Sofiprotéol becomes Avril

In 2015, the Group adopted a new governance model and a new organizational structure to safeguard its long-term independence and strengthen the role of the agricultural community at the heart of its growth strategy. The Group was thus structured around its two businesses: manufacturing on the one hand, and investment on the other.

At the same time, the Group changed its name to Avril. Evoking springtime, when rapeseed comes into bloom, the new name reflects the Group’s mission: to sustainably create value across the oil and protein value chains, contributing to better nutrition for people and to preserving the planet.

In 2016, the Avril 2020 strategic plan marked the beginning of a new phase of development in France and internationally. Starting in 2019, the Avril 2023 plan continued this transformation by accelerating the development of specialty businesses and innovation, further consolidating and transforming the Group, and expanding into new markets and geographies. A key new feature was the introduction of SPRING, Avril’s CSR framework, which was fully integrated into the Group’s strategic and financial management. This framework also built on the Group’s commitment to the United Nations Global Compact, which Avril joined in 2017.

In 2021, Avril reached a new milestone by setting out its ambition to become the leader in plant-based transformation solutions and placing Serving the Earth at the heart of its strategy.

In 2024, Ambition 2030 ushered in a new cycle of growth. The plan is built around five priorities: developing low-carbon and sustainable solutions, expanding higher-value-added offerings, accelerating growth in plant-based proteins, diversifying the Group’s businesses and geographic footprint, and strengthening its competitiveness. A new SPRING cycle was launched in parallel to further embed non-financial performance into the Group’s strategy.

Avril continues to pursue innovation, particularly in the field of biofuels, with the launch of Oleo100 in 2018, the first 100% plant-based fuel. Made from rapeseed, Oleo100 helps address the energy transition challenge for road transportation and local authorities by reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 60%.

At the same time, the Group is exploring new applications for biofuels. In 2022, Avril became a partner in the BioTJet project, led by Elyse Energy, which aims to develop a French value chain for advanced, “second-generation” biofuels made from biomass, including agricultural and forestry residues, for the aviation sector.

Between 2015 and 2019, Avril strengthened its plant-based chemistry activities through the acquisitions of The Kerfoot Group, Novastell and Lecico—companies specializing in oils, lecithins and phospholipids—as well as through the creation of Evertree, which specializes in plant-based adhesive solutions.

Starting in 2022, this business entered a new phase of growth with Oleon. The Group strengthened its presence in North America with a new site in Conroe, Texas, before inaugurating a new production facility in Oelegem, Belgium, in 2023, dedicated to high-value-added oleochemical ingredients.

In 2024, Oleon continued its international expansion by becoming the majority shareholder of A.Azevedo Óleos, a Brazilian specialist in castor oil and its derivatives, and launched Lucee, its new range dedicated to sustainable, natural and traceable cosmetics.

Avril is progressively expanding its range of solutions for farmers and livestock producers. The creation of Sojalim in 2017 contributed to the development of a French soybean value chain, while the creation of Terrial in 2019 strengthened the Group’s position in organic fertilization. In 2020, Saipol launched OleoZE, a solution designed to generate greater value from crops grown using sustainable farming practices.

This momentum accelerated from 2022 onward with the acquisitions of Amendis and Solteam, followed by the expansion of the Group’s animal nutrition activities. Between 2022 and 2024, Sanders rolled out several support programs for livestock farmers and strengthened its local presence through Moulin de Sarralbe, Soufflet Agriculture’s animal nutrition activities, and subsequently those of Axéréal Élevage, now operating under the Tellus name.

In 2024, Eurolysine, a European producer of fermentation-based amino acids used notably in animal nutrition, joined Avril, strengthening the Group’s industrial capabilities in support of livestock value chains.

Avril continues to expand and diversify its consumer food businesses, both in France and internationally. Following the acquisition of Costa d’Oro in Italy in 2018 and the strengthening of Lesieur Cristal’s role in Africa, the Group accelerated its development in 2022, notably with the addition of Vivien Paille, Vegini and Eccellenza Italiana to its portfolio.

At the same time, Avril has made plant-based proteins a major focus of its growth strategy. Following the launch of the Olatein industrial project dedicated to rapeseed protein in 2020, the Group acquired Sunbloom Proteins in 2023, a German specialist in sunflower protein-based ingredients, and took an equity stake in HARi&CO, a French company specializing in plant-based food and legumes.

Alongside its industrial activities, Avril has continued to develop its investment business through Sofiprotéol. In 2016, the launch of the Sofiprotéol Private Debt fund expanded its range of financing solutions for companies in the agriculture and food sectors.

In 2022, a €145 million capital increase strengthened its investment capacity. After investing €60 million in 2022, Sofiprotéol committed nearly €100 million in 2023 to support companies of all sizes and projects contributing to the agricultural, food and environmental transitions.

In 2024, Sofiprotéol continued to pursue this mission, investing €98 million across nine major transactions and reinforcing its role as a catalyst for transformative projects.

In 2025, Sofiprotéol invested €148 million, including eight direct investments spanning the entire value chain, from upstream to downstream.

On May 10, 2021, Avril unveiled its purpose: “Serving the Earth.” Building on the Group’s longstanding mission, this purpose is reflected in six commitments that help address two major global challenges: climate change and population growth.

In 2024, the launch of a new SPRING cycle further embedded these commitments into the Group’s management framework. Non-financial performance is now monitored through 14 indicators aligned with the six Serving the Earth commitments.

In February 2017, farmer Arnaud Rousseau succeeded Xavier Beulin as Chairman of the Board of Directors of Avril Gestion. He thus became the first representative of Avril’s agricultural shareholders, helping ensure that the Group’s agricultural roots remain at the heart of its governance.

In 2022, Avril announced the passing of Philippe Tillous-Borde, the Group’s co-founder and a key figure in its history, who led Avril for nearly thirty years. The following year, Avril celebrated its 40th anniversary, marking four decades of growth in service of the oil and protein value chains.

A new chapter began in 2025 with the arrival of Paul-Yves L’Anthoën, who joined Avril in November for a transition period alongside Jean-Philippe Puig. He took over as Chief Executive Officer on March 2, 2026, becoming the third CEO to lead Avril since its creation in 1983.

Despite the Group’s transformation over the years, Avril remains true to the model that has guided its actions since its founding. Rooted in the agricultural world, the Group reinvests its earnings in the development of both its businesses and the value chains in which it operates, creating long-term value from agricultural production through to the products and solutions it provides to its customers.

This model enables Avril to combine industrial development, investment and support for the agricultural, food and environmental transitions, while preserving its independence and its ability to take action over the long term. Across the entire value chain, Avril’s activities thus contribute to building a sustainable, innovative and forward-looking oils and proteins sector.