STX Group expands biofuels business through acquisition of waste-feedstock trader

Environmental-commodities and climate-solutions firm STX Group announced Dec. 3 the acquisition of Marine Olie, a leading trader of waste-based advanced feedstocks. 

STX Group said the strategic acquisition strengthens its position in the biofuels value chain and supports the company’s vision to become a globally leading trader in the integrated “feedstocks-to-fuels-to-ticket” markets.

Marine Olie’s experience in aggregating, blending and optimizing oils and fats, and strategic infrastructure positions in the Amsterdam-Rotterdam-Antwerp area, will be combined with STX Group’s broader environmental-market footprint, regulatory expertise and access to capital.

This will create “a globally leading feedstock-trading platform under STX Group, with an ability to optimize across a bigger portfolio, providing more liquidity and superior risk-management solutions to a broad range of different end-users,” according to the company.

“The biofuels market is one of the largest environmental-commodity markets globally and will play a significant role in decarbonizing the shipping, road, industry and heating sectors,” said Marijn van Diessen, the CEO of STX Group. “The availability of reliable waste-based advanced feedstocks will therefore be a key ingredient for a well-functioning and sustainable biofuels market. The acquisition of Marine Olie shows STX’s commitment to this market.”

The company said the acquisition of Marine Olie marks an important milestone in STX Group’s effort to strengthen its presence in the biofuels market, allowing it to extend the range of products and services offered to clients and counterparties.

“Marine Olie is the industry leader in their optimized use of tank assets and ability to aggregate or break bulk, both contributing to our ambition to improve market liquidity,” said Koen Heesbeen, a managing partner at STX Group. “This combined with our ability to now address the entire value chain will make us a key player in the biofuels market. We are thrilled to welcome Marine Olie and its employees to STX Group.”

Ronald Nossent, the managing director of Marine Olie, added, “The acquisition is a significant step in the industry as it unlocks numerous synergies for all clients and counterparties. In addition to the full optimization and arbitrage opportunities, it offers all our clients a better access to biofuels feedstocks, enabling them to address the full value chain through the new integrated trading platform, bringing multiple efficiencies.”

STX Group will maintain the Marine Olie brand as the group’s sole feedstock-trading platform, ensuring a smooth transition for employees and clients.

The transaction has been approved by the European Commission competition authorities and was closed Dec. 1.

Financial details have not been disclosed.