Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Osaka Gas Chemicals Agrees to Acquire Jacobi Carbons

ME Newswire / Businesswire

Accretive transaction to accelerate growth, expand geographical

reach and enhance R&D capabilities in fast growing activated carbon

segment


OSAKA, Japan - Tuesday, October 29th 2013

Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd. (“Osaka Gas Chemicals”), a wholly

owned subsidiary of Osaka Gas Co., Ltd (TOKYO:9532)(“Osaka Gas”),

today announced it has entered into an agreement with AddSorb

Holding AB to acquire all the shares of Jacobi Carbons AB

(“Jacobi”), the world’s largest manufacturer and distributor of

coconut shell activated carbon headquartered in Kalmar, Sweden, for

an enterprise value of US$ 400 million. The transaction is expected

to close in January 2014.

Osaka Gas Chemicals has a leading position in the activated carbon

market in Japan through its subsidiary Japan EnviroChemicals, Ltd

(“JEC”), who manufactures and distributes high-value-added

activated carbons made from coconut shells and wood sawdust. Jacobi

is the largest leading global coconut shell activated carbon

manufacturer with a comprehensive and diverse product portfolio

catering to a global blue-chip customer base across an array of

end-market applications. The acquisition will reinforce both

companies’ existing strengths in the activated carbon industry and

create a global leader across key end-market applications,

delivering significant additional value for customers.

Activated carbons are used in an increasing number of purification

processes including, among others, drinking and process water

filtration, air and gas purification, recovery of precious metals

and purification of a wide range of food products. The market for

activated carbons is expected to grow significantly due to more

stringent global regulations of water and air pollution in

developed countries and the improvement of living standards in

emerging countries. In line with Osaka Gas’ growth ambitions

outlined in ‘Field of Dreams 2020’, the development of environment

and non-energy related businesses, including the expansion of the

materials solutions business, are key areas of focus. As a result

of the acquisition, Osaka Gas Chemicals will become the third

largest manufacturer of activated carbons globally and the largest

manufacturer of high value-added activated carbon made from coconut

shells.

“Jacobi’s strong management team, led by CEO Anders Skeini, and

high level of responsiveness to customer demands have been

instrumental in transforming the business into a leading global

player that consistently outpaces activated carbon market growth”,

said Masataka Fujiwara, President of Osaka Gas Chemicals, “the

acquisition of Jacobi is directly aligned with our strategic

ambitions and enhances our existing capabilities in the attractive

activated carbon market segment”.

“The combination of Jacobi and Osaka Gas Chemicals will greatly

benefit our global customer base through an expanded product

offering, enhanced R&D capabilities and additional end-market

applications”, said Anders Skeini, CEO of Jacobi, “I look forward

to Jacobi’s next chapter of development in cooperation with Osaka

Gas Chemicals”.

Nomura International Plc acted as financial advisor to AddSorb

Holding AB and SMBC Nikko Securities, Inc. acted as financial

advisor to Osaka Gas Chemicals.

About Osaka Gas Chemicals

Incorporated in Japan in 1949, Osaka Gas Chemicals is engaged in

the manufacturing and distribution of fine materials, carbon fiber,

activated carbon fiber and adsorbents. It has made progress in

technical developments for the intensive use of coal tar developed

as a by-product of the utility gas production process by Osaka Gas.

The company employs approximately 250 people, and together with JEC

and the other 9 subsidiaries, comprises Osaka Gas Chemicals Group.

About Japan EnviroChemicals Ltd.

Incorporated in Japan in 2003, JEC is engaged in the manufacturing

and distribution of activated carbon, wood and industrial

preservatives. The company has a leading market position in

activated carbons in Japan, with its array of coconut shell and

wood sawdust activated carbon products. JEC employs approximately

110 people and has manufacturing operations in Japan, Philippines

and Malaysia.

About Osaka Gas

Incorporated in Japan in 1897, Osaka Gas (TOKYO:9532) is a leading

energy supplier with its core natural gas supply business serving 7

million customers in Japan’s Kansai region. With its portfolio of

diversified energy businesses, Osaka Gas is developing into a

multi-energy services provider of natural gas, electricity, LPG,

district heating/cooling, and other services. Through its affiliate

enterprises, the Osaka Gas Group is also active in various non-

energy business fields.

About AddSorb Holding AB

Incorporated in Sweden, AddSorb Holding AB is the holding company

of Jacobi.

About Jacobi

Incorporated in Sweden in 1916, Jacobi is the largest global

coconut shell activated carbon manufacturer with a comprehensive

and diverse product portfolio. The company, which employs

approximately 1,200 people globally, together with its

subsidiaries, has manufacturing operations in China, France,

Germany, India, Italy, Philippines, Sri Lanka, UK, US and Vietnam

and reactivation plants in France and Germany. Jacobi’s activated

carbon products are sold to its blue-chip customer base in over 100

countries through wholly owned subsidiaries in 19 countries across

the globe.

Contacts

Osaka Gas Chemicals Co., Ltd.

Shinji Sannoe, +81 (0)6-4393-0195

Team Manager

Management Planning Team, Planning Department

s-sannoe@ogc.co.jp









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