Cargill expands Envirotemp™ dielectric fluids business in Europe

- Local supply of FR3™ fluid, complete line of dielectric esters will be offered by mid-2013

MINNEAPOLIS, Oct. 19, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Cargill announced today it will expand its full line of ester fluids across Europe by mid-2013. The company will add manufacturing capacity to support its recently acquired brand of Envirotemp™ dielectric fluids, including the industry leading FR3™ natural ester fluid. This portfolio of esters meets the specifications of a wide range of transformer applications.

To support this European expansion, Cargill will build a new facility or expand onto one of its current facilities in Western Europe. A site selection process is underway and will be complete in the coming weeks. A sales and marketing team also will be added, and investments in technology and processing systems will be made as part of the expansion. Cargill intends to complete similar efforts around the world to satisfy its global customers' ongoing and increasing demand for cost-effective, innovative dielectric fluid solutions.   

Cargill purchased the global Envirotemp FR3 dielectric fluid brands and licensed the applicable patents from Cooper Power Systems in June 2012. Cargill's Industrial Oils & Lubricants (IOL) business unit manufactures the industry leading FR3 fluid and other specialty K-class ester fluids used in a wide range of transformers and other electrical applications, benefitting performance, safety and the environment. As owners of the Envirotemp and FR3 fluid brands, Cargill, its agents and distributors are uniquely positioned to provide customers with these products. Cargill operates in 65 countries and is a world leader in the origination, crushing, refining and modification of vegetable-based oils. It has manufactured FR3 fluid since 2004.

"Cargill's fundamental competitive advantage in supply chain and experience in oils manufacturing will enable us to grow in Europe and around the world. As a global player we are well equipped to be the natural partner to global customers in this space," said Cargill IOL President, Kurtis Miller.

Dave Roesser, Cargill IOL global general manager for dielectric fluids, added, "We believe that by providing industry approved dielectric ester solutions locally in Europe, we will accelerate our growth there. We know our customers expect this level of service, and we look forward to offering it to them." 

FR3 fluid is the leading natural ester-based dielectric fluid, currently installed in over 500,000 transformers on six continents. Launched in 1998, FR3 fluid offers a fire safe, environmentally preferred dielectric fluid that is available in many major regions around the world. Envirotemp FR3 fluid has been recognized by the International Electrotechnical Commission, FM Global, Underwriters Laboratories (UL®), and the National Electrical Code® (NEC®).

UL® is a registered trademark of UL LLC.
National Electrical Code® and NEC® are registered trademarks of the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA).

About Cargill
Cargill is an international producer and marketer of food, agricultural, financial and industrial products and services. Founded in 1865, the privately held company employs 142,000 people in 65 countries. Cargill helps customers succeed through collaboration and innovation, and is committed to applying its global knowledge and experience to help meet economic, environmental and social challenges wherever it does business. For more information, visit http://www.cargill.com.

About Cargill IOL
Cargill Industrial Oils & Lubricants is the largest Business Unit within Cargill that is exclusively focused on providing bio-based solutions to industrial markets, including dielectric fluids, paints, inks and coatings, lubricants, renewable construction & oilfield chemicals, consumer products, flexible foam & other diverse applications in the chemical industry. Our strategy is to drive growth in sustainable vegetable-based products by delivering innovative customer solutions through a customer-focused approach. www.cargill.com/industrial-oils / www.cargill.com/fr3fluid .