Clariant and Huntsman Corp. recently announced that their Boards of Directors unanimously approved a definitive agreement to combine in a merger of equals through an all-stock transaction.

The merged company will be named HuntsmanClariant. The combination of both companies will reportedly create a leading global specialty chemical company with sales of approximately $13.2 billion and a combined enterprise value of approximately $20 billion at announcement. The transaction is targeted to close by year end 2017.

“This is the perfect deal at the right time. Clariant and Huntsman are joining forces to gain much broader global reach, create more sustained innovation power and achieve new growth opportunities,” said Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant. “This is in the best interest of all of our stakeholders. Peter Huntsman and I share the same strategic vision and I look forward to working with him.”   
       

Peter R. Huntsman, president and CEO of Huntsman, said, “I could not be more enthusiastic about this merger and look forward to working closely with Hariolf Kottmann, a man I have admired and trusted for the past decade. We also look forward to a close association with his immensely talented colleagues around the world. Together, we will create a global leader in specialty chemicals with a combined balance sheet providing substantial financial strength and flexibility.”

The combined company, incorporated in Switzerland, will reportedly be governed by a Board of Directors with equal representation from Clariant and Huntsman and will follow Swiss Corporate Governance standards. Hariolf Kottmann, current Clariant CEO, will become Chairman of the Board of HuntsmanClariant. Peter Huntsman, current Huntsman president and CEO, will become CEO of HuntsmanClariant. Jon Huntsman, founder and chairman of Huntsman, will become chairman emeritus and a board member of HuntsmanClariant.

For more information, visit www.huntsman.com or www.clariant.com.