ICL, a global specialty minerals and specialty chemicals company, announced 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 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%.
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.