INVESTMENTS
Draslovka Holding is a global leader in chemical specialities on the basis of cyanides and agricultural chemicals, including next-generation fumigants and biocides. Draslovka has gained experience of over 100 years in the production of hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and HCN chemistry, and specialises in the production of fully synthetic and highly purified liquid HCN. Following downstream processing, this is used in multiple industries, notably in mining and agriculture. The company strives to become a leading global player in the production of cyanides for their use in synthesis, mining and industrial and agricultural applications. In summer 2021, it was announced that Draslovka Holding was going to take over the Mining Solutions division of Chemours, an American chemical company, for more than CZK 11 billion. Chemours Mining Solutions operates the largest solid sodium cyanide plant in the world in Memphis, Tennessee, and has a market presence in the USA, Mexico, Canada, and South America. The takeover of Chemours Mining Solutions means the first important investment of Draslovka in the USA and confirms its plans of international expansion. The synergy of Draslovka and Chemours in the area of solutions for mining and chemical specialities, in combination with Draslovka´s | 12
recent agreement to buy Sasol’s sodium cyanide business in South Africa, gives rise to a supranational enterprise in South Africa. Thanks to this transaction, Draslovka will produce a highly purified liquid hydrogen cyanide (HCN) and special HCN-based chemicals on three continents: Europe, Africa, and America. Hydrogen cyanide is the key constituent in the product portfolio of Draslovka, so its cheap production significantly enhances the competitiveness of the Group. Customers of Draslovka are, for example, miners of precious metals, rubber manu-
facturers and manufacturers of chemical specialities. Products of the chemical company can also find use in agriculture – farmers use the newly developed chemicals for the environmentally-friendly treatment of crops and commodities. Every year, Kolín-based Draslovka produces approximately 30 000 tonnes of HCN-based substances, plus approximately 44 000 tonnes of other chemicals. In recent years, its sales have been oscillating around CZK 1.7 billion and the gross operating profit has been exceeding CZK 400 million.
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Chemistry Investments
