Borealis acquires GPN SA and majority of Rosier SA
European market supports growth plans
Borealis, a leading provider in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers, announced today that it has fully acquired GPN SA from the TOTAL Group.
GPN SA is France’s largest nitrogen fertilizer manufacturer. Borealis is already active in nitrogen fertilizers in Central Europe, as well as in France following its acquisition of PEC-Rhin S.A., today known as Borealis PEC-Rhin SAS, in early 2012.
In joining Borealis, GPN — which is well established in France — will enjoy new growth opportunities. In the production sites (Grandpuits, Grand-Quevilly and Gratecap) and the Paris office GPN France employs around 760 employees, all of which will be transferred to Borealis.
On the same date, Borealis closed an agreement with TOTAL to acquire its majority interest of 56,86% in Rosier SA. Rosier – listed on NYSE Euronext Brussels - is a mineral fertilizer manufacturer with two production facilities (Moustier in Belgium and Sas van Gent in the Netherlands) and markets its products in more than 80 countries worldwide. Rosier generated sales of EUR 278 million in 2012.
“These acquisitions are in line with our strategy to grow our fertilizer business, to keep our number 1 position in Central and Eastern Europe and to become a leading producer in Europe”, says Mark Garrett, Borealis Chief Executive. “We believe that fertilizers in Europe are an economically sustainable and attractive area of activity and we are committed to invest in the assets to ensure reliable production and customer service. We are happy to welcome our new colleagues in France, Belgium and the Netherlands to the Borealis Group and are looking forward to a successful integration.”
Borealis has started the integration of the GPN and Rosier sites and their activities, a process in which safety and business continuity are key. “Borealis has a clear commitment to the fertilizers business in Europe. The GPN and Rosier acquisitions are an important factor in the future of our activities,” explains Markku Korvenranta, Executive Vice President Base Chemicals. “With a focus on safe operations and business continuity, I am convinced we’ll make this a successful journey.”
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For further information please contact:
Virginia Mesicek, External Communications Manager
Tel. +43 (0)1 22 400 772 (Vienna, Austria)
e-mail: virginia.mesicek@borealisgroup.com
About GPN
GPN is France’s leading manufacturer of nitrogen fertilizers and nitrogen oxide reducers. It supplies about 25% of the French market, with revenue of EUR 500 million. GPN has 760 employees in France. Its production facilities are located in Grandpuits in the greater Paris region and Grand-Quevilly in Normandy. www.gpn.com
About TOTAL
TOTAL is a leading international oil and gas company with operations in more than 130 countries and a world-class chemical producer. 96,000 employees put their expertise to work in every part of the industry — exploration and production of oil and natural gas, refining and marketing, new energies, trading and chemicals. TOTAL is working to keep the world supplied with energy, both today and tomorrow. www.total.com
About Borealis
Borealis is a leading provider of innovative solutions in the fields of polyolefins, base chemicals and fertilizers. Borealis is headquartered in Vienna, Austria, and operates in over 120 countries with around 5,300 employees worldwide, generating EUR 7.5 billion in sales revenue in 2012. The International Petroleum Investment Company (IPIC) of Abu Dhabi owns 64% of the company, the remaining 36% is owned by OMV, the leading energy group in the European growth belt. Borealis provides services and products to customers around the world in collaboration with Borouge, a joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC).
Building on the unique Borstar® and BorlinkTM technologies and 50 years of experience in polyolefins, Borealis and Borouge support key industries including infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging. The Borouge plant expansion in Abu Dhabi will be fully operational by mid-2014 with a total annual capacity of 4.5 million tonnes. After this Borealis and Borouge will have approximately 8 million tonnes of polyolefin capacity.
Borealis offers a wide range of base chemicals, including melamine, phenol, acetone, ethylene and propylene servicing a wide range of industries. Together with Borouge the two companies will produce approximately 6 million tonnes of Base Chemicals in 2014.
Borealis also creates real value for the agricultural industry with a large portfolio of fertilizers. The company distributes approximately 2.1 million tonnes per year.
Borealis and Borouge aim to proactively benefit society by taking on real societal challenges and offering real solutions. Both companies are committed to the principles of Responsible Care®, an initiative to improve safety performance within the chemical industry, and contribute to solve the world's water and sanitation challenges through product innovation and their Water for the WorldTM programme.
For more information visit:
www.borealisgroup.com
www.borouge.com
www.waterfortheworld.net
Borlink and Water for the World are trademarks of the Borealis Group.
Borstar is a registered trademark of the Borealis Group.
