Delivering high-value solutions to our clients

Innovation is the driving force behind Avril’s development. In support of major transitions, our teams offer new solutions for agriculture, food, and the environment. These solutions help strengthen our clients' performance and support their own innovation efforts. Whether they are farmers, livestock producers, or industrial players, we provide them with new market opportunities and sustainable products that meet societal needs, consumer expectations, and the growth of their businesses.

13.04.25

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Moussa Naciri Head of Avril Specialties

"The plant-based specialty products offered by Oleon provide an effective alternative for clients seeking more natural and responsible solutions. We are expanding our range to meet the wide variety of needs across industrial sectors, all of which are demanding sustainable innovation. From natural cosmetics to data center cooling systems, our plant chemistry business introduced new high value-added, bio-based solutions in 2024. We are also committed to strengthening close relationships with our clients, who are essential stakeholders in our R&D approach, while ensuring their satisfaction. In 2024, we placed a particular focus on the robustness of our processes and IT systems, which are key to achieving that goal."

Christophe Le Bars Head of Avril Solutions for Agriculture

"Livestock farming is a traditional sector where Avril Solutions for Agriculture is deploying strong innovation capabilities. Animal nutrition is central to our research, as it is a key lever for improving farm performance, production sustainability, and animal welfare. Our added value also lies in our ability to support farmers and livestock producers in developing their operations. In 2024, for example, Sanders continued its support plan for the sustainability of French livestock farming through financial assistance and innovative services designed to facilitate farm creation, transfer, and modernization."

Supporting committed farmers

True to its purpose, Avril supports the agricultural transition by promoting new, sustainable practices that generate additional income for the farmers who adopt them.

Scaling up the collection of sustainable volumes

For over five years, Saipol has been encouraging and rewarding farming practices that promote carbon storage in soils. In 2024, Avril’s subsidiary launched a program to bring these sustainable practices to new markets seeking decarbonization. Aimed at grain collection organizations, this initiative provides technical support to farmers transitioning their practices, enabling a significant increase in the volume of sustainably grown crops.

6 years of action

850,000 T contracted over six years

€24M in bonuses distributed to upstream agriculture

More about Saipol and activities.

Focus

Lesieur’s “Huiles Engagées” shine

Since early 2024, the Lesieur Cœur de Tournesol and Fleur de Colza ranges—part of the Committed Oils “Huiles engagées” initiative ("fairer for the planet, for farmers, and for consumers")—have been available in stores. For farmers, it means fair compensation that recognizes their contribution to sustainable agricultural practices. For Lesieur, it reflects a commitment to supporting agricultural sectors. For consumers, it ensures access to high-quality French-produced oils. This marks the culmination of an initiative launched in 2021, now involving more than 850 farmers. For the Group, it also represents a new outlet for adding value to French-grown oilseeds.

More about Consumer Goods activities.

In figures

+ 850 farmers involved in the “Huiles Engagées” initiative

Contributing to the sustainability of French livestock farming

Avril supports the creation, management, and succession of livestock farms to help ensure the long-term availability of high-quality animal protein in France, while also promoting the value of livestock professions and encouraging new vocations. This is a core mission for the Group, deeply connected to its agricultural roots.

In 2024, Sanders launched its third support plan for livestock farmers, with a focus on farm succession and helping young farmers get started. Through this plan, Sanders provides support for farm setup, modernization, and decarbonization. Assistance is also available for the construction and renovation of farm buildings, as well as for the creation of on-site processing facilities, such as butcher shops or cheese dairies.

3 support plans for livestock farmers

€16M aid allocated between 2022 and 2024

1,832 Decarbonization and facility modernization projects supported

422 Livestock farmer installation projects supported

More about the support plans.

Focus

Sanders is “matching” livestock farmers

To support the creation and transfer of livestock farms, Sanders has developed an exclusive service called the “Livestock Matchy,” which connects farmers looking to hand over their operations with candidates interested in taking them over.
Thanks to its national network and the close relationships its technical sales teams maintain with farmers, Sanders has a unique ability to identify and connect today’s farmers with the next generation.

Innovating for sustainable consumption

Plant-based eating is becoming mainstream, and Avril is continuing its strategy to develop health-focused oils and a flavorful product range that meets consumer expectations. In response to the challenges of the digital revolution and the exponential growth of data, we are also offering innovative, responsible solutions derived from plant-based chemistry.

Lesieur is making a strong commitment with the new recipe for its ISIO4 oil: 100% French and made from sunflower, high oleic sunflower, rapeseed, and flaxseed, all certified by the Bleu-Blanc-Cœur label. This certification promotes sustainable farming practices that ensure both nutritional quality and environmental responsibility. The project took nearly four years of collaboration with the farming community to convert fields to flax cultivation, successfully engaging over 200 farmers by demonstrating the value and long-term viability of this crop.

in figures

2,000 ha flax crops for ISIO4 Bleu-Blanc-Cœur

200 farmers involved in the flax sector for Isio4 Bleu Blanc Coeur

Focus

Lesieur Cristal voted for by consumers

The consumer jury for the 2024 edition of “Product of the Year Morocco” awarded top honors to three food products from Lesieur Cristal, while four others received the “Flavor of the Year” distinction. In the hygiene and personal care category, Taous shower gel stood out, earning strong approval from consumers in 2024.

More about Lesieur Cristal.

Plant-based chemistry revolutionizes the digital industry

Data centers are multiplying to keep up with the constant growth in global digital data flows. Traditional air-based cooling methods require increasing amounts of energy to meet this demand, leading to higher greenhouse gas emissions and elevated costs.

In 2024, Oleon—a leader in plant-based chemistry—launched an innovative alternative solution: Qloe, an immersion cooling technology for data centers. The cooling liquids are plant-based, biodegradable, and non-toxic. They are also compatible with existing infrastructure and offer high thermal performance along with enhanced operational safety. As a result, they reduce the environmental impact of data centers while optimizing performance and energy efficiency.

Our levers for the future

Data sciences at the service of animal nutrition

Avril and the MiXscience teams have made a bold move by creating a dedicated data science team to accelerate innovation. Digitalization now generates data that allows us to evaluate the performance of our solutions in real time and to enhance technical support provided on farms.

Acting as a true “model factory,” our Datalab develops mathematical models to anticipate the impact of nutritional changes on livestock performance, feed digestibility, and the environmental footprint associated with specific technical pathways.