Raizen announced on Thursday that its subsidiary, Raizen Energia, reached an agreement to divest its downstream operations in Argentina to Mercuria Energy Group for a total consideration of $1.42 billion.
According to a securities filing by Raizen, the announced transaction value incorporates a cash payment to be made at closing. That payment is subject to customary post-closing adjustments, including revisions for working capital and net debt, along with other provisions set out in the sale agreement.
Separately, Raizen confirmed that Mercuria will assume the outstanding debt of Raizen Argentina S.A.U. as part of the transaction structure.
Raizen said the net proceeds arising from the deal will be deployed to manage the companys capital structure. The company described the move as part of its efforts to address a debt burden that management says has been strained by elevated capital expenditures as well as adverse weather conditions and wildfires that have affected sugarcane crops.
Raizen is a joint venture between Shell (LON:SHEL) and Brazilian conglomerate Cosan, the filing noted. The sale transfers ownership of the firms Argentine downstream portfolio to Mercuria while also shifting responsibility for the local units liabilities.
Context and immediate effects
The agreement sets out a clear purchase price and confirms that customary adjustments will be applied to the cash payment at closing. By having Mercuria assume the local units debt, Raizen will receive net proceeds that it intends to use to manage leverage and other capital structure priorities.
Transaction mechanics
- The $1.42 billion figure represents the announced transaction value and includes a cash payment at closing.
- The cash payment is subject to typical adjustments, including changes in working capital and net debt as specified in the sale agreement.
- Mercuria will take on the debt of Raizen Argentina S.A.U. as part of the deal.
Implications cited by Raizen
Raizen stated that the proceeds will be used to manage its capital structure. The company has described pressure on its balance sheet stemming from high capital spending and damage to sugarcane crops caused by adverse weather and wildfires.