YARA INTERNATIONAL ASA Oslo, 10 August 2016: Yara International ASA has entered into an agreement to acquire the Tata Chemicals Ltd ("TCL") Babrala urea plant and distribution business in Uttar Pradesh for USD 400 million on a debt and cash free basis, including normalized net working capital.
"This acquisition represents another significant step in our growth strategy, creating an integrated position in the world's second-largest fertilizer market. India has strong population growth and increasing living standards, and significant potential to improve agricultural productivity," said Svein Tore Holsether, President and Chief Executive Officer of Yara.
The plant has an annual production of 0.7 million tonnes ammonia and 1.2 million tonnes urea, and generated revenues and EBITDA of respectively USD 350 million and USD 35 million in the financial year ended 31 March 2016. The plant was commissioned in 1994, and is the most energy efficient plant in India, with energy efficiency on a par with Yara's best plants.
"We are impressed with the world-class operations we have seen in Babrala. The workforce is committed to high HESQ standards, and has a solid safety track record. This well operated plant and its highly skilled employees will make an excellent addition to Yara's global production system," said Holsether.
Yara has operated in India since the 1990s, focusing in recent years on premium product sales in the West and South of the country, delivering strong volume growth and margins well above Yara's average for the region.
"Our growth in India can be further accelerated with this acquisition, creating a larger market footprint for Yara and enabling increased premium product sales in particular. We will place great emphasis on successful integration of the operations, and will put in place an integration team consisting of highly experienced TCL and Yara employees, the latter from both our existing India operations and our regional management," said Terje Knutsen, SVP and Head of Yara Crop Nutrition.
The agreement will be subject to regulatory approvals and sanctioning by the relevant courts in India, a process which is expected to take 9-12 months after which closing of the transaction can take place.
Contact
Thor Giæver, Investor Relations
Office: (+47) 24 15 72 95
Cell phone: (+47) 48 07 53 56
E-mail: thor.giaver@yara.com
Kristin Nordal, Media Relations - International
Cell phone: (+47) 900 15 550
E-mail: kristin.nordal@yara.com
Magnus Karlsrud Dahlen, Media Relations - Norway
Cell phone: (+47) 95 89 19 39
E-mail: magnus.dahlen@yara.com
Gayatri Kanwar - Indian media contact
Cell phone: (+91) 9910082068
Email: Gayatri.kanwar@yara.com
About Yara
Yara's knowledge, products and solutions grow farmers', distributors' and industrial customers' businesses profitably and responsibly, while protecting the earth's resources, food and environment.
Our fertilizers, crop nutrition programs and technologies increase yields, improve product quality and reduce the environmental impact of agricultural practices. Our industrial and environmental solutions improve air quality by reducing emissions from industry and transportation, and serve as key ingredients in the production of a wide range of goods. We foster a culture that promotes the safety of our employees, contractors and societies.
Founded in 1905 to solve emerging famine in Europe, today, Yara has a worldwide presence, with close to 13,000 employees and sales to more than 150 countries.
www.yara.com
This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to section 5-12 of the Norwegian Securities Trading Act.
The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.
Source: Yara International ASA via Globenewswire
