Chemicals and Life Sciences
M&A Director
M&A Director
Q3 2021
The newsletter for M&A and corporate development directors
of mid-market chemicals and life sciences businesses
of mid-market chemicals and life sciences businesses
Dear Reader,
Welcome to our third quarterly newsletter of 2021.
We were disappointed to hear that Chemspec Europe was again postponed last week - now due May 2022. Although we have collectively embraced digital communication, nothing beats face-to-face meetings when it comes to building relationships and networks.
Meanwhile, PE are still trying to deploy pent-up dry powder, leaders are refocusing portfolios, and sales channels / supply chains are shifting. All such strategic initiatives are dependent on relationships and networks.
This is a theme touched on in our latest round of interviews and articles from strategic leaders included below. I hope you find these interesting and informative.
If you would like to discuss any of these topics with the authors, please feel free to get in touch at matt.dixon@ccdpartners.com.
Wishing everyone health and happiness,
Matt Dixon, CCD Partners
Featured Article - Steve Holland
Turbulent markets and riding post-pandemic momentum are not enough to ensure success!
Former Brenntag Chairman and CEO
Steve Holland
explores the opportunities of looking beyond short-term market conditions for long-term wins.
This article picks up key themes from Steve's discussion with Matt Dixon in CCD's latest episode of the Chemical Transformations Podcast, available here.
“Chemical Transformations Podcast: the art of unlocking sustainable commercial potential”
Episode 2: Steve Holland
CCD Partners Managing Partner Matt Dixon and former Brenntag Chairman and CEO Steve Holland explore how chemicals producers and distributors can plan beyond the current volatility in supply chain performance to emerge as winners in a post-pandemic landscape.
Audio-only podcast:
Deal Summary
Our focus is on the smaller private market deals that tend to be less reported in major publications. We have tracked more than 40 such M&A transaction announcements in the last quarter.
Our top six deals from last quarter are:
| Target | Buyer | Seller | Target Sector | Synopsis / Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Theseo group | LANXESS | Private | Specialty Chemicals and Advanced Materials | LANXESS completes acquisition of disinfection and hygiene solutions provider Theseo |
| A&C | Aceto | Private | Fine Chemicals and Life Science Contract Services | Aceto Acquires A&C |
| North American and European amphoteric surfactant business | OpenGate Capital | Solvay | Specialty Chemicals and Advanced Materials | Solvay completes sale of its North American and European amphoteric surfactant business to OpenGate Capital |
| Vigon International | Azelis | Private | Chemical Distribution and Support Services | Azelis to enter flavors and fragrances market in the US with the acquisition of Vigon International |
| Dutch DNA | Ginkgo Bioworks | Private | Fine Chemicals and Life Science Contract Services | Ginkgo Bioworks announces agreement to acquire fungal platform technology company Dutch DNA |
| BBI Group | Novo Holdings | Exponent | Fine Chemicals and Life Science Contract Services | Exponent announces sale of BBI Group to Novo Holdings |
View full list
Sign up to our weekly trackerKey Appointments
We track the career movement of senior executives instrumental in shaping strategic organisational development through transformative transactions or other means.
Our top five moves from last quarter are:
| Name | From | To | Role |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mathias Miedreich | Faurecia | Umicore | CEO |
| Dan Magee | Deshazo | Verdant Specialty Solutions | CFO |
| Michael Willome | Conzzeta | Synthomer | Group CEO |
| Jun Liao | Bekaert | Axalta Coating Systems | Regional President |
| Christian Kullmann | Internal appointment | Evonik | Chairman of the Executive Board |
View full list
Sign up to our weekly trackerPartner Insights
MICHELLE LYNCH
Senior Advisor
Net Zero Strategies of Top European Speciality Chemical Companies
Read full article
CCD Partners Senior Advisor Dr Michelle Lynch analyses the net zero roadmaps of five of Europe's leading speciality chemical companies, exploring the details of their strategies and evaluating the real-world impact of their commitments to climate neutrality.
Third Party Recommended Reading
Driving revenue growth in the chemical industry via B2B commerce
“Driven by the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, changing consumer preferences, and grounded sales teams, chemical companies are faced with a choice. Use the power of digital technologies to drive growth or be left with an antiquated sales process that can easily be disrupted.”
With around $1.5 trillion of dry powder in PE the specialty chemical industry is seeing a rebound
“The specialty chemical industry is seeing a rebound in M&A and corporate carve-out activity after a period of disruption caused by COVID-19.”
Portfolio transformation in chemicals
“An analysis of over 200 global chemical companies finds that the top-performing chemical companies typically change their portfolio mix more frequently than others—usually once every business cycle and remaining focused on their over-arching business strategy.”
Building better batteries: Insights on chemistry and design from China
A detailed benchmark analysis of the batteries of Chinese battery-electric vehicles reveals how differences in battery-cell and battery-pack design affect performance.
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