Graymont and Grupo Calidra announced that they are moving forward with the previously announced acquisition of the global lime and limestone business of the Belgium-based Sibelco group.
In accordance with the terms of the purchase agreement, Graymont completed the acquisition of the five Sibelco lime plants and a number of limestone quarries on the east coast of Australia, as well as lime plants in Malaysia and the Philippines.
Grupo Calidra has acquired Sibelco’s lime operations in Argentina and Chile. The process to complete the acquisition by Graymont of Sibelco’s Indonesian lime operations is continuing and the parties hope to obtain the required regulatory approvals in Indonesia later in 2019.
“With this transaction, Graymont is well positioned to further expand its reach in Asia-Pacific,” stated President and Chief Executive Officer Stéphane Godin. “We are delighted to welcome aboard our new team members as, together, we will pursue Graymont’s world-class vision and meet the needs of existing and new customers in some of the world’s most-dynamic and fast-growing markets.”
Godin noted that “wherever Graymont operates, we aim to be the preferred supplier, employer, and partner of choice – and Asia-Pacific is certainly no exception in that respect.”
Jorge Bautista, chief executive officer of Grupo Calidra, said the quality assets being acquired in Argentina and Chile are an excellent fit with the group’s existing network of operations, “reinforcing Grupo Calidra’s position as the lime industry supplier of choice in Latin America and underscoring the mutually beneficial nature of our strategic partnership with Graymont.”
Godin and Bautista both cited the underlying values shared by all three organizations – including strong commitments to workplace safety and sustainability and an intense customer focus – as crucial elements that will help ensure a smooth transition from Sibelco to the new ownership.
Commenting on the transaction, Jean-Luc Deleersnyder, chief executive officer of Sibelco, said, “We are pleased to reach this point in the sale of Sibelco’s Lime and Limestone operations. With the majority of the sale concluding, Sibelco is in a strong position to leverage its strengths and pursue future growth opportunities. We are confident that our people are joining strong businesses which share our values with respect to the safety and well-being of employees, as well as business and environmental sustainability. The fact that lime and limestone is the core business of both Graymont and Grupo Calidra will, we believe, ensure the needs of our lime and limestone customers will continue to be met in the long term.”