Two leading Russian fertilizer producers, Uralkali (Berezniki) and Uralchem (Moscow) have agreed to acquire a controlling share in Fertilizantes Heringer (Sao Paulo, Brazil), now under bankruptcy protection. Fertilizantes Heringer, one of the largest fertilizer players in Brazil, said today that the two Russian firms would buy shares for 2 reais ($0.48) each in a deal that would result in a capital increase of up to $115 million.
The Russian firms signed a letter of intent on 21 September, and the deal is now subject to approvals, including by antitrust authorities. Signing of definitive documents is subject to negotiation of agreements and other documents on terms and conditions acceptable to both parties, Fertilizantes Heringer says.
Uralchem is a shareholder in Uralkali. Dmitry Mazepin, chairman of the board of directors of Uralchem, a producer of nitrogen and complex fertilizers, is also the deputy chairman of Uralkali, a major producer of potash fertilizers.
Earlier this year, Fertilizantes Heringer decided to close several of its plants and distribution centers as part of a restructuring plan to lower debt. The company, until then, operated 16 plants producing fertilizers from imported raw materials and one sulfuric acid plant.
By Natasha Alperowicz
Source: Chemical Week
The US State of New York is introducing two new bills to combat over-packaging, poor recycling rates and litter issues, including an Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) program requiring companies such as McDonald’s and Amazon to pay for the cost of packaging disposal and recycling.
The new organization’s mission is to redesign the critical steps of the plastics sorting and recycling system for post-consumer lightweight packaging (LWP) to speed up circularity, born from a need to meet the rising market demand for high-quality recyclates for use in high-end plastic applications.
Starbucks and Hubbub have launched a £1 million (US$1.22 million) “Bring It Back Fund” to increase the uptake of reusable packaging in the F&B industry. The funding will go toward innovative ideas that make it easier for customers to use alternatives to single-use packaging by supporting pilot projects that help shift consumption habits.
