Based in Tonneins (Lot-et-Garonne), Biopress is one of the first French agri-food companies to specialize in the production of vegetable oils extracted from organic oil seeds from local farms. With properties similar to petroleum derivatives, vegetable oils can be used in a wide variety of applications such as cosmetics, coatings, inks, and lubricants. The vegetable proteins contained in oil cakes, which result from the crushing process that is used to extract the oil from the seeds, are also used in nutraceuticals.
“Raw material sourcing has always been a real know-how for Groupe Berkem and, faced with an inflationary and geopolitically complex environment, we felt that it was necessary to internalize this ability through a dedicated subsidiary,” Olivier Fahy, Chairman and CEO of Groupe Berkem said in a press statement. “With the acquisition of Biopress, Groupe Berkem now manages its supply of vegetable oils, essential raw materials for its extraction and formulation activities, while at the same time significantly increasing its storage capacity in the direct vicinity of its production facilities.”
Groupe Berkem is a leading producer or biobased chemicals for construction, materials, health, beauty, nutrition, and hygiene. Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.