Alcoa Corporation have announced the successful completion of its acquisition of Alumina Limited (“Alumina”). This strategic move positions Alcoa to further strengthen its market leadership as a pure play, upstream aluminum company.
“Alcoa is proud to announce the completion of our first major acquisition. The acquisition of Alumina Limited strengthens Alcoa's position as one of the world’s largest bauxite and alumina producers and is expected to result in long-term value creation from greater financial and operational flexibility,” said William F. Oplinger, Alcoa’s President and CEO. “I want to thank both the Alcoa and Alumina Limited teams, and our advisors, for full cooperation and diligence in closing this transformational transaction on a very tight schedule.”
With Alcoa’s acquisition of Alumina, the Alcoa World Alumina and Chemicals (AWAC) joint venture is now fully owned and controlled by Alcoa. Alcoa previously held a 60 percent ownership interest in AWAC. AWAC consists of a number of affiliated entities that own, operate or have an interest in bauxite mines and alumina refineries in Australia, Brazil, Spain, Saudi Arabia and Guinea. AWAC also has a 55 percent interest in an aluminum smelter in Victoria, Australia.
Alcoa completed the acquisition of all ordinary shares of Alumina, through a wholly owned subsidiary, AAC Investments Australia 2 Pty Ltd. Under the all-scrip, or all-stock, transaction, Alumina shareholders received consideration of 0.02854 Alcoa shares for each Alumina share. Based on Alcoa’s closing share price as of July 26, 2024, the consideration implies an equity value of approximately $2.8 billion for Alumina.
Alumina shareholders’ interests in Alcoa shares are generally in the form of Clearing House Electronic Sub-register System (“CHESS”) Depositary Interests (“CDIs”) that represent a unit of beneficial ownership in a share of Alcoa common stock, which allows Alumina shareholders to trade Alcoa common stock via CDIs on the Australian Stock Exchange (“ASX”). Alcoa has established a secondary listing on the ASX with the ticker of “AAI.” The CDIs will begin trading on the ASX on a normal basis on August 2, 2024.
Key Benefits of the Acquisition
Market Leadership: The combined entity solidifies Alcoa's position as a leading global supplier of alumina, enhancing its competitive edge in key markets. The acquisition increases Alcoa’s economic exposure to its core, tier-1 bauxite and alumina business, and provides Alumina shareholders with exposure to Alcoa’s global aluminum business.
Operational Efficiency: By integrating Alumina's interests, Alcoa anticipates achieving synergies through simplified corporate governance, resulting in greater operational flexibility and strategic optionality.
Commitment to Western Australia: Alcoa operations in Western Australia are a key component of the Company’s portfolio, and this acquisition deepens that commitment.