Two Saudi petrochemical giants have hired investment banks to advise on the potential sale of a stake in the Ibn Al-Baytar fertiliser company.
Saudi Arabia Fertilizers Company (Safco) has hired Samba Capital, while Saudi Basic Industries Corporation (Sabic) has chosen HSBC’s Saudi Arabian unit, the two companies said in separate statements on Monday.
Safco is considering taking full control of chemical fertiliser producer Ibn Al-Baytar by buying out its joint venture partner Sabic, Safco said in a bourse statement in March.
The two companies said on Monday there was no definitive sale agreement yet. The study which will examine the economic feasibility of the transaction is due to be completed in the first quarter of 2017.
Ibn Al-Baytar is a 50/50 joint venture between Sabic and Safco which produces ammonia, urea, compound fertiliser, phosphate, and liquid fertiliser.