DuPont and Dow to merge
DuPont and The Dow Chemical Company will combine in an all-stock merger of equals to create DowDuPont.
The parties intend to subsequently pursue a separation of DowDuPont into three independent, publicly traded companies through tax-free spin-offs. The separation will occur as soon as feasible, which is expected to be 18-24 months following the closing of the merger, subject to regulatory and board approval.
The companies will include a leading global pure-play agriculture company; a leading global pure-play material science company; and a leading technology and innovation-driven specialty products company. Each of the businesses will have clear focus, an appropriate capital structure, a distinct and compelling investment thesis, scale advantages, and focused investments in innovation to better deliver superior solutions and choices for customers.
‘This transaction is a game-changer for our industry and reflects the culmination of a vision we have had for more than a decade to bring together these two powerful innovation and material science leaders,’ said Andrew Liveris, Dow’s chairman and chief executive officer. ‘This transaction is a major accelerator in Dow’s ongoing transformation, and through this we are creating significant value and three powerful new companies. This merger of equals significantly enhances the growth profile for both companies, while driving value for all of our shareholders and our customers.’
Edward Breen, chairman and chief executive officer of DuPont, said, ‘For DuPont, this is a definitive leap forward on our path to higher growth and higher value. This merger of equals will create significant near-term value through substantial cost synergies and additional upside from growth synergies. Longer term, the three-way split we intend to pursue is expected to unlock even greater value for shareholders and customers and more opportunity for employees as each business will be a leader in attractive segments where global challenges are driving demand for these businesses’ distinctive offerings.’
