Usage for sustainable impact: The Aprolis Finance model in action 

At BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, we believe the circular economy is not achieved through declarations alone. It is built through practical models that prioritise usage over ownership, maximise material efficiency, and extract full value from the resources embedded in every asset. 

Our partnership with Aprolis is a clear example of how this ambition is translated into action – turning equipment financing into a driver of durability, reuse, and long-term performance. 

The joint venture Aprolis Finance*, created by Aprolis and BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions, is a perfect illustration of this approach. 

Aprolis: A model built on subscription and durability 

A subsidiary of the Monnoyeur Group*, Aprolis specialises in full-service rental for material handling equipment. Its business model is rooted in a core circular principle: maximise the intensity and lifespan of each machine before new resources are consumed. 

Forklifts and pallet trucks typically have a lifecycle of around 15 years or 15,000 operating hours, enabling two to three successive usage cycles. To fully unlock this potential, Aprolis has invested in a dedicated reconditioning centre in Calais, focused on refurbishing equipment at the end of its first rental contract (after around five years). Rather than replacing assets prematurely, Aprolis extends their productive life, ensuring that the materials, energy, and manufacturing effort embedded in each unit are fully utilised. text, leasing can act as a connector between manufacturers, users, service providers and second-life operators – helping to build more integrated lifecycle ecosystems. 

Reconditioning: Extending value, reducing negative impact 

At the Calais centre, machines undergo a complete inspection, refurbishment, and certification process aligned with “Gold and “Silver” quality standards. This includes: 

• Mechanical and safety upgrades 

• Performance optimisation 

• Used component replacement 

• Quality certification 

For electric forklifts, refurbishment may also include replacing lead-acid batteries with lithium technology, improving energy efficiency, reducing environmental impact, and extending operational life. 

Once reconditioned, equipment is returned to the rental fleet with a warranty. Each additional usage cycle extracts more value from the original materials and significantly reduces the need for new production. After multiple cycles, machines may still serve occasional or secondary needs before being recycled or dismantled for parts reuse at end of life. 

This approach can save up to 89% of CO₂ emissions compared with manufacturing a new unit – while delivering reliable, ready-to-deploy solutions for customers. are still developing, they illustrate how usage-based approaches can further align economic and environmental objectives.

“Reconditioning and full‑service rental allow us to combine economic performance with environmental responsibility. It’s a key lever to reduce our impact while meeting the real needs of our clients.” 

Benjamin de Castelnau, CEO of Aprolis

Aprolis Finance: enabling long-term susbscription  

For more than 30 years, BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions has supported this model through the Aprolis Finance joint venture.   

This long-term financing approach aligns economic performance with material efficiency and lifecycle optimisation. The partnership demonstrates how leasing, when designed with a long-term perspective, becomes a catalyst for sustainable resource use by: 

• Prioritising usage over ownership 

• Extending equipment lifespans 

• Supporting refurbishment and reuse 

• Limiting waste and material loss 

Together, we are proving that usage is not only an economic lever – it is a sustainability lever, enabling businesses to extract full value from the resources they rely on, while building a more sustainable and shared future. 

* Aprolis Finance is a joint venture owned 51% by BNP Paribas Leasing Solutions and 49% by Aprolis. 

**The Monnoyeur Group is an international family-owned group specialising in the distribution of industrial, energy, construction, and agricultural equipment.