The Sun (Malaysia)

Zantat opens at 40 sen, 60% above IPO price

- Ű BY GLORIA HARRY BEATTY sunbiz@thesundail­y.com

KUALA LUMPUR: High-grade calcium carbonate producer Zantat Holdings Bhd made its debut on the ACE Market of Bursa Malaysia Securities yesterday, opening at 40 sen per share, representi­ng a premium of 15 sen or 60% above its initial public offering (IPO) price of 25 sen.

At the opening bell, the counter saw six million shares traded.

The counter closed at 37.5 sen, 12.5 sen or 50% above the IPO price, on volume of 92.909 million shares.

The company will use RM3.8 million (27.4%) raised from the IPO to upgrade its research and developmen­t (R&D) centre and purchase additional test and product developmen­t equipment.

Some RM1.4 million (9.6%) will be used to purchase high efficiency machine components such as fully integrated automatic robotic arm palletisin­g system and higheffici­ency motors to automate its packing system and move towards industrial automation.

The remainder will be used to upgrade Calrock Perak Plant’s infrastruc­ture amounting to RM1 million (7.2%); working capital RM1.4 million (10.2%), repay bank borrowings RM3.4 million (24.2%) and defray the estimated listing expenses of RM3 million (21.4%).

Zantat raised RM14 million from the public issue of 56 million new shares to fund its venture into the bioplastic­s value chain and for the expansion of its core business of calcium carbonate production. Upon listing, it has an enlarged share capital of 280 million and a market capitalisa­tion of RM70 million.

According to managing director Ivan Chan, the rubber glove sector is expected to recover, after a sluggish market trend for close to two years.

“Some of our products are being used as filler in the glove industry. So once the glove industry recovers, it will generate extra revenue and profit margin for us.”

He shared that during the Covid19

pandemic, its export business was affected significan­tly although the rubber glove sector sustained it.

“In terms of export, currently the Red Sea crisis has not impacted us. We have been monitoring ocean shipping because we export a lot of our products to India and it’s been relatively stable until today,” Chan said at a press conference after Zantat’s listing ceremony.

He added that it hopes to attract more talent to join the company to strengthen its R&D capabiliti­es following its listing.

In terms of revenue contributi­on, Chan said India accounts for the bulk at 60%, followed by Malaysia at 30%, while the remainder is attributed to other markets such as Indonesia, the Philippine­s and Thailand.

“For our new products we are planning to expand our footprint to Australia, New Zealand and even in Europe. For these bioplastic products, we are collaborat­ing with a strategic partner to produce compostabl­e garbage bags, which will be exported to these countries, hopefully within this year,” he said.

 ?? ?? From left: M&A Securities corporate finance head Gary Ting, Zantat directors Poo Lap Tuck and Chan Jee Chet, cofounder and deputy chairman Chan Hup Ooi, Ivan Chan, chairman Yap Yoon Kong, directors Gan Seng Kian and Rima Ramona Muhammad Arif and M&A Equity managing director Datuk Bill Tan at the listing ceremony.
From left: M&A Securities corporate finance head Gary Ting, Zantat directors Poo Lap Tuck and Chan Jee Chet, cofounder and deputy chairman Chan Hup Ooi, Ivan Chan, chairman Yap Yoon Kong, directors Gan Seng Kian and Rima Ramona Muhammad Arif and M&A Equity managing director Datuk Bill Tan at the listing ceremony.

Newspapers in English

Newspapers from Malaysia