Saudi Aramco and Lanxess AG announced the completion of Saudi Aramco’s acquisition of LANXESS‘s interest in ARLANXEO Holding B.V., a Netherlands-based specialty chemicals joint venture between Saudi Aramco and LANXESS launched in 2016. All relevant authorities have granted approvals for the transaction which was first announced in August 2018.
Saudi Aramco’s purchase of LANXESS’s 50% share in ARLANXEO, valued at €1.5 billion on an enterprise value basis, makes it 100% owner of ARLANXEO, enabling further diversification of Saudi Aramco’s downstream portfolio, and strengthening the company’s capabilities across the energy and chemicals value-chain.
ARLANXEO is a synthetic rubber and elastomer products company that supplies feedstocks to leading tire and auto-parts manufacturers around the globe. As a fully owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, ARLANXEO will accelerate development of growth opportunities integrating the strong feedstock position of Saudi Aramco.
In addition, full ownership of ARLANXEO will enhance Saudi Aramco’s sustainability efforts to optimize tire performance-related fuel consumption in line with its efficient fuel/engine R&D strategy, which is focused on increasing fuel efficiency and reducing engine emissions. All of these efforts are well-aligned with Saudi Aramco’s overarching downstream aspiration to drive value by expanding and integrating its portfolio and partnerships, as well as creating additional revenue streams.
Abdulaziz Al-Judaimi, Saudi Aramco Senior Vice President of Downstream, commented on the acquisition by saying: “ARLANXEO, now as a 100% owned Saudi Aramco subsidiary, represents an essential component to our global position in the chemicals market. Full ownership of ARLANXEO will further diversify Saudi Aramco’s downstream portfolio and strengthen capabilities along the energy and chemicals value chains. I am positive about the upside and the future of product innovation that will serve our customers around the world.”
As a wholly-owned subsidiary of Saudi Aramco, ARLANXEO will continue to serve the development, production, marketing, sale and distribution of specialty chemicals and synthetic rubber products, principally for the high-volume global tire and automotive industries. ARLANXEO will maintain its current base in Maastricht, the Netherlands.
By Mary Page Bailey
Source: Chemical Engineering
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