As part of global expansion, Oleon acquires Texas blending plant

Oleon, a European leader in oleochemistry. has acquired a blending plant in Conroe, Texas, U.S.A. The acquisition is part of Oleon’s global expansion.

The Texas site will be the cornerstone for its industrial activity in the Americas with an expected initial investment  of more than USD50 million. Texas, and more specifically the Houston area, is a leading global hub for the chemical industry, offering excellent inbound and outbound logistics.

The plant will start up in the first half of 2023 by offering warehousing and blending services for the different  markets Oleon is active in, including lubricants, industrials, oil & gas, and crop protection. An important  investment is underway to provide esterification capabilities by 2024, with more expansion options being  considered for the future.  

“With a historical industrial base in Europe and a strong base in Asia, our global footprint was lacking production capabilities in the important North American region,” said CEO Moussa Naciri.

“We strongly believe in  the development of the North American market, not only due to its size, but also due to availability of important  raw materials. The global supply chain crisis of the last two years has also reiterated the importance of  producing close to the customer,” said Managing Director Jeroen Dirckx.  

Oleon is part of the Avril Group, whose mission is the creation of sustainable value in the oil and protein industries. Oleon specializes in processing vegetable oils and animal fats into oleochemical products such as fatty acids, glycerin, dimers and esters. These are used as building blocks or ingredients in numerous everyday products such as food, cosmetics, lubricants, soaps, coatings, etc. Headquartered in Ertvelde, Belgium, Oleon has six production sites in Belgium, Germany, France, the U.S. and Malaysia.