October 14, 2016
(Reuters) – Chinese state-owned chemical companies Sinochem Group and ChemChina are in discussions about a possible merger to create a chemicals, fertiliser and oil giant with almost $100 billion (81.89 billion pounds) in annual revenue, three sources familiar with the matter said.
The deal has been proposed by China’s central government as part of its efforts to slash the number of state-owned companies and create larger, more competitive global industry players, said the sources. The sources asked not to be identified because they were not authorised to speak publicly about the matter. Top management of the two firms held a meeting earlier this week to discuss a potential merger, said one source directly briefed on the matter.
“The government has given the mandate to let Sinochem lead in this potential merger with ChemChina,” said the source.
More megamergers in #chemicals and #fertilizers? #Sinochem + #Chemchina? https://t.co/ZZR0jw0zQl #oil #syngenta #china #investment $vwo $fxi
— Brian D. Colwell (@BColwell_EMGMKT) October 20, 2016
A second source familiar with the matter said both firms have started due diligence work looking into each other’s financial details and business segments. When asked about a potential merger, a ChemChina spokesperson said: “There is no such thing.”
ChemChina and SinoChem Deny Merger Talks #ChemChina #SinoChem #GMO #Agrochemicals │ https://t.co/sxmR2gFoZ6
— ChinaAg (@ChinaAg_Market) October 26, 2016
A Sinochem spokesman said he was not aware of the discussions. China’s State-owned Assets Supervision and Administration Commission (SASAC), which oversees state-owned enterprises, did not comment when asked about the talks. Shares in the companies’ listed subsidiaries jumped on the news, with Sinochem International up 10 percent for its biggest one-day rally in a year and Sinofert on track for its best daily gain since December.
Key U.S. senator remains concerned over ChemChina-Syngenta deal https://t.co/1h4MOBdVgk
— Andrea & Ed (@r3aled) November 19, 2016
While still at an early stage, the talks come as China National Chemicals Corp, as ChemChina is officially known, finalises a $43 billion takeover of Swiss pesticides and seed group Syngenta SYNN.S. That deal would be China’s largest-ever foreign investment.
In early European trading, Syngenta shares were down about 2 percent at their lowest in almost two months.
Syngenta declined to comment on the news.
European Competition Commissioner Margrethe Vestager would not comment on any potential issues arising from the deal, were China to create a domestic chemicals, fertiliser and oil giant.
“It’s very early days,” she told reporters on Friday.
The European Union is expected to rule on the deal by Oct. 28.
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