ICL to Acquire South American Plant Nutrition Business from Compass Minerals

Rhea-AI Summary

ICL has announced a definitive agreement to acquire Compass Minerals América do Sul S.A. for approximately R$2,207 million (~US$402 million), including R$600 million (~US$109 million) of net debt. This acquisition enhances ICL's position in Brazil's specialty plant nutrition market, expanding its product portfolio to serve over 32,000 farms. The acquisition is expected to close by Q3 2021, subject to customary conditions. The deal, alongside ICL's recent acquisition of Fertiláqua, positions the company to leverage synergies and enhance profitability.

Positive

• Acquisition positions ICL as a leader in Brazil's specialty plant nutrition market.
• Expected expansion of product portfolio and customer base, enhancing profitability.
• Outlook for significant operational synergies from combined businesses.

Negative

• None.

ICL (NYSE: ICL) (TASE: ICL), a leading global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company, today announced it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Compass Minerals América do Sul S.A., which includes the South American Plant Nutrition business of Compass Minerals – after a planned carve-out of the existing water treatment and chemicals businesses – for approximately R$2,207 million (~US$402 million, based on a Brazilian real-to-U.S. dollar exchange rate of R$5.4951/US$1.00). This amount includes the assumption of approximately R$600 million (~US$109 million) of net debt and is subject to customary post-closing adjustments. In addition, the transaction includes an earnout of up to approximately R$88 million (~US$16 million).

The South American Plant Nutrition business is the leading specialty plant nutrition business in Brazil and offers a broad range of solutions for plant nutrition and stimulation, soil treatment, seed treatment and plant health, covering all key Brazilian crops. Its product portfolio includes enhanced efficiency fertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers, soil and foliar micronutrients, secondary nutrients, biostimulants, and adjuvants. The business has an existing presence in 25 out of 26 Brazilian states and serves more than 32,000 farms directly and indirectly, with direct-to-farm sales accounting for approximately 50% of total sales.

“This transaction, together with our recent acquisition of Fertiláqua in Brazil and our existing specialty plant nutrition business there, will position ICL as the leading specialty plant nutrition company in Brazil, one of the world’s fastest growing agriculture markets. This important next step delivers on our stated strategy of achieving leadership positions in high-growth specialty plant nutrition markets, such as Brazil, and also accelerates our progress toward long-term global leadership for our Innovative Ag Solutions division,” said Raviv Zoller, president and CEO of ICL.

“Also, this will significantly expand ICL’s product portfolio and profitability, while providing further seasonal balance between the Northern and Southern hemispheres. In addition, this acquisition is expected to generate significant commercial and operational synergy opportunities through the combined strengths of ICL, Fertiláqua and the market leading South American Plant Nutrition business of Compass Minerals and will also allow us to deliver the critical mass we have been seeking in Brazil. We look forward to welcoming the South American Plant Nutrition team and having them join our existing team in Brazil,” concluded Zoller.

Upon completion of the acquisition, ICL expects it will be able to offer the broadest and most advanced portfolio of plant nutrition products covering the entire agricultural value chain. Its expanded customer base will span from B2B providers – such as plant nutrition manufacturers and bulk blenders – to B2C partners – such as ag-input retailers, co-operatives and large farms. The combined businesses will leverage a well-established asset base, with a total of eight production sites and a sizable salesforce providing full commercial coverage for all agricultural regions in Brazil.

“While the South American Plant Nutrition business is not part of our forward-looking strategy, we continue to believe the future is bright for these productive assets,” said Kevin S. Crutchfield, president and CEO of Compass Minerals. “We are therefore pleased to see this business, and more importantly the strong team of professionals who operate it, find such a strategic home with ICL.”

The acquisition is expected to close by the third quarter of 2021, subject to the completion of the carve-out of Compass Mineral’s South American water treatment and chemicals businesses and the fulfilment of customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals.

About Compass Minerals América do Sul S.A.

Founded in 1965 as Produquímica, the company is the leading specialty plant nutrition player in Brazil and offers a broad range of solutions for plant nutrition and stimulation, seed treatment, and plant health across all key Brazilian crops, including soybeans, corn, coffee, sugarcane, cotton, fruits, and vegetables. The company's product portfolio includes enhanced efficiency fertilizers and controlled-release fertilizers, soil and foliar micronutrients, secondary nutrients (calcium, magnesium and sulfur), biostimulants, and adjuvants, as well as animal nutrition and plant nutrition ingredients for B2B customers.

The company has a presence in 25 out of 26 Brazilian states and serves more than 2,000 farms directly and more than 30,000 farms indirectly, by also serving more than 250 ag-input retailers and co-operatives. Headquartered in São Paulo, the company employs more than 1,000 people and operates six production sites and one research and development center.

Full year 2020 net revenue was approximately R$1,442 million (~US$284 million), with EBITDA of approximately R$235 million (~US$46 million), excluding the water treatment and chemicals businesses⁽¹⁾. These results demonstrate strong top-line growth and reflect a compounded annual growth rate of approximately 10%, since the business was acquired by Compass Mineral in 2015 and 2016.

About ICL

ICL Group Ltd. is a leading global specialty minerals and chemicals company that creates impactful solutions for humanity's sustainability challenges in global food, agriculture, and industrial markets. ICL leverages its unique bromine, potash and phosphate resources, its passionate team of talented employees, and its strong focus on R&D and technological innovation to drive growth across its end markets. ICL shares are dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The company employs over 11,000 people worldwide, and its 2020 revenues totaled approximately $5.0 billion.

About Compass Minerals

Compass Minerals (NYSE: CMP) is a leading provider of essential minerals focused on safely delivering where and when it matters to help solve nature’s challenges for customers and communities. Its salt products help keep roadways safe during winter weather and are used in numerous other consumer, industrial and agricultural applications. Its plant nutrition business manufactures an innovative and diverse portfolio of products that improve the quality and yield of crops, while supporting sustainable agriculture. Additionally, its specialty chemical business serves the water treatment industry and other industrial processes. The company operates 21 production and packaging facilities with more than 3,000 personnel throughout the U.S., Canada, Brazil and the U.K. Visit compassminerals.com for more information about the company and its products.

For more information, visit ICL's website at www.icl-group.com.

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(1) Amounts reflect average Brazilian Real to U.S. Dollar exchange rate for 2020.

Forward Looking Statements

This announcement contains statements that constitute forward‑looking statements, many of which can be identified by the use of forward‑looking words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “expect,” “should,” “plan,” “intend,” “estimate” and “potential,” among others.

Forward-looking statements appear in a number of places in this press release and include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the company’s intent, belief or current expectations. Forward-looking statements are based on management’s beliefs and assumptions and on information currently available to management. Such statements are subject to risks and uncertainties, and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to: the company’s ability to satisfy the closing conditions for the transaction on a timely basis or at all; the anticipated effect of the transaction on the crop nutrition business; ICL's strategic focus in Brazil; and estimated accretion, sales, synergy capture and other related metrics; as well as, ICL's expectations and assumptions concerning the time necessary to satisfy the conditions to the closing of the transaction, including the regulatory approvals in connection therewith and synergy capture. Although ICL believes the expectations and assumptions on which such forward-looking statements are based are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on the forward-looking statements because ICL can give no assurance they will prove to be correct.

The anticipated timeline for completion of the transaction may change for a number of reasons, including the inability to secure necessary regulatory approvals in the time assumed or the need for additional time to satisfy the conditions to the completion of the transaction. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those in the forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, estimates, forecasts and statements as to management's expectations with respect to, among other things, business and financial prospects, financial multiples and accretion estimates, future trends, plans, strategies, positioning, objectives and expectations, failure to complete the transaction as contemplated and the ability to successfully integrate the new business into the existing business in an effective manner, general economic, market and business conditions, weather conditions, crop prices, the supply and demand and price levels for our major products and products associated with the plant nutrition business, governmental and regulatory requirements and actions by governmental authorities, including changes in government policy, changes in environmental, tax and other laws or regulations and the interpretation thereof. As a result of the foregoing, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements contained in this press release concerning the timing of the transaction, or other more specific risks and uncertainties facing ICL, such as those set forth in the “Risk Factors” section of its Annual Report on Form 20-F filed on March 2, 2021, as such risk factors may be updated from time to time in its Current Reports on Form 6-K and other filings ICL makes with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time.

Forward-looking statements refer only to the date they are made, and the company does not undertake any obligation to update them in light of new information or future developments or to publicly release any revisions to these statements in order to reflect later events or circumstances or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

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FAQ

What is the purpose of ICL's acquisition of Compass Minerals?

The acquisition aims to enhance ICL's position in Brazil's specialty plant nutrition market and expand its product offerings.

What is the financial value of the ICL-Compass Minerals deal?

The deal is valued at approximately R$2,207 million (~US$402 million), including the assumption of R$600 million (~US$109 million) of net debt.

When is the expected closing date for the acquisition?

The acquisition is expected to close by Q3 2021, subject to customary closing conditions.

How will the acquisition impact ICL's operations?

The acquisition is expected to create significant commercial and operational synergies, bolstering ICL's market presence and profitability.

What benefits does ICL anticipate from the Compass Minerals acquisition?

ICL anticipates expanding its product portfolio, enhancing profitability, and achieving a leadership position in the rapidly growing Brazilian agriculture market.