Mergers & Acquisitions

December 9, 2020

BASF Portfolio Changes

BASF Weighs Sale of $400 Million in U.S. Chemical Assets

Andrew Noël, Bloomberg News

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company's headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company’s headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — BASF SE is exploring the sale of some U.S. chemicals assets that could fetch around $400 million, as Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermueller seeks to streamline the company’s portfolio, people familiar with the matter said.

The world’s largest chemical producer is considering the divestment of a surfactants plant in Kankakee, Illinois, that could be valued at about $250 million, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans are private.

BASF is also working with an adviser to gauge interest in a kaolin business in the southern U.S. state of Georgia, the people said. Those operations could fetch at least $150 million, the people said.

Deliberations are ongoing, and no final decisions have been made on the potential disposals, according to the people. A representative for BASF declined to comment.

Under Brudermueller, BASF has been streamlining its operations. In late 2019, it agreed to sell its construction chemicals business to private equity firm Lone Star Funds for 3.2 billion euros.

BASF has also been preparing a potential stock market listing for Wintershall Dea GmbH, its oil and gas venture with billionaire Mikhail Fridman. Brudermueller said on an Oct. 28 conference call that only some smaller units are left to be divested under its current plan, and BASF has “no urgent need” to rush ahead.

Any proceeds from asset sales in the U.S. would raise funds for BASF at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is hurting demand. BASF reported a net loss of 2.1 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in the third quarter due to heavy writedowns linked to the aviation and automobile industries.

The company’s shares have fallen about 5% this year, giving it a market value of 58.7 billion euros.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/basf-weighs-sale-of-400-million-in-u-s-chemical-assets-1.1534067?source=content_type%3Areact%7Cfirst_level_url%3Anews%7Csection%3Amain_content%7Cbutton%3Abody_link

December 9, 2020

BASF Portfolio Changes

BASF Weighs Sale of $400 Million in U.S. Chemical Assets

Andrew Noël, Bloomberg News

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company's headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company’s headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — BASF SE is exploring the sale of some U.S. chemicals assets that could fetch around $400 million, as Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermueller seeks to streamline the company’s portfolio, people familiar with the matter said.

The world’s largest chemical producer is considering the divestment of a surfactants plant in Kankakee, Illinois, that could be valued at about $250 million, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans are private.

BASF is also working with an adviser to gauge interest in a kaolin business in the southern U.S. state of Georgia, the people said. Those operations could fetch at least $150 million, the people said.

Deliberations are ongoing, and no final decisions have been made on the potential disposals, according to the people. A representative for BASF declined to comment.

Under Brudermueller, BASF has been streamlining its operations. In late 2019, it agreed to sell its construction chemicals business to private equity firm Lone Star Funds for 3.2 billion euros.

BASF has also been preparing a potential stock market listing for Wintershall Dea GmbH, its oil and gas venture with billionaire Mikhail Fridman. Brudermueller said on an Oct. 28 conference call that only some smaller units are left to be divested under its current plan, and BASF has “no urgent need” to rush ahead.

Any proceeds from asset sales in the U.S. would raise funds for BASF at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is hurting demand. BASF reported a net loss of 2.1 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in the third quarter due to heavy writedowns linked to the aviation and automobile industries.

The company’s shares have fallen about 5% this year, giving it a market value of 58.7 billion euros.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/basf-weighs-sale-of-400-million-in-u-s-chemical-assets-1.1534067?source=content_type%3Areact%7Cfirst_level_url%3Anews%7Csection%3Amain_content%7Cbutton%3Abody_link

December 7, 2020

Huntsman Acquires Gabriel Performance Products

Huntsman Announces the Acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, Further Expanding its Specialty Chemicals Portfolio

Download as PDF December 07, 2020 7:00am EST

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced its agreement to acquire Gabriel Performance Products, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer of specialty additives and epoxy curing agents for the coatings, adhesives, sealants and composite end-markets, from funds owned by Audax Private Equity.

Under terms of the agreement, Huntsman will pay $250 million, subject to customary closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction funded from available liquidity.  Gabriel had 2019 revenues of approximately $106 million with three manufacturing facilities located in Ashtabula, Ohio, Harrison City, Pennsylvania and Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Based on calendar year 2019, the purchase price represents an adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 11 times, or approximately 8 times pro forma for synergies.  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021 after regulatory approvals.

Commenting on the acquisition, Scott Wright, President of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials division, said: “The acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products broadens the offering in our specialty portfolio and is complementary to our recent acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties. Gabriel makes highly specialized toughening and curing agents and other additives used in a wide range of composite, adhesive and coatings applications.  We expect that the Gabriel business will strengthen our North America footprint and provide significant commercial synergies as we expand and globalize their specialty products across our global footprint and customer base.  The acquisition will further enhance our competitiveness and our world class formulations business by improving our ability to create differentiation in our customers’ applications.”

Peter Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO further commented: “With this acquisition we conclude a series of strategic initiatives in our Advanced Materials division we started in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our initial intent was to complete the acquisitions of Gabriel and CVC simultaneously, together with the divestiture of our India DIY business earlier this year.  Despite the challenges created by COVID, I am pleased that we have already closed on two of the transactions and intend to close on the acquisition of Gabriel within the first quarter of 2021.  We have significantly strengthened our Advanced Material’s portfolio and broadened our offerings to the market.  Based on 2019 results, when netting the three transactions together, we are adding approximately $57 million of adjusted EBITDA pro forma for synergies to our Advanced Materials division, for less than 5 times EBITDA.” 

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/464/huntsman-announces-the-acquisition-of-gabriel-performance

December 7, 2020

Huntsman Acquires Gabriel Performance Products

Huntsman Announces the Acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, Further Expanding its Specialty Chemicals Portfolio

Download as PDF December 07, 2020 7:00am EST

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced its agreement to acquire Gabriel Performance Products, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer of specialty additives and epoxy curing agents for the coatings, adhesives, sealants and composite end-markets, from funds owned by Audax Private Equity.

Under terms of the agreement, Huntsman will pay $250 million, subject to customary closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction funded from available liquidity.  Gabriel had 2019 revenues of approximately $106 million with three manufacturing facilities located in Ashtabula, Ohio, Harrison City, Pennsylvania and Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Based on calendar year 2019, the purchase price represents an adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 11 times, or approximately 8 times pro forma for synergies.  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021 after regulatory approvals.

Commenting on the acquisition, Scott Wright, President of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials division, said: “The acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products broadens the offering in our specialty portfolio and is complementary to our recent acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties. Gabriel makes highly specialized toughening and curing agents and other additives used in a wide range of composite, adhesive and coatings applications.  We expect that the Gabriel business will strengthen our North America footprint and provide significant commercial synergies as we expand and globalize their specialty products across our global footprint and customer base.  The acquisition will further enhance our competitiveness and our world class formulations business by improving our ability to create differentiation in our customers’ applications.”

Peter Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO further commented: “With this acquisition we conclude a series of strategic initiatives in our Advanced Materials division we started in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our initial intent was to complete the acquisitions of Gabriel and CVC simultaneously, together with the divestiture of our India DIY business earlier this year.  Despite the challenges created by COVID, I am pleased that we have already closed on two of the transactions and intend to close on the acquisition of Gabriel within the first quarter of 2021.  We have significantly strengthened our Advanced Material’s portfolio and broadened our offerings to the market.  Based on 2019 results, when netting the three transactions together, we are adding approximately $57 million of adjusted EBITDA pro forma for synergies to our Advanced Materials division, for less than 5 times EBITDA.” 

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/464/huntsman-announces-the-acquisition-of-gabriel-performance

November 30, 2020

PPG Acquires Ennis-Flint

PPG to acquire global coatings manufacturer Ennis-Flint for $1.15 bn

Transaction is expected to close within the next few months, subject to customary closing conditions

  • By ICN Group | November 30, 2020
  •   

PPG today announced that it has reached a definitive agreement to acquire Ennis-Flint, a global manufacturer of coatings with a broad portfolio of pavement marking products, including paint, thermoplastics and other advanced traffic technologies. The transaction, valued at approximately $1.15 billion, is expected to close within the next few months, subject to customary closing conditions. “The acquisition of Ennis-Flint will further expand our product offering and opportunities in rapidly developing and high-growth mobility technology solutions,” said Michael McGarry, PPG chairman and chief executive officer. “The company is well known for its high-quality products, technical expertise and innovative systems. The addition of Ennis-Flint’s products further enhances our existing mobility technologies in support of increased automotive occupant safety through driver-assisted and autonomous driving systems. We look forward to the Ennis-Flint team joining PPG and working together to further expand the company’s product distribution on a global scale.” PPG formed a mobility focus team in 2017 to develop mobility technologies and innovative technical solutions that provide increased functionality and solve new and unique requirements for electric, hybrid and autonomous vehicles. Mobility-related products developed by PPG include battery-specific coatings that deliver enhanced safety and performance, autonomous vehicle coatings that improve vehicle and infrastructure visibility, and interior coatings that increase surface functionality and durability. Ennis-Flint, a privately held company headquartered in Greensboro, North Carolina, is a global leader in pavement markings and traffic safety solutions with the industry’s most comprehensive and innovative product offering. Products are developed according to strict government guidelines and customer specifications, many of which are proprietary to the company. A high percentage of its product sales are derived from non-discretionary, essential maintenance spending. Ennis-Flint supplies a wide range of products, including traffic paint, hot-applied and preformed thermoplastics, raised pavement markers and intelligent transportation systems from a network of manufacturing facilities within the United States, Europe, South America, and Asia. The company employs approximately 1,000 people globally and its full year of 2020 revenue is expected to be approximately $600 million, with mid-teen percentage EBITDA margins. “We are excited to join the global PPG family,” added Matt Soule, president and CEO of Ennis-Flint. “Our products and technologies are excellent complements to PPG’s current product offering, and the ability to leverage PPG’s world-class innovation and broad geographical footprint will provide more growth opportunities for our products and employees in the future.” PPG will provide additional details relating to the business acquisition, including acquisition-related financial impacts, during the company’s fourth quarter earnings conference call in January 2021.