In the case of Clariant, the implementation of a Plan B is currently in full swing. The specialty chemicals group, one speaks of the “Base case”. Because the guide had to from your “Best case” with a Bang, to say goodbye, as this summer of CEO Ernesto Flagship of washed out after only nine months of the charm. With the departure of the Saudi major shareholder, Sabic provided the heads burst with their planned Joint Venture for one of the divisions of Clariant. This was an essential part of the future concept of Clariant.
Now only the tag alone remains. This is further complicated by the search for a chief. A Headhunter will help in the meantime. And the search progresses: A first list with 20 people already, as it is known from well informed circles. Now the shortlist stand.
With the announcement of a new boss or a new Boss is more likely to be expected next as the end of this year. Now it looks, however, that someone from overseas will take the lead from Clariant, as informed circles report. The Swiss are not more likely to be in view. A spokesman from Clariant confirms that there is currently a list of possible candidates was drawn up.
Currently the Chairman of the Board and former long-standing CEO Hariolf Kottmann has held back the operational management. Kottmann leads at the same time as the CEO search, the negotiations on the planned saving sales.
Care Chemicals
Focus will be produced Kottmann, among other things, on the area of Care Chemicals, the ingredients for Shampoos and body lotions. Also in the business with de-icing means for aircraft to remain Clariant.
Disconnect, however, is to make Clariant of the entire division Masterbatches, which produces, for example, additives for food packaging, UV-resistant. Originally a part of this business should pass in the failed Joint Venture, now everything is sold. In addition, the group wants to separate from the Pigment Division. There is for both for sale divisions, each of a plurality of interested parties, is the response from well-informed circles. And also sums to be called.
Buys US-based company, a division?
at the beginning of October, the economic Agency Bloomberg reported that discussions with the American company Polyone, with Clariant for the Acquisition of Masterbatches negotiate. Clariant is asking for 1.5 billion dollars. This amount confirmed the group circles to this newspaper. For the pigments, is also for sale, would like to Clariant, therefore, are around 1 billion dollars. Vontobel Analyst Daniel Buchta holds these sales prices to be reasonable.
the Success of the billion dollar Deals for Clariant and its currently just under 18000 employees is crucial: on the one Hand, the group wants the divisions to dispose of, the press, currently the operating margin. On the other hand, the company want to make money self-acquisitions for its continuing operations. Because alone they are too little to be profitable. The tag in the case of Clariant will continue.
Above all, the question of whether can rely on Clariant to its new anchor shareholder, Sabic is hovering here. The fourth largest petrochemical company in the world, from Riyadh was in the car of 2018, with 25 percent and had Clariant preserved at the time before the destruction by financial investors. Since then, rumors surface again and again, the Saudis could get out, or Clariant to accept. “At the end Sabic decides how to do it with Clariant. But that is an uncertain matter, because in the case of Sabic and Saudi Aramco, anything can happen,” says Vontobel Analyst Buchta. Sabic is the Saudi Oil company Aramco adopted.
At Clariant established the mood, however, at the Moment. You have no knowledge of it, that the Saudis want to reduce their share, it means. You do not assume that this will change in the medium. The alone was the clear path.
Created: 09.11.2019, 08:24 PM
