Bracell Completes $1.1 Billion Privatization

Bracell Ltd., Hong Kong, a global producer of specialty cellulose, this week announced that the $1.1 billion privatization by BHL Ltd. has been completed and its main board listing on The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong was withdrawn after the market closed this past Monday (Oct. 24, 2016). During the last three years, the company has delivered total shareholder returns of 273%.

Bracell will be part of the Royal Golden Eagle (RGE) group, which manages world-class companies operating in pulp and paper, palm oil, viscose staple fiber, and energy, with combined assets exceeding $15 billion and more than 50,000 employees.

"As a private company moving ahead, our business strategy and commitment to our customers and business partners are unchanged," said Tey Wei Lin, Bracell's CEO. "Leveraging on our integrated and sustainable plantations in Brazil, we remain focused on producing value-added, high-quality specialty cellulose and offering best-in-class service to our customers."

The privatization of Bracell, formerly known as Sateri Holdings Ltd., was approved by its shareholders on Sept. 30, 2016, and by the Supreme Court of Bermuda on Oct. 8, 2016.

At the time of Bracell's listing in Hong Kong in 2010, its business consisted of dissolving wood pulp and viscose staple fiber. In December 2014, Bracell disposed of its viscose staple fiber business in China and distributed the proceeds through a special dividend of $618 million.

Starting 2015, Bracell focused solely on its Brazilian dissolving wood pulp operations, turning into a leading global pure-play specialty cellulose producer. Bracell has since achieved record production and sales of specialty-grade dissolving wood pulp.

John J. Ying, Bracell's chairman, thanked shareholders, customers, partners, directors, and colleagues for their support, trust, and hard work during the past six years.

"Shareholder confidence in Bracell enabled us to grow bigger and stronger over the years, riding out tough times as well as taking advantage of opportunities to deliver value for all," Ying said. "Credit also goes to our management team, which has done an excellent job in executing our strategy and improving all aspects of our operations. As a result, our market share of the high-margin specialty segment has risen substantially, capacity has ramped up, costs have reduced, and financial results have shown tremendous improvements in a challenging market. I am delighted to note that Bracell has delivered total shareholder returns of 273% over the last three years."

Bracell has won numerous accolades, including The Excellence of Listed Enterprise Awards for five consecutive years from Capital Weekly, as well as the Best Environmental Responsibility Company and Asia's Outstanding Company on Corporate Governance from Corporate Governance Asia.

Bracell Ltd. is one of the largest specialty cellulose producers in the world. Its operations in Brazil consist of a secure renewable plantation that grows eucalyptus trees on its 150,000 hectares of freehold land, and a state-of-the-art mill to produce both the specialty grade dissolving wood pulp and rayon grade dissolving wood pulp, which are natural raw materials and key ingredients for a diverse range of everyday items from textiles, baby wipes, and eyeglass frames to soft ice cream, sausage casings, and pharmaceuticals, as well as industrial products such as high-performance tire cords.