The Dow Chemical Co. and DuPont today announced that their boards of directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement under which the companies will combine in an all-stock merger of equals. The combined company will be named DowDuPont and will reportedly have a combined market capitalization of approximately $130 billion. DowDuPont will spin off into three independent and publicly traded companies, reportedly within18-24 months following the closing of the merger.
The new companies will reportedly include a leading global pure-play agriculture company; a leading global pure-play material science company; and a leading technology and innovation-driven specialty products company. Each business will reportedly have clear focus, an appropriate capital structure, a distinct and compelling investment thesis, scale advantages, and focused investments in innovation.