Following negotiation with Special Situations Venture Partners 2 (SSVP 2) fund which is exclusively advised by Orlando Management AG (Munich), a leading private equity investment advisor, Sojitz Corporation (“Sojitz”) has signed definitive agreements to acquire 100% of the shares in solvadis holding S.à r.l. (“solvadis”), one of the leading chemical marketing and distribution companies in Europe. The transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. Through this transaction, Sojitz aims to further bolster its chemical business and sustainable earnings by making solvadis a fully-owned Sojitz subsidiary, thereby acquiring a new business platform in Europe.

solvadis is a well-established company which traces its roots back to 1881. It operates sales offices and logistics centers throughout Europe, with most centered in Germany. The company is recognized for its strengths in sales of basic chemicals such as sulphur, sulphuric acid, and in particular, methanol, of which it handles more than 1 million tons per year. Utilizing its chemical tanks and other logistics facilities at the heart of Europe’s industrial area along the Rhine, solvadis has established long-term, trusting relationships with various chemical producers and customers.

Sojitz Group, on the other hand, produces and sells methanol in the Asia region, with sales of more than 1 million tons annually. There is wide-ranging demand for methanol as a basic ingredient in products including paints, plastics, adhesives, and medicines, and it has also garnered interest as a future source of environmentally-friendly “clean energy.” Through this acquisition, Sojitz Group aims to expand its annual trading volume to more than 2 million tons and enlarge the company’s position as a global player within the methanol industry. At the same time, following completion of the transaction, Sojitz aims to create synergies within the basic and specialty chemical sectors, integrating the marketing and distribution strengths of solvadis group in Europe into Sojitz’ global sales network.

Sojitz Group, with solvadis, will contribute to the European chemicals industry by providing a stable supply of various chemicals, and will focus on increasing its marketing volume to EUR 1 billion in the next 3 years.

Related Information:

Company Overview - solvadis holding S.à r.l.