Strong interest is being recorded by investors in the purchase of a majority stake in the company "Hellenic Saltworks S.A.". At least ten companies have expressed interest so far, while the deadline for expressing interest expires on March 2. Among the interested parties is a French company in the salt sector as well as others from Cyprus and Greece. More generally, the interested parties are mainly food companies, as well as from the salt sector. After this first phase of the process, with the submission of an expression of interest, the second will follow, with the submission of binding offers.According to sources from the Superfund, which owns 80% of the company, the plan foresees the sale of a majority stake of at least 51%, but the state will retain a strong statutory minority stake. The remaining approximately 20% is owned and will be maintained by the municipalities.With a total profit of 2.6 million euros in the three-year period 2022-2024, "Hellenic Saltworks S.A." owns seven saltworks across the country, all of which are active: Messolonghi, Kitros, Angelochori, Nea Kessani, Mesi, Kalloni and Polichnitos. With an annual production capacity of over 200,000 tons of primary salt, they represent 92% of domestic salt production and cover 60% of the domestic market, with the rest covered by imports. They employ 60 workers – some are seasonal.A special product, which is also their "strong" point, is Afrina (Fleuer de Sel) produced in Messolonghi. The high-quality product is collected manually by specialized workers and is in demand in foreign markets. In view of the placement of a strategic investor, the aim is to further exploit the production of this specific product and to add other high-value-added products, such as high-purity salt, industrial and pharmaceutical salt and snow removal products, in order to expand the company's export activity.The goal, as described by executives of the financial staff, is to create a European champion in salt production with the entry of a strategic investor.(ICE ATENE)

Fonte notizia: Kathimerini