Steel Mills

Thyssenkrupp May Sell CSA to Ternium SA

October 26, 2016

Thyssenkrupp AG is in negotiations to sell its Brazilian steel plant Companhia Siderúrgica do Atlântico (CSA) to Ternium SA.

According to the Wall Street Journal, talks are at an advanced stage but may hit a stumbling block over price for the Brazilian operations. Thyssenkrupp spent $6.8 billion to build CSA but it is currently valued at around $1.17 billion. Sources familiar with the discussions suggest it is unlikely that Ternium will be willing to pay the current book value but that a deal could be concluded by the end of this year.

It is unknown whether there are other bidders for CSA. Neither Thyssenkrupp or Ternium are commenting on the negotiations

Thyssenkrupp took full ownership of CSA from 27 percent partner Vale in 2016. CSA, part of Thyssenkrupp’s failed Steel Americas project, has struggled with soaring production costs, a Brazilian recession and global pricing pressure. Thyssenkrupp sold its Alabama plant in 2013 but was unable to negotiate a sale for CSA at that time. CSA still provides slabs for AM/NS Calvert.

Thyssenkrupp & Tata Steel

Tata Steel has been in talks with Thyssenkrupp to combine Tata’s UK operations with the German steel giant. Before a merger can be agreed upon, Tata Steel still needs to work out a deal with the UK Pension Protection Fund over UK steel worker pensions.

The potential merger was thrown awry when Tata Steel’s parent group Tata Sons Ltd, suddenly ousted its Chairman, Cyrus Mistry. Mistry is reported to be the driver of the Tata’s strategy to sell off its European assets. CLSA Asia-Pacific Markets wrote that the removal of Mistry may bring the sale strategy into question under the new chairman Ratan Tata.