Solvay Group, an international chemical and pharmaceutical group, has announced the successful acquisition of Alexandria Sodium Carbonate Company (ASCC), an Egyptian chemical firm for 760 million Egyptian Pounds.

Pharos Holding for Financial Investments, a leading Investment Bank in Egypt, said it has successfully contributed to the acquisition deal.

Pharos Holding’s investment banking division acted as lead financial advisors to Solvay while Pharos Securities was the mandated broker to execute the transaction.

A leading manufacturer of sodium carbonate, Solvay, officially took control of ASCC from the Holding Company for Chemical Industries (HCCI), an Egyptian State-owned holding company, on November 9 when ASCC’s general assembly was convened to confirm the transfer of ownership and appoint the Solvay directors to the Board of ASCC.
 
ASCC is Egypt’s sole producer of Sodium Carbonate and quicklime, with a production capacity of 130,000 TPA of Sodium Carbonate.

Sodium Carbonate is a widely used chemical whose largest application is in the glass manufacturing industry.

ASCC’s plant was erected in 1974 near the city of Alexandria, and was thoroughly modernized at the end of the 1990’s. 

The acquisition agreement is considered by Pharos Holding as a model for successful responsible privatization transactions.

“Solvay signed a memorandum of understanding with the general trade union of chemical workers and members of the labor Union of ASCC to address the concerns of the labor force of ASCC and guarantee their rights,” said Elwy Taymour, managing partner at Pharos Holding for Financial Investments.

“As ASCC has more than 1,000 employees, it was essential to reach an effective agreement with the union to ensure a successful transition and a positive work environment,” he pointed out.

Solvay plans to rapidly expand the capacity of the plant to 200,000 TPA and considers producing up to 500,000 TPA in the long term.

“Solvay’s planned expansion and significant future capital injections confirm the company’s dedication to position ASCC as the leading producer of Sodium Carbonate in the Mena region.” said Nadia Ellozy, director at Pharos Holding. 

"Solvay welcomes this opportunity to become an industrial operator in Egypt, at the heart of a new market with exciting growth prospects,” said Christian Jourquin, CEO of the Solvay group.

"As it does in all countries where it operates, Solvay will endeavor to develop its Egyptian activities in a sustainable and responsible manner, so as to deserve the confidence of its clients and suppliers, its personnel and the Egyptian authorities,” added Vincent De Cuyper, general manager of the Solvay’s chemicals sector.

“With this acquisition, Solvay gains a privileged access to the very dynamic Egyptian market,” said Christine Tahon, managing director of Solvay’s Strategic Business Unit Soda Ash and Related Products.-TradeArabia News Service