Ballast Nedam Sells 80% of Equity Stake in A-Lanes A15 to DG Infra

NIEUWEGEIN, The Netherlands, December 20, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

Ballast Nedam sold 80% of its 24% equity stake in A-Lanes A15 to DG Infra on 20 December 2012. The A-Lanes A15 consortium is performing the A15 Maasvlakte-Vaanplein highway construction PPP project.

The transaction enables Ballast Nedam to free up capital for investment in new PPP projects. Ballast Nedam will continue its operational involvement in the construction and management phases of A15 Maasvlakte-Vaanplein, and will remain involved in the administration and management of the project in the long term through a non-controlling interest in the A-Lanes A15 consortium. The client has approved the transaction.

For DG Infra the investment is an excellent complement to its existing investment portfolio, which focuses on infrastructure and related investments, both from an early stage of development and operational projects.

As a result of this transaction, Ballast Nedam's proportionately consolidated assets will decline by approximately € 70 million. The remaining stake in the A-Lanes A15 consortium will be recognized at participation value and will no longer be proportionately consolidated in Ballast Nedam's statement of financial position.

The work on the A15 Maasvlakte-Vaanplein section is intended to improve traffic flow and optimize safety. A total of 85 kms of traffic lanes will be added, and the Botlek Bridge will be replaced with one that is wider and higher. A-Lanes A15 − a consortium of Ballast Nedam, John Laing, Strabag and Strukton − is performing the work on behalf of the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management. A15 Maasvlakte- Vaanplein was procured as a DBFM contract (Design, Build, Finance & Maintain), and is one of the largest contracts ever awarded by the Directorate-General for Public Works and Water Management in a single tender.

DG lnfra, the manager of infrastructure funds sponsored by Gimv and Belfius, operates two non-listed investment funds (DG Infra+ and DG Infra Yield), which focus on infrastructure and related assets. These include public-private partnerships and other investments in capital-intensive projects, often in regulated or long-term contract activities in industries such as energy, transport, waste, communication, healthcare and selected real estate projects. The funds managed by DG Infra jointly have 300 million euros available for investment. Additional information about DG Infra can be found on http://www.dginfra.com.

This transaction strengthens the existing collaboration with DG Infra, following a similar transaction in September 2001 involving three operational Ballast Nedam PPP projects. These projects included a participation in the Kromhout Barracks in Utrecht, which houses the headquarters of the Royal Netherlands Army, and the DUO2 project, the new office building for the Government Education Agency and the Dutch tax authority in Groningen.

Ballast Nedam engages in integrated projects in The Netherlands in four areas of work: housing, mobility, energy and nature. Within this area we focus on the niche markets: industrial construction, offshore wind turbines, secondary raw materials and alternative fuels. In a number of areas of expertise, we also operate internationally. The Ballast Nedam share is included in the Amsterdam Small Cap Index (AScX) of NYSE Euronext.

Ballast Nedam's approach is based on life cycle thinking and acting: we develop, construct, manage and recycle. We are involved in long-term management, maintenance and operation of projects and organize financial feasibility. Our supply and specialized companies deliver competitive edge through innovation, cost leadership and purchasing strength. Ballast Nedam's range of services is shifting towards specific product-market combinations with greater added value.

Ballast Nedam creates enduring quality combined with lower life cycle costs for its customers and society. http://www.ballast-nedam.com

About DG Infra

DG Infra+ and DG Infra Yield are non-listed investment funds that focus on infrastructure and related assets. This includes investments in Public Private Partnership projects and other capital intensive projects often in regulated or long-term contract activities in industries such as energy, transport, waste, communication, healthcare and selected real estate projects. Together, DG Infra+ and DG Infra Yield have EUR 250 million available for investments, and are managed by a joint venture between Dexia and Gimv. More information on DG Infra can be found on http://www.dginfra.com.

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