ImperialOel – Expertise in Natural Lipids & Ingredients from Hamburg, Germany

What Defines Us

Founded in Hamburg in 1920, ImperialOel is an international B2B supplier of natural lipids and specialty ingredients, with a strong focus on lanolin, omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids.

Our roots in the Hanseatic trading city of Hamburg have shaped the way we do business. Trust, reliability, respect and honorable commerce – values traditionally symbolized by the Hanseatic handshake – remain at the heart of ImperialOel today.

Our business principles

Trust, integrity and long-term partnerships
Reliable products backed by specialized expertise
Responsible and transparent supply chains
Personal service from an experienced team

Our Brands & Products

LanisLanolin: Wool grease, lanolin, and lanolin derivatives for cosmetic and industrial applications.
MarisOmega: Specialized supplier of omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids and contract development and manufacturing partner (CDMO), focusing on high-quality ingredients for infant nutrition and tailored manufacturing solutions..
Specialties: Natural lipids, bone products, and oleochemical specialties, backed by extensive product know-how and technical consultation.

Facts & Figures

Founded in 1920 in Hamburg, Germany
Ownership: Part of IOI Oleo GmbH, operating independently
Managing director: Juliane Sassmannshausen
Annual sales: €10-20m
Number of employees: 20
Product range: omega-3 oils, lanolins and other natural oils, fats, waxes and specialty ingredients
Facilities in Hamburg, Cuxhaven, Neuss (Germany), Rotterdam (Netherlands)
Main industries: food and nutrition, personal care, pharmaceuticals
Main markets: EU, Eastern Europe, Middle East, Asia
Member of DGF, Food Federation Germany, GOED, NEM e.V., VDC
Office address: Bergstrasse 11, 20095 Hamburg, Germany
Registered address: Amtsgericht Hamburg, HRB 34469
VAT No. DE118572971

History

| 1920

Imperial-Oel-Import was founded in Hamburg in 1920 by brothers Joachim and Hans Kuers. The company initially focused on importing and supplying mineral oil-based ingredients and natural oleochemicals to the chemical industry.

| 1975

Former sales manager Wolfgang Kromer took over ImperialOel, continuing the company’s development as an international trading business.

| 1980s–1990s

ImperialOel expanded its international trading activities and diversified its portfolio to include natural oils, fats, waxes, resins, and animal-derived specialties. Lanolin became a major business area, supported by long-standing supplier partnerships and growing demand from international cosmetics manufacturers.

| 2000s–2010s

Oliver Kromer became Managing Director in 2003, joined by Juliane Sassmannshausen in 2015. Together, they expanded the omega-3 business, initially supplying sardine and anchovy oils for dietary supplements and later specializing in DHA and other fatty acids for infant nutrition. A dedicated team developed extensive expertise in sourcing, supply chains, formulation, quality, and omega-3 science.

| 2020s

ImperialOel further expanded its contract manufacturing activities for liquid omega-3 oils, establishing MarisOmega as a specialized partner for ingredient supply and tailored manufacturing solutions. Collaborations with established industry partners also opened up new opportunities in plant-based fatty acids, including Ahiflower® oil.

| 2026

In July 2026, ImperialOel became part of IOI Oleo GmbH as part of a long-term succession and growth solution. Juliane Sassmannshausen continues as Managing Director, while Oliver Kromer remains involved in development projects in an advisory capacity. ImperialOel continues to operate independently with its established identity, team, and business areas, including LanisLanolin, MarisOmega, and Specialties.

Team

Every colleague is an essential part of our success and its remarkable longevity.

We are proud of each and every employee’s skill and expertise: whether it be in nutritional science or lipid chemistry, in raw material market intelligence or dedicated customer support, or in office organisation and contract negotiation. Each of our team members is a true specialist in their field.

What makes our team special is its spirit: working together as a unit means so much more than simply selling products or number crunching. It’s about helping each other, learning from one another, and celebrating our achievements together.

What we all share is a serious enthusiasm for our products and our company. We share a genuine interest in partner businesses and appreciate their particular challenges and market opportunities.

Fully understanding our customer and supplier needs is, for us, the foundation for providing the best service and support.