Grupo Villar Mir has just reached an agreement with Triton for the sale of the Fertiberia Group, a fertiliser and industrial chemicals company.

Hace seis meses, GVM ordenó la search for a buyer for the company by investment bank LazardThe company's debt to the Monegasque fund Tyrus at the end of last year, which is valued at 365 million euros, has been a major financial cost for the company.

In the end, the buyer was the international fund Triton Partners, which has thus resumed its commitment to the Spanish market.. Although the amount of the transaction has not been disclosed, the market estimates the company's valuation at around 200 million euros.

With this divestment, the holding company, chaired by Juan Miguel Villar Mir, is able to repay part of this debt The transaction is, however, still subject to regulatory approval and other conditions precedent.

It should also be recalled that last April the group sold a 49% stake in the North African company Fertial to the Algerian giant Sonatrach. The company, controlled since 2005 by Fertiberia, is the main producer of ammonia in Algeria and accounted for around a third of the turnover of Vilalr Mir's chemical and fertiliser division, with revenues of 272 million in 2017.

GETTING TO KNOW FERTIBERIA

Fertiberia Group is the leader in the chemical fertiliser sector in the European Union.

For some time now, it has had a strategy based on expansion, diversification and a permanent commitment to R&D&I, which has enabled it to become the second largest Spanish-owned industrial group in the chemical sector with activities in more than 80 countries.

Moreover, in recent years it has boosted its activity in the manufacture and marketing of products for industrial use, thanks to which it is also one of the main operators in the ammonia market and its derivatives at international level.

MEETING TRITON PARTNERS

Founded in 1997, Triton Partners is a a company focused on investing in companies located in Northern Europe, Spain and Italy. and which have the potential to create long-term sustainable value.

Its aim is to creating value The main sectors in which it is active are business services, health care and industry.

The company brings industrial, strategic and operational expertise, resulting in a highly effective combination. It currently has 38 portfolio companies and 72,500 employees.