Huntsman and Clariant merging to create US$14b chemicals giant

Frankfurt

US-BASED Huntsman Corp and Swiss Clariant AG are combining to create a chemical manufacturer with a market value of over US$14 billion, the deal coming together after years of tentative mutual approaches.

The HuntsmanClariant specialty chemicals company will be 52 per cent owned by Clariant shareholders and valued at around US$20 billion when including debt, Clariant said in a statement.

Many European companies have turned to deal-making as growth in the chemicals industry has slowed. European businesses have particularly suffered, losing market share …