Raisio plc Stock Exchange Release 3 November 2015 at 8.30 a.m. Finnish time
BENEMILK LTD TO ASSESS NEW FINANCING OPTIONS
Raisio plc’s (Raisio) subsidiary Benemilk Ltd (Benemilk) is examining conditions and opportunities to obtain new financing for, on the one hand, launching of the ingredient business created during 2015 and, on the other, developing its licensing business. The assessment concerns both debt and equity alternatives.
The ingredient business is based on the sale and marketing of palm oil based raw material under the Primafat trademark and on developed IPR. The licensing business includes the development, commercialisation and licensing of IPR based on the Benemilk invention. Taking into account the latest trends in the dairy chain, the ingredient business is considered to have wider opportunities than the licensing business to succeed in global markets.
The assessment related to new financing options is expected to be completed in such a way that Benemilk could decide on the possible implementation of the financing arrangements and also implement the arrangements by summer 2016.
If the assessments lead to a financing arrangement involving equity in part or in full, it could mean that Raisio's Benemilk holding would decrease below 50 per cent and Benemilk would no longer be part of Raisio Group as a subsidiary. Raisio currently holds 57 per cent of Benemilk shares.
RAISIO PLC
Heidi Hirvonen
Communication and IR Manager
Tel. +358 50 567 3060
Further information:
CEO Matti Rihko, tel. +358 400 830 727
Raisio plc
Raisio plc is an international specialist in plant-based nutrition. Raisio’s operations are divided into two divisions: Brands and Raisioagro. The Group’s key market areas are Finland, Great Britain, the Czech Republic, Russia and Poland. Markets for cholesterol lowering Benecol products are global. Raisio plc’s shares are listed on NASDAQ OMX Helsinki Ltd. Raisio’s turnover in 2014 was EUR 494 million. The Group employs some 1,800 people. Raisio’s best-known brands are Benecol, Benemilk, Elovena Honey Monster, Fox’s and Poppets. Benemilk feeds for milk production and Benecol for cholesterol lowering are Raisio’s top innovations. For more information on Raisio go to www.raisio.com/en
Distribution
NASDAQ OMX
Key media
www.raisio.com