Hexion To Be Sold

HOUSTON (ICIS)–US-based Hexion on Monday has entered into a definitive agreement to be acquired by private equity American Securities for $2.06bn, including the assumption of around $1.24bn in net debt for a total enterprise value of around $3.3bn.

The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2022 and is conditioned upon the closing of Hexion’s previously announced sale of its epoxy business to Westlake Chemical.

The purchase price represents a 15% premium to the closing price as of 17 December and a 53% premium to the company’s closing share price on 30 July, the day prior to its announcement of its ongoing strategic review.

“This transaction, along with the pending sale of our epoxy business, is the conclusion of a comprehensive evaluation of strategic actions aimed at maximising value for our shareholders and best positioning the company for long-term growth,” said Hexion CEO Craig Rogerson.

Hexion, after agreeing in late November to sell its epoxy business for $1.2bn to Westlake, was planning an initial public offering (IPO) on the New York Stock Exchange along with a sale in a dual track. The remaining adhesives and versatic acids business had sales of $1.38bn and earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $272m in 2020.

Earlier in a November interview with ICIS, Hexion CEO Craig Rogerson said he was considering a “sale of Hexion or either of the parts”. The company in April closed the sale of its phenolic specialty resins, hexamine and European-based forest products resins businesses to Black Diamond and Investindustrial for $425m.

www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2021/12/20/10717799/private-equity-firm-acquires-hexion-for-2-06bn/