India Inc has made a significant foray into Brazil, the largest sugar producer in the world. Shree Renuka Sugars Limited (SRSL) has entered into a definitive agreement with Grupo Equipav of Brazil for an investment of USD 329 million (around Rs 1,530 crore) leading to a majority, controlling equity stake in Equipav S.A. ACUCAR, one of the largest sugar/ethanol companies in that country.
The company consists of two very large and modern sugar/ethanol mills with integrated co-generation facilities in Sao Paulo state in Southeast Brazil having a combined cane crushing capacity of 10.5 million tons of cane per annum (44,400tcd). In addition, Equipav has a co-generation capacity of 203 MW. The mills will be expanded to a combined capacity of 12.0 million tonnes (56,600 tcd) per annum and 295 MW with a capital expenditure of $218 million.
“Cane supply comes from the cultivation of about 115,000 Ha of land of which nearly 2/3rd is farmed by the company with very high level of mechanization for both planting and harvesting. The mills have easy access to the main ports of Santos and Paranagua,” the company said.
The investment will fund capital expenditure, pay down debt and increase working capital. The deal is subject to approval of an acceptable debt restructuring package by the lenders to the company and certain other conditions customary to such transactions. “Closing is expected in 40 days,” it said.
Grupo Equipav is one of the large conglomerates in Brazil, holding equity stakes in over 20 companies besides the above which are present in the sectors of highway concessions, bus terminals, water and sewage, electricity generation, mortar production, waste management and maintenance of green areas. The group is present in sugar and ethanol sector since 1980.
Narendra Murkumbi, Managing Director of Shree Renuka Sugars said “This investment brings us closer to building a global sugar and ethanol business combining the most cost-efficient and scalable production areas in the world along with a leading presence in the largest ethanol and sugar markets of the world. Equipav has one of the biggest and most vertically integrated, modern operations in Brazil, with economies of scale and opportunities to form a cluster of contiguous mills; hence the partnership with Grupo Equipav.” Brazil is the largest producer and exporter of sugar with India being the largest consumer of sugar in the world. This acquisition will significantly multiply SRSL’s presence in the Centre-South region of Brazil and enhance its competitiveness and size in the global sugar business.
Source: Indian Express