KKR invests in Sundrop Farms

KKR has provided growth capital to Sundrop Farms Holdings Ltd. Financial terms weren’t disclosed. Sundrop Farms, of Australia, grows high-value crops using seawater and sunlight. KKR’s investment comes from its Asian Fund III.

PRESS RELEASE

PORT AUGUSTA & SYDNEY, Australia–(BUSINESS WIRE)– Sundrop Farms Holdings Limited (“Sundrop Farms” or the “Company”), a pioneering arid climate agribusiness, announced today that global investment firm KKR has provided growth capital to the Company and its wholly owned subsidiary Sundrop Farms Pty. Limited (“Sundrop Farms Australia”). The funding will be used to significantly expand Sundrop Farms’ glasshouse facility in South Australia and underpin its international development.

Sundrop Farms grows its crops in state-of-the-art glasshouses using a unique proprietary technology developed to address the water and food security issues typical to arid regions. The “Sundrop System” uses concentrated solar power to create the heat, electricity, and desalinated water needed to feed and power Sundrop’s growing operations.

Philipp Saumweber, Sundrop Farms CEO, said, “We grow food where land is too arid for farming, fresh water is in short supply and domestic food security is a concern. Farming with typical agricultural inputs would be unsustainable in these regions, so Sundrop uses renewable energy to heat, power and water its crops. Sundrop is the world’s first commercially and environmentally sustainable arid climate agriculture business, and this significant investment is at the heart of our growth strategy.”

KKR’s investment allows Sundrop Farms to scale its existing operations in Port Augusta, South Australia, by financing a 20-hectare greenhouse facility which will produce more than 15,000 tons of vegetables annually for markets across Australia. Sundrop and KKR intend to develop a hub of agricultural innovation for arid climates in Port Augusta which will allow for further development in countries with similar environmental conditions. Further to those goals, KKR’s investment in Sundrop Farms will also support its plans to expand into the Middle East, North America and other supply-constrained markets around the world.

“Sundrop Farms provides a unique and innovative solution to environmental challenges in farming,” Justin Reizes, Member and Head of KKR Australia, said. “KKR looks to invest in and partner with companies that provide solutions to environmental and societal challenges. Sundrop Farms epitomizes this effort, and we are delighted to work with this experienced and knowledgeable team to pursue new growth opportunities in Australia and internationally.”

Internationally recognized contractors John Holland Group, Aalborg CSP, and Van der Hoeven are managing the construction of the new facility. The construction and operation of each hectare of Sundrop Farms glasshouses creates long-term green employment in regions of the world which might not otherwise be home to a high-value agricultural industry. Construction of the Sundrop Farms Port Augusta expansion facility begins this month and is due for completion in 2016.

KKR has made its investment from its Asian Fund II. Additional terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

About Sundrop Farms

Sundrop Farms is a pioneer in sustainable agriculture for the arid world, growing high-value crops using seawater and sunlight. It has the technology and operational skills to develop, construct and operate greenhouses in locations that have little or no access to arable land, fresh water sources, grid electricity or natural gas. The company has created a proprietary food production system which grows high quality produce, all year round, in greenhouses that use the abundant and renewable resources of sunlight and seawater. As the world’s population continues to grow, Sundrop Farms is de-coupling food production from finite resources and relying instead on renewable resources to grow the world’s food industry, not just profitably but also sustainably. Please visit Sundrop’s website atwww.sundropfarms.com

About KKR

KKR is a leading global investment firm that manages investments across multiple asset classes including private equity, energy, infrastructure, real estate, credit and hedge funds. KKR aims to generate attractive investment returns by following a patient and disciplined investment approach, employing world-class people, and driving growth and value creation at the asset level. KKR invests its own capital alongside its partners’ capital and brings opportunities to others through its capital markets business. References to KKR’s investments may include the activities of its sponsored funds. For additional information about KKR & Co. L.P. (NYSE: KKR), please visit KKR’s website at www.kkr.com.