Patanjali, Adani Wilmar, Godrej Agrovet, Emami Agrotech vie for Ruchi Soya

Patanjali Ayurveda, which already has a tie-up with Ruchi Soya for edible oil refining and packaging, as well as Godrej Agrovet and Emami Agrotech confirmed that they have put in bids for Ruchi Soya but did not disclose the value.

Indore-based Ruchi Soya, which is facing insolvency proceedings, has a debt of about Rs 10,000 crore. The company has many manufacturing plants and its leading brands include Nutrela, Mahakosh, Sunrich, Ruchi Star and Ruchi Gold.

Sources said that Adani Wilmar, which sells cooking oil under Fortune brand, too has put in a bid.

"We bid for Ruchi Soya on Wednesday. While Emami Agro's own expansion plans are already underway, Ruchi Soya's assets are likely to add an impetus to our growth trajectory," a company spokesperson said. A Patanjali spokesperson said the company has also bid for Ruchi Soya as it aims to be a major player in edible oil segment, particularly soybean oil. It also wants to work for farmers benefit. In December 2017, Ruchi Soya Industries Ltd entered into the Corporate Insolvency Resolution Process (CIRP) and Shailendra Ajmera was appointed to act as Interim esolution Professional (IRP) .

The appointment was made by the National Company Law Tribunal (NCLT) on the application of the creditors Standard Chartered Bank and DBS Bank Ltd, under the Insolvency and Bankruptcy Code.

Emami Agrotech is the edible oil and bio-diesel arm of Emami Group of Companies, the Rs 10,000 crore, business conglomerate based in Kolkata.

It has diverse business interests in segments such as production and distribution of edible oil, specialty fats and bio-diesel.

Godrej Agrovet, part of Godrej group, is into animal feed, crop protection, oil palm, dairy, poultry and processed foods.