Wikipedia

VARO Energy

VARO Energy (VARO) is an energy company headquartered in Zug, Switzerland. It operates in manufacturing, storage and distribution, marketing and trading, with businesses in oil products, biofuels, green hydrogen, biomethane & bio-LNG, nature-based carbon removals and e-mobility. The company is focused on the Benelux countries, Germany, France and Switzerland. VARO Energy's shareholders include the global Investment firm, Carlyle Group and the global energy and commodities company Vitol.[1][2][3] The company CEO is Dev Sanyal.[4]

VARO Energy
Company typePrivate
Founded2012
Headquarters
Zug, canton of Zug
,
Switzerland
Area served
principally Europe
Key people
Dev Sanyal (CEO)
Marcel van Poecke (Chairman)
Products
OwnerCarlyle Group (66.6%)
Vitol (33.3%)

VARO owns a manufacturing hub in Cressier, Switzerland,[5] a majority share in the Bayernoil manufacturing hub, Southern Germany,[6] as well as storage facilities, distribution and marketing businesses in Benelux, France, Germany and Switzerland.[7] The company also owns a 59.8% stake in SilviCarbon,[8] a global leader in nature-based Carbon Dioxide Removals (CDRs) and 67.9% share in Road,[9] an EV charging platform provider.[6]

History

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2012

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VARO Energy was created with an acquisition of the Cressier refinery in Switzerland, from Petroplus, alongside marketing and storage activities.[10]

It was established as a joint venture between the commodity trader Vitol (75%) and Atlas Invest (25%), a financial holding company owned by the leading energy investor, Marcel van Poecke, who remains the Chairman of VARO Energy.[11][12]

2013

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VARO Energy’ shareholder base was restructured; in place of Atlas Invest, the financial investor Carlyle takes a 50 percent stake[13][14]

In Germany, VARO acquired Petrotank and Vitol Marketing Germany.[15][16]

2014

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VARO became the owner of 45% of the Bayernoil refinery in Germany through the acquisition of shares held by OMV Deutschland GmbH in Bayernoil Raffineriegesellschaft GmbH and other downstream assets owned by OMV Deutschland GmbH.[17][18]

The company acquired Total's heating oil business and general trade business in Switzerland (Huiles Minérales, Mazol, Portales & Bonnet CH). The purchased assets include tank storage facilities in Eclépens near Lausanne and Total's entire end customer distribution and sales network for domestic heating oil and diesel in Switzerland.[19][20]

Roger Brown is appointed chief executive officer of VARO.[21]

2015

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VARO invested over 50 million Swiss Francs in the Cressier refinery, the most significant investment in the site's history, allowing it to remain competitive in the long term.[22][23] The investment is focused on safety, asset integrity and growth, with projects including a partial conversion of the refinery's energy sourcing to natural gas, a cleaner source of energy, and technical upgrades to allow for the production of gasoline containing up to 5% ethanol produced from renewable sources.[24][25]

VARO acquired the German wholesale distributors Marol and Gekol.[26][27]

VARO merged with Dutch-based company Argos leading to gaining full ownership of Rhytank AG, located in Switzerland. Reggeborgh, a private Dutch investment company, enters as a third shareholder with 1/3 participation each.[28][29]

The company purchased bunkering activities from Vitol in Germany.[30]

2016

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The company took full control over two tank storage terminals in the Netherlands: Hydrocarbon Hotel and Enviem Terminal.[31]

VARO expanded its inland bunkering activities by acquiring Fiwado B.V. in the Netherlands.[32]

2017

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VARO acquired 100% of shares of Inter Oil B.V., a holding company, expanding retail activities in the Netherlands by gaining the brand names Brand Oil and Amigo.[33][34]

The company acquired the assets of Schneider Mineralöl Meissen GmbH. (retail and direct sales) in Saxony.[35]

VARO expanded its retail network in the Netherlands with the purchase of United Fuel Group B.V. gaining additional fuel stations.[36][37]

Hydrocarbon Hotel Tankstorage Terminal, purchased in 2016, is sold to Global Petro Storage.[38][39]

The former Petrotank terminal situated in Hanau in Germany is sold to Adolf Roth GmbH & Co. KG.[40]

2018

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VARO purchased Van den Belt gaining several fuel stations in the process.[41]

VARO acquired Gerber Energie GmbH & retail sites from Wengel & Dettelbacher, and the terminal in Brugges, Belgium.[42]

2019

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VARO acquired 100% of the shares in SMD Beheer BV, a Calpam-group company, adding 19 Calpam branded stations to its Dutch retail network.[43][44]

2020

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VARO added an additional 6.4% to its stake in Bayernoil, making the company the majority stakeholder with 51.4%.[45][46]

2021

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Carlyle completes an acquisition of the stake in VARO to hold 66.66% of shares in the company.[1][47]

VARO completed the purchase of 51% of shares in SilviCarbon.[8]

As of October 1, VARO gains a 67.9% share in E-Flux.[9][6]

2022

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Dev Sanyal is appointed chief executive officer of VARO Energy.[6]

VARO and Group E announced the plan to build the most powerful ground-mounted solar facility in Switzerland, in Cressier.[48]

VARO Energy & GPS Group announced the completion of an integrated biofuels facility in the port of Amsterdam.[49]

VARO announced a new strategy to invest 3.5 billion and help customers meet net zero.[50]

2023

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VARO Energy announces the acquisition of 80% of the shares in Bio Energy Coevorden BV (BEC) in The Netherlands, one of the largest biogas manufacturers in Europe.[51]

VARO Energy and Deutsche Lufthansa AG sign a Memorandum of Understanding to explore the production and supply of Sustainable Aviation Fuel.[52]

VARO Energy increases its shareholding in E-Flux to 67.9% and commits significant investment for new market entry in France, Italy, Spain and the UK, and market expansion in Germany.

VARO Energy acquires 100% of the share capital in Renewable Energy Services (RES), one of Europe's leading biogas trading companies, and expands biogas trading capabilities across 10 European countries.[53]

VARO Energy announces its plan to invest $600m to build a major Sustainable Aviation Fuel manufacturing facility in Rotterdam, which will meet up to 7% of the EU's 2030 SAF target.[54]

VARO Energy, Groupe E and CSEM commissioned Switzerland's largest ground-mounted solar power facility, in Cressier and connected a district heating network using excess heat from the Cressier manufacturing hub.[55]

VARO Energy acquires 100% of elexon GmbH, a leading European electric vehicle charging infrastructure provider.[56]

Sustainability

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In July 2022 VARO announced a commitment to be Net Zero by 2040 as a key part of its strategy to become the energy transition partner of choice. According to its twin-engine strategy, VARO's five strategic growth pillars are: Advanced Biofuels; Biomethane & Bio-LNG; Green Hydrogen; E-mobility; Nature-based Carbon Removals.[50][57]

References

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  1. ^ a b Perkins, Robert (2021-02-03). "Carlyle doubles stake in Swiss refiner Varo, with eye on biofuels expansion". www.spglobal.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  2. ^ McNair, Ros (2015-05-28). "Argos and Varo Energy sign merger agreement to form major downstream group in North West Europe". Vitol. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  3. ^ "Vitol and Carlyle's Varo merge with Argos to create downstream powerhouse". Reuters. 2015-05-28. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  4. ^ Coleman, Nick (2022-01-04). "BP veteran Sanyal becomes Varo CEO, spearheading transition drive". www.spglobal.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  5. ^ "Switzerland's most powerful solar facility to be built in the canton of Neuchâtel". S-GE. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  6. ^ a b c d Coleman, Nick (2022-01-04). "BP veteran Sanyal becomes Varo CEO, spearheading transition drive". www.spglobal.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  7. ^ "Germany: Hoyer opens new automatic station and partners with Varo". www.petrolplaza.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  8. ^ a b "VARO Energy announces the acquisition of SilviCarbon". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  9. ^ a b Boudewijn (2021-10-06). "VARO enters eMobility solutions through acquisition of stakes in E-Flux". E-Flux EN (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  10. ^ "Rosneft Sells 5% in Vostok Oil to a Consortium of Vitol and MME". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  11. ^ "Europe oil refining guru back with growth plan". Reuters. 2013-12-20. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  12. ^ Kapp, Jean-Pierre (2 May 2016). "Die Neuenburger Raffinerie läuft wie geschmiert". NZZ.
  13. ^ "The Carlyle Group and Vitol Group to invest in Varo Energy to Create a Major New Energy Midstream Group across North-West Europe | Carlyle". www.carlyle.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  14. ^ "BRIEF-Carlyle Group says to invest in Varo Energy with Vitol Group". Reuters. 2013-12-19. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  15. ^ "StackPath". www.ogj.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
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  17. ^ "Evaluate Energy – Login". www.evaluateenergy.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  18. ^ "OMV: Downstream Restructuring on Track – Divestment of Bayernoil – GeoResources". www.georesources.net. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  19. ^ "UPDATE 1-Vitol, Carlyle's Varo Energy buy Total Swiss diesel businesses". Reuters. 2014-07-24. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  20. ^ "Varo Energy conclut l'acquisition de stockage et du commerce de distribution de Total Suisse". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  21. ^ "Canton de Neuchâtel – Gros investissement à la raffinerie de Cressier". 24 heures (in French). Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  22. ^ "StackPath". www.ogj.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  23. ^ "Roger Brown starts as CEO of Varo Energy – Group announces CHF 50 Million investment in Cressier Refinery". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  24. ^ "StackPath". www.ogj.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  25. ^ "Roger Brown starts as CEO of Varo Energy – Group announces CHF 50 Million investment in Cressier Refinery". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-24.
  26. ^ "Varo Energy Germany GmbH, Hamburg". www.northdata.de (in German). Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  27. ^ Bankes-Hughes, Lesley. "EUROPE: Varo Energy seeking to launch IPO and listing on Euronext Amsterdam". Bunkerspot – Independent Intelligence for the Global Bunker Industry. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  28. ^ "Argos et Varo Energy signent un accord de fusion pour former un groupe en aval majeur en Europe du Nord-Ouest". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  29. ^ "Argos et Varo Energy finalisent leur fusion et acquièrent la pleine propriété de Rhytank AG". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  30. ^ "Varo Energy completes acquisition of assets, including stake in Bayernoil refinery, from OMV". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  31. ^ "VARO Energy Takes Full Control Over Hydrocarbon Hotel Tankstorage Terminal | TankTerminals". tankterminals.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  32. ^ Ship; bunker.com. "Varo Energy to Buy Dutch Bunker Player". Ship & Bunker. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  33. ^ admin (2016-11-16). "VARO Energy acquires Inter Oil B.V." F&L Asia. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  34. ^ "VARO aquires Inter Oil BV in the Netherlands – erpecnews live". www.erpecnewslive.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  35. ^ "VARO announces growth of retail business in Eastern Germany". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  36. ^ "VARO announces further growth of retail activities in the Netherlands". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  37. ^ admin (2017-06-01). "VARO Energy acquires United Fuel Group". F&L Asia. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  38. ^ "VARO Energy to sell Hydrocarbon Hotel tank terminal to GPS Group". www.euro-petrole.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  39. ^ [email protected] (2016-12-06). "Varo to sell Hydrocarbon Hotel storage terminal". Tank Storage Magazine. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  40. ^ "VARO Selling Terminal Hanau in Germany to Adolf Roth | TankTerminals". tankterminals.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  41. ^ "ACM geeft groen licht voor overname Van den Belt". TankPro.nl (in Dutch). Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  42. ^ "Varo expands its German retail business through acquisitions". Reuters. 2018-03-01. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  43. ^ "VARO Signs Deal to Acquire the Business Activities of SMD Beheer BV in The Netherlands | TankTerminals". tankterminals.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  44. ^ "VARO signs deal to acquire Calpam". Oaklins newsroom. 2019-09-23. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  45. ^ "VARO becomes majority shareholder in Bayernoil refinery". Hydrocarbon Engineering. 2020-01-08. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  46. ^ [email protected] (2020-01-08). "Varo completes shares purchase in Bayernoil Refinery". Tank Storage Magazine. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  47. ^ Mendonça, Elisângela. "Carlyle doubles its stake in Swiss refiner Varo Energy". www.penews.com. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  48. ^ "Country's most powerful solar facility to be built in the canton of Neuchâtel". GGBA. 2022-01-24. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  49. ^ "VARO Energy and GPS Group announce the completion of an integrated biofuels facility in the Port of Amsterdam – TET". tetamsterdam.oram.nl. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  50. ^ a b "Varo targets net zero by 2040, ups transition funding | Argus Media". www.argusmedia.com. 2022-07-05. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
  51. ^ "Varo Energy buys 80% of Dutch biogas firm; aims to double capacity by 2026". Reuters. 2023-01-12. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  52. ^ "Lufthansa and VARO Energy sign MoU on renewable fuels". Reuters. 2023-02-02. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  53. ^ Bousso, Ron (2023-06-15). "Varo Energy acquires second biogas firm in 2023". Reuters. Retrieved 2023-06-20.
  54. ^ "VARO announces plan to build major SAF manufacturing facility". Hydrocarbon Engineering. 2023-09-07. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  55. ^ "VARO, Groupe E & CSEM Commission Switzerland's Largest Solar Power Facility - Financials and Investment". www.gulfoilandgas.com. Retrieved 2023-09-29.
  56. ^ "Varo Energy acquires EV charging provider elexon". www.petrolplaza.com. 2023-12-01. Retrieved 2024-01-12.
  57. ^ Edwards, Rowena (2022-07-05). "Varo Energy sets low carbon strategy, net-zero goals". Reuters. Retrieved 2022-10-18.
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