Romgaz buys fertilizer producer Azmoures
Published by Oliver Kleinschmidt,
Deputy Editor
World Fertilizer,
S.C. Azomures S.A. has signed an agreement with S.N.G.N. Romgaz S.A. to sell all assets contributing to Azomures production activity and transfer materially all contracts and employees to continue the production activity. The Romgaz Board of Directors has approved the agreement.
Romgaz paid €69 million for the company: €46 million for the value of the plant, €10 million for the raw material and remaining stocks, and €13 million to keep the plant running for two months.
For nearly 15 years since it acquired Azomures, Ameropa navigated the complexities of modernising and operating Azomures, a world scale fertilizer manufacturing plant in a changing European landscape of industrial and agricultural regulation. Over the last four years since the onset of the Russia/Ukraine war, the fertilizer industry in Europe has faced significant pressure from volatile energy markets, changing market conditions, and uncertainty around long-term natural gas supply. These challenges affected fertilizer producers across Europe and created a difficult operating environment for Azomures.
The Group CEO of Ameropa Josh Zacharias, said: “While the story from when we purchased Azomures is not how we expected it, we are happy to have found a new and sustainable home for more than 2000 employees and contractors that work on the Azomures platform as well as to have ensured that Azomures has a chance for long-term production to serve the Romanian agricultural market.”
Zacharias continued: “Even after selling Azomures, Ameropa will continue to be one of the largest agribusinesses in Romania. We are a strong partner to the local farmers through our fertilizer distribution and grain origination companies as well as in Constanta port where our Chimpex terminal is one of the highest quality port operators for agricultural goods. With these businesses, we proudly employ over 1000 people at nearly 30 locations throughout Romania, and we intend to continue to be a part of Swiss investment in Romania that generates added value for the economy in the years to come.”
The agreement with Romgaz is an opportunity for Azomures to continue operating as Romania’s largest fertilizer producer while supporting regional agriculture and industrial development. This planned transfer is also expected to create more value from Romania’s expanded natural gas resources from the Neptun Deep project that are scheduled to become available in 2027, by connecting these energy resources to the country’s agricultural sector.
Reaching this agreement required commitment and dedication, with more than 16 months of formal discussion, due diligence, and negotiation. Special thanks go to the teams at Ameropa and Azomures whose professionalism, expertise, and constructive approach helped move the complex process forward. Lazard was the lead financial advisor to Ameropa/Azomures through the sale process, with Popovici Nitu Stoica and Asociatii providing legal support.
The transaction remains subject to shareholder and regulatory approvals before completion.
Read the article online at: https://www.worldfertilizer.com/nitrogen/03062026/romgaz-buys-fertilizer-producer-azmoures/
