gate: Above the entrance door it reads “Oil Green”. The dogs follow the visitors step by step, and the canine presence in the countryside is inevitable. Goats and a pig are also loose: they are the Miroglios’ other pets.

The jewel of the family is the soybean processing plant for oil, with the capacity to produce 13 tons per day, 370 tons per month, about 4,500 annually. A worker with a helmet on brings Gustavo a small bottle of oil. Ingest and offer. It is the proof of truth, the certificate of sustainability, the life of Miroglio himself. He consumes what he sells before the eyes of the press. “There is no stretching with solvents here”he says after swallowing.

Green soybean oil Oil Green Rumará Gustavo Miroglio

But they don’t want to live in Giles only on oil. Gustavo projects new derivatives of the soy: “We are going to go, next year God willing, for textured soybeans for human consumption.” And since he is not afraid to consume what he produces, he once again tastes a dough that comes out of the soybean processor. He eats it. “It is used for animal feed”he assures. In will ruminate a clear concept remains: Here everything that is ground from the soybeans is used. In fact, the animal feed goes to the poultry part of the company, which years ago was left in the hands of Rubén, Gustavo’s only brother, with whom he built the sheds for raising chickens when the company was born, in 1969, with his father and mother.

Field, soy, renewables and laudatism

The product “Oil Green” is unique in the world, and for this reason, it has been winning awards for its innovation in renewable energies. “Laudatism in action,” say the followers of Pope Francis for his socio-environmental encyclical, which next year marks a decade of publication.

“I am a fan of the national”, Miroglio started, showing the tractors they use, produced in the country; the silos he bought at an auction; the high-tech seeder, which can work 21 hectares in one hour, with a width of 18.5 meters, when the previous one sowed three hectares per day.

Green soybean oil Oil Green Rumará Alejandra and Antonela Miroglio

Between their own and rented, today the Miroglios manage 9,000 hectares in San Andrés de Giles and surrounding areas. They employ 52 people. They grew up in a small town. It has offices in the city center. Their soybeans are exported because they have a certificate that these lands have not been cleared for 15 years.

The third generation of Miroglio recognize that tenacity of work is in their blood. The concept of “family” is also repeated in their lexicon. The other constant is “the spiritual.” They feel blessed from heaven by their ancestors. Gustavo claims not to be in politics, although a former Minister of Economy started the plant. However, he knows that his actions are political. Every night he begins to discern what is closest: the grandchildren, the future. He will leave business and money to them. Power hypoxia is not easy. Then he seeks to heal by returning, with his partner of 44 years, to his roots, his faith, the Virgin, and his confession with a living saint. Soybeans are business. Air, land and water are life. Taking care of her is vital. This is how you live and work in the “Acitera de Dios”.