VARO acquires Swedish energy company Preem

Subject to customary closing conditions and the receipt of regulatory approvals the transaction is expected to be completed in the 2H25.

The agreement follows a competitive M&A process that began after CPH announced a strategic review of its assets in late 2023. VARO has been engaged in this process for over 15 months, having entered exclusivity in August 2024. As part of this process and in accordance with its rights under existing security arrangements, Deutsche Bank (Suisse) SA, as pledgee of the CPH shares, executed the sale agreement on behalf of CPH’s parent company, Moroncha Holdings Co. Ltd.

Preem is one of the largest energy companies in Scandinavia. The company plays a critical role in the region’s energy security, providing over 40% of Sweden’s and around a quarter of Scandinavia’s energy needs for transportation. It serves customers in 17 countries across Europe.

An early mover in renewable fuel production, Preem has invested nearly US$1 billion since 2010 in the production of renewable fuels and initiatives aimed at reducing the carbon intensity throughout the value chain. As a result of these investments, Preem’s current renewable fuel production of 0.3 million tpy will rise to 1.3 million tpy with the Synsat diesel plant upgrade enabling up to 40% co-processing of renewable feedstocks. The company also has a material pipeline of other renewable fuel projects.

Preem owns two major fuel manufacturing facilities in Sweden, at Lysekil and Gothenburg. The two facilities have a combined capacity of 352 000 bpd, which equates to 80% of Sweden’s refining capacity, and the ability to co-process renewable feedstock. Primarily located in Scandinavia, Preem’s assets are highly complementary to VARO’s existing operations across northwest Europe with limited overlap.

Dev Sanyal, CEO of VARO, said: “The acquisition of Preem is transformational for VARO. On completion, we will become Europe’s second largest renewable fuel producer with an extensive distribution and storage network across major European markets with conventional fuel production capacity of 530 000 bpd. Combined we will serve over 50 000 business customers across 33 countries, with our future growth underpinned by a robust portfolio of mature renewable fuel projects.”

Marcel van Poecke, Chairman of VARO and Chairman of Energy at Carlyle, added: “This acquisition provides material value creation opportunities through disciplined investment in future growth projects, while enhancing VARO’s ability to deliver the reliable and secure energy that Europe needs. The combined entity will be well positioned to continue to play an important role in meeting Europe’s growing demand for sustainable energy for the mobility and industrial sectors.”

Russell Hardy, Supervisory Board member of VARO and CEO, Vitol, commented: “We are very excited by this transaction. The company will be Europe’s second largest producer of biofuels – which are key to decarbonising transport in Europe. It will benefit from access to Vitol’s network and global expertise. We greatly look forward to expanding this ongoing and successful partnership and working with the combined entity to meet customer requirements and supply evolving markets.”

Creating a leading energy provider for mobility and industrial customers

The combined group will have a large geographic footprint across key European markets, with global feedstock sourcing capabilities and an expanded customer base. Benefiting from Preem’s manufacturing facilities and VARO’s Cressier and Bayernoil assets, our fuel manufacturing capacity will increase to 530 000 bpd. It will serve over 50 000 business customers in Europe and account for almost 10% of all road and marine fuels sold on the continent, with Sweden becoming its largest manufacturing base. The company will operate one of Europe’s largest supply networks in Europe with access to over 120 terminals.

The company will be the largest co-processor of renewable feedstocks in Europe. On completion, the combined group will rank in the top five largest producers of hydrotreated vegetable oil (HVO) and sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) globally. It will be Europe’s second largest renewable fuel producer and the top producer in Sweden.

Material renewable fuel production will provide the company with a strong position in the fast-growing biofuels for transport sector. Biofuel demand in the EU transport sector is expected to increase by 50 - 80% by 2030 as Member States accelerate decarbonisation efforts.

With more than a decade of experience developing renewable fuel assets, Preem brings valuable expertise in applying proven technology at scale. When combined with cash flow growth, increased liquidity and a strong balance sheet, the combined group will have an enhanced capacity to invest in and develop its renewable fuel asset portfolio. In addition, material value upsides from combining the two businesses have been identified. These include leveraging the combined companies’ physical assets with VARO’s extensive value chain optimisation, risk and exposure management capabilities to deliver higher margins, improved crude mix and renewable feedstock optimisation.

Post completion the intention is to focus on three investment priorities. First, investing in improved security of supply and asset resilience, across manufacturing, distribution and storage. Second, decarbonising and increasing the efficiency of conventional manufacturing assets. Third, investing in the attractive portfolio of biofuel projects of both companies, with a customer-centric approach designed to keep pace with evolving demand for sustainable energy.

Delivering on VARO’s 2022 strategy

In 2022 VARO set out an ambitious set of strategic targets to triple EBITDA by 2026 with 50% coming from sustainable energies. Over the last three years VARO has made good progress towards achieving these goals, notably the acquisition and expansion of the biogas facility in Coevorden and progressing the development of a SAF facility in Rotterdam. The combined company will be well positioned to achieve these financial targets.

Both VARO and Preem share a strong commitment to ambitious targets for decarbonising their operations and reducing the carbon intensity of the solutions they deliver to customers. Following completion of the transaction, VARO will leverage the decarbonisation expertise and proven track record of both organisations to support national and European energy transition agendas and drive progress toward a low-carbon future. They have collectively achieved a 16% reduction in CO₂ emissions from their own operations and abated 5.5 million tpy of CO₂ for their customers since tracking began.

Investing for the long-term

Since it was founded in 2012, VARO has made close to 20 acquisitions and has built a strong track record of investing in and integrating the companies that it acquires. Privately held and backed by long-term strategic and financial investors, VARO plays an important role in supporting energy security and decarbonisation in the markets in which it currently operates.

With strong medium-term cash flow generation and a long-term holder of assets, VARO will ensure responsible stewardship of Preem. We will continue to be a partner in Sweden and the wider region’s security and energy transition priorities.

Read the article online at: https://www.hydrocarbonengineering.com/clean-fuels/31032025/varo-acquires-swedish-energy-company-preem/