| Thu 28 Jan 2010, 16:21 | | OMN - Omnia Holdings Limited - Announcement - Omnia and Nalco announce water & |
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OMN
OMN
OMN - Omnia Holdings Limited - Announcement - Omnia and Nalco announce water &
process treatment joint venture
Omnia Holdings Limited
(Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa)
(Registration number: 1967/003680/06)
JSE Code: OMN
ISIN: ZAE000005153
("Omnia" or "the Group"))
ANNOUNCEMENT
OMNIA AND NALCO ANNOUNCE WATER & PROCESS TREATMENT JOINT VENTURE
Protea Chemicals, a division of the Omnia Group based in South Africa and Nalco,
the world`s leading water treatment and process improvement company based in
Illinois, USA, today announced the formation of a joint venture, Nalco Africa,
that will provide an extensive range of water and process treatment services to
the African market.
Commenting on the joint venture, Omnia MD, Rod Humphris said: "This joint
venture will enable Omnia to assist its clients to significantly reduce their
environmental impact using Nalco`s industrial water and process treatment
technologies. This partnership with the leading global water and process
services company complements our existing chemicals business and demonstrates
our continued commitment to growing our business through proactive management
of South Africa`s scarce water resources."
Nalco uses an award-winning, patented 3D TRASARRegistered cooling water
automation technology to reduce industrial water use. Since its introduction in
2004 this technology has saved more than 596 million cubic meters of water
worldwide.
The utilisation of Nalco`s Air Protection Technologies provides cost-effective,
engineered solutions for the control of nitrogen and sulfur oxides (NOx /SOx),
carbon monoxide, mercury and particulates. This technology helps companies to
increase combustion efficiency and reduce energy costs.
These water and air technologies represent a small element of the extensive
range of services and products which will be available under the new business,
Nalco Africa. Services will include treatments for the mining sector; refinery
and petrochemical sector; pulp and paper industry; food and beverage market and
broader industrial water and effluent treatment applications.
Commenting on the joint venture, Erik Fyrwald, Nalco Chairman and CEO, said:
"Africa is an important growth market and we believe that Nalco and Protea
Chemicals are a perfect fit. The total accessible market in the region is
estimated at more than US$400 million per year and is expected to grow
significantly over the next 10 years. This is a great opportunity to bring
together our expertise and experience in the water, energy and air sectors,
our global research facilities, and a well-respected partner who understands
the needs of the industrial services market in Africa."
The Boards of Directors of both companies have approved the joint venture,
subject to meeting the necessary regulatory approvals and conditions, and it is
expected to begin operating in the first quarter of 2010.
In terms of the Listings Requirements of the JSE Limited ("JSE"), the
transaction is not a categorised transaction.
About Protea Chemicals
Protea Chemicals is the Chemical Division of the Omnia Group, a diversified and
specialist chemical services company, a well known manufacturer and distributor
of specialty, functional and effect chemicals, and polymers in Africa. It has a
presence in every sector of the broader chemical distribution market, with an
extensive branch network in Africa.
About Omnia
Omnia Group is a diversified, specialist chemical services provider listed as
Omnia Holdings Ltd on the JSE, with business interests balanced across chemical,
mining and agricultural markets. The Group`s business model, which leverages its
intellectual capital and technology, differentiates it from commodity chemical
companies.
The Group`s three businesses (chemical, mining and agriculture) continue to
provide high value, customised solutions built on a continually expanding
knowledge base. Omnia`s unique business model places it at the forefront of the
chemical services industry and involves matching customer needs to product
innovation and application expertise to add extraordinary value to its customers
businesses.
For more information visit www.omnia.co.za
About Nalco
Nalco is the world`s leading water treatment and process improvement company,
delivering significant environmental, social and economic performance benefits
to our customers. We help our customers reduce energy, water and other natural
resource consumption, enhance air quality, minimize environmental releases and
improve productivity and end products while boosting the bottom line. Together
our comprehensive solutions contribute to the sustainable development of
customer operations. Nalco is a member of the Dow Jones Sustainability World
Index. More than 11,500 Nalco employees operate in 130 countries supported by
a comprehensive network of manufacturing facilities, sales offices and research
centers to serve a broad range of end markets. In 2008, Nalco achieved sales
of more than $4.2 billion. For more information visit www.nalco.com.
For more information contact: Omnia (011) 709 8850
Rod Humphris, MD; Delwin Eggers, FD
Issued by Brunswick: (011) 502-7400
Anne Dunn 082 448 2684
Rachel Quigley 082 317 4180
Johannesburg
28 January 2009
Sponsor: Barnard Jacobs Mellet Corporate Finance (Pty) Limited
Date: 28/01/2010 16:21:01 Produced by the JSE SENS Department.
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