HEXION SELLS PHENOLIC RESINS PLANT IN CHINA

BDA Partners announced that its client, Hexion Inc. (Columbus, Ohio), has sold its China phenolic resins plant to Red Avenue New Materials Group Co Ltd, a publicly listed Chinese company providing diversified new materials for electronics, environmental protection, tire, and auto markets. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

Hexion’s China phenolic resins plant was part of Hexion’s global Phenolic Resins (PSR) division, which has separately been acquired by Black Diamond and Investindustrial. The PSR business is an established technology leader with a long track record for quality and reliability.

The China phenolic resins plant was built in Zhenjiang, Jiangsu Province, as a greenfield project, which was started in 2012 and completed in 2016. The facility was constructed in line with Hexion’s global standards, enjoys convenient access to suppliers and customers, and is well regarded in the region for its unmatched product quality and high EHS standards.

BDA was the exclusive financial advisor to Hexion on the transaction.

Red Avenue (market cap over $3.4 billion as of March 2021) is listed on the Shanghai Stock Exchange, making a range of high performance chemical products, with a strong position in the new material industry. Hexion’s Chinese phenolic resins business fits well the Red Avenue development strategy for capacity expansion, and represents a key add-on in the value chain.

Euan Rellie, Managing Partner and co-founder, BDA Partners, said: “We’re happy to have helped Hexion secure the ideal buyer for its Chinese phenolic resins plant. World-leading corporates regularly ask BDA to manage divestitures in Asia. We have a particularly strong track record in the chemicals sector.”

Jeffrey Wang, Partner, Co-Head of Shanghai, BDA Partners, said: “Once again, we have proven that we can navigate challenging markets to achieve good outcomes for our clients. BDA wishes Red Avenue great success with its acquisition.”