OVER 40 YEARS OF HISTORY

Chemicals and Life Sciences
M&A Director

Q3 2021

The newsletter for M&A and corporate development directors
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. 
Read article

“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

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Key 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

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Partner Insights

MICHELLE LYNCH

Senior Advisor

Net Zero Strategies of Top European Speciality Chemical Companies

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. 
Read full article

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.”
Read more
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.”
Read more
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.”
Read more
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.
Read more

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For more content from expert voices in our corporate development community, as well as our own thoughts and viewpoints, visit our blog.

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