Alcan sells Utkal stake to Hindalco

Canadian metal giant Alcan today announced an agreement to sell its 45 per cent stake in Utkal Alumina to the Aditya Birla group’s Hindalco Industries for an undisclosed sum.

The Utkal joint venture was established in 1992 between the Birlas and Alcan, with the Birlas owning the remaining 55 per cent of the equity. The venture involved the development of a new bauxite mine and alumina refinery in Orissa.

In its statement, Hindalco said the conclusion of the transaction marked the complete exit of Alcan from the Utkal project. “Alcan will have no surviving rights or obligations as Hindalco becomes the 100 per cent owner of the Utkal project,” it said. The Indian company expects the deal to be closed in the next 30 days.

Hindalco and Alcan will continue to have a cordial business association, given that Alcan has ongoing contracts with Novelis. It is also the technology provider to the Utkal alumina project and some other alumina projects of Hindalco.

The project has been marred by controversy, with local residents opposing its construction on the plea that it will displace three villages and at least 200 families. Local critics have estimated that as many as 22,000 people could be affected. In December 2000, there was a clash between villagers and police in Maikanch over land acquisition. Three tribals were killed in the police firing that followed. Utkal was initially established as a joint venture between Hindalco, Alcan and Hydro Norsk. The shareholding was shared between Indal, now a part of Hindalco at 20 per cent; Alcan at 35 per cent and Norsk Hydro with 45 per cent. Norsk Hydro later sold its stake to the other two partners.

(Source: Business Standard )

Hindalco shares rise 4% on takeover buzz

The Aditya Birla group-promoted Hindalco industries, the country’s largest aluminium producer, surged by about 4 per cent on the bourses to Rs 146.60 on market buzz that it could be a takeover target of the Alcan-Sterlite combine.

The Birla Group holds about 30 per cent stake in Hindalco with foreign institutional investors (FIIs) and institutions holding 20 per cent and 12 per cent, respectively. About 10 per cent is in GDRs, while the remaining is with retail investors.

Sources in the Birla Group said the consolidation in the metal industry was taking place across the world where an identifiable promoter is not present. In Hindalco’s case, there is an identifiable promoter who holds 30 percent stake and would not sell under any circumstances.