RE:RE:MosaicIMC Chemicals (a subsidiary of IMC Global Inc.) produced borax, soda ash, and related products on Federal and private land from Searles Lake, CA.
In March 2004, IMC Global sold IMC Chemicals to Sun Capital Partners, Inc. of Boca Raton, FL. Sun Capital purchased the soda ash and boron chemicals operations in Searles Valley, CA.
As a result of the sale, the company changed its name to Searles Valley Minerals, Inc. In 2007 they were bought by Nirma Limited of India.
IMC’s specialty borates plant in Lardellero, Italy, was purchased by Tuscan Stars GSA, LLC and some of its affiliates. Società Chimica Larderello (SCL) has been producing boron products since 1818.
IMC Chemicals was the secret JV partner of Erin Ventures before the war broke out and sanctions were put in place, effectively bringing an end to the deal. It is still not clear if the original agreement was with IMC Chemicals as a whole (i.e. Searles Valley Minerals AND SCL) or just SCL.
If the original JV was with both Searles Valley Minerals and SCL (via IMC Chemicals), we already know that SCL is back in the picture kicking the tires, perhaps Searles Valley Minerals is also trying to get back in through Nirma Limited.
VB