The manufacturer of bio-sourced and low-carbon raw materials has just announced the launch of continuous production at its Afyren Neoxy plant, located in Carling-Saint Avold in the Grand Est region. This step marks the culmination of the company’s efforts to enhance the reliability of its industrial equipment and to manage operating conditions at scale.

Afyren markets a series of bio-sourced acids produced from a circular fermentation process for manufacturers of human and animal food products, as well as flavors and fragrances.

“The transition to continuous production at Afyren Neoxy, the first biorefinery using the Afyren technology, demonstrates our command of all key stages of an innovative process with no equivalents worldwide. (…) We are now in the industrial ramp-up phase, enabling us to regularly deliver finished products to our customers in increasing volumes. Building on this success, we are planning to increase our industrial capacity production gradually in coming quarters, in order to better capitalize on Afyren Neoxy,” said Nicolas Sordet, Chief Executive Officer of Afyren.

Afyren claims to have successfully manufactured hundreds of tons of products in recent weeks. The bio-based acids produced are currently undergoing qualification prior to delivery.

The launch of the continuous production at the Afyren Neoxy industrial site marks the beginning of a new phase that will see the gradual ramp-up of production. Afyren said it is on track to ultimately achieve its targets set in 2021: annual production revenue of around EUR 35 million with a current EBITDA margin of around 25% (equivalent to a current EBITDA of around EUR 9 million) at full capacity (16,000 tons per year).

“During the ramp-up period, product shipment will be made on a regular basis with priority given to long-term customers,” said the company.

The company points out that it has secured commercial agreements expected to generate cumulative revenues exceeding EUR 165 million over the next few financial years. Thus, Afyren Neoxy forecasts production revenue in 2025 to be in the low single-digit million euros range. The plant is expected to break even (positive current EBITDA) within a few quarters.

“The transition to continuous production is a major milestone in Afyren’s history. The Company is joining a very select group of companies that have successfully industrialized a competitive green technology. This is a remarkable achievement in the increasingly demanding and selective chemical industry. It opens up extremely positive prospects for our company in terms of industrial and commercial development,” highlighted Stefan Borgas, Chairman of Afyren’s Board of Directors.

In parallel, Afyren is planning targeted investments to lift bottlenecks at the Afyren Neoxy plant. The aim is to further increase the facility’s production capacity and profitability.

The company also confirmed its aim to operate three production sites, of which two in continuous production, by 2028. The aim is to generate a combined EUR 150 million in revenue at full capacity.