Turkish sodium sulphate producer Soda Sanayi A.S. acquired a majority stake in Bosnian chemical plant Soda Lukavac for BAM 52.2 million (USD 33 million) on 4 May 2006, a regional government minister s…
Turkish sodium sulphate producer Soda Sanayi A.S. acquired a majority stake in Bosnian chemical plant Soda Lukavac for BAM 52.2 million (USD 33 million) on 4 May 2006, a regional government minister said. The deal will give Soda Sanayi A.S., the raw material operation of glass giant Sisecam, an 80% stake as part of a joint venture project in the loss-making firm in northern Bosnia, Industry Minister Mustafa Burgic said. “This is the best possible model to save the company from bankruptcy or liquidation”, he said. Burgic said Soda Sanayi had promised to take over BAM 40 million (USD 25.3 million) of Soda“s BAM 60 million debt and retain its 900 employees. It will also invest an additional BAM 44.5 million over the next five years. The company“s plans to increase output to 700 tonnes a day from the current 400 tonnes, Burgic said, although he did not give a schedule. Sisecam, Turkey“s main glass and glassware producer, established Soda Sanayi in 1969 to provide key materials for its products. It later merged with a major chrome processing factory that uses its products. The company exports to 65 countries.