{"id":2412,"date":"2021-06-18T08:37:05","date_gmt":"2021-06-18T08:37:05","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.saipol.com\/?page_id=2412"},"modified":"2026-06-12T19:47:17","modified_gmt":"2026-06-12T19:47:17","slug":"our-history","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.saipol.com\/en\/about-us\/our-history\/","title":{"rendered":"\u2013 Our history \u2013"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Creation to restructure the oilseed sector<\/div>
1983\u22122002<\/div>
\"Usine<\/div>
1983<\/div>
Creation of Saipol<\/div>
Creation of Saipol by Sofiprot\u00e9ol<\/strong> (which became Avril in 2015) on 9 November 1983 to take over and structure the French oilseed processing industry, which was in difficulty at the time following the bankruptcy of the CNTA (Comptoir National Technique Agricole – National Syndicate of Agricultural Techniques). Saipol, with the support of Sofiprot\u00e9ol, reorganised the original industrial park, and then continued to grow by investing in the factories maintained in the territory.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Diester<\/div>
1990<\/div>
Creation of Diester\u00ae<\/div>
In Compi\u00e8gne, the first pilot plant for the production of biodiesel from the transesterification of rapeseed oil is built. The Diester\u00ae brand is created for the biodiesel produced by the Group. Saipol produces Diester\u00ae and sales are made by Diester Industrie, a new company created in 1992. Diester Industrie and Saipol merge and keep the name Saipol in 2014.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Site<\/div>
1992<\/div>
Start-up of the Rouen plant<\/div>
Start-up of a rapeseed crushing and vegetable oil refining unit in Grand-Couronne (76), near Rouen.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Biodiesel<\/div>
1995<\/div>
Start-up of the world\u2019s first biodiesel production unit<\/div>
Start-up of the world\u2019s first industrial-scale biodiesel production unit (120,000 tonnes) at the Saipol site in Grand-Couronne.<\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Downstream development and growth<\/div>
2003\u22122012<\/div>
\"Conditionnement<\/div>
2003<\/div>
Development towards the packaging of vegetable oils<\/div>
After becoming the leading producer of French refined oils, Sofiprot\u00e9ol acquired Lesieur and consolidated an activity from seed to finished product. As of 2004, the Group has produced the Fleur de Colza oil: an oil rich in omega 3 produced by Saipol, packaged and marketed by Lesieur. 10 years later, in 2013, Lesieur was reintegrated into the holding company of the Sofiprot\u00e9ol group and is now a subsidiary of the Avril Consumer Goods.<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n

Learn more about Lesieur<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Biodiesels<\/div>
2004<\/div>
Saipol responds to the French biofuel plan<\/div>
From 2004 to 2008, Saipol responded to the French biofuel plan which, at the time, aimed at incorporating 7% biodiesel into diesel fuel distributed. A large investment plan resulted in an increase in oilseed crushing capacity and in building biodiesel production units in Grand-Couronne, Bassens, S\u00e8te, Montoir-de-Bretagne, Cappelle-la-Grande and Le M\u00e9riot.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Usine<\/div>
2008<\/div>
A new Saipol plant in Meriot<\/div>
Built between November 2005 and December 2007, since 2008 the Saipol plant in M\u00e9riot has been producing vegetable oils, rapeseed cake, Diester biodiesel and vegetable glycerine from rapeseed grown within a 150 km radius of the plant.<\/p>\n

The plant was officially inaugurated on 5 February 2009 by Luc Chatel, Secretary of State for Industry and Consumer Affairs and Government Spokesman.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Usine<\/div>
2010<\/div>
Saipol acquires Expur<\/div>
Saipol acquired Expur, a Romanian crusher established in the oilseed production basin of Eastern Europe and the Black Sea. Expur processes rapeseed and sunflower seeds for the production and packaging of vegetable oils for food, meal for animal feed, biodiesel and crude vegetable glycerine.<\/p>\n

Read more about Expur<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>

Consolidation of industrial activities<\/div>
2013-2015<\/div>
\"Logo<\/div>
2013-2014<\/div>
Restructuring of Saipol and Diester Industrie<\/div>
The revision of the European objectives regarding blending of biofuels has led Saipol and Diester Industrie to reduce their industrial footprint and refocus production on 6 industrial sites. The Venette (crushing and esterification) and Cappelle-La-Grande (esterification) sites were closed.<\/p>\n

In June 2014, Saipol was restructured through a merger-absorption arrangement by Diester Industrie, and following this transaction adopted the name \u201cSAIPOL\u201d.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"usine<\/div>
2014<\/div>
Improving energy performance<\/div>
Saipol continues to invest in improving the energy performance of its industrial facilities and promoting biomass as an energy source for steam production at its industrial sites: biomass cogeneration at Grand-Couronne, sunflower hulling and biomass boiler at Bassens, biomass boiler at S\u00e8te, biomass boiler at Lezoux.<\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
A new strategy for Saipol<\/div>
2015-2020<\/div>
\"Bateau<\/div>
2015 - 2017<\/div>
New governance and strategy<\/div>
From 2017 onwards, Saipol, faced with international competition in the commodity biodiesel market, has initiated its growth strategy in speciality products.<\/p>\n

Saipol launches Transform, its transformation programme which aims to deploy its future growth drivers by 2023.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Logo<\/div>
2017<\/div>
A new logo to support the strategy<\/div>
Saipol has a new more modern, more \u201cvegetal\u201d logo, which reflects Saipol\u2019s ambition to move forward, innovate, and lead the entire sector in its transformation. The letter \u201co\u201d in Saipol\u2019s name shows a leaf, which illustrates Saipol\u2019s core business in plant processing, a seed, which illustrates the crushing of oilseeds, and a green flame, which represents Saipol\u2019s role in renewable energy from plants.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Int\u00e9rieur<\/div>
2017<\/div>
Start of sunflower lecithin production<\/div>
Saipol launched the production of sunflower lecithin with the construction of a production plant in Bassens and the acquisition of two companies,Novastell<\/a> (in 2017) and Lecico<\/a> (a subsidiary of Oleon), which distribute lecithin to customers in the food and nutraceutical industries.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"feedmarket\"<\/div>
2018<\/div>
Launch of Feedmarket<\/div>
In February 2018, Saipol launched the Feedmarket e-commerce solution for the sale of protein-rich cakes to feed manufacturers and farmers.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Feedmarket<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Cameline<\/div>
2018<\/div>
Launch of Camelina intermediate crop trials<\/div>
Since June 2018, Saipol has been leading trials of camelina grown as a intermediate crop<\/a> between two main crops. By supporting the development of camelina in France, Saipol aims to expand domestic production of vegetable oils for the manufacture of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF).<\/p>\n

Learn more about camelina<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Chargement<\/div>
2018<\/div>
Launch of Oleo100 energy<\/div>
At the end of 2018, Oleo100, a new energy from French rapeseed produced by Saipol, and intended for transport and community fleets, was officially launched.<\/p>\n

On 26 December 2018, after initial tests at our customers\u2019 sites, the first tanker carrying Oleo100 was loaded from the Saipol plant in Grand-Couronne and headed for the Rh\u00f4ne.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Oleo100<\/a><\/span><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Ingerieurs<\/div>
2019<\/div>
Refocusing by Saipol on specialities<\/div>
In November 2019, Saipol announces its refocusing on speciality products and the resizing of its industrial park.<\/p>\n

See the press release<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"Tracteur<\/div>
2020<\/div>
Launch of OleoZE<\/div>
In the spring of 2020, Saipol rolled out its OleoZE offer for the purchase of oilseeds from sustainable farming practices from farmers and collecting organisations.
\nThe seeds collected via OleoZE ensure, via a calculator, that the real values of GHG reduction linked to farms are taken into account. Saipol processes the seeds into biodiesel with high GHG reduction and remunerates the farmers via a GHG bonus for their sustainable agricultural practices and their role in storing carbon in the soil.
\nOleoZE is available at\u00a0www.oleoze.fr<\/a>\u00a0and from certified partner collecting organisations.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Cuve<\/div>
2020<\/div>
100 customers for Oleo100<\/div>
On 23 June 2020, Saipol teams signed the 100th Oleo100 customer. As of June, 100,000 kilometres are already being driven every day fueled with energy from French rapeseed, which reduces GHG emissions by 60%. Thanks to these first 100 customers, 9,098,000 kg of CO2* (GHG equivalent) were not emitted into the atmosphere thanks to choosing our sustainable and immediately substitutable alternative to fossil diesel.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Usine<\/div>
2020<\/div>
Reindustrialisation of the Saipol site in Dieppe<\/div>
The Avril Group<\/a> announces the reindustrialisation of the Saipol site in Dieppe to produce, in partnership with Royal DSM, vegetable proteins from rapeseed.<\/div> <\/div><\/div><\/div><\/div>
Consolidation of the strategy for Saipol<\/div>
2020-2024<\/div>
\"oleoze\"<\/div>
2021<\/div>
1 year for Oleoze with 80 000 tonnes of substainable seeds harvested<\/div>
Launched in February 2020 in “beta” version, Oleoze, the low-GHG seeds sales solution from Saipol (Avril subsidiary), has convinced many farmers and collecting organizations since 80 000 tonnes of substainable seeds have been collected from the first year activation thanks, in particular, to additional remuneration for seeds in the form of GHG bonuses.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"Europorte<\/div>
2021<\/div>
Europorte and Saipol united to decarbonize railway ailways with Oleo100<\/div>
Europorte and Saipol have signed a trial agreement for the use of Oleo100 in commercial service. This is a first in France for locomotives pulling freight trains.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>
2023<\/div>
Oleo100 has delivered more than 1,000 sites!<\/div>
In February 2023, Oleo100 reached the significant milestone of 1,000 sites delivered across France, only 4 years after its launch. A symbolic step for the Oleo100 brand which is entering a new turning point in its deployment.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Oleo100<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>
2024<\/div>
Jetsun interdemiate crop Trial Program<\/div>
Since June 2023, Saipol has been exploring the potential of Jetsun, an intermediate crop<\/a> consisting of sunflower varieties grown between two main crops during the intercrop period. Developed from early-maturing selected varieties and integrated into a dedicated value chain managed by Saipol, this harvestable intermediate crop provides a sustainable feedstock for the production of Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAF), without competing with existing primary crop production.<\/p>\n

Learn more about Jetsun<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>
2024<\/div>
Valorization of seeds from soil regeneration agriculture<\/div>
Saipol continues to develop initiatives aimed at enhancing the value of seeds produced through regenerative agriculture practices and is involved in programs with upstream agricultural partners. This momentum will lead, in 2025, to the structuring of the Empreinte by Saipol<\/a> program and the launch of a comprehensive range of products derived from rapeseed and sunflower.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>
2024<\/div>
Oleo100 now has more than 1,500 connected tanks!<\/div>
In January 2024, more than 1,500 Oleo100 connected tanks had been installed across all departments of mainland France.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>
2024<\/div>
Launch of Liquid Biomass Production<\/div>
Saipol has launched the production of liquid biomass for electricity generation in France\u2019s overseas territories.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>
2025<\/div>
200,000 tonnes of sustainably produced oilseeds collected<\/div>
Thanks to the commitment of its partner grain collection organizations, Saipol has collected more than 200,000 tonnes of sustainably produced oilseeds. This volume already represents nearly 20% of the target set for 2030.<\/p>\n

Press release<\/a><\/div> <\/div><\/div>

\"\"<\/div>
2025<\/div>
20,000 heavy-duty vehicles run on Oleo100<\/div>
In 2025, more than 20,000 heavy-duty vehicles are powered by Oleo100, Saipol\u2019s 100% plant-based, renewable, and French-produced biofuel.<\/div> <\/div><\/div>
\"\"<\/div>
2026<\/div>
Saipol acquires the Champlor site in Verdun<\/div>
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Saipol acquires the Champlor site in Verdun, located at the heart of one of France\u2019s main rapeseed production areas. The Verdun site processes rapeseed seeds into protein-rich meals, refined oil, biodiesel, and glycerine.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"CFIA\"<\/div>
2026<\/div>
Empreinte by Saipol Wins an Award at CFIA 2026<\/div>
<\/p>\n
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On March 10 in Rennes, Saipol received a CFIA 2026 Innovation Award in the Ingredients & Food Industry Products category for Empreinte by Saipol, a program that offers a new generation of sustainable, low-carbon vegetable oils sourced from regenerative agriculture.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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\"\"<\/div>
2026<\/div>
1 billion litres sold and launch of the Oleo100 Low-GHG offering<\/div>
<\/p>\n
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In March 2026, Oleo100 reached the milestone of 1 billion litres sold, representing nearly 2 million tonnes of CO\u2082 emissions avoided.
\nIn April 2026, the first Oleo100 Low-GHG contract was signed.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

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