Indorama Ventures (Bangkok, Thailand) has entered into an agreement to acquire M&G Polimeros Brazil (Ipojuca, Brazil). Financial details of the transaction were not disclosed.
The transaction is expected to be completed in the second quarter of 2018, subject to regulatory approvals. M&G’s parent, Mossi Ghisolfi Group (Tortona, Italy), filed for bankruptcy protection last October.
Indorama states that the plant is the largest polyethylene terephthalate (PET) facility in Brazil, with capacity of 550,000 metric tons/year. This plant benefits from virtual integration with a manufacturer of purified terephthalic acid, a key feedstock to PET, adds Indorama. Indorama projects immediate incremental revenues and cost synergies, driven by a substantial volume increase and potential value add through backward integration.
South America is an important emerging market with domestic demand for PET growing at around 5%. Today’s per capita consumption of PET is comparatively low at 2.8 kg and has great potential for growth. Brazil also has strong underlying fundamentals, supported by government policies to stimulate economic growth and strengthen the domestic market, according to Indorama.
“Indorama Ventures now has unrivalled scale and global reach, being present in five continents with a uniquely balanced and integrated business model,” says Indorama CEO Aloke Lohia.
Indorama Ventures net profit for the fourth quarter was 59% higher year over year (YOY) at $117 million, EBITDA increased 25% to $256 million, and sales were 16% higher at $2.14 billion. PET revenue grew 12% in the fourth quarter.
By Kartik Kohli
Source: Chemical Week
ExxonMobil Corp. (Spring, Tex.) announced the startup of two new chemical production units at its Baytown, Texas, manufacturing facility. The $2 billion expansion is part of ExxonMobil’s long-term growth plans to deliver higher-value products from its U.S. Gulf Coast refining and chemical facilities.
Ineos Enterprises has announced the acquisition of Eramet Titanium & Iron (ETI) from Eramet for €230 million ($245 million). The deal was completed on Sept. 21 and takes immediate effect, following the satisfaction of regulatory approvals.
Arxada has appointed Sanjeev Rastogi as Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective immediately. He succeeds Marc Doyle who led Arxada since its foundation and will join the company’s board of directors as a non-executive member.
