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Grasim Announces Sale Of Fertilisers Unit To Indorama For Rs 2,649 Crore

The fertiliser unit accounted for 3.45% of the total consolidated turnover of Grasim Industries.

A farm worker sprays cotton plants with pesticides on the farm of Jarnail Singh in Jajjal village, Punjab, India (Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg)  
A farm worker sprays cotton plants with pesticides on the farm of Jarnail Singh in Jajjal village, Punjab, India (Photographer: Prashanth Vishwanathan/Bloomberg)  

Aditya Birla Group flagship firm Grasim Industries Ltd. on Thursday announced the sale of its fertilisers business to Indorama Corporation for Rs 2,649 crore.

Grasim Industries’ board on Thursday approved the divestment of the company’s fertiliser business, Indo Gulf Fertilisers, by way of a slump sale to Indorama India Pvt. Ltd., a subsidiary of Indorama Corporation Pte. Ltd., Singapore, the company said in a regulatory filing.

“The transfer of the business will be for a lump-sum cash consideration of Rs 2,649 crore to be paid by IIP to Grasim. This consideration is commensurate to the strength and future potential of the business,” it said.

The divestment of the fertiliser business is a significant value unlocking exercise for Grasim. It will further enable the company to pursue growth opportunities in its core businesses, the filing added.

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The fertiliser unit had a turnover of Rs 2,679.51 crore in 2019-20 accounted for 3.45% of the total consolidated turnover of Grasim Industries, it said. Grasim Industries Managing Director Dilip Gaur said, “The divestment of the fertiliser business by Grasim is a strategic portfolio choice and unlocks value for the shareholders. It is in line with the strategic thrust of the company to focus on core businesses.”

Indo Gulf Fertilisers is synonymous with strong performance and high sustainability standards. To take it to the next level in size and value, the company is pleased to have found in Indorama Corporation a credible fertiliser player to own IGF, he added.

“IGF will benefit from synergies and expertise of Indorama Corporation's existing agri portfolio,” Gaur said.

Indorama Corporation Vice-Chairman Amit Lohia said that with this acquisition, Shaktiman and the Paras brands will be able to join hands to offer a complete range of products for farmers. That will include urea, phosphate fertilisers, potash, soil health products, seeds, and crop protection products. “We are excited about this union and believe it will facilitate greater access and development of high-quality agri inputs for the farming community," he added.

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Indo Gulf Fertilisers is engaged in manufacturing, trading, and sale of urea and other agri-inputs with a 1.2 million tonne per annum urea manufacturing plant at Jagdishpur in Uttar Pradesh.

Grasim Industries said the lump sum consideration for the transfer of its fertiliser business to IIP on slump sale basis is subject to certain adjustments as agreed between the parties in terms of the definitive agreement and the scheme.

The deal is subject to necessary statutory and regulatory approvals.