Jul 9 2007
Hexion Specialty Chemicals Inc., an Apollo Management L.P. portfolio company, today announced that it has increased its definitive proposal to acquire Huntsman Corporation to $28.00 per share, in cash (transaction value $10.5 billion including debt), and has presented this proposal to the Huntsman Board of Directors and its Transaction Committee (comprised of independent Huntsman directors). The Huntsman Transaction Committee and the Board had previously determined that Hexion's proposal to acquire Huntsman for $27.25 per share, in cash constituted a Superior Proposal under the terms of the current merger agreement between Huntsman and Basell AF. Hexion's proposal is otherwise subject to the terms previously disclosed by Hexion and Huntsman. Until Huntsman's Board or Transaction Committee takes further action pursuant to the terms of the Basell agreement, it continues to recommend the transaction with Basell to its shareholders.
There can be no assurance that a transaction between Hexion and Huntsman will be agreed. Any such transaction would be subject to regulatory approvals and the affirmative vote of Huntsman's shareholders, as well as other customary conditions. Hexion's proposal is fully financed pursuant to commitments from affiliates of Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank.