12.03.2012

Japan's Asahi Kasei to buy U.S. Zoll for $2.2 Billion

Japan's Asahi Kasei will buy U.S. medical equipment maker Zoll Medical for $2.21 billion as it looks to build a globally competitive healthcare business and reduce its reliance on its chemicals and fibers operations. Asahi Kasei will buy Zoll in an agreed cash deal for $93 a share, a 24% premium to Zoll's closing price on Friday, the two companies said in a joint statement. The deal is Asahi Kasei's biggest acquisition by far. more12.03.2012

Bayer Sounds Out Debt Market with Eye On Deals

Bayer is sounding out its debt financing options with banks to prepare for takeover opportunities such as one that may arise from Pfizer's mooted exit from veterinary medicine, people familiar with the matter said. Germany's largest drugmaker is encouraged by increasingly favorable market conditions for corporate bond issuers but is not eyeing a specific takeover deal, the sources said. more12.03.2012

Himadri Interested in Ruetgers

Indian group Himadri Chemicals is interested in bigger European peer Ruetgers Group, which is being put up for sale by private equity owner Triton. "Once the (sales) process starts, we will definitely look at the company," chief executive Anurag Choudhary told Reuters. Triton, which acquired Ruetgers in 2008, is looking to divest its holding in the chemicals maker, which primarily makes industrial products derived from distillation of coal tar. more06.03.2012

Merck KGaA to Cut Costs, Jobs Despite Record Revenues in 2011

German drugs and chemicals group Merck KGaA announced plans for a cost-cutting program across all its businesses that may include job cuts. more29.02.2012

Brachem Raises $769 Million from Sale of Brenntag Shares

Luxembourg-based investment firm Brachem Acquisition said it has raised €577.5 million from the sale of shares in German chemicals distributor Brenntag. While Europe's market for new listings remains quiet, several days of rallying markets this month have given bankers a chance to run accelerated deals for clients, either raising new money or allowing major shareholders to cut their stakes. more21.02.2012

BASF Buys Merck's Electrolytes Business

BASF announced its third acquisition in battery technology in two months, saying it would buy Merck KGaA's electrolytes business for high-performance batteries to tap into growing demand for electric vehicles. "This acquisition enhances the expertise we offer to automotive and battery manufacturers around the world," BASF board member Andreas Kreimeyer said in a statement on Tuesday. more15.02.2012

DuPont Starts Unit Auction, May Fetch $4 Billion

Chemical maker DuPont has started the auction of its car paint business, which could bring in more than $4 billion and has drawn early interest from a number of private equity firms, according to sources familiar with the matter. DuPont's adviser on the deal, Credit Suisse Group, has sent out financial materials related to the unit to potentially interested parties, the sources said. more09.02.2012

Mexichem to Buy Wavin for $703 Million

Mexican plastic pipe maker Mexichem will buy Dutch peer Wavin for €531 million after raising its offer a third time, gaining a foothold in Europe where it plans to expand through more deals. more30.01.2012

ABB to Buy Thomas & Betts for $3.9 Billion in U.S. Push

Swiss engineering group ABB has agreed to buy U.S. electrical components maker Thomas & Betts for $3.9 billion to ramp up its presence in the world's largest market for low-voltage products. more30.01.2012

Valeant Withdraws Its Bid For ISTA Pharmaceuticals

Valeant Pharmaceuticals International said on Monday it has withdrawn its sweetened takeover bid for ISTA Pharmaceuticals, citing a lack of progress. "We were not interested in participating in a lengthy evaluation process and we are disappointed that the ISTA team was not willing to fully explore our proposal by January 31," said Valeant Chief Executive Michael Pearson in a statement. more