SABIC sells businesses in Europe and US for US$950 million
SABIC announced the signing of two strategic transactions to divest its European Petrochemicals (EP) business to AEQUITA and its Engineering Thermoplastics (ETP) business in the Americas and Europe to MUTARES, for a total combined enterprise value of US$950 million.
These transactions represent significant steps in the advancement of SABIC’s strategy and constitute a core component of its broader portfolio optimization program. The divestments together establish a strong foundation for future profitable growth and reinforce SABIC’s long-term strategic positioning for maximum value add.
These efforts are a continuation of SABIC’s plans to improve returns, focus on high margin markets and products which have clear competitive advantage, recycle capital to higher-return opportunities and improve free cash flow, while continuing to serve its global customers and maximize shareholder value.
Additionally, these transactions do not impact the technology and innovation focus and commitment that SABIC has for its customers.
“These transactions represent a continuation of our Portfolio Optimization Program, which started in 2022 and included previous actions. This strategic approach allows us to actively reshape our portfolio and sharpen our focus on areas where SABIC has clear and sustainable competitive advantages in a rapidly changing landscape,” commented Abdulrahman Al-Fageeh, CEO of SABIC.
Transaction of European Petrochemicals business
SABIC has agreed to sell its European Petrochemicals business to AEQUITA for an enterprise value of US$500 million.
This business produces and markets various products – ethylene, propylene, low- and high-density polyethylene (LDPE, LLDPE, and HDPE), polypropylene (PP), and value-added polymer compounds.
It also manages a number of manufacturing sites, including in Teesside, the UK; Geleen, the Netherlands; Gelsenkirchen, Germany; and Genk, Belgium.
“This transaction represents a further step in the expansion of our European chemicals platform. The assets are highly synergistic with the olefins and polyolefins business we recently acquired from LYB; with complementary markets, infrastructure and operational capabilities, we see substantial potential to realize synergies and drive operational improvements across both businesses,” said Dr.-Ing. Axel Geuer, President & Co-CEO of AEQUITA.
Transaction of Engineering Thermoplastics business
SABIC has also agreed to sell its regional Engineering Thermoplastics (ETP) business in the Americas and Europe to MUTARES for an enterprise value of US$450 million.
SABIC’s Americas and European ETP business produces polycarbonate (PC), polybutylene terephthalate (PBT), and acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) resin and compounds, and manages manufacturing sites, including in Mt. Vernon, Ottawa, Bay St. Louis and Burkville, US; Tampico, Mexico; Campinas, Brazil; Cartagena, Spain; and Bergen op Zoom, the Netherlands.
“The Engineering Thermoplastics (ETP) business in the Americas and Europe has a highly skilled workforce and strong customer relationships. Under focused ownership, our priority is to ensure continuity, support employees through the transition, and unlock the full potential of our asset base as a standalone ETP platform,” said Robin Laik, co-Founder and CEO of MUTARES.