Les Pailles de Provence

Since 1966, the Rigotti company, located in Cogolin in the Gulf of Saint Tropez, has been producing reeds for wind instruments (clarinet, saxophone…). These reeds are made from Provence cane, grown by the company itself.

When the cane is harvested, 40% of the stalk remains in the field where it decomposes. A small part of the cane is used for the manufacture of the reeds. The rest of the cane is used as compost.

It was while watching a report on the ban on plastic straws in France that Daniel Rigotti had the idea of using the cane residues to make straws. Indeed, some parts of the cane already look like straw.

There are already straws made of bamboo from Asian countries. Daniel Rigotti wants to produce a French product and to limit transport distances.

The pieces of cane intended for the straws are cut to the right size and sanded. The straws are organically grown and quality tests (for food contact) are underway. The packaging is currently being finalised and will allow the straws to be sold in organic shops and interested supermarkets.

These straws are manufactured and transformed (cutting + engraving) by the Rigotti company and are then sold by the company Les Pailles de Provences, which handles the commercial side.
Les Pailles de Provences was launched in 2020 but the health context made the launch complicated. The main customers are currently restaurant owners or event organisers (weddings, etc.).