Aqua Capital exited Fertiláqua, a Brazilian plant nutrition firm, via a sale to ICL, an Israel-based specialty minerals and chemicals company for US$120m.

(Press Release) ICL, a leading global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company, announced today that it has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Fertiláqua, one of Brazil’s leading specialty plant nutrition companies, for approximately $120 million (the “Acquisition”). The Acquisition will expand ICL’s specialty plant nutrition product portfolio and significantly enhance its customer base and on-ground presence across agriculture regions in Brazil, one of the world’s fastest growing agriculture markets. Fertiláqua had been previously controlled by Aqua Capital, a leading ag and food private equity firm.

With over 100 different products, including those marketed under the leading Aminoagro, Dimicron and Maximus brands, Fertiláqua offers a complete portfolio of plant life-cycle solutions for plant nutrition and stimulation, soil revitalization, seed treatment and plant health across all key Brazilian crops, including soybeans, corn, sugarcane, cotton, coffee, fruits and vegetables. Fertiláqua has a presence in 24 Brazilian states and serves over 500 customers, including ag-input retailers, cooperatives and large farms. Fertiláqua has over 350 employees, two production sites and two research and development centers. Since its foundation, Fertiláqua has demonstrated strong growth and achieved a compounded annual growth rate of over 15%.

Raviv Zoller, ICL President and CEO, stated: “The acquisition of Fertiláqua is an important part of the growth strategy of our crop nutrition business. As we stated during our recent Investor Day, the expected growth of our crop nutrition business, both organically and through M&A, will be supported, in part, by increased demand for high-end specialty fertilizers and our focus on growth markets. Fertiláqua gives ICL a significant foothold in a major market, where demand growth for specialty plant nutrition products is increasing rapidly. In addition, it unlocks immediate synergies for distribution in Brazil and further expands ICL’s product portfolio with higher growth, higher margin products, as well as provides balance for seasonality in our specialty fertilizer sales between the Northern and Southern hemispheres.”

Sebastian Popik, Aqua Capital’s Managing Partner, stated: “We are proud of Fertiláqua’s trajectory. Since we acquired the Company in 2013, we have built one of Brazil’s leading sector players. The sale to ICL confirms Aqua’s development and implementation of Fertiláqua’s technological edge, with a top-tier product portfolio, leading R&D capabilities and market presence. Furthermore, we are proud to have successfully completed this transaction with ICL during these challenging times, having worked creatively and constructively to make it happen.”

Following the closing of the Acquisition, which is expected to occur by early 2021, subject to the fulfilment of customary closing conditions, ICL expects to leverage Fertiláqua’s strong market presence and distribution capabilities to increase the sales of its organic fertilizers, controlled-released fertilizers and other specialty plant nutrition products to the Brazilian market.

About ICL

ICL Group LTD is a leading global specialty minerals and chemicals company that creates impactful solutions for humanity’s sustainability challenges in global food, agriculture, and industrial markets. ICL leverages its unique bromine, potash and phosphate resources, its passionate team of talented employees, and its strong focus on R&D and technological innovation to drive growth across its end markets. ICL shares are dually listed on the New York Stock Exchange and the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange (NYSE and TASE: ICL). The company employs over 11,000 people worldwide, and its 2019 revenues totaled approximately $5.3 billion.

About Aqua Capital

Aqua Capital is Latin America’s largest agribusiness and food-focused private equity firm, with $650 million in assets under management. It holds controlling positions in thirteen platform companies throughout the ag and food value chains. Through its professionalization, growth, transformation and sustainability value creation approach, Aqua Capital creates market-leading, thriving companies. Its portfolio companies have combined revenues of $1.2 billion and employ over 6,000 people.