Timbues Soybean Crushing Plant

completed

IFC is considering providing Noble Argentina SA (“Noble Argentina” or “the company”) financing of up to $40 million in the form of an A loan (the “Loan”) to support the company’s $230 million construction and operation of a soybean crushing facility (the “Plant”) in its port terminal in Timbues, Santa Fe Province, Argentina. The balance of the funding will be in the form of a $75 million A loan from InterAmerican Development Bank (IDB), $45 million syndicated loan by IDB, and $70 million in equity and subordinated shareholder loans. The plant includes:- an 8,500 metric ton (mt) per day soybean crushing facility, - a soybean dehulling facility, - a steam and 17MW electrical energy cogeneration unit, - meal storage capacity of 110,000 mt, - oil tanks with 45,000 mt capacity, - storage facility for 300,000 mt soybean, and - handling facilities. The project expands the capabilities of the company’s existing grain river port terminal beyond origination, port services and exporting of grain, to include crushing and exporting product. Noble Argentina is a commodity trader based in Argentina that offers a range of agricultural commodity products, as well as logistics and technical services. The company has been operating for slightly more than 5 years, and within that period has grown to become the 10th ranked exporter of soybean, corn and wheat from Argentina. Noble Argentina was established in 2001 following Noble Group Limited’s purchase of Andre & Cie’s Asia assets and subsequent expansion into producing countries such as Argentina. Noble Group Limited (“Noble Group” or “the Group”) remains the 100% indirect owner of Noble Argentina.