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From Seventies Know-How to Cutting-Edge Robotics: The Langeais site Continues Its Transformation

Langeais, France – For more than 50 years, the Langeais site has been driven by excellence in mushroom spawn production.

At Sylvan, we are taking another major step forward with the installation of our third robotic system, reinforcing our commitment to modernizing operations and preparing for the future.

We have now commissioned our third robotic installation, a key milestone in the modernization of our production processes.

This new-generation robotic system now manages a production operation that was previously performed entirely manually: the bagging of cooked substrate and stacking of open bags onto trays and trolleys prior to transfer to the sterilization stage.

Until recently, this activity represented one of the most physically demanding tasks within the process. Every day, a lot of bags were handled manually, but with this new-generation robotic system, this will be automated.

The project supports several strategic objectives:

  • Reducing low-value-added, labour-intensive activities through automation.
  • Improving production cost efficiency.
  • Minimizing repetitive movements that can lead to musculoskeletal disorders.
  • Enhancing health, safety, and overall ergonomics for our teams.

By introducing robotics into this critical stage of the process, we are improving process consistency while creating better working conditions for our employees.

The journey began 24 months ago with feasibility studies and the design of a unique automated solution in collaboration with several suppliers. Following project approval 12 months later, the equipment was ordered and prepared for installation.

The new line was installed during the April 2026 technical shutdown and started up in May. Since then, teams have been working closely with the supplier on training, adjustments, and performance optimization. The line is now operational and progressively reaching its full potential.

Projects of this scale are only possible thanks to the dedication, expertise, and teamwork of many individuals.

Congratulations to everyone involved in this success and for their outstanding commitment throughout the project. Together, we continue to cultivate the mushroom spawn of tomorrow.

Overview news

Sylvan delivers excellent quality of spawn and provide great crop care support

Sylvan has been our invaluable partner in sporeless Pleurotus spawn for over a decade. With their exceptional support, we have scaled our Oyster production in Greece to become one of Europe’s largest integrated producers. Sylvan’s top-quality sporeless spawn and their high level of technical assistance have been crucial to our success.

Athanasios Kechagias, Owner Kechagia, Greece

Four generations of strong partnership

Sylvan and Basciani have been doing business together for four generations.  My grandfather, father, brothers and I; and now, our kids are partnering with Sylvan America too. Sylvan’s niche is their knowledge of the industry’s past combined with their innovative ideas for the future.  What I most like about Sylvan, is that their teams and experts care about the relationships. They make our family feel comfortable and we enjoy exchanging ideas with them.  We both share the same goals: to produce quality products and a lot of them.

Michael J. Basciani Sr., CEO and President of the Basciani Group of Companies, USA

Trusting Sylvan for top quality

With Sylvan, I can sleep at night! We are A15 (white strain) and Bavarian (chestnut strain) growers, we wouldn't use anything else, and our customers love our quality!

Nghia Le, Head Grower at Farmers Fresh Mushroom Co, Canada

Sylvan’s red yeast rice: 20 years of quality!

Sylvan’s all natural, organic red yeast rice has been a best seller at GNC for over 20 years.  Sylvan’s quality, reliability and consistency is unsurpassed..

Mark Butera, GNC Vice President Merchandising, USA

Sylvan's way of working and thinking was key to our production success

Sylvan’s R&D centre was instrumental in our early development, and we could rely on their support and quality from day one. The Sylvan Team displayed a “no job is too small or too big” mentality which is a necessary and foundational quality for innovation in a new industry, such as mycelium production in the case of Bosque Foods.

Quentin Loth, Managing Director & Head of Production Bosque Foods, Germany