MOSCOW. Feb 24 (Interfax) - Russian alcoholic beverage producer OJSC Synergy has announced the start of its additional share placement by open subscription.

The company will accept applications for the additional share issue over a nine-day period starting February 25, Synergy said in a statement.

The placement price will come to $44 per share.

Earlier shareholders in Synergy purchased 1.237 million shares by exercising their preferred rights. The company plans to sell 5.513 million shares by open subscription.

The company is placing 6.75 million additional shares at a face value of 100 rubles each.

Therefore, Synergy's SPO could raise $297 million, including $242.6 million on the open market.

The additional issue was registered on December 23, 2010. The issue received state registration number 1-01-55052-