Cargill is buying an 85% stake in Sorini Agro Asia Corporindo, an Indonesian producer of sorbitol, for an equity value of Rp2.7 billion $301 million. AKR Corporindo and UOB Kay Hian, which own a combined 85% of Sorini, have struck an agreement to sell their shares to Cargill.
AKR is the largest private distributor of basic chemicals and non-subsidised petroleum products in Indonesia. Through its 68% ownership of Sorini in Indonesia and another subsidiary, Khalista Liuzhou Chemical Industries in China, AKR is one of the largest producers of sorbitol and starch sweeteners in Asia-Pacific. The divestment of Sorini is intended to allow AKR to enhance focus on its energy, chemical distribution and logistics...