In an interaction with CNBC-TV18 on Monday, June 15, the day all four demerged entities of Vedanta Ltd. listed on the bourses, Agarwal spoke about whether he wants to maintain his ownership stake above 51% in all listed entities.
“For me, Maalik banke rehna zaroori nahi hai” (It is not necessary to remain an owner), as long as the production goes up, demand-supply goes up, company grows, I will never stop,” Agarwal said, adding that he will go to any extent to ensure the company’s growth whether it be restructuring, going abroad or any other method. “I have understood India. I am a person who can take the beatings. I can understand what are the headwinds and I have come out of it.”
How Much Will The Demerged Entities Be Worth?
Agarwal expressed confidence that every demerged entity, Aluminium, Oil & Gas, Iron & Steel, and Power, will be worth $100 billion in the future.
Vedanta Aluminium: The Value Creator
The Vedanta Group Chairman also highlighted Vedanta Aluminium being the lowest cost producer that is fully integrated. He said that prices may see some volatility globally but the company will remain the lowest cost producer.
Currently at 3 million tonnes, Agarwal expects the Aluminium business production capacity to be 6 million tonnes per annum in three to three-and-a-half years, and then to 10 million tonnes in the next five years.
Agarwal also projected the Aluminium business to report an Earnings Before Interest, Tax, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) of $5 billion in the next three years.
Will Anil Agarwal Sell The Steel Business?
“Our focus is on building the business. Steel is an attractive sector and India will require around 300 million tonnes by 2030. We have strong infrastructure in Bellary, Karnataka, along with access to iron ore and coking coal. My long-term vision is to build a 50-million-tonne especially steel business,” Agarwal said.
The Vedanta Group Chairman went on to add that the debt over the next two years could come down to around $2 billion to $3 billion.
He also spoke of the significant potential of the relisting of the parent company Vedanta Resources, saying that he sees significant potential there. “We will evaluate a relisting at an appropriate time,” he said.
Shares of Vedanta are trading 1.2% lower on Monday after the listing of its demerged entities at ₹306.
