Saudi Arabia: Cristal deal glint in global M&A

As the deal between US-based Lyondell Chemical and Saudi Arabia’s National Titanium Dioxide (Cristal) closes so Saudi Arabian merger and acquisition activity looks set to increase further, and to cover more types of business, in 2007.

Cristal, which is 66% owned by Tasnee, announced on February 26 that it was to acquire Millennium Inorganic Chemicals TiO2 from Lyondell. The deal, worth $1.2 billion, is the biggest acquisition of a US company by a Saudi concern and is another example of the growing trend of emerging market companies buying rivals in the developed world. The Cristal deal includes a cash payment of $1.05 billion and estimated after-tax proceeds are $975 million. A mixture of equity and bank loan will raise the necessary funds.

Access intelligence that drives action

To unlock this research, enter your email to log in or enquire about access