SK Capital, a private investment firm focused on the specialty materials, chemicals and pharmaceuticals sectors, has signed a definitive agreement to acquire the Fire Safety and Oil Additives Businesses (‘the Company’) of Israel Chemicals (ICL) for approximately USD1 billion.
The transaction is expected to close in the first half of 2018, before which a new trade name will be selected and announced for the Company.
The Businesses, headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri, have global operations and are market leaders in each of their segments. The ICL Fire Safety business is a formulator and manufacturer of fire management chemicals. Its Phos-Chek fire retardants, Class A and B foams, and water enhancing gels are the world’s leading chemical solutions for managing wildland, military, industrial and municipal fires, and are used in partnership with fire management agencies across the globe. The ICL Oil Additives business provides high quality phosphorus pentasulfide used in the preparation of ZDDP-based lubricant additives, in critical engine anti-wear solutions that lead to prolonged combustion engine function, as well as in pesticide and mining chemicals applications.
Aaron Davenport, a Managing Director of SK Capital, says: “This acquisition adds to SK Capital’s extensive experience of partnering with corporate sellers to execute carve-outs of non-core businesses and working with management to transform them into thriving, independent companies. As the global industry leader across both its segments, the Company offers an unmatched, vital value proposition to its customers with the highest quality standards and a dedication to premier service.”
Stephen d’Incelli, a Principal of SK Capital, says: “We see multiple opportunities to invest in both organic and acquisitive growth to accelerate the Company’s strategy of introducing its differentiated technology, proprietary formulations, and state-of-the-art service operations to new channels, geographies, and markets.” Barry Penney, a Principal of SK Capital, added, “We look forward to collaborating with Eddie Goldberg, the leader of these Businesses, the rest of the management team and the dedicated employee-base to support their continued growth as an independent company.”
The Valence Group, Rothschild & Co. and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc acted as M&A advisors to SK Capital; Kirkland & Ellis LLP acted as legal advisor and committed debt financing was provided by Barclays, Goldman Sachs USA, and HSBC Securities (USA) Inc.
