Squire Patton Boggs has advised Ashland Global Holdings Inc. on the sale of all shares in ISP Biochema Schwaben GmbH to Vink Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG.
Ashland Global Holdings Inc., based in Covington, Kentucky, is a world-leading manufacturer of specialty chemicals, intermediate products, solvents and engine oil. The company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and is included in the S&P MidCap 400 Index.
Ashland’s products are used in a large variety of consumer and industrial markets, e.g. in the automotive, construction and energy sectors, but also in the food and supplement industries, personal care and pharmaceuticals. With around 4,000 employees in more than 100 countries, the company generated revenues of US$3.7 billion in 2018, according to its own reports.
Vink Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, based in Kakenstorf, Lower Saxony, was established in 2011 and specialises in the production of biocides and biocidal products. The company also markets specialty chemicals in Europe, Africa and Asia. Vink Chemicals produces all biocide formulations in Kakenstorf and has cutting-edge production, hazardous goods storage and laboratory facilities.
Under the leadership of Berlin managing partner Dr. Volker Heidbüchel, the Squire Patton Boggs team was able to support longstanding client Ashland on the successful implementation of this transaction. The team included senior associate Dr. Sepp Wohlfarter and associate Laura Janke in Corporate, as well as senior associate Siegfried Etzkorn in Real Estate.
The firm’s Corporate Practice in Germany has a focus on advising German and international chemical companies and has an extensive track record of cross-border deals in this sector. “We are delighted that this sale has given us the opportunity to provide our client with legal support again for a second transaction in Germany this year,” Dr. Heidbüchel said.