Ashland Global Holdings Inc. today announced it has completed the previously announced sale of its Composites business (excluding the Maleic business) and butanediol manufacturing facility in Marl, Germany to INEOS Enterprises in a transaction valued at $1.015 billion.
Net proceeds from the sale are approximately $930 million. Over $400 million of debt has been retired and an additional $500 million is expected to be retired by the end of the week.
“The sale of our Composites and Marl businesses allows Ashland to focus on our vision of becoming the premier specialty chemicals company,” said Bill Wulfsohn, Ashland chairman and chief executive officer. “We believe this transaction, when combined with our cost reduction program, will help better position Ashland to deliver sustained earnings growth and significant value for shareholders.”
Citi acted as financial advisor to Ashland, and Squire Patton Boggs LLP acted as legal advisor.
Source: Ashland
3M and Dow have announced they are cutting thousands of roles from their global workforces in response to economic pressures. Dow has said it will cut 2,000 jobs across its global workforce (around 5%) in a bid to save US$1bn in 2023. The company says it will also cut costs by shutting down “select assets”, though it did not note where it would halt operations.
Sweden’s state mining firm has discovered what could be Europe’s largest rare earths deposit, and says it could help the bloc reduce its reliance on imports of minerals needed to manufacture clean technologies and meet climate targets.
Henkel and Avantium have been partners since 2019, when Henkel joined the PEFerence consortium. This consortium of partners, coordinated by Avantium, aims to establish an innovative supply chain for FDCA and PEF (polyethylene furanoate).