AECI acquires Clariant’s water treatment business in Africa AECI LIMITED Incorporated in the Republic of South Africa (Registration No. 1924/002590/06) Share code: AFE ISIN No. ZAE000000220 (“AECI”) AECI ACQUIRES CLARIANT’S WATER TREATMENT BUSINESS IN AFRICA AECI and Clariant Southern Africa Proprietary Limited (“Clariant”) have reached agreement for AECI’s wholly-owned subsidiary ImproChem Proprietary Limited (“ImproChem”) to acquire Clariant’s water treatment business in Africa and its South African assets for a total cash consideration of R409 million (“the acquisition”). Also included in the acquisition is a 50% shareholding in Blendtech, Clariant’s B-BBEE partner in South Africa. Clariant is part of Switzerland-based Clariant International Limited. The acquisition is in line with AECI’s strategy to extend its presence in Africa in the provision of water treatment solutions for a broad range of industrial and municipal customers, principally through ImproChem. “ImproChem has established a footprint on the continent subsequent to the acquisition of GE’s Chemical and Monitoring Solutions business in Africa and the Indian Ocean Islands in 2012,” says Mark Dytor, Chief Executive of AECI. “On completion of the Clariant acquisition, which will also be merged with ImproChem, this footprint will be enhanced since ImproChem’s direct sales capability in many African countries will enable it to leverage Clariant’s penetration of these markets.” Blendtech operates mainly in the municipal markets in South Africa. Commenting on Clariant’s rationale for the acquisition CEO Hariolf Kottmann said: “The divestment is a result of our continuous active portfolio management. The water treatment business no longer meets our positioning as a global leader in all of our businesses. “Although water treatment is an attractive industry overall and the business is well positioned in Africa, Clariant decided to identify a better owner who is able to focus on this service-driven activity.” ImproChem has manufacturing, laboratory and engineering facilities in Johannesburg and Umbogintwini, south of Durban. Clariant has complementary facilities in Johannesburg and in Pietermaritzburg, KwaZulu-Natal. The acquisition is subject to certain conditions precedent, including approval by the relevant competition authorities. Woodmead, Sandton 11 February 214 Sponsor: RAND MERCHANT BANK (A Division of FirstRand Bank Limited) Date: 11/02/2014 08:00:00 Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE'). The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct, indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on, information disseminated through SENS.