Avril signs the Grand Est industry contract for sustainable biofuels
As the leading rapeseed producing region (19% of national production), the Grand Est is also the leading biofuel producing region in France. Its objective is to consolidate its position as the leading producer of sustainable biofuels in France, by doubling their share of the regional energy mix within five years. The industry contract is the operational implementation of the charter for the sustainable development of biofuels signed in February 2020 as part of the Grand Est bioeconomy strategy. Avril is very pleased with the signature of this contract with the Grand Est region and more than 40 actors for a more sustainable mobility.
Avril is proud to commit itself alongside the Region in the sustainable biofuels sector in the Grand Est and to participate in its dynamization, thanks to its territorial presence in the region and its concrete contribution to the energy transition.
In 2008, Saipol, the French leader in oilseed processing and a subsidiary of Avril, decided to set up one of its four industrial sites at Le Meriot in the Aube region, in the heart of this rapeseed production basin, thereby reducing the distances between upstream and downstream. The site, which currently employs 94 people, is responsible for the initial processing of oilseeds for all outlets, and processes 850,000 tonnes of rapeseed produced 150 km from the plant each year. The site produces Oleo100, Saipol’s B100 brand.
Oleo100, the energy of the post diesel era – Produced from 100% French rapeseed, renewable and traced, Oleo100 is a new energy that can be used as a complete and easy substitute for diesel. Intended for professional and public transport vehicles (captive fleets), it is today the only solution immediately available to those committed to the energy transition.
In the region, one local authority – Keolis, which is currently testing the solution on buses in Chalon en Champagne – and a private rail freight operator are currently testing the solution, and 19 transporters have already opted for it in the region, including Pihen Transport, Voglerstrans, Lebrun, which works with the Moet champagne houses, and the Vivescia collection agency.
In France, since its launch less than 3 years ago, Oleo100 has more than 400 customers and 4300 vehicles contracted.
A concrete response to environmental specifications with exceptional performance
From field to wheel, Oleo100 gives back 3.7 times more energy than it requires to produce it.
Over the entire product life cycle, Oleo100 reduces greenhouse gas emissions by at least 60% compared to the fossil fuel it replaces.
Oleo100 is also an effective solution to reduce the effects of transportation on air quality, particularly in urban areas. Because of its low oxygen content, Oleo100 can reduce fine and ultrafine particle emissions by up to 80%.
Benefits also for French livestock farming – the rapeseed used to produce Oleo100 primarily generates plant proteins for animal feed, thus helping to develop France’s protein autonomy: 1 hectare of rapeseed cultivated allows the co-production of 2,000 kg of protein-rich, non-GMO oilcake for livestock, 500 liters of edible oil, and 1,000 liters of oil processed into Oleo100.
