10 February 2014

BDA advises on sale of majority stake in Amazon Papyrus to Navis Capital Partners

divested a majority stake to

2014

Business Development Asia (“BDA”) is pleased to announce that its client, Amazon Papyrus Chemicals Group (“Amazon”), a leading paper and pulp process chemical solutions provider in Asia, has sold a significant equity interest to Navis Capital Partners (“Navis”), a leading Asian private equity investor. The investment will enable Amazon to accelerate its growth plans regionally and to streamline operations. Amazon’s founders and key senior management will remain as shareholders and will continue to manage the business. BDA advised Amazon on the transaction.

Michael Grundy, co-founder of Amazon commented: “We are excited about the next phase of our development and partnership with Navis. They bring deep knowledge, experience and capital that will allow Amazon to achieve strategic, operational and financial improvements to the business. Collaborating with Navis will strengthen our ability to expand into new markets and geographies, and leverage the strong outlook for the paper and pulp industry.”

Bruno Seghin, a partner at Navis, commented: “Amazon has been successful in bringing production efficiency to an industry that has seen significant investment. We look forward to an active partnership with Amazon, where we bring our expertise to further enhance operational efficiency and development of the business.”

About Amazon Papyrus Chemicals Group
Amazon was established in 2000 and has been growing rapidly ever since. It is now a leading chemical solution provider to the pulp and paper industry across Asia. The company supplies tailor-made chemical product formulations, together with onsite technical support and services to generate a return on investment to its customers. www.amazon-papyrus.com

About Navis Capital Partners
Founded in 1998, Navis focuses on private and public equity investments in Southeast Asia. Navis contributes both capital and management expertise to a limited number of well-positioned companies with the objective of directing strategic, operational and financial improvements. Navis has one of the largest private equity professional teams in Asia, comprising 60 individuals, supported by 30 administrative staff, in seven offices across the region. Navis manages over US$4bn in equity capital and has a long and proven track record in Asian private equity, with 60 control transactions completed since its establishment in 1998. The acquisition of Amazon is Navis’ sixth investment in Hong Kong/Greater China and its first in 2014. www.naviscapital.com

About BDA
Business Development Asia LLC (“BDA”) is a leader in cross-border investment banking in Asia. BDA advises on M&A, capital raising, and restructuring. BDA has been consistently owned and managed by the same team since 1996. BDA has a track record of providing independent advice to blue-chip corporate and financial sponsor clients from North America, Europe and Asia. BDA was named Investment Banking Firm of the Year by The M&A Advisor in both 2012 and 2010. BDA is headquartered in New York with offices in London, Bahrain, Mumbai, Ho Chi Minh City, Hong Kong, Shanghai, Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo. BDA formed a partnership with William Blair & Company in 2011. www.bdapartners.com

For more information regarding this transaction, please contact Paul DiGiacomo in Hong Kong on +852 3698 1700.