Aereon vapor recovery units are deployed at bulk liquid terminals, refineries, and loading facilities across more than 45 countries, recovering hydrocarbons that would otherwise be vented or flared. Operating under the Cimarron group since 2020, Aereon brings together three established brands — Jordan Technologies, Flare Industries, and Aereon itself — into a single environmental equipment platform serving upstream, midstream, and downstream operators worldwide.
Aereon and Cimarron: The Corporate Structure
Cimarron was founded in Oklahoma in the mid-1970s as a producer of direct-fired and production equipment for the energy sector. Over four decades, the company expanded into environmental control, becoming one of North America’s largest manufacturers of vapor capture and incineration equipment. Two acquisitions in successive years transformed its scale: HY-BON/EDI in 2019, followed by Aereon — including Jordan Technologies and Flare Industries — in 2020.
The combined group now operates from key centres in the United States, Italy, India, and the United Arab Emirates, with regional offices in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom. Aereon’s European headquarters is based in Legnano, Milan, with logistics and administration handled from Vecchiano, Pisa. The UAE office operates from Abu Dhabi, positioning the group for Middle East terminal and refinery projects.
Aereon serves biogas applications at wastewater facilities, digester tanks, and landfills alongside its core oil and gas work — a product range that reflects the group’s stated mission of environmental control across energy and industrial sectors.
Aereon Vapor Recovery: Activated Carbon VRU Technology
Activated Carbon Vapor Recovery Units (VRUs) have been Aereon’s primary product line since 1980. The technology centres on adsorption of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) onto activated carbon, followed by vacuum regeneration and absorption of desorbed VOCs in a liquid-phase absorber column. Several environmental authorities have recognised the process as Best Demonstrated Technology (BDT) for recovering VOCs from fuel loading operations.
Aereon’s activated carbon VRUs achieve recovery rates exceeding 99% of VOCs generated during product loading. The system handles gasoline, naphtha, crude oil, BTEX aromatics, bitumen, and fuel oil across a range of emission limit designs: 10 g/Nm³, 1 g/Nm³, and 150 mg/Nm³. Control architecture runs on Siemens, Allen Bradley, or Schneider PLC platforms meeting SIL 2 requirements on emergency shutdown loops, with full SCADA output and remote HMI capability.
Applications span four loading categories: truck loading, ship loading, rail loading, and tank breathing. All units are skid-mounted and shipped as four major components, reducing installation time at terminal sites. ATEX-certified components are standard, making the units suitable for Zone 0 classified areas. The top vapour recovery unit companies operating in this space — including Aereon — compete primarily on emission compliance performance and system reliability at high-throughput facilities.
Marine Vapour Recovery and Dock Safety Units
Marine Vapour Recovery Units (MVRUs) represent a specialist product line requiring compliance with United States Coast Guard regulations under 33 CFR Parts 154, 155, and 156, as well as International Maritime Organization standards. Aereon’s marine offering draws on experience across global port and terminal applications.
Each marine installation includes a Dock Safety Unit (DSU), which incorporates bi-directional detonation arrestors, knockout pots with auto-drain, vapour filters, fast-closure shut-off valves, and a local control panel. Vapour blower systems are installed where pressure drops require active flow management, designed to ATEX Zone 0 and API 673 standards with knockout drum integration. For independent tank terminal operators handling multiple liquid product grades at marine berths, the DSU configuration directly affects loading throughput and regulatory compliance timelines.
Mechanical VRUs and Flare Gas Recovery Systems
Aereon’s Mechanical Vapor Recovery Unit (MeVRU) is a pre-engineered package targeting nonattainment areas where air quality regulations mandate vapour recovery but activated carbon technology is not required. Units are available with rotary screw, piston, or rotary vane compressors, powered by electric motor or EPA-certified natural gas engine. The standard range covers 20 to 600 m³/h up to 14 barg, with plug-and-play installation and extended service intervals as design priorities.
The Flare Gas Recovery System (FGRS) product line addresses continuous flaring at refineries and processing facilities. Flare gas is withdrawn upstream of the liquid seal, compressed through a positive displacement compressor, and routed back into the plant as fuel or feedstock. The system stages compressors automatically via PLC — turning down when flare gas flow is low and routing excess to the flare stack when capacity is exceeded. Over 12 standard FGRS models are available, including NACE-compliant skids for sour service. Benefits include reduction of NOx, CO, CO₂, and SOx emissions alongside recovery of gas with commercial heating value.
Wellhead compression rounds out the gas recovery portfolio, targeting depleted or low-pressure natural gas wells where line-boosting or production enhancement is required. This product line positions Aereon alongside the leading tank and terminal equipment manufacturers that serve the full upstream-to-downstream value chain.
Global Footprint and Service Network
Aereon operates through Cimarron’s global service network, supported by field service personnel and third-party partners across its target regions. The European manufacturing and engineering base in northern Italy — established through Aereon’s pre-acquisition history — gives the group a credible presence for European terminal and refinery projects, where emissions regulations are tightening under EU industrial emissions directives.
In the Middle East, the Abu Dhabi office positions Aereon for national oil company and independent terminal operator projects across the Gulf, a region where flare gas recovery mandates are increasingly enforced. The Navi Mumbai office supports project delivery and service for Indian refinery and terminal clients. For terminal operators sourcing loading equipment and valve systems alongside vapour recovery, Aereon’s multi-product range under the Cimarron umbrella reduces the number of specialist vendors required on a single project.
Company Snapshot
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Brand | Aereon (a Cimarron company) |
| Parent group | Cimarron Energy |
| Founded | Aereon: 1980 (VRU division); Cimarron: mid-1970s |
| Acquired by Cimarron | 2020 (alongside Jordan Technologies and Flare Industries) |
| Global reach | 45+ countries |
| Key offices | USA, Italy (HQ Europe), India, UAE, Netherlands, UK |
| Core products | Activated Carbon VRUs, Mechanical VRUs, Marine VRUs, Flare Gas Recovery Systems, Wellhead Compression |
| Key certifications | ATEX, SIL 2, API 673, API 681, NACE, USCG compliant |
| VOC recovery rate | >99% in activated carbon VRU applications |
| FGRS models available | 12+ standard configurations |
What does Aereon specialise in?
Aereon specialises in vapour recovery units and gas recovery systems for oil and gas terminals, refineries, and loading facilities. Its core product is the Activated Carbon Vapor Recovery Unit, which recovers more than 99% of VOCs generated during product loading. Aereon also produces Marine VRUs, Mechanical VRUs, Flare Gas Recovery Systems, and Wellhead Compression units.
Who owns Aereon?
Aereon is part of the Cimarron group, which acquired Aereon — along with Jordan Technologies and Flare Industries — in 2020. Cimarron had previously acquired HY-BON/EDI in 2019. The combined group operates from the United States, Italy, India, the UAE, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom.
Where does Aereon operate?
Aereon operates in more than 45 countries across North America, Europe, the Middle East, and Asia. European operations are headquartered in Legnano, Milan, with a logistics base in Vecchiano, Pisa. The UAE office is based in Abu Dhabi and the India office in Navi Mumbai.
What regulations do Aereon vapor recovery units comply with?
Aereon’s activated carbon VRUs are designed to meet VOC emission limits of 10 g/Nm³, 1 g/Nm³, and 150 mg/Nm³, and have been recognised by environmental authorities as Best Demonstrated Technology for fuel loading applications. Marine VRUs comply with US Coast Guard regulations (33 CFR Parts 154, 155, and 156) and IMO international standards. All units use ATEX-certified components suitable for Zone 0 classified areas.
What products are recovered by Aereon VRUs?
Aereon vapor recovery units recover gasoline, gasoline blending stocks, naphtha, crude oil, BTEX aromatics (benzene, toluene, xylenes), bitumen, and fuel oil. The systems are designed for truck, rail, ship, and tank breathing applications across upstream, midstream, and downstream facilities.