Update on the proposed disposal of Mondi Syktyvkar
NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART, IN, INTO OR FROM ANY JURISDICTION WHERE TO DO SO WOULD CONSTITUTE A VIOLATION OF THE RELEVANT LAWS OR REGULATIONS OF THAT JURISDICTION.
THIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.
Mondi plc (“Mondi” or the “Group”) today confirms that it has advised Augment Investments Limited (“Augment”) that it is withdrawing from the agreement to sell Mondi’s most significant facility in Russia, Joint Stock Company Mondi Syktyvkar, together with two affiliated entities (“Syktyvkar”), to Augment. This follows recent discussions with Augment on its lack of progress in gaining the necessary approvals to complete this transaction.
As per the terms of the Sale and Purchase Agreement, the Disposal to Augment will therefore be terminated and will not complete.
The Board remains committed to divest Syktyvkar and will continue to assess all alternative divestment options.
The proposed disposal of the Group’s three Russian packaging converting operations to Gotek Group, as announced on 15 December 2022, is not connected with the proposed disposal of Syktyvkar. This transaction remains in progress.
Enquiries
Investors/analysts:
Fiona Lawrence +44 7425878683
Mondi Group Head of Investor Relations
Media:
Kerry Cooper +44 788 145 5806
Mondi Group Communication Director
Richard Mountain (FTI Consulting) +44 790 968 4466
Rothschild & Co (Financial Adviser to Mondi):
John Deans +44 207 280 5000
Neil Thwaites
Important Notice
This announcement is for information purposes only and does not constitute a prospectus or prospectus equivalent document. Nothing in this announcement shall constitute an offer or invitation to underwrite, buy, subscribe, sell or issue of the solicitation of an offer to buy, sell, acquire, dispose or subscribe for shares of any other securities. Nothing in this announcement should be interpreted as a term or condition of the Disposal.
The information contained in this announcement is for background purposes only and does not purport to be full or complete. No reliance may be placed for any purpose on the information contained in this announcement or its accuracy or completeness. The information in this announcement is subject to change.
N.M. Rothschild & Sons Limited ("Rothschild & Co") is authorised and regulated in the United Kingdom by the Financial Conduct Authority (the "FCA") and is acting exclusively for the Group and no one else in connection with the contents of this document and any other matters referred to in this document and will not regard any other person (whether or not a recipient of this document) as a client in relation to any other matters referred to in this document and will not be responsible to anyone other than the Group for providing the protections afforded to its clients, or for providing advice, in relation to the contents of this document or any other matter or arrangement referred to in this document.
Rothschild & Co does not accept any responsibility whatsoever for the contents of this document, including its accuracy, completeness or verification, or for any other statement made or purported to be made by it, or on its behalf, in connection with the Group and/or any other transaction or arrangement referred to herein. Rothschild & Co accordingly disclaims, to the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, all and any duty, liability, or responsibility whatsoever whether arising in tort, contract or otherwise, which it might otherwise have in respect of this document or any such statement. No representation or warranty, express or implied, is made by Rothschild & Co or any of its affiliates as to the accuracy, completeness, verification or sufficiency of the information set out in this document, and nothing in this document will be relied upon as a promise or representation in this respect, whether or not to the past or future, provided that nothing in this paragraph shall seek to exclude or limit any responsibilities or liabilities which may arise under the FSMA or the regulatory regime established thereunder.
Forward-Looking Statements
This document includes forward-looking statements. All statements other than statements of historical facts included herein, including, without limitation, those regarding Mondi’s financial position, business strategy, market growth and developments, expectations of growth and profitability and plans and objectives of management for future operations, are forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are sometimes identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as “believe”, “expects”, “may”, “will”, “could”, “should”, “shall”, “risk”, “intends”, “estimates”, “aims”, “plans”, “predicts”, “continues”, “assumes”, “positioned” or “anticipates” or the negative thereof, other variations thereon or comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors which may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Mondi, or industry results, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such forward-looking statements and other statements contained in this document regarding matters that are not historical facts involve predictions and are based on numerous assumptions regarding Mondi’s present and future
business strategies and the environment in which Mondi will operate in the future. These forward looking statements speak only as of the date on which they are made.
No assurance can be given that such future results will be achieved; various factors could cause actual future results, performance or events to differ materially from those described in these statements. Such factors include in particular but without any limitation: (1) operating factors, such as continued success of manufacturing activities and the achievement of efficiencies therein, continued success of product development plans and targets, changes in the degree of protection created by Mondi’s patents and other intellectual property rights and the availability of capital on acceptable terms; (2) industry conditions, such as strength of product demand, intensity of competition, prevailing and future global market prices for Mondi’s products and raw materials and the pricing pressures thereto, financial condition of the customers, suppliers and the competitors of Mondi and potential introduction of competing products and technologies by competitors; and (3) general economic conditions, such as rates of economic growth in Mondi’s principal geographical markets or fluctuations of exchange rates and interest rates.
Mondi expressly disclaims a) any warranty or liability as to accuracy or completeness of the information provided herein; and b) any obligation or undertaking to review or confirm analysts’ expectations or estimates or to update any forward-looking statements to reflect any change in Mondi’s expectations or any events that occur or circumstances that arise after the date of making any forward-looking statements, unless required to do so by the Disclosure Guidance and Transparency Rules, the UK Market Abuse Regulation or applicable law or any regulatory body applicable to Mondi, including the JSE Limited, the FCA and the LSE.
Any reference to future financial performance included in this announcement has not been reviewed or reported on by the Group’s auditors.
Editor’s notes
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value chain – from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and films, to developing and manufacturing sustainable consumer and industrial packaging solutions using paper where possible, plastic when useful. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy, with our ambitious commitments to 2030 focused on circular driven solutions, created by empowered people, taking action on climate.
In 2022, Mondi had revenues of €8.9 billion and underlying EBITDA of €1.8 billion from continuing operations, and employed 22,000 people worldwide. Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), where the Group is a FTSE100 constituent, and also has a secondary listing on the JSE Limited (MNP).
Sponsor in South Africa: Merrill Lynch South Africa Proprietary Limited t/a BofA Securities.