Fertiglobe shareholders, at the firm's AGM, have approved a cash dividend of $200 million, equivalent to 9 fils/share, for H2 2023 taking the total dividends for the fiscal year 2023 to $475 million. This is one of the highest dividend yields in Fertiglobe’s industry and market with a total of $2.265 billion returned to shareholders since its IPO.

 

Dr Sultan Ahmed Al Jaber, Chairman of Fertiglobe, said: “Fertiglobe’s robust financial performance in 2023 underscores the company’s resilience even as urea and ammonia prices returned to normal levels after peaking in 2022. Fertiglobe continues to advance its low-carbon ammonia growth strategy, as demonstrated by milestones such as its inaugural shipment of internationally recognised renewable ammonia and the deployment of the world’s first cost-effective CycloneCC carbon capture unit in its UAE facilities.

 

“The fruitful partnership between Adnoc and OCI has made Fertiglobe the world’s largest seaborne exporter of ammonia and urea fertiliser. Adnoc’s intention to increase its shareholding in Fertiglobe is a testament to the underlying quality of the business, its future growth strategy and ability to play a crucial role as a global growth platform for low-carbon and renewable ammonia. With Adnoc’s support, I am confident that Fertiglobe is poised to pursue a range of transformational opportunities that will cement its global market leadership.”

 

Several milestones

Ahmed El-Hoshy, Chief Executive Officer of Fertiglobe, commented: “Fertiglobe has achieved several significant operational, commercial and sustainability milestones in 2023, positioning the Company for substantial growth in the years ahead. I am particularly pleased with our agility in responding to market dynamics and challenges, which enables us to maximise shareholder value while prioritising sustainable growth and our ambitious decarbonisation agenda.

 

“Fertiglobe’s market resilience in 2023 was supported by our ongoing Manufacturing Improvement Plan (MIP), which is expected to deliver incremental annual EBITDA growth by 2025. Additionally, our proactive cost optimisation programme has already achieved 51% of its $50 million run rate target within six months of its launch and will continue to play a pivotal role in enhancing free cash generation across market cycles.”

 

Solid financial performance in 2023

In 2023, Fertiglobe’s focus on operational excellence drove a 5% increase in own-produced sales volumes. This, together with continued cost structure optimisation, resulted in full-year revenue of $2.416 billion and adjusted EBITDA of $1.004 billion, with adjusted net profit at $363 million and a healthy adjusted EBITDA margin of 42%.

 

Adnoc to raise its ownership to 86.2%

In December 2023, Adnoc announced its intention to purchase OCI’s entire 50% stake in Fertiglobe for $3.62 billion. This transaction supports Adnoc’s chemicals growth strategy and its plans to establish a global growth platform for ammonia. It will enable Fertiglobe to unlock further potential in its core products of urea and ammonia, accelerate the pursuit of new market and product opportunities, and expand its focus on clean ammonia as an emerging fuel and hydrogen carrier.

 

Following the completion of the transaction, Adnoc’s shareholding in Fertiglobe will increase to 86.2% while the free float traded on ADX will remain at 13.8%. The transaction is expected to close in 2024, subject to the completion of all necessary legal and regulatory conditions.

 

Focus on operational excellence

Fertiglobe’s Manufacturing Improvement Plan (MIP) is expected to generate at least $100 million in incremental annual EBITDA by the end of 2025 compared to 2023. This further demonstrates the company’s commitment to sustainable growth while maximising shareholder value. This implies that Fertiglobe’s combined MIP and cost optimisation programme, which is on track to achieve its $50 million run rate target by the end of 2024, will contribute 15% incremental annual EBITDA by the end of 2025, compared to 2023 levels.

 

Fertiglobe maintains a firm focus on technology, innovation and digitisation. The company is investing in the integration of Artificial Intelligence (AI) throughout its operations to unlock value, enhance efficiencies, and reduce emissions.

 

Looking ahead

Supported by robust free cash generation and a healthy balance sheet, Fertiglobe remains committed to balancing dividend payments with selective growth spending on value accretive projects. 

 

The company’s investment grade positioning is further reinforced by S&P and Fitch’s placement of Fertiglobe on a positive credit watching in Q1 2024, pending completion of the ownership transfer to Adnoc.--TradeArabia News Service