In a deal that will conclude by August, Dow Chemical will sell its Styron division to US private equity group Bain Capital Partners for US$1.63 bln, as per European Plastics News. As part of the transaction, Dow retains an option to keep up to 15% of Styron equity. It also includes a number of long-term supply, service and purchase agreements. The Styron portfolio includes: Styrenics – Polystyrene, acrylonitrile butadiene styrene, styrene acrylonitrile and expandable polystyrene; Emulsion Polymers - paper and carpet latex; Polycarbonate Compounds & Blends; Synthetic Rubber; and Automotive Plastics.
"This transaction is yet another step in our disciplined approach to portfolio management, and is consistent with both the timeline and value we previously communicated for these assets,” said Andrew Liveris, chairman and CEO of Dow. Bain Capital Partners, a Boston, US-based private equity firm, is taking on a business with $3.5 bln in annual sales, more than 40 manufacturing plants, and around 1,900 employees.