French vegetable oil and biodiesel group Avril has acquired a rapeseed crushing, refining, and biodiesel production plant located in Baleycourt, France, from specialty chemicals company Valtris. The move strengthens Avril’s position among Europe’s leading players in the oilseed and renewable energy sectors, according to the media report.
The plant, situated in one of France’s key rapeseed-growing regions, processes around 400,000 tonnes of seeds annually. Avril announced the acquisition on July 4, saying it would help the company consolidate its presence in the European market.
Valtris will continue to operate its specialty chemical production facility at the same location, even after the transfer of the rapeseed operations to Avril. The deal is still subject to consultation with employee representatives and approval from competition authorities.
“This acquisition gives us an opportunity to strengthen our role in tackling major challenges such as food security, decarbonisation, and national sovereignty, while staying true to our mission of supporting French agriculture,” said Jean-Philippe Puig, CEO of Avril.
Simon Medley, CEO of Valtris Specialty Chemicals, said the agreement would allow Valtris to focus on its core portfolio of specialty performance additives.
Avril, France’s fifth-largest agri-food group, is active across the entire plant processing value chain—from seeds to finished products. Its operations span oilseed processing, biofuels, consumer goods, bio-based materials, and agricultural services.
Valtris, which reported €7.7 billion in sales in 2024, produces a wide range of specialty chemicals and additives for industries such as construction, transport, packaging, pharmaceuticals, food processing, and biodiesel. Its products include plasticisers, lubricants, heat stabilisers, and renewable energy derivatives, including bio-based plasticisers like the Santicizer Platinum G-2000.
Avril’s oilseed processing and renewable energy division includes its long-established seed crushing business and the production of oilseed meal, refined oils, and biofuels through its subsidiaries Saipol in France and Expur in Romania.
