M&As: Aramco completes US$3.4bn purchase of Rongsheng Petrochemical stake, IN Groupe acquires Gleitsmann Security Inks

Aramco, one of the world’s leading integrated energy and chemicals companies, says it has successfully closed a landmark transaction to acquire a 10% interest in Rongsheng Petrochemical Co. Ltd for RMB 24.6 billion (US$3.4 billion), through its subsidiary Aramco Overseas Company BV, based in the Netherlands.

The acquisition follows the signing of definitive strategic agreements by both parties announced on March 27, 2023. It represents the continued growth of Aramco’s downstream presence in China and includes the supply of 480,000 barrels per day of Arabian crude to the largest Chinese integrated refining and chemicals complex, which is owned by Rongsheng affiliate Zhejiang Petroleum and Chemical Co. Ltd (ZPC).

Mohammed Y. Al Qahtani, Aramco Downstream President, said: “Our strategic partnership with Rongsheng advances Aramco’s liquids to chemicals strategy while growing our presence in China and showcases our importance as a reliable supplier of crude oil. This key acquisition is an important part of Aramco’s long-term growth strategy, expanding our presence in a vital market.”

Li Shuirong, Chairman of Rongsheng, said: “The completion of this transaction marks the entry of Rongsheng and Aramco into a new era together, and also signifies an important step forward in Rongsheng's internationalization strategy.”

Rongsheng owns a 51% equity interest in ZPC, whose complex has the capacity to process 800,000 barrels per day of crude oil and to produce 4.2 million tonnes/year of ethylene.

In other news, IN Groupe says that it has agreed to acquire 100% of the shares of Gleitsmann Security Inks from hubergroup Deutschland GmbH for an undisclosed consideration in cash.

IN Groupe (formerly known as Imprimerie Nationale) is a French-headquartered global specialist in identity and secured digital services, addressing more than 130 countries in the world. In addition to its solutions dedicated to legal and professional identity security, IN Groupe develops and sells security components for identities, and banknotes through its dedicated brands Surys (optical components) and SPS (electronic components).

This acquisition is part of the implementation of the Digital Odyssey 2025 Plan and the assertion of IN Groupe, through its Secure Components Business Unit, as a reference player for identity and banknote security. The complementary nature of both companies will strengthen IN Groupe's products portfolio to meet the needs of Governments and Central banks in securing credentials and banknotes for both Euro and export markets.

Didier Trutt, Chairman and CEO of IN Groupe says: “As a national printing company, it is part of IN Groupe's strategic plan to provide governments and administrations with security solutions for which IN Groupe masters the critical components, such as secure inks, and can thus develop the security of tomorrow for identity and banknotes.”

GSI is a global manufacturer of high security printing inks and associated auxiliaries. With its worldwide operations based in Berlin, Germany, and a history of 175 years it is a trusted partner of many state print works and commercial security printing companies throughout the world.

The business has 80 employees and is expected to generate a double-digit million EUR figure of revenue in this calendar year and throughout the business plan period.

Frederic Trojani, Executive Vice President of IN Groupe Secure Components Business Unit: “GSI’s know-how will provide IN Groupe with a solid platform to create new solutions for the currency and identity market. It will complete our already large product portfolio to better serve our private and public customers in the security space.”

“The sale of our shares in GSI will enable us to continue investing in the future growth of our new Chemicals Division and other strategic projects.” said Heiner Klokkers, Chairman of the Management Board of hubergroup. “I am glad that the transaction at the same time provides GSI with many synergies for the future expansion of its business.”

Ulrich Walter, Managing Director of GSI, added: “From our perspective, IN Groupe is an ideal, reputed and well-established player in the field of high security printing, who is supportive of GSI management’s plan for organic growth and expansion of its customer base and investment in our product portfolio.”

(PRA)

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