EuroChem in talks to buy Lithuania's Achemos grupe - media
VILNIUS. July 31 (Interfax/BNS) - EuroChem Mineral and Chemical Company, a major Russian fertilizer producer, is holding negotiations to buy one of Lithuania's largest companies, Achemos grupe, news website vz.lt reported, citing sources.
EuroChem CEO Dmitry Strezhnev has come to Vilnius and one of the goals of his visit is to discuss the possibility of acquiring shares in Achemos grupe, which owns the Achema nitrogen fertilizer plant in Jonava and Klasco, the largest stevedoring company in Klaipeda, the publication said.
Preliminary talks are being held for now, in the course of which such a possibility will be discussed, vz.lt reported a representative of Achemos shareholders as saying.
Strezhnev also intends to meet with Achemos grupe principal shareholder and CEO Lyda Lubiene and Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevicius, the website said.
Achemos grupe spokesperson Gintare Mierkiene told BNS that the company is not commenting on this information.
EuroChem owns the Lifos phosphate fertilizer plant in Lithuania.
Achemos grupe, founded in 2001, owns more than 40 companies in Lithuania and abroad, including Achema, Klasco, Agrochema, mass media outlets, hotels and a wind farm.
Achemos shareholders have been feuding recently. After the death of company founder Bronislovas Lubys in 2011, the company's performance began to decline and shareholders are feuding in the courts.