Benzene, a colorless liquid, is the precursor for numerous chemical compounds. The global benzene market will see dynamic growth: According to the new report from the market research institute Ceresana Research, the global demand for benzene will rise to approximately 6 million tonnes by 2018. In addition, global revenues are anticipated to increase to US$52.6 billion by 2018. “Benzene revenues will substantially exceed the 2007 peak level as soon as in 2011,” expects Oliver Kutsch, CEO of Ceresana.

Massive Capacity Expansions

Production capacities of benzene and its downstream products will be expanded above all in the Middle East. Ceresana Research forecasts that the Middle East will see its share of worldwide production grow to 3.7 percent. Moreover, the demand for benzene is increasing significantly in countries such as Saudi Arabia or Kazakhstan. However, the global market is dominated by the Asia-Pacific region, which already accounts for almost half of the global demand for benzene. China is rising to become the world’s greatest benzene consumer and will most likely displace the U.S. to the second place in 2014. In contrast, benzene is increasingly replaced for environmental and health reasons in established industrial countries.

Essential Precursor for Plastics

More than half of the global benzene production is used by ethylbenzene manufacturers. Ethylbenzene is primarily used to produce styrene. In turn, styrene is mainly processed into polystyrene plastics, such as EPS foams for insulating sheets and packaging. The second-largest benzene market is the production of cumene, which accounts for approximately 20 percent of all demand. Cumene is a precursor for bisphenol A, phenolic resins, and methyl methacrylate. Further applications of benzene are in cyclohexane, which is used to produce nylon fibers, and in nitrobenzene, used for producing aniline. In addition, benzene is used as an extracting agent, solvent, laboratory chemical, and additive in gasoline.

Up-to-Date Market Report

The practice-oriented study of Ceresana Research gives a concise overview of the benzene market development – worldwide and in the individual world regions. Demand, production, imports, exports, revenues, and prices are analyzed. 35 countries are studied in detail. Particular emphasis is placed on the main application areas of benzene: ethylbenzene, cumene, cyclohexane, alkylbenzene, and nitrobenzene. The useful list of manufacturers in Vol. II includes 143 profiles of the most important benzene producers. The study, available in English or German, forecasts market opportunities and risks up to 2018:
www.ceresana.com/en/market-studies/chemicals/benzene/

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About Ceresana Research
Ceresana Research is one of the world’s leading industrial market research institutions. Companies, institutions, and associations from more than 45 countries have already profited from our global market data and well-founded prognoses. Our core competencies include chemicals + plastics + additives + commodities + materials + industrial components + consumer goods + packaging + construction materials.
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Tel.: +49 7531 94293 0, Fax: +49 7531 94293 27
Press contact: Martin Ebner, M.A., m.ebner@ceresana.com

Hazel Mercantile Limited has a fast-growing global base of over 10.000 customers-partners who are empowered by their versatility in performing multiple roles whether as of a partner, supplier, principal/agent or customer.

They offer competitive advantage through integrated value-added services and business opportunities. HML has constantly been participating in the Private/Public sector undertakings and global Tenders. They have been successful in offering the best products, often servicing the largest corporations, domestically as well as globally.

Hazel Mercantile Limited, in keeping up with their commitment to quality, they contacted Lakshy Management Consultant Pvt. Ltd with their expertise in ISO 9001 to implement the quality management system which will cover awareness training, gap analysis, documentation workshop, implementation assistance, internal audit, pre-assessment audit and facilitation during final certification audit.

Initial awareness training was conducted by the consultant to impart basic knowledge and input to key people of the organization, followed by Gap Analysis. On the basis of gap analysis report provided by the consultant, required tasks were completed that included preparation of quality manual, functional processes, SOPs, work instructions, guide lines and functional formats. These were formally issued to all the users by the M.R. Mr. Vivek Joshi.

A rigorous internal audit was carried out and all the observations and findings were discussed in the MRM – Management Review Meeting and required actions were taken by the management to close them.

After this a pre-assessment audit was done to assess organization’s preparedness for the final certification audit and on the basis of positive outcome of the pre-assessment audit, it was decided to do the final certification audit.

ACS Registrar – ISO 9001 certification body carried out the audit in the month of November & was concluded successfully without any non conformity.
Lakshy management consultant Pvt. ltd extended its warmest greetings and congratulations to the entire team at Hazel Mercantile Limited on achieving QMS.

For Media and PR Contact:-
Lakshy Management Consultant Pvt. Ltd.
229, Sai Chambers, Sector 11, CBD Belapur,
Navi Mumbai 400614, India
Website: www.lakshy.com, www.iso-consultants.com
Phone: +91 22 4024 3139
Mobile: +91 9821780035

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Click here to view the quarterly investor presentation

Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited (ABNL), a US$ 4 billion conglomerate, which has a leadership position across its businesses, reports robust earnings growth.

• Revenue grew by 24 per cent from Rs. 3,857 crore to Rs. 4,767 crore
• Strong growth in EBITDA for the 10th consecutive quarter
• Net profit surged by 70 per cent from Rs. 149 Crore to Rs. 253 Crore

Rs. crore
Consolidated results	Quarter 1
	2011-12	2010-11
Revenue	4,767	3,857	24%
EBITDA	808	556	45%
Net profit	253	149	70%

Dr Rakesh Jain, Managing Director, said, “Aditya Birla Nuvo continued its profitable growth journey having strengthened market positioning and delivered robust growth across its businesses. We remain focused to capture opportunities across the businesses to achieve the next higher level of growth.”

Mr Sushil Agarwal, Whole Time Director and CFO, said, “Continuous pursuit of profitable growth across the businesses is reflecting in the strong financial results. Earnings displayed strong growth trend for the 10th consecutive quarter. We are committed to maintain this trend of superior performance while creating value for all the stakeholders.”

Business-wise Review:

A) Financial Services

The Indian financial services industry is witnessing a phase of rapid evolution driven by regulatory changes and uncertain markets. Through this phase, Aditya Birla Financial Services (ABFS) continues to strengthen its position as a significant non-bank financial services player. Today ABFS is one of the two non bank players in India which rank among the top seven players in both life insurance and asset management businesses. Trusted by about 5.5 million customers and anchored by about 15,000 employees, ABFS has a nation-wide reach with more than 1,700 points of presence and about 200,000 channel partners.

During the quarter, ABFS posted consolidated revenue at Rs.1,330 crore, a growth of 4 per cent over the previous year. However, ABFS displayed a strong growth in profitability. Earnings before tax grew 2.5 times from Rs.78 Crore to Rs.177 crore. It’s combined Assets under Management (AUM) stood at Rs.92,259 crore (about US$20.5 billion). Business-wise highlights follow:

• Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI) :
  • Earnings before tax of BSLI surged year on year from Rs.9 Crore to Rs.144 Crore. Bottom-line growth was driven by the growing size of in-force book, balanced product mix, lower new business strain and better expense management.
  • While the private sector’s weighted new business premium de-grew year on year by 39 per cent, BSLI reported the 2nd lowest de-growth among the top seven private life insurers. ULIP sales were impacted across the industry post new guidelines which became effective from 1st September 2010.
  • BSLI moved one step up to the 5th place among private sector players in terms of new business with an improved market share of 8.8 per cent up from 8.1 per cent in the first quarter of the previous year.
  • The gross premium income of BSLI grew to Rs.1,183 crore.
    • Driven by strong persistency, the renewal premium of BSLI is up by 29 per cent to Rs.860 crore.
    • The 13th month premium persistency ratio stood at 83 per cent as on 30th June 2011.
    • The new business premium income at Rs.322 crore de-grew due to lower ULIP sales.
    • However, non-ULIP portfolio has been strengthened; it has contributed to 47 per cent of the individual new business compared to 8 per cent in the first quarter of the previous year.
  • AUM of BSLI scaled up year on year by 19 per cent to Rs.19,984 crore.
  • No capital infusion was required during the quarter.
  • The Embedded Value (“EV”) of BSLI has increased from Rs.3,816 crore as at 31st March, 2010 to   Rs.4,108 crore as at 31st March, 2011. EV reflects the value of future profits embedded in the in-force policies written by the life insurance company. The Value of New Business (“VNB”) margin, a measure used for gauging profitability of new business, has increased to 27.5 per cent for the financial year 2010-11 up from 22.5 per cent for the financial year 2009-10.
• Birla Sun Life Asset Management (BSAMC) :
  • BSAMC posted revenue at Rs.85 Crore and earnings before tax at Rs.30 crore.
  • The total average AUM (AAUM) grew quarter on quarter by 6 per cent to Rs.71,394 crore.
  • BSAMC ranks 5th in India with a market share of 9.1 per cent in terms of domestic AAUM. It achieved 3rd highest growth quarter on quarter among the top 5 players.
  • Equity AAUM (Including offshore) and alternate assets stood at Rs.15,349 crore. It garnered 18 per cent share in industry’s net equity sales.
  • It has the highest number of funds in the 5 star category, reflecting its philosophy of delivering superior investment performance consistently.
• Aditya Birla Finance (ABFL) :
  • The closing book size of ABFL, the NBFC arm, rose year-on-year by 77 per cent to around Rs.1,975 crore.
  • Revenue more than doubled to Rs.60 crore in line with growth in book size.
  • Earnings before tax at Rs.10 crore remained flat due to increase in the cost of funds.
• Aditya Birla Private Equity (ABPE) :
  • ABPE is targeting the first closure of “Sunrise Fund” – its 2nd private equity fund in August 2011.
• Aditya Birla Money and Aditya Birla Money Mart (Broking and Wealth Management) :
  • In both the businesses, losses were reduced quarter on quarter.
  • Aditya Birla Money Mart is amongst the top mutual fund distributors in the country, the largest corporate agent for Birla Sun Life Insurance and a significant player in wealth management.
  • Retail market share of Aditya Birla Money in the cash segment enhanced quarter on quarter. Market share in the commodities segment has also increased.
  • Aditya Birla Insurance brokers, the general insurance advisory arm, wrote a premium of Rs.84 crore.

B) Telecom :

• A strong 32 per cent year on year growth in total minutes on the network drove earnings growth, absorbing about 6 per cent decline in average revenue per minute.
• Revenue rose by 24 per cent to Rs.4,516 crore and EBITDA soared by 35 per cent to Rs.1,225 crore.
• Scale benefit led cost efficiencies and rising revenue market share also contributed.
• Net profit de-grew from Rs.201 crore to Rs.177 crore. With the introduction of 3G services, additional expenses of amortisation of 3G spectrum fee (Rs.66 crore) and charging of related interest cost  (Rs. 123 crore) has impacted profits.
• With total minutes of usage of 1.2 billion per day, Idea is among the top 10 operators in the world.
• Idea ranks 3rd in India in terms of wireless revenue market share at 13.6 per cent during January – March 2011 up from 13.3 per cent in the previous quarter.
• Idea has the highest active subscribers’ ratio in the industry at 92 per cent as on 31st May 2011 and is the leading net subscribers’ gainer post launch of mobile number portability, reflecting its brand strength.
• Idea currently offers 3G services in 19 service areas.
• Idea is serving a large base of more than 95 million subscribers as on 30th June 2011.

C) Fashion & Lifestyle :

• Madura Fashion & Lifestyle, the largest premium branded apparel player in India, achieved a robust 39 per cent year on year growth in revenue at Rs.484 crore.
• Madura posted a strong 39 per cent volume growth despite the rise in apparel prices. Apparel prices were increased to pass on rise in cotton prices and levy of excise duty.
• EBITDA grew by 27 per cent to Rs. 24 crore. Increase in volumes and prices compensated for cost push and higher discounting.
• The retail channel attained 43 per cent growth driven by same stores sales growth and expanded retail space. Like to like stores sales grew year on year by 16 per cent.
• Madura launched 70 Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) to reach 948 EBOs spanning across 1.4 million square feet.

D) IT-ITeS :

• Aditya Birla Minacs has recently been named among the ‘top five emerging outsourcers to watch out for in North America’ by Frost and Sullivan.
• It sold Total Contract Value of US$128 million and won three new clients during the quarter.
• Revenue grew year on year by 21 per cent to Rs.471 crore supported by conversion of order book.
• About 800 headcounts were added to support growth.
• In the direction of diversifying geographical presence, Aditya Birla Minacs added one more centre in Philippines with a capacity of 285 seats.
• EBITDA remained flat at Rs.35 crore as the rise in manpower costs and ramp up expenses for new contracts contained profitability.

E) Manufacturing :

• Manufacturing businesses posted strong growth in revenue and profitability
• The combined revenue scaled up by 43 per cent to Rs.1,392 crore
• EBITDA grew by 21 per cent from Rs.172 crore to Rs.208 crore.
• Operating margin stood at 15% and return on average capital employed (ROACE) at 25 per cent.
• In the Textiles business, strong volume growth in the linen segment and improved realisation across all the segments augmented earnings growth.
• A 32 per cent volume growth and higher power sales in the Carbon Blackbusiness also contributed.
• Higher urea and agri-input sales in the Agri-business supported earnings growth. In first quarter of the previous year, the urea plant was under an annual maintenance shut-down for 21 days.
• In the Rayon and Insulators businesses, higher input and fuel costs were partly set off by increase in realisation.

Financial Position

• ABNL has a strong standalone balance sheet with Net Debt to Equity at 0.57 and Net Debt to EBITDA at 3.2.

About Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.

Aditya Birla Nuvo is a US$4 billion conglomerate. Over the years, it has built successful ventures into the sunrise sectors viz., Financial Services (Life Insurance, Asset Management, NBFC, Private Equity, Broking, Wealth Management and general insurance advisory), Telecom, Fashion and Lifestyle and IT-ITeS. The razor sharp focus on manufacturing businesses has made it a leading player in Agri-business, Carbon Black, Insulators, Rayon and Textiles sectors.

Aditya Birla Nuvo is part of the Aditya Birla Group, a US$35 billion Indian business group having multinational presence. The group operates in 33 countries across the globe, is anchored by an extraordinary force of 133,000 employees belonging to 42 nationalities and derives more than 60 per cent of its revenue from its overseas operations.

Vision 
To become a premium conglomerate with market leadership across businesses, delivering superior value to shareholders on a sustained basis.

Certain statements in this  “Press Release” may not be based on historical information or facts and may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those relating to general business plans & strategy of the Company, its future outlook & growth prospects, future developments in its businesses, its competitive & regulatory environment and management’s current views & assumptions which may not remain constant due to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include global and Indian demand supply conditions, finished goods prices, feed stock availability and prices, cyclical demand and pricing in the Company’s principal markets, changes in Government regulations, tax regimes, competitors actions, economic developments within India and the countries within which the company conducts business and other factors such as litigation and labour negotiations. The Company assume no responsibility to publicly amend, modify or revise any statement, on the basis of any subsequent development, information or events, or otherwise. This  “Press Release” does not constitute a prospectus, offering circular or offering memorandum or an offer to acquire any shares and should not be considered as a recommendation that any investor should subscribe for or purchase any of the Company’s shares. The financial figures in this “Press Release” have been rounded off to the nearest Rs.one Crore. For currency conversion, one USD is considered to be equal to Rs.45. The financial results are consolidated financials unless otherwise specified.

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30 May 2011, Aditya Birla Nuvo reports results for the year ended 31 March 2011

Click here to view the results Click here to view the quarterly investor presentation Highlights Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited (ABNL), a USD 4 billion conglomerate, having leadership position across its businesses, reported highest ever earnings Revenue Rs. 17,102 crore 17% EBITDA Rs. 2,420 crore 71% Net profit Rs. 752 crore Rs.crore Quarter-4 Consolidated results Full-year Pro-forma* Published Pro-forma* Published 2010-11 2009-10 2009-10 2010-11 2009-10 2009-10 4,148 3,605 4,483 Revenue 17,102 14,645 15,523 497 243 516 EBITDA 2,420 1,413 1,686 224 110 180 Net profit 752 84 155 *Idea Cellular (Idea), a JV of ABNL, has not published its Financial Statements (FS) for the quarter and the year ended 31st March 2011. Hence for comparison purpose, ABNL has considered the FS of Idea for the nine months ended 31st December in both the years. On receipt of the FS of Idea, ABNL will publish its audited consolidated results.   Management comments Dr. Rakesh Jain, MD, Aditya Birla Nuvo said, “With a leadership position across its businesses that mirror the growing sectors of the Indian economy, ABNL is a uniquely positioned conglomerate. We remain focused to capture opportunities across the businesses to achieve the next level of growth”. Mr. Sushil Agarwal, CFO, Aditya Birla Nuvo emphasised, “ABNL’s consistent improvement in operating and financial performance year after year is an outcome of enhanced focus on profitable growth across the businesses. We are committed to maintain this trend of superior performance while creating value for all the stakeholders.” Business-wise review Financial services Aditya Birla Financial Services (ABFS) continues to strengthen its position as a large non-bank financial services player. Trusted by about 5.5 million customers and anchored by about 15,000 employees, ABFS has a nation-wide reach with more than 1,700 points of presence and about 200,000 channel partners. Its combined funds under management are in the range of Rs. 88,200 crore (approx. USD 20 billion). ABFS’s revenue stood at Rs. 6,296 crore (USD 1.4 billion), EBITDA at Rs. 537 crore and net profit at Rs. 309 crore. Driven by strong persistency, the renewal premium of Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI) surged by 41% to Rs. 3,597 crore. The new business premium income at Rs. 2,080 crore de-grew year on year. ULIP sales were impacted across the industry post the new guidelines which became effective from 1 September 2010. However, non-ULIP sales gained traction. For BSLI, non-ULIPs contributed 21% of its new business. BSLI’s AUM scaled up by 23% to Rs. 19,760 crore. Fuelled by the growing size of in-force book, lower new business strain and better expense management, BSLI achieved EBITDA of Rs. 352 crore vis-a-vis a loss of Rs. 378 crore in the earlier year. Net profit stood at Rs. 305 crore during the year compared to a net loss of Rs. 435 crore in the previous year. No capital infusion was required. The total average AUM (AAUM) of Birla Sun Life Asset Management (BSAMC) stood at Rs. 67,560 crore with an increase in market share in terms of domestic AAUM from 8.3% to 9.1%. BSAMC’s equity AAUM (Including offshore) and alternate assets at Rs. 15,177 crore grew by 12%. Its maiden real estate onshore fund collected Rs. 1,088 crore. During the year, EBITDA rose by 53% to Rs. 130 crore and net profit rose by 75% to Rs. 85 crore. The average book size of Aditya Birla Finance (ABFL), the NBFC arm, more than doubled year-on-year to around Rs.1,800 crore. ABFL disbursed loans of approximately Rs. 5,000 crore towards IPO financing. Operating profit (net of interest cost) grew by 22% to Rs. 57 crore. Telecom With total minutes of usages of more than 1 billion per day, Idea is among the top 10 operators in the world. Idea ranks third in India in terms of wireless revenue market share at 13.1% during April – December 2010 up from 12.4% a year ago. Idea has won 1 million 3G customers within a month of its launch in nine service areas. Idea is pursuing long-term arrangements with select quality operators for other service areas. Idea has not published its results for the quarter and the year ended 31March 2011. However, during the nine months, the revenue of Idea Cellular rose by 24% to Rs. 11,240 crore driven by a strong growth in the total minutes of usage. During the nine months, Idea’s EBITDA grew by 5% to Rs 2,757 crore while net profit de-grew by 9% to Rs. 624 crore. The decline in average revenue per minute was almost compensated by volume led cost efficiencies. Fashion & Lifestyle Madura Fashion & Lifestyle sells one branded apparel every two seconds through its 900 exclusive brand outlets spanning across 1.3 million square feet besides more than 1,250 departmental stores and multi brand outlets. Madura Fashion & Lifestyle has posted a robust 45% growth in revenue at Rs 1,809 crore. It continues to leverage its brand leadership and expanded retail presence to ride on the buoyant demand in the domestic market. Like to like stores sales from the major brands (Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England) grew by more than 30%. EBITDA shot up to Rs. 137 crore vis-à-vis loss of Rs. 4 crore in the preceding year. IT-ITeS Having global delivery capabilities serving several Fortune 500 clients through 35 centres and over 19,500 employees, Aditya Birla Minacs was recently recognised in the leaders category of the ‘Global Outsourcing 100′ companies by IAOP. Revenue grew year on year by 11% to Rs. 1,692 crore while EBITDA extended by 75% to Rs 183 crore. It sold Total Contract Value in excess of USD 775 million during the year. The business has posted a net profit of Rs. 74 crore vis-à-vis a net loss of Rs. 13 crore last year. Revenue growth, rationalised cost structure and savings in interest cost spurred profitability. Manufacturing Manufacturing businesses are well positioned to tap growth opportunities arising from investment and consumption across agriculture, power, automobiles and textiles sectors. The combined revenue grew by 26% to Rs. 4,689 crore, fuelled by expansion in the carbon black business and buoyant demand in the linen segment. EBITDA stood at Rs. 781 crore up from Rs. 748 crore earned in the last year. Expansion led 19% volume growth and higher power sales in the carbon black business was partly offset by stabilisation of the expanded capacity. While a steep rise in the input and fuel costs strained profitability in the rayon business, volume growth in the textiles and insulators businesses contributed to the bottom-line. Higher agri-input sales also augmented profitability. Manufacturing businesses posted an operating margin of 16% and return on average capital employed (ROACE) of 26%. Financial position The company’s standalone balance sheet has been strengthened with net debt to equity improving from 0.74 to 0.58 and net debt to EBITDA from 4.1 to 3.2. This is the outcome of consistent earnings growth, along with the promoter infusion of Rs. 426 crore in December 2010, on conversion of the remaining warrants. Dividend The Board of Directors has recommended a dividend of 55% for 2010-11 entailing a total outgo of Rs. 73 crore including the dividend distribution tax. Going forward ABNL’s strategy going forward includes: Increasing market share while building a profitable book with a strong focus on distribution efficiency, persistency, expense management and service in the Life Insurance business Increasing market share profitably with a strong focus on distribution, high margin assets, service and fund performance in the Asset Management business Continuing to augment revenue market share by capitalising on brand Idea in the Telecom business backed by excellent service delivery Continuing to leverage brand leadership and expanded retail space in the Fashion & Lifestyle business Augmenting capabilities, building a strong order book and scaling F&A and collections verticals in the IT-ITeS business Margin enhancement by maximising operating efficiency and passing on the rise in input and fuel costs in the Manufacturing businesses. Expansion of capacities is also on the cards to capture sector growth. Caustic soda capacity expansion by 125 TPD to 375 TPD by FY13. Plans to further expand carbon black capacity by 85,000 TPA each at Patalganga in the second phase and in Southern India, to capitalise on the auto sector growth. Insulators capacity enhancement by 2,000 TPA through debottlenecking to tap power sector growth. ABNL’s thrust is on capturing growth opportunities across the businesses to achieve the next level of growth, supported by its strong balance sheet. About Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd. Aditya Birla Nuvo is a USD 4 billion conglomerate. Over the years, it has built successful ventures into the sunrise sectors viz., Financial Services (Life Insurance, Asset Management, NBFC, Private Equity, Broking, Wealth Management etc), Telecom, IT-ITeS and Fashion & Lifestyle. The razor sharp focus on manufacturing businesses has made it a leading player in Carbon Black, Agri-business, Rayon, Insulators and Textiles sectors. Aditya Birla Nuvo is part of the Aditya Birla Group, India’s first truly multinational group. The group operates in 31 countries across the globe, is anchored by an extraordinary force of 131,000 employees belonging to 42 nationalities and derives more than 60% of its revenue from its overseas operations. Vision To become a premium conglomerate with market leadership across businesses, delivering superior value to shareholders on a sustained basis. Certain statements in this “Press Release” may not be based on historical information or facts and may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those relating to general business plans & strategy of the Company, its future outlook & growth prospects, future developments in its businesses, its competitive & regulatory environment and management’s current views & assumptions which may not remain constant due to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include global and Indian demand supply conditions, finished goods prices, feed stock availability and prices, cyclical demand and pricing in the Company’s principal markets, changes in Government regulations, tax regimes, competitors actions, economic developments within India and the countries within which the company conducts business and other factors such as litigation and labour negotiations. The Company assume no responsibility to publicly amend, modify or revise any statement, on the basis of any subsequent development, information or events, or otherwise. This “Press Release” does not constitute a prospectus, offering circular or offering memorandum or an offer to acquire any shares and should not be considered as a recommendation that any investor should subscribe for or purchase any of the Company’s shares. The financial figures in this “Press Release” have been rounded off to the nearest Rs. one Crore.

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11 February 2011; Aditya Birla Nuvo Limited (ABNL), a USD 3.5 billion conglomerate with leadership position across its businesses, has reported strong financial results. For the quarter ended 31 December 2010, the company’s consolidated revenue at Rs 4,563 crore grew by 12% and net profit at Rs 275 crore rose phenomenally vis-a–vis Rs 8 crore attained in corresponding quarter of the earlier year. Click here to view the results Click here to view the quarterly investor presentation Rs. crore Quarter-3 Consolidated Nine Months FY10-11 FY09-10 FY10-11 FY09-10 12%  4,563 4,089 Revenue 12,951 11,039 17% 77%  745 421 EBITDA 1,922 1,170 64% 275 8 Net profit 529 -26 Led by a strong year on year earnings growth, net profit at Rs 529 crore earned in nine months surpassed full year net profit of Rs 155 crore attained in previous financial year 2009-10. Commenting on the results, Dr. Rakesh Jain, MD, Aditya Birla Nuvo said, “The investments made in the growth businesses viz., Financial Services, Fashion & Lifestyle and IT-ITeS businesses are now yielding consistent results. This reflects the strength of ABNL’s diversified business model and growth strategy which will continue to be pursued to further strengthen ABNL’s leadership positions across all the businesses”. Mr. Sushil Agarwal, CFO, Aditya Birla Nuvo highlighted, “Continuing its trend of delivering strong results quarter after quarter, ABNL posted 8th consecutive quarterly growth in EBITDA. On a year on year basis, net profit recorded a swing of more than Rs 250 crore during the quarter and more than Rs 550 crore during the nine months. The balance sheet and financial ratios have also been strengthened considerably. We are committed to maintain this trend of superior performance.” Business-wise quarterly performance review: Aditya Birla Financial Services (ABFS) ABFS continues to strengthen its position as a large non-bank financial services player. ABFS is trusted by about 5.5 million customers and anchored by about 15,000 employees. ABFS has a nation-wide reach with more than 1,600 points of presence and about 2,00,000 channel partners. It manages combined Assets under Management (AUM) of about Rs 81,500 crore (approx. USD 18 billion). During the quarter, ABFS’s revenue stood at Rs 1,460 crore, EBITDA at Rs 182 crore and net profit at Rs 151 crore. Driven by strong persistency ratio, the renewal premium of Birla Sun Life Insurance (BSLI) surged by 55% to Rs 893 crore. The new business premium income at Rs 385 crore de-grew year on year. ULIP sales for majority of life insurers were impacted post the new guidelines which became effective from 1 September 2010. For BSLI, non-ULIPs contributed 38% of new business. BSLI’s AUM scaled up by 30% to Rs19,165 crore. Fuelled by the growing size of in-force book, lower new business strain and better expense management, BSLI achieved EBITDA of Rs 138 crore vis-a-vis loss of Rs 128 crore in the last year. Net profit stood at Rs 127 crore during the quarter.No capital infusion was required during the three quarters. In the fourth quarter too, no capital infusion is estimated. The total average AUM (AAUM) of Birla Sun Life Asset Management (BSAMC) stood at Rs 61,532 crore as on 31 December 2010. BSAMC’s equity AAUM (incl. offshore) at Rs 15,141 crore grew by 15% during nine months. In domestic equity AAUM, BSAMC achieved the third highest growth rate among the top ten players. Its maiden Real Estate Onshore Fund collected Rs 1,088 crore. During the three quarters, EBITDA of BSAMC doubled to Rs 110 crore. The average book size of Aditya Birla Finance (ABFL), the NBFC arm, surged by 90% quarter-on-quarter to around Rs 2,150 crore. ABFL disbursed loans of approximately Rs 4,700 crore towards IPO financing during the quarter. Aditya Birla Private Equity launched “Sunrise Fund”aimed at investing in companies engaged in emerging sectors such as lifestyle, life skills and education, life care and applied technologies. Telecom: The revenue of Idea Cellular rose by 26% to Rs 3,953 crore driven by a strong growth in total Minutes of Use (MoU). The total MoU on network crossed the “1 billion per day”mark during the quarter. Idea ranks third in terms of wireless revenue market share at 12.8% up from 12.1% a year ago. Idea’s EBITDA grew by 13% to Rs 958 crore and net profit surged by 43% to Rs 243 crore. It absorbed the competitive pressures on average revenue per minute through cost efficiencies. Idea is targeting the 3G roll out within the next few months in 11 services areas where it has won 3G spectrum and account for 80% of its existing revenue. Idea is pursuing long-term arrangements with select quality operators for other service areas. Fashion & Lifestyle: Madura Garments has posted a 60% growth in revenue at Rs 504 crore. The business is leveraging its brand leadership and expanded retail presence to ride on the buoyant demand in the domestic market. Like to like stores sales from the major brands (Louis Philippe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly and Peter England) grew by 35%. During the quarter, 54 Exclusive Brand Outlets (EBOs) were launched to reach a total of 506 EBOs across 9.5 lakh sq. ft. area. EBITDA shot up from Rs 10 crore to Rs 47 crore during the quarter. During the three quarters, business posted an EBITDA of Rs 111 crore – a swing of more than Rs 100 crore over the last year. IT-ITeS: Quarterly revenue grew year on year by 14% to Rs 428 crore. EBITDA extended by 29% to Rs 40 crore. Revenue growth, rationalised cost structure and savings in interest cost spurred profitability. During the three quarters, Aditya Birla Minacs sold Total Contract Value of ~USD 625 million and posted a net profit of Rs 41 crore vis-à-vis a net loss of Rs 11 crore last year. The combined revenue of the manufacturing businesses grew by 25% to Rs 1,231 crore, driven by expansion in the carbon black business and buoyant volumes in the linen segment. EBITDA stood at Rs 197 crore. In the third quarter of the previous year, the carbon black business benefited from low cost inventory while agri-business received higher subsidy arrears. While a steep rise in the input and fuel costs strained profitability in the rayon business, volume growth in the textiles business augmented profitability. During the three quarters, manufacturing businesses posted EBITDA of Rs 575 crore, operating margin of 17% and return on average capital employed (ROACE) of 27%. The company’s standalone balance sheet stands strengthened with net debt to equity and net debt to EBITDA at 0.56 and 3.1 as on 31 December 2010 vis-à-vis 0.74 and 4.1 as on 31 March 2010. This is the outcome of consistent earnings growth, along with the promoter infusion of Rs 426 crore in December 2010, on the conversion of remaining warrants. About Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd. Aditya Birla Nuvo is a USD 3.5 billion conglomerate. Over the years, it has built successful ventures into sunrise sectors viz., Financial Services (Life Insurance, Asset Management, NBFC, Private Equity, Broking, Wealth Management etc), Telecom, IT-ITeS and Fashion & Lifestyle. The razor sharp focus on manufacturing businesses has made it a leading player in Carbon Black, Agri-business, Rayon, Insulators and Textiles businesses. Vision To become a premium conglomerate with market leadership across businesses, delivering superior value to shareholders on a sustained basis. Aditya Birla Nuvo is part of the Aditya Birla Group, India’s first truly multinational group. The group operates in 27 countries across the globe, is anchored by an extraordinary force of over 130,000 employees belonging to 40 nationalities and derives more than 60% of its revenue from its overseas operations. Certain statements in this “Press Release” may not be based on historical information or facts and may be “forward looking statements” within the meaning of applicable securities laws and regulations, including, but not limited to, those relating to general business plans & strategy of the Company, its future outlook & growth prospects, future developments in its businesses, its competitive & regulatory environment and management’s current views & assumptions which may not remain constant due to risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those expressed or implied. Important factors that could make a difference to the Company’s operations include global and Indian demand supply conditions, finished goods prices, feed stock availability and prices, cyclical demand and pricing in the Company’s principal markets, changes in Government regulations, tax regimes, competitors actions, economic developments within India and the countries within which the company conducts business and other factors such as litigation and labour negotiations. The Company assume no responsibility to publicly amend, modify or revise any statement, on the basis of any subsequent development, information or events, or otherwise. This “Press Release” does not constitute a prospectus, offering circular or offering memorandum or an offer to acquire any shares and should not be considered as a recommendation that any investor should subscribe for or purchase any of the Company’s shares. The financial figures in this “Press Release” have been rounded off to the nearest Rs one Crore.

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Mumbai- The Supervisory Board of LANXESS AG agreed at its extraordinary meeting today to revoke the contract of Matthias Zachert (43), Member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer, as of March 31, 2011. Zachert had requested the Board to do so accordingly. In his current function, he has been a Member of the Board of Management since 2004.

Dr. Rolf Stomberg, Head of the LANXESS AG Supervisory Board: “We greatly regret the decision of Mr. Zachert to end his work here at LANXESS to address a new challenge. In the last seven years at LANXESS, Mr. Zachert has significantly contributed to the successful development of the company. He not only established the global finance organization but also played a key part in the restructuring of the portfolio and repositioning of LANXESS. He was highly recognized within the company as well as by the financial community and decisively strengthened the standing of the company with the rating agencies and equity markets. The Supervisory Board would like to thank Mr. Zachert for his extraordinary achievements and wishes him all the best for his future career.”

LANXESS Chairman of the Board of Management Dr. Axel C. Heitmann: „My fellow Members of the Board and I deeply regret the decision of Matthias Zachert and would like to thank him for his long and successful work at LANXESS. He has provided a great service to the company and significantly contributed to the financial performance over the last years as well the current financial strength of the Group.”

Dr. Bernhard Düttmann (51), previously Member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer of Beiersdorf AG, Hamburg, has been appointed Member of the Board of Management and Chief Financial Officer of LANXESS AG as of April 1, 2011. The Supervisory Board is pleased to have gained an experienced Chief Financial Officer of a recognized company for the CFO role at LANXESS AG and would like to wish him success in his new position.”

Dr. Heitmann: “We are looking forward to welcoming Dr. Düttmann as a new Member of our Board of Management of LANXESS AG as of April. He does not only distinguish himself by his many years of experience but is also very familiar with the important growth regions of Latin America and Asia.”

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 5.06 billion in 2009 and currently around 14,700 employees in 24 countries. The company is represented at 45 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

Chennai: January 19, 2011| Be it residence, office or a mall, the trend today is shiny floors increasing the risk of slips among the young and the old equally.  India is a fractured society, not literally but in the physical sense. A recent international report “The Asian Audit” puts India in the second place in hip fractures with 4.4 lakh people falling prey every year of which 90% is due to falls.

Goodwill Enterprises have brought an end to end solution to address the problem of slippery floors, with the launch of Goodgrip in Tamilnadu and Pondicherry. Goodgrip offers an end to end solution that improves the co-efficiency of friction on the floor, resulting in increased safety.

Priced at Rs. 35/sft for the treatment of the floor, Goodgrip offers colorless and odourless solution which does not harm the skin or body. The ease of application process with no alteration to the physical appearance of the floor gives this product the distinction.

Goodgrip is ideal for Residential areas(Bathroom, balcony, front main entrance, staircase, staircase landing, foyer, kitchen and any other area having the problem of slipperiness) and Commercial areas (Restaurants, Old age Homes, ATM s,Fast Food Outlets, Hotels, Motels, Resorts, Office buildings, Banks, Hospitals, Nursing homes, Schools, Malls, Food Courts, Medical facilities, Baths, Spas, Tubs, Showers, Pool areas, College dormitories, Country Clubs, Government buildings, almost any public and commercial facility).

For more details on the product, visit www.goodgrip.in

Contact: 8939 8939 00, info@goodgrip.in

Editorial queries: Sandhya Raju: 9380572123

Plastic Online Marketplace – Plastic-World has been launched B2B Classified Magazine which includes classified of all plastic allied organization. Moreover, this newly launched classified magazine of online business-to-business portal also lists the classified of plastic industry exhibitors, who had participated in the K 2010 – The International Plastic Trade Fair.

Plastic B2B portal – Plastic World has launched the first volume of B2B Classified Magazine for plastic industry. Within short span of launching this plastic portal (B2B) becomes the professional business platform for all who are involved in to import-export trade, Indian exporters, manufacturers and suppliers of plastics and allied industry.

At this Online Plastic Marketplace, business houses are categorized as per their product/services; however, it is fast as well as easy to use and possess the ability to cope with high level of traffic so there is no limit to the potential success for your advertising. By intending to offer new platform for globalization of plastic world, it has launched this B2B Classified Magazine.

This newly launched B2B Classified Magazine helps you to generate more and more fruitful business and getting an edge over your competitors. Following are the highlights of the B2B classified magazine:

- Featured member listing.

- Info of upcoming trade fairs like, 8th Plastivision India 2011, Indiamart Plast Show 2010, Bangla Plast 2011, etc.

- Classified of all 126

Indian exhibitors of K – 2010 The International Plastic Trade Fair.

- Info regarding benefit of becoming Sponsor and Cosponsor at Plastic World.

- Offer info about plastic auxiliary equipments from world leaders.

- Information about K -10, International Plastic Industry Trade Fair at Germany such as 10 things to do during your move to Germany, Red Tapes and Visas in Germany, etc.

Apart from this just launching of this new classified magazine, Plastic-World has been also freely distributed the first volume of this b2b magazine at K – 2010 The International Plastic Trade Fair with aimed to enhance the plastic business on global base.

Please visit: http://www.plast-world.com for more information about our diverse services as well as products.

Plastic World is a Leading  for online trading. On this great platform all plastic importers and exporters can place plastic buying & selling leads, online polymer updates, news for upcoming and forthcoming plastic trade show, and more. We offer all the relevant information and details that you need for your plastic business just within a simple click.

Contact Information:

Plast-World.com

Plot no.37-C/1,

Bhaktinagar Industrial Estate,

Rajkot – 360 002, Gujarat (INDIA).

Phone: +91- 281- 2363246 / 2372346

Mob: 07878777700

Website: http://www.plast-world.com/

E-mail: support@plastic-world.in

Mumbai, October 25, 2010: Nagda – LANXESS India, the subsidiary of German specialty chemicals company LANXESS AG, has started up the production of a state-of-the-art co-generation power plant at its manufacturing site in Nagda, Madhya Pradesh today. The cogeneration plant, which is fuelled by the biomass fuel – soya husk, will meet virtually most of the power requirements of the basic chemicals plant of LANXESS at the site.

The inauguration of the cogeneration plant was marked by an opening ceremony attended by the honorable Minister of Urban Administration and Development, Madhya Pradesh, Shri Manohar Utawal, Vice President of Madhya Pradesh Mining Board, Shri Govind Maloo, Shri Rajesh Agarwal, a representative from Soyabean Processors Association and Consul General, Consulate of The Federal Republic of Germany, Mr. Leopold-Theodor Heldmann, Dr. Hans-Georg Schmitt, Head of LANXESS Basic Chemicals business unit and Dr. Joerg Strassburger, Country Representative and Managing Director of LANXESS India, were also present.

With an investment of EUR seven million in the pioneering plant, LANXESS has clearly raised the bar for sustainable development in India. By utilizing a renewable source of energy, LANXESS will significantly reduce its carbon footprint by 70,000 metric tons of coal per year and thus reduce about 95,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. In comparison, the combustion of biomass as a fuel is carbon neutral for the environment.

This plant is another example of LANXESS’ commitment to green chemistry and sustainable development. The German specialty chemicals company is using innovative and climate-friendly technologies at its manufacturing sites worldwide and has reduced its direct greenhouse gas emissions by more then 50 percent globally. From 2007 to 2009, annual emissions from the group’s plants were cut from 3.5 million to 1.5 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents.

Schmitt said, “For us, the completion of this co-generation plant will be just the beginning of a major effort to make this Nagda site more sustainable. Besides reducing our carbon footprint, major emphasis is put on recycling process water. In addition, our waste treatment facilities will be enhanced with the goal of ultimately phasing out waste water discharge. A state-of-the-art liquid waste incinerator will be built and new ways to upgrade the safety and security of our transportation network will be sought. For LANXESS, these are fundamental prerequisites to further expand existing capacities and extend our product portfolio at the Nagda site. “

Strassburger added, “We have raised the bar in terms of responsible manufacturing here in India. We have also set up and started a cogeneration plant in Jhagadia in the state of Gujarat which would be based on a clean fuel, natural gas. Since green chemistry is a part of the LANXESS DNA, we have taken initiatives to make our neighborhood greener by planting trees at our sites in Jhagadia and Nagda.”

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 5.06 billion in 2009 and currently around 14,400 employees in 23 countries. The company is represented at 42 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals.

Forward-Looking Statements

This news release contains forward-looking statements based on current assumptions and forecasts made by LANXESS AG management. Various known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors could lead to material differences between the actual future results, financial situation, development or performance of the company and the estimates given here. The company assumes no liability whatsoever to update these forward-looking statements or to conform them to future events or developments.

CII National Committee on Steel to focus on policy enablers for industry competitiveness

New Delhi, India, September 23, 2010: “There is an immediate need for consensus building among stakeholders on key policy enablers like the proposed MMDR Act and R&R policy” said Mr C S Verma, Chairman of CII National Committee on Steel and Chairman of SAIL.

Speaking at the CII national committee meeting today, he called upon industry to present itself in one voice and stressed on the need to work closely with government on key aspects related to the growth of the steel sector.

He also highlighted the need for industry to look for solutions beyond rail and road and focus on technology upgradation and undertaking joint R&D initiatives.

The projected investment in infrastructure in the 11^th five year plan is US$514 billion which is 9% of GDP as against 5% of GDP in the 10^th five year plan.

Assuming even if 75% of these investments materialize, then about 100 Million Ton of steel is needed on incremental basis just for infrastructure, he said.

The meeting was attended by industry leaders and heads of various industry associations and related stakeholders.

Thomson Reuters Predicts Nobel Laureates
Twenty-one “Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates” Recognized for Their Contributions to the Advancement of Science

India, September 22, 2010 – With just two weeks until the recipients of some of the world’s most coveted research prizes are named, Thomson Reuters is releasing its picks for 2010 Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates – researchers likely to be in contention for Nobel honors.

Each year, Thomson Reuters uses data from its research solution, Web of Knowledge^SM, to quantitatively determine the most influential researchers in the Nobel categories of Physiology or Medicine, Physics, Chemistry, and Economics. Based on citations to their works, the company names these high-impact researchers as Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates and predicts them to be Nobel Prize winners, either this year or in the near future.

Thomson Reuters is the only organization to use quantitative data to make annual predictions of Nobel Prize winners.  Since 2002, 19 Citation Laureates have gone on to win Nobel Prizes.

“We choose our Citation Laureates by assessing citation counts and the number of high-impact papers while identifying discoveries or themes that may be considered worthy of recognition by the Nobel Committee,” said David Pendlebury, Citation Analyst, Research Services, Thomson Reuters.  “A strong correlation exists between citations in literature and peer esteem.   Professional awards, like the Nobel Prize, are a reflection of this peer esteem.”

The Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates typically rank among the top one-tenth of one percent (0.1%) of researchers in their fields, based on citations of their published papers over the last two decades.

This year, 15 of the 21 Citation Laureates hail from American universities; researchers from France, Japan, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom also appear among the 2010 picks.

For detailed information about each of the Citation Laureates, including information about their areas of study, and to read about previously named Citation Laureates who are still in the running for a Nobel Prize, visit the Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates website at science.thomsonreuters.com/nobel/. You can also sign up to receive up to the minute news about all things Nobel by following @nobelcitings on Twitter.com.

This year, Thomson Reuters is hosting a forum at science.thomsonreuters.com/nobel.  The forum will feature a discussion among Nobel-watchers from all backgrounds about past and future Nobel Prize winners. 

The 2010 Thomson Reuters Citation Laureates by Nobel Prize category are:

Chemistry

Physics

Physiology or Medicine

Economics

Thomson Reuters

Thomson Reuters is the world’s leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals.  We combine industry expertise with innovative technology to deliver critical information to leading decision makers in the financial, legal, tax and accounting, healthcare and science and media markets, powered by the world’s most trusted news organization.  With headquarters in New York and major operations in London and Eagan, Minnesota, Thomson Reuters employs 55,000 people and operates in over 100 countries.  For more information, go to www.thomsonreuters.com.

CONTACTS
Susan Fitzpatrick
Manager, PR & Communications
Healthcare & Science
(215) 823-1840
susan.fitzpatrick@thomsonreuters.com

Aditya Birla Minacs wins Best Operational Excellence Award at the CIOL-Dataquest Enterprise Awards 2010
MaxView, Minacs’ proprietary business intelligence application, enables stringent process efficiency

Bangalore, India, Sept. 21, 2010: Aditya Birla Minacs, a global business solutions company, won the Best Operational Excellence Award in the individual category at the CIOL-Dataquest Enterprise Awards 2010, held in Mumbai. Minacs’ MaxView Enterprise Dashboard and Business Intelligence innovation shone amongst 90 participants on a number of criteria driving operational excellence.

MaxView enables a single view interface for all processes that Minacs runs for clients. Its graphical dashboards, scorecards and analytical capabilities help identify deficient performers so that targeted coaching on specific areas can be used to optimise every process.

According to the jury, what spoke in favour of Aditya Birla Minacs, among the 90 participants for the CIOL-Dataquest Operational Excellence Award, was the implementation of MaxView helping clients to have a clear real-time snapshot to compare the performance of previous weeks, months and years. MaxView helps both internal business managers as well as clients with a clear real-time snapshot of operations, thereby helping businesses to take smart decisions.

Receiving the award, Mr. Kishore Raveendranathan, Associate Vice President – Information Systems, Aditya Birla Minacs, said, “MaxView’s win echoes Minacs’ values – an open and transparent system. This helped all our business units identify outliers and ensure maximum operational rigour delivering results constantly. This award reflects the hard work of the global IT team at Minacs who helped build MaxView.”

Mr. Milind Godbole, President – Asia Pacific, Aditya Birla Minacs said, “We are very proud to have  received this award for operational excellence from a reputed media house like Cybermedia. Our MaxView innovation creates the capacity for us to design processes that suit the specific requirements of each client, while maintaining a standardisation level that enables sustainable long term advantages for both our operations as well as business management. The right technology enables the balance of personalisation and standardisation of daily activities. Our IT team is helping us to drive this flexibility and enabling us to accommodate any needed scope or scale changes required for agile operations by adapting technology for business intelligence.”

Instituted in 2004, the CIOL-Dataquest Enterprise Awards recognise the excellence of CIOs in enabling their organisations become efficient and competitive. Leadership qualities, business-technology understanding, people orientation and performance through pioneering and innovating efforts are the pillars of the awards.

About Aditya Birla Minacs Worldwide Ltd. (Aditya Birla Minacs)

Aditya Birla Minacs is a leading business solutions company that partners with global corporations in the manufacturing, retail, telecom, technology, media and entertainment, banking, insurance, healthcare and public sectors. We leverage years of process, domain and technology expertise to deliver superior business value to clients with our seamless customer lifecycle, marketing, finance and accounting, procurement and IT solutions and services. Sixteen thousand Minacs experts across three continents and 32 centres spanning Canada, Germany, Hungary, India, Jamaica, Philippines, the UK and USA power our solutions through a global delivery model that helps our clients enhance revenues, profitability and customer service. (A subsidiary of Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.)

Visit www.minacs.adityabirla.com for more information.
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Linen Club Fabrics from Aditya Birla Group opens first exclusive showroom in Chennai
Chennai gets a new fashion destination

Chennai, India, 18 September 2010: Linen Club Fabrics — the premium brand from Jaya Shree Textiles, a unit of Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd, opened their first exclusive showroom  This is the 35th exclusive showroom of Linen Club Fabrics in India. Celebrated Bollywood actor Mr. Kabir Bedi inaugurated the showroom in the presence of Mr. S. Krishnamoorthy, President, Textile Division,  Aditya Birla Group.

This exclusive showroom offers a wide range of linen fabrics and ready-to-wear garments. In fabrics, Linen Club offers pure linen to exotic linen blends, printed and embroidered linen fabrics to dress men, women and children. These fabrics can be used in shirts trousers, suits, kurta-pyjamas, skirts, tops, suits, jacket etc. In the ready-to-wear category, Linen Club offers shirts, trousers, jackets and suits. Linen Club’s newest offering also includes accessories such as stoles, laptop bags and scarves.

“For all you trend-setters, the fashion statement this season is to dress in linen”, says style guru Rohit Bal, who endorses Linen Club Fabrics and is a Linen Club Fabrics loyalist. He goes on to add, “This wonderful gift of nature, linen fabric, is extremely suitable for the climate of Chennai.  Linen is the most comfortable, skin-friendly fabric that is made of flax fibre imported from France and Belgium Its distinctive look and skin-friendliness sets linen apart from other contemporary fabrics. It is also anti-bacterial by nature. With a moisture absorption capacity that is twice that of  cotton, linen fabrics keep you cool in summer and warm in winter”, concludes Rohit Bal.

Mr. S. Krishnamoorthy, President, Textiles, Aditya Birla Group, stated, “Linen Club from Jayshree Textiles is India’s finest fabric brand that is highly regarded in the market. Linen Club is popular with the leading garment brands of India such as Colour Plus, Louis Phillipe, Van Heusen, Allen Solly, Wills Lifestyle, Park Avenue, Benetton, Blackberry’s, Levi’s, Freelook, Arrow, Zodiac, Pepe Jeans etc.  The popularity of linen among consumers is growing by the day. The opening of this exclusive linen showroom is a big step forward for natural fabric lovers in Chennai.

Mr. Abhey Nair, Senior Vice President, Textile, Aditya Birla Group, added, “The idea is to strategically coincide this launch with the festive season ahead. We promise to bring the best of our collection to Chennai to make this exclusive showroom a preferred destination for linen lovers.”

Linen Club The Ramp is located at No. 20A, Dr. T. V. Road (Off Spur Tank Road), Opp. Shree Mithai, Chetpet, Chennai-600031.

About Jaya Shree Textiles :

Jaya Shree Textiles, a unit of Aditya Birla Nuvo Ltd.  is situated in Rishra, Hooghly and is India’s first integrated textile manufacturing unit to bag the coveted ISO 9001:2000, ISO 14001, OHSAS18001 and SA certifications for their commitment and excellence in production and quality. Setting benchmarks in linen, Jaya Shree Textiles have striven for excellence, matching the quality standards of European linen. Internationally-acclaimed Italian designers like Mario Talli Nencioni and Raffaela Palmieri have enriched the design value and have made Linen Club fabrics the preferred choice of connoisseurs worldwide.

For media queries, contact
Janet Arole
Madura Garments, Media Relations
Email: janet.arole@adityabirla.com
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Dalmia Cement Closes KKR Investment

September 13^th, 2010 – Avnija (the “Company”), Dalmia Bharat Enterprise Ltd’s subsidiary announced that it has received Rs. 500 crores, which is the first tranche of investment from affiliates of Kohlberg Kravis Roberts & Co. L.P. ( “KKR”).

Previously announced in May, the Company and KKR entered into definitive agreements under which KKR had agreed to invest up to Rs 750 crores.

“While the Company is very well capitalized today, the additional capital enables us to aggressively consolidate our existing market position, deleverage our balance sheet and pursue attractive    organic & inorganic growth options, given the current down cycle.  This engagement with KKR would also enable us access to best international governance & business practices,” said Mr Puneet Dalmia, Managing Director of Dalmia Cement.

“We are excited to partner with the Dalmia family and back them for future capital requirements in the cement business. While the cement industry by nature is cyclical, this is a long-term investment for KKR in a great operating business with a proven management team,” said Mr. Sanjay Nayar, a Member of KKR and CEO of KKR India.

About Avnija (manufacturers of Dalmia brand of cements)

Avnija is a wholly owned subsidiary of Dalmia Bharat Enterprise Ltd, is a leading cement manufacturer with plants in southern states of Tamil Nadu (Dalmiapuram & Ariyalur) and Andhra Pradesh (Kadapa), with a capacity of 9 MTPA. The Company also holds 45.4% stake in OCL India Limited (5.3 MTPA) along with a 100% stake in Dalmia Cement Ventures Limited having upcoming green field projects of 10 MTPA across the country.  Company is a multi spectrum cement player and a pioneer in super specialty cements used for Oil wells, Railway sleepers and Air strips.

For more information, please visit our website www.dalmiacement.com

Contacts For Additional Information:

Dalmia Group:

Allen Solly unveils its Autumn Winter ’10 collection announces the new mantra of ‘Fashion, Fun & Style’ for Allen Solly lovers

Bangalore, India, 7 September 2010: The Allen Solly Autumn Winter ’10 collection announces the new mantra of ‘Fashion, Fun & Style’ for the super-cool Allen Solly lovers. We introduce you to a new phase in fashion with a wider selection of colours and patterns than ever before. The new casual diffusion line is a collection of everyday pieces that are a must-have in your wardrobe, and are suitable for every season. We look forward to the end of 2010 as the cooler weather allows us to work layering and extra detail into our wardrobes.

Women’s wear
The Allen Solly collection is aimed at the contemporary woman — a non-conformist with a zest for life. The collection straddles outerwear, evening wear, fashion formals and a fresh casual collection.

Abstract and eclectic are key trends this season, with colour injections in bright red, flame scarlet, cherry plum, yellow, navy, white and black, on graphic tees, jeans, jackets, sweaters, capris, skirts, jeggings, dresses, shirts, trousers and suits.

Men’s collection
The collection is predominantly casual, trendy, vibrant and young. The fits are slimmer and are sure to make you look young and lean. Allen Solly also has varied options for workwear and celebrations. The look of the collection is very urban and cosmopolitan and includes graphic tees, denims, jackets, shirts, trousers suits and party wear.

The huge collection of formal wear brings you products like the Overdyed & Uncrushable Elixir  shirts and trousers that are light-weight. The biggest advantages that this collection has to offer are the fresh new design tweak into yarn dyed patterns and superior wrinkle-free properties. Check out our cool cufflinks and watches that can jazz up your jackets and formal shirts.

Women’s wear: Rs.499/- to Rs.2,499/-
Men’s wear: Rs.599/- to Rs.2,999/-

Allen Solly AW’10 collection unfurls the new glamorous, trendy and stylish look — a well-thought-out love affair between eclectic prints and vivid colours.

About Allen Solly
Allen Solly created ripples in the Indian market by creating new rules in the corporate dress code. It trashed whites and greys, thereby making the corporate world a colourful and vibrant place. Now, the brand is coming up with its new casual look. Originating from the large portfolio of international brands of Coats Viyella – UK, Allen Solly truly has been the brand that transformed the way people dressed by bringing in its concept of relaxed formal wear to India — bold and bright colours, concepts and patterns.

For further information, contact
Janet Arole
Madura Garments, Media Relations
Email: janet.arole@adityabirla.com

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Break the language barrier with an Idea! – IDEA Cellular set to launch a new brand campaign under the popular, What an Idea, Sirji! series, to demonstrate the power of telephony, in a country where 850 mother tongues and 22,000 dialects are spoken

India, September 3, 2010: IDEA Cellular set to launch a new brand campaign under the popular, What an Idea, Sirji! series, to demonstrate the power of telephony, in a country where 850 mother tongues and 22,000 dialects are spoken

Imagine getting a lucrative job offer from a far flung city in India; the offer excites you, but the thought of living in a place where a different language is spoken, makes you doubtful. Would you leave the offer only because you cannot speak the language, or overcome the hurdle by adopting a simple idea and give wings to a bright career ahead? Watch the new advertisement from IDEA Cellular, breaking this weekend, to know what Sirji will propose this time to overcome the language barrier.

India is a land of a billion people talking in 22 recognized languages, 850 mother tongues, and 22,000 dialects; it is also a land of opportunities for the young Indians who are ambitious, go-getters, and have dreams in their eyes. However, this diversity and vastness, at times, poses a hurdle in the growth of the youth of this country. Taking note of this growing concern of the society, IDEA Cellular has set out to demonstrate how a simple solution can build bridges between people speaking different languages.

The new ad from leading mobile brand will unravel an idea which will help millions of Indians – who move out of their homes for Career, Education, Travel and other prospects in life; or need to communicate with people talking different languages in their own surroundings – to easily adapt to the change in environment and communicate smoothly.

Idea Brand Ambassador, Abhishek Bachchan (aka Sirji), who has in the past been seen in various avatars such as the Sarpanch, Tourist Guide, School Principal, Politician’s aide, Doctor, and even a Tree, will now be seen in a completely different role in the new ad. The Sirji character who has won millions of hearts with his smart ideas and witty comments will give a new idea to overcome the language barrier, without speaking a language!

Speaking about the upcoming campaign, Ms. Anupama Ahluwalia, Vice President – Marketing, IDEA Cellular, said “Almost every Indian has gone through a situation where one has struggled to communicate with another fellow Indian just because of language. India’s diversity lies in its languages, and rather than being intimidated by this barrier, we need to just find a simple solution to overcome it and easily adapt to different environments and people. The new Idea campaign offers a Champion idea to address this concern of our society, through the power of mobile telephony. We are confident that the new brand campaign will build a strong connect with the audience and further grow Idea’s over 70 million subscriber base.”

Brand Idea’s new theme campaign is targeted at the youth and the creative will have a young and modern look, portraying real-life situations faced by the Gen-Next. The ad has been designed to also demonstrate Idea’s pan-India network which offers seamless mobile connectivity across the length and breadth of the country, and affordability of its products and services. Idea will roll out a 360 degree campaign to reach out to the audience, utilizing all traditional and emerging media platforms.

The new ad is yet another innovation in the series of Idea’s campaigns with the popular tag line – What an Idea, Sirji!. The preceding campaigns – ‘Championing a world without caste’; ‘Championing a world in which no one suffers from the disability to communicate’; ‘Education for All’, ‘Participative Governance’, ‘Walk When You Talk’, and the recent ‘Use Mobile, Save Paper’ campaign – all abide by the essential brand promise of providing a simple, fresh and imaginative solution to a complex problem of the society.

The upcoming ad has been designed by Idea’s creative agency, Lowe.

About IDEA Cellular Ltd

IDEA Cellular Ltd. is a leading GSM mobile services operator with over 70 million subscribers, under brand IDEA. It is a pan India integrated GSM operator covering the entire telephony landscape of India, and has NLD and ILD operations. IDEA is listed on the National Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Bombay Stock Exchange (BSE) in India.

IDEA Cellular is an Aditya Birla Group Company, India’s first truly multinational corporation. The group operates in 25 countries, and is anchored by over 130,000 employees belonging to 30 nationalities. More information on the company is available at: http://www.ideacellular.com and on the group at: www.adityabirla.com

Please use this contact for media enquiries only:
Dr. Pragnya Ram
Group Executive President
Corporate Communications & CSR
Aditya Birla Management
Corporation Limited
Tel: 91-22-6652 5000 / 2499 5000
Fax: 91-22-6652 5741/ 42
Email:pragnya.ram@adityabirla.com
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Matix Fertilisers And Chemicals Ltd Of The Matix Group Is Setting Up A Greenfield Fertilizer Complex

India, August 26, 2010: Matix Fertilisers and Chemicals Ltd, the flagship company of the Matix Group is setting up a greenfield fertiliser complex with a capacity of 3 million ton per annum (mtpa). In phase 1, Matix Group will invest Rs. 5000 crore (approximately US$1.1 billion) to set up a 1.3 MTPA single stream Ammonia (2200 MT per Day) & Urea (3850 MT per day) plant with integrated facilities.

The Matix plant will be one of the world’s largest single stream plants and the first with feedstock supply of Coal Bed Methane (CBM) gas exclusively. This will be sourced from the Raniganj block, near Panagarh in West Bengal. The world-class plant is being developed with strategic international partners providing technology, basic & detailed engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning support. The latest and most efficient technology from Kellogg Brown & Root (KBR), USA will be used to produce ammonia. Urea production will use technologies developed by Saipem in Italy.

“We are investing in world-class technology with world-class partners to deliver world-class products that provide benefits to millions of people. It is an opportunity for us to give back on a large scale and in a way that secures the future”, said Mr. Yogendra Kanodia, Chairman, Matix Group.

The complex will house a 33 MW captive power plant, dedicated water reservoir, steam generation and other utilities. Located in Panagarh Industrial Park near Durgapur, the complex is adjacent to National Highway (NH) 2 and the Eastern Railway Network. The efficient distribution and infrastructure also includes road network and a railway siding. Waste water recycling facilities and the green belt will be located within the complex. The plant will be entirely health, safety and environment compliant. The project is due to be completed and the plant operational by 2012.

With no current capacity in the region, the plant will meet the needs of a core market –

customers within a 350-km radius in the states of West Bengal, Bihar, Jharkhand and Orissa.

The management team, led by Mr. Prithviraj Dhariwal along with Mr. Chaman Gupta, and the advisory team lead by Mr. P.N Devarajan and Mr. D.K Varma, would bring a blend of technical, commercial and operational experience in commissioning and operating global-scale enterprises including fertiliser businesses.

“Matix Group will be an innovator in emerging markets. We will attract and nurture future leaders and empower our people. We will be known for our strategic vision, operational excellence and ability to execute big ideas. While seeking sustainable opportunities, we will retain a sharp focus on securing shareholder value”, Mr. Nishant Kanodia, Vice-Chairman, Matix Group.

About Matix Group

The Matix Group has been established by the Kanodia family of the Datamatics Group. The Datamatics Group, established in 1975 and currently employing over 5000 people, is a multi–business information technology organisation which has pioneered innovative concepts and solutions in the IT sector. The Matix Group will diversify into high-growth sectors including manufacturing, services and infrastructure. Using state-of-the-art technology and adhering to international safety & environment norms, the Matix Group will build world-class businesses providing high quality products and services. For more information, log on to www.matixglobal.com

Van Heusen India Mens Week announces 17 runway designers
Strengthens its commitment to men’s fashion
27-29 August, The Grand, New Delhi

New Delhi, India, August 11, 2010: The Fashion Design Council of India announced the names of 17 designers, who will showcase the latest trends in menswear, at the Van Heusen India Mens Week 2010. The event is scheduled between 27 and 29 August 2010. The 17 designers on the runway comprise a powerful combination of established and emerging names, who will market Indian men’s fashion to domestic and international consumers. The fashion trade event will exhibit the very best of Indian menswear designer talent, cementing India’s position as the fourth fashion capital for menswear in the world.

Designers showcasing at the Van Heusen India Mens Week 2010:

• Anky by Ankita & Anjana Bhargav
• Ashish N Soni
• Karan Johar with Varun Bahl
• Manish Malhotra
• Manoviraj Khosla
• Narendra Kumar
• Raj Gayani
• Rajesh Pratap Singh
• Rohit & Abhishek
• Rohit Bal
• Rohit Gandhi + Rahul Khanna
• Samant Chauhan
• Sanchita Ajjampur
• Shantanu & Nikhil
• Troy Costa
• Vijay Arora
• Wendell Rodricks

Mr. Sunil Sethi, President, FDCI said, “Designers are at the forefront of the fashion revolution and constitute the core of the fashion industry. We expect some defining trends in men’s fashion to be set  this year, which you will witness during Van Heusen India Mens Week. The response received so far from the designer fraternity has been overwhelming. I wish all the participating designers the very best as they gear up to participate at the Van Heusen India Mens Week 2010.”

Mr. Shital Mehta, Chief Operating Officer, Van Heusen said, “We are tremendously excited with the platform we’ve been able to create for men’s fashion in India. The response to the second edition of the Van Heusen India Mens Week from designers has been exceptional; one only needs to look at the line up for this year to understand that. What’s more, Van Heusen is working closely with some of them to make designer fashion accessible to a larger audience.”

About the Fashion Design Council of India: A not-for-profit organisation, FDCI is the apex fashion council of India. Represented by over 300 designers, FDCI takes Indian fashion global by promoting the ‘business of fashion’.  For details visit www.fdci.org

About Van Heusen: Van Heusen is the world’s No.1 dress shirt brand. In India, it is also the country’s No. 1 premium lifestyle brand for men, women and youth. With a rich heritage of 128 years, the brand was launched in India, in 1990. It has had the unique distinction of establishing not only the brand, but also the ready-to-wear category in the country. The brand epitomises ‘fashion for the corporate’, and its design driver is the combination of fashion and elegance. Since its launch in 1990, Van Heusen has consistently tracked and understood the Indian male. In the last two decades the clothing preferences of Indian men have undergone many stages of evolution. At each turning point Van Heusen has been witness to these changes, has been ahead of the curve in forecasting emerging trends and making them accessible to the Indian consumer. For more details, visit www.vanheusenindia.com

For further information, contact:
Janet Arole
Media Relations
Email: janet.arole@adityabirla.com

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RELIANCE INDUSTRIES FURTHER EXPANDS SHALE POSITION IN THE UNITED STATES
ENTERS INTO JOINT VENTURE WITH CARRIZO OIL & GAS, Inc.

Mumbai, India, August 5, 2010 / IndiaPRLine / — Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) today announced that its subsidiary, Reliance Marcellus II, LLC, has signed definitive transaction agreements to enter into a Marcellus Shale joint venture with United States based Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. (NASDAQ: CRZO).

Under the proposed transaction, Reliance will acquire a 60% interest in Marcellus Shale acreage in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania that is currently held in a 50-50 joint venture between Carrizo and ACP II Marcellus LLC, an affiliate of Avista
Capital Partners. Pursuant to the transaction, Reliance will acquire 100% of Avista’s interest and 20% of Carrizo’s interests in the joint venture. Upon completion of the transaction, Reliance and Carrizo will own 60% and 40% interests, respectively, in a newly formed joint venture between the companies.

Reliance will pay a total consideration of $392 million, comprising of $340 million of cash and $52 million of drilling carry obligations. The drilling carry obligations will provide for 75% of Carrizo’s share of development costs over an anticipated
two year development program.

The joint venture will have approximately 104,400 net acres of undeveloped leasehold in the core area of the Marcellus Shale in Central and Northeast Pennsylvania, of which Reliance’s 60% interest will represent approximately 62,600 net acres. This acreage is expected to support the drilling of approximately 1,000 wells over the next 10 years, with a net resource potential of about 3.4 Tcfe (2.0 Tcfe net to Reliance). The transaction allows for additional growth in the development acreage, at pre-agreed terms.

Carrizo will serve as the development operator for the joint venture and Reliance has the option to act as a development operator in certain regions in the coming years as part of the joint venture.

The transaction is anticipated to close by mid-September 2010.

Commenting on the joint venture, Mr. Walter Van de Vijver, President, International E&P Business, Reliance Industries said, “Reliance is excited about the opportunity to further expand presence in the Marcellus Shale in the United States. We are pleased to establish a long-term partnership with Carrizo, which has demonstrated operating expertise in the shale plays. The proposed joint venture will supplement strengths achieved through our recent joint ventures and further expands our footprint in North American shale gas operations.”

Jefferies & Company, Inc. acted as lead financial advisor and Vinson & Elkins LLP acted as legal counsel to Reliance. BNP Paribas and Credit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank provided strategic advise to RIL in respect of this investment.

About Reliance Industries Limited

Reliance Industries Limited (RIL) is India’s largest private sector company on all major financial parameters with a turnover of Rs. 2,00,400 crore (US$ 44.6 billion), cash profit of Rs. 27,933 crore (US$ 6.2 billion), net profit of Rs. 16,236 crore (US$ 3.6 billion) and net worth of Rs. 1,37,171 crore (US$ 30.6 billion) as of March 31, 2010.

RIL is the first private sector company from India to feature in the Fortune Global 500 list of ‘World’s Largest Corporations’ and ranks 100th amongst the world’s Top 200 companies in terms of profits. RIL ranks 75th in the Financial Times FT Global 500 list of the world’s largest companies. RIL is rated as the 15th ‘Most Innovative Company’ in the World in a survey
conducted by the US financial publication-Business Week in collaboration with the Boston Consulting Group.

About Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc.

Carrizo Oil & Gas, Inc. is a Houston-based energy company actively engaged in the exploration, development, exploitation, and production of oil and natural gas primarily in the Barnett Shale in North Texas, the Marcellus Shale in Appalachia, and in proven onshore trends along the Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast regions. Carrizo controls significant prospective acreage blocks and utilizes advanced drilling and completion technology along with sophisticated 3-D seismic techniques to identify potential oil and gas drilling opportunities and to optimize reserve recovery.

Key Contacts:
Manoj Warrier
Neucom Consulting
+ 91 98214 14954
manoj.warrier@neucomconsulting.com

Tushar Pania
Reliance Industries Limited
+ 91 98200 88536
tushar.pania@ril.com

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Aditya Birla Nuvo reports financial performance for the quart erended 30 June 2010.

Mumbai, India, July 31, 2010: Aditya Birla Financial Services (ABFS) continues to take rapid strides in line with its vision “to be a leader and role model in the financial services sector with a broad based and integrated business”. Its combined assets under management (AUM) grew by 19% to Rs83,633 crore (approx. USD 19 billion). Revenue surged by 23% to Rs1,277 crore. ABFS posted net profit (including life insurance) of Rs54 crore vis-a-vis loss of Rs100 crore in the corresponding quarter of the preceding year.
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