Photo by Rod Prado Business
Oleon inaugurates New Esterification Facility in Conroe with Ribbon Cutting
Oleon, a global leader in oleochemical solutions and a subsidiary of the international agro-industrial group Avril, today officially inaugurated its new esterification facility in Conroe, Texas. The investment marks a significant milestone in Oleon’s North American growth strategy and reinforces its commitment to serving customers with locally manufactured, high-performance, bio-based solutions.
The inauguration celebrates the successful completion and commissioning of a new esterification unit, which became fully operational in September 2026. With the addition of esterification capabilities to the site’s existing blending, filling, packaging, warehousing and logistics activities, Conroe now offers a fully integrated manufacturing platform serving key sectors including lubricants, oil & gas and industrial applications.
View moments from the Official Inauguration Ceremony, Ribbon Cuttings and Tours on The Hello Woodlands Facebook and Instagram pages;
A Strategic Investment In North America
Located in the heart of the U.S. chemical and energy corridor, Conroe was selected for its proximity to customers, access to raw materials, transportation networks and skilled talent. The site further strengthens Oleon’s ability to provide local manufacturing, greater supply chain resilience, and shorter lead times for customers throughout North America.
Antoine Prevost, CEO of Oleon shared, “North America is a key market for Oleon, and this investment brings us closer to our customers. Local production allows us to respond faster to their needs, strengthen our service and work alongside them in developing high-performance solutions. At the same time, Conroe builds on Oleon’s expertise in oleochemistry and our commitment to creating solutions based on renewable raw materials.”
North America represents a key strategic market for Oleon, particularly in the lubricants and oil & gas industries, where demand for high-performance specialty esters continues to grow.
David Van De Gejuchte, Plant Manager of Oleon Conroe stated, “The new esterification unit gives us the flexibility to manufacture a broad portfolio of specialty esters and tailor-made formulations here in North America. These products serve applications ranging from lubricants, drilling and hydraulic fluids and environmentally acceptable lubricants to rheology modifiers, emulsifiers, electric vehicle fluids and thermal management solutions. Combined with our existing capabilities in Conroe, this creates a strong, integrated manufacturing platform for our customers.”
Advancing Sustainable Chemistry
The new facility showcases Oleon’s expertise in oleochemistry, a branch of chemistry that transforms vegetable oils and animal fats into advanced industrial solutions. Unlike traditional petrochemicals, which rely on fossil-based feedstocks, oleochemical products are derived from renewable resources and are often biodegradable, helping customers reduce their environmental footprint without compromising performance.By producing these solutions locally in Texas, Oleon also significantly reduces transportation distances and associated emissions, further contributing to a more sustainable supply chain.
Official Inauguration Ceremony
The inauguration brought together employees, customers, partners, the Conroe/Lake Conroe Chamber of Commerce, The Woodlands Chamber of Commerce, local stakeholders, and representatives from Oleon and Avril to celebrate the site’s expansion and future ambitions.
During the ceremony, Conroe Mayor Pro Tem and Conroe City Council member John T. Sellars shared in his speech, “On behalf of Mayor Duke Coon, the Conroe City Council, and the people of our city, it is a privilege to join you for this important day. Today, we celebrate much more than the opening of a new plant. We celebrate an investment. We celebrate innovation. We celebrate jobs and opportunity. But most importantly – we celebrate a partnership. A partnership between a global company with deep European roots and a Texas community that believes its best days are still ahead. Oleon could have made this investment in a lot of places. You chose Conroe. And I want you to know that we don’t take that decision for granted. When Oleon first came to Conroe, this facility represented something entirely new: your first production operation in North America. Today, with more than $50 million invested here, Conroe has become an important part of Oleon’s global footprint. That’s something our community should be very proud of. And it’s something we hope Oleon is proud of, too.”
The event featured a ceremonial ribbon-cutting, a guided tour of the facility, and an overview of the new esterification technology and integrated manufacturing capabilities. Industry experts also shared insights on market dynamics, sustainability, feedstock developments, innovation, supply chain resilience, and emerging industry trends. The program concluded with a networking event for customers, partners, and community stakeholders.
Positive Impact For Conroe And Montgomery County
The investment reinforces Conroe’s position as a strategic manufacturing hub and demonstrates confidence in the region’s workforce, infrastructure, and business environment. In addition to creating skilled employment opportunities, the facility supports a broad network of local suppliers, contractors, logistics providers, and service partners, contributing to the local economy. Oleon is also committed to operating safely and responsibly, with the well-being of its employees and the surrounding community as a key priority. In line with its purpose, Serving the Earth, the Conroe team aims to be an active partner in the local community through initiatives such as volunteering with the Montgomery County Food Bank and other local engagement activities.
Oleon, an Avril company, is a European leader in oleochemicals. Oleon specializes in the transformation of vegetable oils and animal fats into oleochemicals such as fatty acids, glycerin, dimers, and esters. These are used as basic elements or ingredients in many everyday products such as food, cosmetics, lubricants, soaps, coatings, etc. Oleon is headquartered in Ertvelde (Belgium) and has 8 production sites in Belgium, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, the United States, Malaysia, and Brazil. Oleon employs 1,500 people worldwide. For more information, visit www.oleon.com.
Source: Oleon
