
Hindalco shares in focus after subsidiary acquires US-based AluChem for $125 mn
Hindalco's subsidiary has acquired US-based AluChem for $125 million, marking its entry into the low-soda tabular alumina space. The move boosts Hindalco's speciality alumina portfolio, strengthens its North American footprint, and aligns with its strategy to lead in high-tech, value-added materials.
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Tired of too many ads?
Remove Ads
Shares of Hindalco Industries , the metals flagship of the Aditya Birla Group , will be in focus on Wednesday after the company announced the acquisition of US-based AluChem Companies, Inc. for an enterprise value of $125 million. The deal will be executed through Aditya Holdings LLC, a step-down wholly owned subsidiary of Hindalco.This marks the first entry by an Indian company into the low-soda tabular alumina segment, significantly strengthening Hindalco's presence in precision-engineered, high-performance industrial materials. Tabular alumina is a premium-grade material used in applications across refractories, ceramics, and advanced manufacturing.With this acquisition, Hindalco enhances its footprint in North America and broadens its speciality alumina portfolio. The company's speciality alumina business — a key pillar in its value-added product strategy — has seen consistent double-digit growth and has emerged as a high-margin vertical in recent years.As speciality alumina gains traction across sectors such as electric mobility, semiconductors, and precision ceramics, the acquisition positions Hindalco to access next-generation applications and drive innovation-led growth.AluChem has a strong presence in North America, with an annual production capacity of 60,000 tonnes across three manufacturing facilities located in Ohio and Arkansas. It is a well-established supplier of ultra-low soda calcined and tabular alumina, known for its thermal and mechanical stability, catering to high-precision industries and energy-intensive applications.Kumar Mangalam Birla, Chairman of Aditya Birla Group, said, 'This acquisition is an important step in our global strategy to build a leadership position in value-added, high-tech materials.Our strategic foray into the speciality alumina space will not only accelerate the development of future-ready, sustainable solutions but also open new pathways to pursue high-impact growth opportunities."Hindalco shares have gained around 13% so far in 2025 and have delivered a robust return of 64% over the past two years. The company currently commands a market capitalisation of approximately Rs 1.5 lakh crore.: Recommendations, suggestions, views, and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of Economic Times)

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


Economic Times
25 minutes ago
- Economic Times
HDFC Bank unit HDB Financial Services' Rs 12,500 crore IPO opens; GMP at 10%. Should you subscribe?
HDB Financial Services, backed by HDFC Bank, launched its IPO aiming to raise Rs 12,500 crore. The IPO, open until June 27 with a price band of Rs 700-740, comprises a fresh issue and an offer for sale by HDFC Bank. Analysts recommend subscribing, citing strong financials, asset quality, and growth prospects, with listing expected in early July. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Strong financials and business presence Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Valuation and Recommendations Use of proceeds and listing Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads The initial public offering (IPO) of HDB Financial Services, a non-banking financial company (NBFC) promoted by HDFC Bank , opened for subscription on Wednesday. The company aims to raise Rs 12,500 crore in what is one of India's largest IPOs so far this year. The issue comes amid renewed investor interest in financial sector IPO will remain open till Thursday, June 27. The price band has been set between Rs 700 and Rs 740 per share. Ahead of the issue opening, the GMP is around Rs 74, which is 10% premium over the issue offering consists of a fresh issue worth Rs 2,500 crore and an offer for sale (OFS) of Rs 10,000 crore by parent HDFC Bank, which currently holds 95.5% in the Financial is one of the leading NBFCs in the country with a loan book of Rs 1.06 lakh crore as of March 31, 2025. The company reported a net profit of Rs 2,176 crore for FY25, a significant rise from Rs 1,359 crore a year gross non-performing assets (GNPA) stood at 2.49%, while net NPA came in at 1.38%, showing healthy asset quality for a retail-focused company has a pan-India presence with over 1,700 branches across 1,200 cities and towns, and serves over 1.9 crore customers. Its business spans secured and unsecured personal loans, gold loans, and lending to small and medium enterprises (SMEs).At the upper end of the price band, the IPO values HDB Financial at a post-issue price-to-book value of 3.7 times FY25 estimates. Analysts view this as reasonable, considering its performance and HDFC Bank's brand houses have given a thumbs up to the IPO. SBI Securities, Ventura Securities, and Anand Rathi all issued 'Subscribe' calls, citing strong fundamentals, stable asset quality, and long-term growth prospects. 'We believe the IPO is fairly priced given the company's improving profitability, robust risk management and capital adequacy,' Ventura said in its Rathi added, 'The IPO offers an opportunity to invest in a high-quality, retail-focused NBFC that benefits from HDFC Bank's reach, reputation and systems. The improving return ratios and earnings visibility make it a compelling long-term bet.'The proceeds from the fresh issue will be used to augment HDB Financial's capital base and support its future lending activities. The OFS component will go to the selling shareholder, HDFC Bank. Post the IPO, the parent bank's stake will reduce significantly, aligning with regulatory company is expected to list on both NSE and BSE in the first week of July.: Recommendations, suggestions, views and opinions given by the experts are their own. These do not represent the views of the Economic Times)


Hindustan Times
27 minutes ago
- Hindustan Times
Big tech under fire: What global antitrust battles mean for Indian consumers and startups
The heat is on big tech giants like Google, Microsoft, Apple, and Meta are facing escalating antitrust scrutiny around the world. What started as scattered probes has turned into full-blown legal warfare. For Indian users and homegrown startups, these regulatory shake-ups aren't just distant headlines. They could redefine how digital ecosystems work here, too. Big tech and antitrust The biggest showdown? The U.S. Department of Justice's antitrust case against Google. Often compared to the historic Microsoft case from two decades ago. The focus this time: search dominance and the company's multibillion-dollar default search deals. Remedies on the table range from structural divestitures to tighter restrictions on distribution agreements. Microsoft is also under the scanner. The FTC is investigating its AI and cloud business practices, especially post-OpenAI partnerships. Apple is dealing with lawsuits tied to internal employee surveillance and App Store competition policies. And in a headline-grabbing move, Elon Musk had sued OpenAI, alleging anti-competitive conduct and deviations from its original nonprofit goals. All of this is unfolding as U.S. regulators roll out tougher merger guidelines and expand their enforcement playbook. The message is clear: the era of unchecked dominance is being challenged—loudly. Implications for Indian consumers and startups Why should Indian users care? Because when regulators take on tech monopolies, the ripple effects travel. Fairer competition means better privacy protections, more innovation, and fewer walled gardens. For Indian startups, these global cases are more than case studies. They reflect challenges faced locally, be it app store commissions, discoverability issues, or restricted access to platforms. When tech giants self-preference their own products, smaller players often get buried. The Competition Commission of India (CCI) has already started taking cues. It's pushed for platform neutrality and continues to encourage complaints from smaller companies. As global watchdogs raise the bar, India is likely to follow. Expert opinions and regulatory trends Analysts say enforcement is entering a new phase. It's not just about penalties but proactive control. Agencies are demanding deeper transaction disclosures, and even smaller deals are coming under scrutiny. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) plans to label Google as having 'strategic market status,' which could force changes to its search algorithm and limit how it hoards data. The broader goal? Curb monopolistic behaviour without killing innovation. But the spotlight is firmly on AI, advertising models, and platform control. Three areas where Big Tech holds disproportionate power. Lessons for India and the road ahead As the global tide turns against Big Tech excess, India has a front-row seat, and a lot to learn. Stronger competition laws and smarter enforcement could level the playing field for startups while protecting users from exploitative practices. The road ahead won't be easy, but the momentum for accountability is finally here.


Fashion Value Chain
31 minutes ago
- Fashion Value Chain
Circ & Selenis Scale Circular Polyester in Europe
Textile-to-textile recycling pioneer Circ® has entered a strategic partnership with Selenis, a Portugal-based polyester manufacturer, to scale the industrial production of Circ® Polyester from end-of-life textiles in Europe. Under this agreement, Selenis will toll and polymerize thousands of metric tons of Circ's recycled polyester, providing critical infrastructure to commercialize the fiber at large volumes across key apparel segments including activewear, basics, and fashion. This collaboration not only accelerates Circ's dual-product platform—spanning recycled polyester and lyocell—but also enhances access to high-quality circular fibers for global mills and brands. Peter Majeranowski, CEO of Circ®, stated, 'This partnership validates our strategy to scale two critical fiber alternatives simultaneously. With Selenis, we are well-positioned to deliver on the global demand for circular materials.' Selenis, known for its expertise in high-performance polyester manufacturing, brings years of technical know-how and operational strength to the venture. The company has already made strides in bottle-to-bottle circularity and now strengthens its role in textile-to-textile recycling, with operations expanding in both the U.S. and Italy. 'This is about turning circularity from theory into industrial reality,' said Duarte Matos Gil, CEO of Selenis. 'We need systems where garments return as garments, not waste. And that requires both innovation and supportive legislation.' Eduardo Santos, Global Head of Strategy at Selenis, added, 'Our decision to invest in textile circularity—even as our roots were in plastics—reflects our long-term vision. This alliance with Circ® is our next leap forward in making fashion truly sustainable.' Together, Circ® and Selenis are building the infrastructure needed to close the loop on polyester production in the fashion industry—at scale, and across continents.