Historic timeline of Plantations et Huileries du Congo S.A (PHC), a palm oil business founded by the Lever Brothers in 1911.
Huileries du Congo Belge (HCB) founded by Lever Brothers. Boteka plantation is established
Lokutu and Yaligimba plantation are established.
Belgian Congo gains independence and becomes République du Zaire. The company renamed itself to Plantations Lever au Zaire (PLZ)
First Congo War, period of conflict in the country and the region.
Zaire becomes the Democratic Republic of the Congo and the name is changed again, this time to Plantations et Huileries de Congo (PHC).
Second Congo War, a period of conflict in the country and the region.
First democratic elections in four decades.
Feronia acquires PHC and its existing concessions.
Investments and ESG loan from CDC Group (UK) (US$18,1 million).
Debt finance agreement with European Development Finance Institutions: including Germany’s DEG ($16,5 million), The Netherlands’ FMO (US$16,5 million) and Belgium’s BIO (US$11 million). Also additional investment from shareholder CDC through equity.
CDC provides an US$ 11 million loan.
CDC provides a further bridge loan.
KKM, an Africa-based and managed investment firm, injects US$15 million into the company and becomes its principal shareholder. The restructured business will no longer be quoted on the Toronto Stock Exchange.
CDC ceases to be an equity investor but remains lender alongside FMO and other European DFIs.
The ongoing Independent Complaints Mechanism (ICM) mediation process with local communities, will continue with the support of KKM, CDC and the other DFI lenders.