Evonik Industries AG announced today that is has agreed to sell its carbon black business to New York-based buyout firm Rhone Capital LLC for more than 900 million euros ($1.3 billion), including the assumption of certain obligations. The closing is subject to approval by Evonik’s Supervisory Board and competent antitrust authorities, and is expected during summer 2011.
Rhône Capital commented: “We are proud to succeed Evonik in stewardship of the Carbon Black franchise. We look forward to building on the foundation of Carbon Black’s globally acclaimed technology platform, valued customer relationships and skilled workforce, to support Carbon Black’s continued worldwide growth.”
“We will ensure that the transition to Rhône Capital takes place smoothly for our customers,” explains Thomas Hermann, head of Evonik’s Inorganic Materials Business Unit. The Group’s carbon black activities comprise 16 production facilities in eleven countries. Evonik Carbon Black is the global Number 3 in this market (behind the new Birla/Columbian business and Cabot). Carbon Black is being acquired intact as a whole, with its 1,650 employees, about 500 of whom are based in Germany.
Comments