Leading global pulp producer Suzano S.A. acquires a 15 percent stake in Lenzing AG from B&C Group

Vienna, 31 August 2024. The long-term partnership between B&C Group (“B&C”) and Suzano S.A. (“Suzano”) with respect to B&C’s stake in Lenzing AG (“Lenzing” or “the company”), announced in June, has come into effect after approval by all relevant authorities on 30 August 2024.

Suzano now holds a 15 percent stake in Lenzing, a leading global supplier of sustainable premium cellulosic fibres. As part of the agreement, B&C and Suzano have formed a shareholder syndicate which now holds 52.25 percent in Lenzing. B&C, with its 37.25 percent stake in the company, will be the controlling partner in this syndicate. The price per share was EUR 39.70, representing a total transaction value of EUR 230 million. Suzano will be represented in Lenzing’s supervisory board with two members.

Until the end of 2028, Suzano will have the option to acquire an additional 15 percent stake in Lenzing from B&C. The agreement also stipulates that B&C will remain a committed long-term shareholder in the company.

New strong key shareholder for Lenzing – Austria-package and business location commitment in Lenzing

With an annual net revenue of more than EUR seven billion in 2023, Brazil-headquartered Suzano is the world’s largest market pulp producer, celebrating its centennial year in 2024. Its year-long success story is marked by operational excellence and commitment to sustainability at all stages of its processes. Suzano also has extensive experience in pulp, a raw material with significant importance for Lenzing.

In line with the foundation purpose of B&C Private Foundation, the agreement includes a long-term commitment to the existing Lenzing site to ensure that the company’s headquarters, production facilities and key R&D activities remain located in Austria. Lenzing AG will continue to be listed at the Vienna stock exchange.

Wolfgang Hofer, Chairman of B&C Group: “I am very pleased to see today’s start of our long-term partnership with Suzano regarding Lenzing. With Suzano, we have been able to add a financially strong strategic key shareholder for Lenzing with leading pulp expertise. The partnership will focus on further developing Lenzing’s international competitiveness, driving revenue growth and improving profitability. I am convinced that the shareholder partnership between B&C and Suzano will improve Lenzing’s positioning against strong international competition and within a complex macro-economic environment.”

The transaction is subject to approval by the relevant regulatory authorities.

About B&C Group

The B&C Private Foundation (www.bcprivatstiftung.at) is an independent foundation. Since its inception in December 2000, its goal has been to foster Austrian entrepreneurship and strengthen Austria’s position as a business hub. B&C acts as a stable core shareholder in Austrian industrial companies through its holding companies, the B&C Group (www.bcgruppe.at). B&C is core shareholder of Lenzing AG with a stake of 37.25 percent and holds majority stakes in Semperit AG Holding (54.2 percent) and AMAG Austria Metall AG (52.7 percent). Through B&C Innovation Investments, B&C Group has been investing in tech-driven growth companies since 2016. It currently holds stakes in Awake Mobility, Citrine, Contextflow, Flightkeys, Frequentis, Kinexon, Klarx, Neoom, ParityQC, TriLite und TTTech.

Press Contact:

• B&C-Group: Jürgen Gangoly, Spokesperson, Phone: +43 664 2000260, Email: j.gangoly@bcholding.at