VeryOne acquires EPC’s cetane improver production facility in UK

VeryOne, a global leader in the production and marketing of 2-ethylhexyl nitrate (2-EHN) cetane improver, has recently acquired the manufacturing plant and other equipment of EPC Groupe in the UK. The production facility is situated near Harwich in Essex, UK. The transaction is expected to be completed by December 2023.

Founded in 1893 and headquartered in Paris, France, the EPC Groupe is one of the world’s leaders in explosives, demolition and drilling and blasting. The EPC Groupe has been producing 2-EHN (2 Ethylhexyl Nitrate) for the fuel additives sector for more than 20 years. More recently, production of 2-EHN cetane improver has been operated by EPC Chemicals Limited, a subsidiary of EPC United Kingdom Limited. 

The sustainability of this activity over recent years has been challenging due to the ongoing environmental issues and the need for further significant investment, coupled with adverse economic conditions within the global marketplace, EPC Groupe said in a statement.

“As a consequence, EPC Groupe has taken the decision to divest itself from the fuel additives sector and focus on its core activities.”

In order to deliver this strategy, EPC Chemicals Limited has sold its manufacturing plant and various assets to the VeryOne company, a subsidiary of the Eurenco Group. Meanwhile, VeryOne is looking to develop its position within the UK market. VeryOne’s vision is to be a long-term supplier in the field of additives for today’s and future fuels.  

EPC Chemicals Limited ceased production in its Essex facility at the end of April 2023 to facilitate a smooth transition of the assets to VeryOne.

VeryOne has put in place a smooth transition programme with EPC for deliveries to UK customers from the end of April 2023. 

With its production capacity of 80,000 tons per year of NEH on its two production lines in Sorgues, France, and seven storage sites in the world (16,000 tons stock in total), VeryOne has the capability to supply 2-EHN  anywhere, anytime, in the world, the company said. 

“This strategic move will  reinforce VeryOne’s position as the most reliable partner to address current market challenges for diesel  fuel additives such as supply issues, dynamic energy markets and the transition to lower carbon fuels,” said Pierre-Olivier Vignaud, CEO of VeryOne and EVP Strategy for the Eurenco Group, the European leader in energetic materials with a complete range of propellants, powders, explosives, fuel  objects and additives for strategic markets: Defence & Security, Space, Petroleum Extraction, Fuel Additives. EURENCO is a company 100% owned by the French state.