As the new year begins, Liquin marks its first anniversary as an independent company. Following the transition from Vopak to Liquin, it’s time to reflect on a remarkable year and look forward to what 2025 has in store. Janhein van den Eijnden, CEO of Liquin Group, shares his honest reflections on the company’s progress and future plans.
Reflecting on an intense year
“The separation from Vopak was a complex process,” Janhein explains. “We replaced over 30 IT systems, established new departments, and created an entirely new identity – all while keeping the business running. It was an enormous challenge, but I’m proud that we accomplished this together as a team.”
While transitions often bring uncertainty, Janhein emphasises that transparency and clear communication were the keys to success. “From day one, we focused on openness. Whether it was our employees, customers, or other stakeholders, we kept everyone informed at every stage. This approach built trust and enabled us to complete this transition successfully.”
A new name but the same reliable service
One of the greatest compliments Liquin received this past year came from a customer: “It feels like you’ve undergone open-heart surgery, but we didn’t notice a thing.” Janhein smiles:
“That speaks volumes about the professionalism and dedication of our team. We didn’t just want to introduce a new name, we wanted to prove that our service remains as reliable as ever – and we did.”
As well as retaining existing customers, Liquin has also focused on strengthening relationships with new partners. “Our ambition is to be ‘the partner of choice’ in our sector. This means customers choose us because they trust us to deliver quality and collaborate on tailored solutions. We are guided by four core principles: excellence, equality, integrity, and engagement. Excellence means constantly striving for improvement and growth. Equality fosters collaborative relationships built on trust and mutual respect. Integrity is about acting honestly and ethically in everything we do. Engagement focuses on building genuine connections by prioritising understanding before seeking to be understood. Together, these principles serve as our compass for success.”
The strength of a new identity
As an independent company, Liquin has developed a fresh dynamic. “We’re more agile, make decisions faster, and have shorter lines of communication,” says Janhein. “Our new owner, Infracapital, fully supports us. They challenge us to deliver quality and aim high. That challenge energises us and motivates us to grow together.”
The shift from a large corporate culture to an independent organisation hasn’t been without its challenges though. “We’ve left behind the warm blanket of Vopak, which sometimes felt comforting but could also be limiting. Now we can forge our own path, and that opens enormous possibilities. But change takes time, and developing a new identity within the company is something we’ll continue to work on in the coming years.”
Key priorities for 2025
So what’s on the agenda for 2025? “We’ve set several clear goals,” Janhein says. “First, we want to further optimise our processes. We’ve achieved a lot this past year, but there’s always room for improvement. Additionally, we’re committed to sustainability. Our ambition is to reduce our scope 1 and scope 2 emissions by 42% by 2030 – a goal we’ve already achieved ahead of schedule. Over the past year, we’ve launched several initiatives, such as optimising energy use and implementing new technologies.”
The energy transition is also a key focus for Liquin. “We want to expand our role in storing renewable products like biofuels and recycled chemicals,” Janhein explains.
“Our flexible infrastructure and diverse tank volumes allow customers to scale up from just a few hundred cubic meters to over 50 or even 100 kcbm. This makes us ideally positioned to serve new markets for renewable energy products.”
Liquin also aims to build on its leading positions in bio-ethanol, biodiesel, and SAF (Sustainable Aviation Fuel). As home to Europe’s largest methanol pool, Liquin is the go-to terminal for storing bunker methanol, whether it’s green methanol or e-methanol. “With this expertise and infrastructure, we remain a major player in the industry and support the growing demand for sustainable solutions,” Janhein adds.
Liquin is also equipped with efficient rail and truck loading stations across multiple terminals, ensuring swift and reliable distribution. “We’re actively working to expand capacity at these facilities to meet future demand,” says Janhein.
Building the future together
Janhein emphasises that Liquin’s success is a team effort. “As CEO, I can outline a strategy, but ultimately, it’s the people who make the difference. At Liquin, we have a flat, open culture that encourages everyone to take responsibility. That entrepreneurial spirit is increasingly visible, and it makes me proud.”
Looking ahead, Janhein remains optimistic. “Over the past 12 months, we’ve shown that as a team, we can achieve an incredible transformation. Now it’s time to build on that foundation and continue improving. Together, we’ll ensure that Liquin not only stands for reliability and innovation but also for engagement and collaboration.”
With this positive outlook, Liquin enters the new year ready to reaffirm its commitment to quality, safety, and sustainability. “We have the potential to achieve great things,” concludes Janhein. “And we’ll do it together – every single day.”