Strengthening the diversified profile of our businesses and geographies

In a world marked by economic and geopolitical uncertainty, Avril is adapting its strategy through agility and the strength of its business model. This means reinforcing its roots in France, while also exporting its expertise to build integrated value chains internationally. The Group is also developing new activities to seize value-creating growth opportunities

13.04.25

Copy the URL

Copié vers le presse-papier

Xavier Dorchies Chief Operating Officer of Sofiprotéol, and Group's Chief Strategy & Development Officer

“Avril’s diversification strategy is based on expanding both its activities and its geographic footprint, with the aim of better balancing its portfolio and reducing its exposure to economic and geopolitical cycles. Investments in local markets also respond to customer expectations for proximity and responsiveness. In addition to its French base and European sites, the Group—whose products are exported worldwide—has long-standing industrial operations in Africa, notably in the Maghreb countries and Senegal, as well as in Malaysia, and more recently in the Americas, including the United States and Brazil, where a new acquisition was made in 2024. Wherever appropriate, the goal is to develop integrated value chains from upstream to downstream, to open up new markets for agricultural production and strengthen supply chain resilience. This strategy also enables Avril to tap into the momentum of emerging markets and build a long-term presence.”

Stéphane Yrlès General Secretary

“Avril’s General Secretariat plays an active role in advancing agricultural, food, and environmental transitions by aligning actions with the Group’s purpose and the interests of the broader agricultural sector. Co-developing solutions with our stakeholders is essential to delivering the Ambition 2030 plan, particularly regarding food and energy sovereignty and the reindustrialization of rural areas. Key initiatives in 2024 included the fight against illegal imports of used cooking oils—which threaten agricultural production for renewable fuels and their quality—the development of Eurolysine, which ensures the production of essential amino acids for French food sovereignty, and open-factory programs aimed at strengthening ties with local communities and the education sector.”

EXPANDING OUR BUSINESSES INTERNATIONALLY

Avril is expanding its global presence to meet the local needs of agriculture, livestock farming, and industry. The goal is to sustainably strengthen sovereignty and create responsible, value-generating ecosystems across the entire value chain in all the countries where the Group operates.

Oleon Expands into Brazil

With a strong presence in Europe and Asia, and recent investments in the United States, Oleon continued its expansion into the Americas by becoming a majority shareholder in A.Azevedo Óleos, a Brazilian family-owned company specializing in the local production of castor oil for the oleochemical industry.

This acquisition represents a growth opportunity for the Group, particularly in the lubricants and hygiene products sectors. It offers a strategic advantage in the South American market and meets the needs of industrial sectors for castor oil derivatives—a high value-added product derived from sustainable raw materials.
With a business model similar to Avril’s, A.Azevedo Óleos has built strong relationships with upstream agriculture to promote responsible practices and provide meaningful opportunities for the rural economy, especially in the Bahia region, where castor seed cultivation is vital to local communities. The goal is also to develop an industrial platform that creates value and delivers products aligned with customer expectations, both in Brazil and internationally.
Find more

Supporting the development of the Moroccan sector

On the African continent, Lesieur Cristal continues its foundational work in Morocco, supporting the government's ambitions for sovereignty and performance. In partnership with the Interprofessional Federation of Oilseeds (FOLEA), the aim is to improve crop yields and accelerate the agricultural transition.

More about Lesieur Cristal.

STRIVING FOR EUROPEAN FOOD SOVEREIGNTY

Contributing to food sovereignty and preserving industrial processing capacity are core commitments for Avril, in line with its purpose and deep roots in agriculture. The acquisition of part of METEX’s activities in 2024—now operating as Eurolysine—clearly reflects the Group’s determination to maintain essential amino acid production in France and for Europe, serving the needs of animal nutrition.

An ambitious industrial project that, beyond securing supply and ensuring European industrial independence, aims to reduce the carbon footprint and strengthen the company’s innovation capabilities by supporting the ecological transition of livestock farming.

Focus

Amino acids, a sustainable solution

Amino acids complement the protein profile of rapeseed and sunflower meal, helping to reduce dependence on predominantly imported soy and improve the protein efficiency of animal feed.

CREATING ECOSYSTEMS AT THE HEART OF FRANCE'S REGIONS

In 2024, through its financing subsidiary Sofiprotéol, Avril supported leading French cooperatives to help them continue their development, accelerate modernization, and enhance their capacity for innovation—while promoting the transition to more responsible practices.
Most of these cooperatives and groups operate at the intersection of animal and plant sectors, extending well beyond the oilseed and protein crop value chain.

Supporting the agricultural and agrifood sectors

80 supported businesses

€98M invested in 9 companies in 2024

€5M invested in industry innovation through FASO

Sofiprotéol has supported the “Développeurs de terroirs” project led by Terres du Sud, the leading cooperative in Lot-et-Garonne and a key player in agriculture and food in the South-West of France. The goal is to help the cooperative accelerate its positive impact for its members in areas such as crop protection, decarbonization, animal welfare, and workplace safety.
This collaboration reflects a shared vision between Sofiprotéol and Vivadour to promote sustainable and responsible agriculture, by preserving the region’s agricultural potential and creating value for all cooperative members.

in figures

6,000 farmers who have come together in Terres du Sud

4,800 farmers who have come together in Vivadour

Focus

With Tellus, Sanders strengthens its leadership in the regions

In 2024, Avril, through its subsidiary Sanders, finalized the acquisition of the animal nutrition activities of Axéréal Élevage, now known as Tellus. This integration marks a new milestone in Avril’s strategy to consolidate its leadership in animal nutrition and support the development of French livestock farming. The acquisition of Tellus also reflects Avril’s commitment to offering a diversified range of products and services to meet the varied needs of livestock farmers.

Avril Communities

Avril Communities was created five years ago to support Avril’s plant managers across France in opening up to their local stakeholders.
The goal was to build a shared culture of openness within the Group, helping better integrate industrial sites into their local environments. Avril’s leaders have also established strong relationships with FOP farmers wherever relevant, to more effectively explain to the outside world the benefits of a value chain–based approach.

Focus

Opening up our industrial sites

Designed as an extension of the Avril Communities program, the "Usines Ouvertes" initiative offers opportunities for local residents to visit as many Avril industrial sites as possible. Launched in 2023, this approach saw significant growth in 2024 and is now established across nearly all of Avril’s subsidiaries.
The result: mutual understanding, demystification, and the promotion of careers in industry. It also reflects Avril’s purpose and the values of openness that the Group actively promotes.

OUR LEVERS FOR THE FUTURE

MiXscience, an international success story

To meet the needs of the global population by 2050, animal production capacities will need to grow significantly while relying on constant resources. One of the key levers is the management and optimization of performance. MiXscience, a specialist in animal nutrition and production, aims to harness this potential internationally and become a global player in animal nutrition.
In 2024, MiXscience’s international business grew by 25%. It now accounts for 41% of its revenue and spans 60 countries.

in figures

12 new countries where MiXscience products were sold in 2024