Jul 13 2007
Huntsman Corporation today announced that it has terminated the merger agreement with Basell AF ("Basell") dated June 26, 2007 (the "Basell Agreement") and has agreed to a definitive merger agreement (the "Hexion Agreement") with Hexion Specialty Chemicals, Inc. ("Hexion"), an Apollo Management, L.P. ("Apollo") portfolio company, pursuant to which Hexion will acquire Huntsman in a transaction with a total value of approximately $10.6 billion, including the assumption of debt (the "Hexion Transaction").
Under the terms of the agreement, Hexion will acquire all of the outstanding common stock of Huntsman for $28.00 per share in cash. The agreement also provides that the cash price per share to be paid by Hexion will increase at the rate of 8% per annum (inclusive of any dividends paid) beginning 270 days from July 12, 2007.
The Hexion Transaction was deemed to be a superior proposal to the Basell Agreement and was unanimously approved by the Board of Directors of Huntsman. Huntsman's Board of Directors approved the agreement for the Hexion Transaction at the recommendation of a Transaction Committee comprised solely of Huntsman independent directors. Hexion's Board of Directors also has approved the agreement.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approval in the U.S. and in Europe, as well as the approval of Huntsman shareholders. Entities controlled by MatlinPatterson and the Huntsman family and a Huntsman charitable trust, who collectively own approximately 57% of Huntsman's common stock, have agreed to vote in favor of the transaction. The transaction is not subject to a financing condition and commitments have been obtained by Hexion for all necessary debt financing from affiliates of Credit Suisse and Deutsche Bank AG. Hexion will have up to 12 months, subject to a 90 day extension by the Huntsman Board of Directors under certain circumstances, to close the transaction.
Huntsman's Board of Directors authorized the delivery of a notice of termination of the Basell Agreement, along with the payment of the $200 million break-up fee required by the Basell Agreement. Hexion funded $100 million of the Basell break-up fee while Huntsman funded the remaining $100 million.
Peter R. Huntsman, President and CEO of Huntsman, said: "This is a very favorable outcome for our shareholders and one that reflects a confidence in our Company of which our associates can be very proud. Hexion is an attractive candidate for a merger with Huntsman. We have complementary businesses and, together, will have an even stronger technology platform from which to serve our customers."
Jon M. Huntsman, Founder and Chairman of Huntsman, added: "I have invested much of my life in Huntsman Corporation and consider it the highest honor to be associated with such exceptional customers and associates. However, the time has come when it is in the best interests of our shareholders to sell the Company. I am pleased with the outcome of our merger negotiations with Apollo, and have every confidence that the combined Hexion and Huntsman teams will be superb stewards of this business for the next era."
Huntsman will file a Form 8-K with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the "SEC") with further details concerning this transaction, including a copy of the Hexion merger agreement.