Novelis IPO: Kumar Mangalam Birla’s Hindalco Industries eyes $1.2 billion IPO for its US subsidiary

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Hindalco Industries, the company run by Indian billionaire Kumar Mangalam Birla, is considering seeking about $1.2 billion in Novelis, its US-based division's initial public offering (IPO), Bloomberg news reported. Novelis is the world's biggest manufacturer of flat-rolled aluminium products, which are used in many different goods, such as cars and pop cans. Bloomberg reported that Hindalco may aim for a $18 billion value for Atlanta-based Novelis, citing sources familiar with the matter.

The Indian group may try to list Novelis on the New York Stock Exchange by September, subject to US Securities and Exchange Commission permission, the report said. Also Read: Hindalco takes its crown jewel to the public Novelis reported in February that it has submitted a confidential application to the SEC for listing, according to the Bloomberg report. Discussions are still underway and the specifics of the fundraiser, including its magnitude, may alter, reported Bloomberg, citing its sources.

The manufacturer of aluminium goods may yet choose not to move through with an IPO, the report said. According to Bloomberg news report, a Hindalco official declined to comment.In 2007, Hindalco made a multibillion-dollar acquisition of Novelis. In the previous fiscal year, the US division accounted for almost 60% of the revenue generated by the Indian firm.

The report added that under the proposed sale, a Hindalco unit will offer the shares, and Novelis will not get any of the proceeds. Bloomberg News has reported that banks working on the Novelis IPO include Bank of America Corp. and Citigroup Inc.