Specialty ingredients with renewable chemistry
Renewable chemistry, also known as "green chemistry", is a major strategic development focus for Avril. The aim is to develop specialties, enhance the value of oilseeds and provide solutions for the low-carbon transition.
Avril Specialties encompasses business lines dedicated to the production of specialty ingredients for global industry: these primarily include Oleon, the Belgian business unit and European leader in oleochemistry, as well as Lecico, a German specialist in plant-based lecithins and phospholipids.
RENEWABLE CHEMISTRY: A NECESSITY FOR THE FUTURE
Renewable chemistry addresses growing demand from consumers and manufacturers for biosourced, renewable and biodegradable products. Avril has spent the past twenty years developing a respectful, efficient approach to oleochemistry.
In the early 2000s, in line with its mission to identify new outlets for French oilseed production, the Group identified renewable chemistry as one of its strategic inroads.
The objective was to offer clients innovative, high-performance solutions based on renewable raw materials developed across a diverse range of industrial sectors.
OLEON: THE EUROPEAN CHAMPION IN OLEOCHEMISTRY
A leading name in oleochemistry, Oleon specializes in processing vegetable oils and solutions such as fatty acids, glycerin, dimers and esters. These products are used as base components or ingredients in various everyday products such as foodstuffs, hygiene products and cosmetics, soaps and detergents, as well as in lubricants, coatings and paints. Oleon operates seven production sites located in Belgium, Germany, France, the UK, Malaysia and, most recently, the USA.
Lecico extends Oleon’s offer with ingredients commonly used in the agri-food industry. For instance, in the production of margarines, cookies, pastries, confectionery and baby food.
OLEOCHEMISTRY, FROM FOOD TO INDUSTRIAL LUBRICANT
Products and ingredients resulting from oleochemistry are used in multiple everyday products, some examples:
- In the food sector, emulsifiers and additives of vegetable origin improve the functional and sensory properties of foods and their ingredients. Oleon has a wide portfolio of plant-based food emulsifiers and ingredients. Lecico complete that list with lecithin and phospholipids, widely used in the food industry. All these products are used in the production of margarine, bread, cookies and pastries, confectionery and baby food.
- Chemical Catalyst of vegetable origin are found in the formulation of inks, paints, cosmetics, lubricants or phytosanitary products.
- Green polyols are used in the composition of polyurethane foams found in mattresses, car seats, and insulation and sealing materials.
- Monopropylene glycol is a molecule with multiple properties, essential in many products, such as antifreeze liquids and detergents, but also fiberglass composite materials such as wind turbine blades.
- Fatty acid esters bring their emollient and emulsifying properties to cosmetic products: this is notably the case within Oleon.
