Lion Asiapac enters deal to sell limestone unit for RM49 million

LION Asiapac has entered a conditional agreement to sell its limestone processing subsidiary, Compact Energy, for RM49 million (S$14.3 million) in cash.

The buyer is an investment holding company of Graymont, a Canada-based lime and limestone solutions firm.

Incorporated in 2004, Compact Energy specialises in limestone processing and steel consumables trading. Its lime plant is the largest producer of quicklime in Malaysia, with an annual production capacity of 390,000 metric tonnes.

For FY23 ended Jun 30, net loss attributable to Compact Energy was RM10.9 million. Its book value and net tangible asset value stood at RM37.9 million as at Jun 30. This translates to a gain on disposal of RM11.1 million.

In a bourse filing on Friday (Sep 1), Lion Asiapac said its core business of lime sales has been loss-making for some years due to “escalating” production and energy costs. The positive cash inflow of about RM48 million would improve the company’s liquidity.

“This would also allow the group to reallocate its resources into expanding its other existing businesses of trading and investment holdings, including the business of Semangat Meriah which the company recently acquired,” Lion Asiapac said.

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The proceeds would also improve and optimise the utilisation of assets held by Semangat Meriah, while funding other profitable projects that Lion Asiapac is exploring, the company added.

The sale is considered a major transaction under listing rules and will require shareholders’ approval at a general meeting. Lion Asiapac will dispatch a notice for the meeting and a circular with more information in due course.

Lion Asiapac shares ended Thursday flat at S$0.32, ahead of the public holiday.