2022 Review of M&A Transactions in the Chemical New Materials Sector

DSM’s Engineering Materials business includes polyamides (PA6, PA66) and various specialty materials (PA46, PA410, specialty polyesters, and PPS). Approximately 2,100 employees work across eight production sites and seven R&D centers serving all relevant global markets. LANXESS’s High Performance Materials (HPM) business unit is one of the world’s leading producers of PA6 and PBT engineering polymers and thermoplastic fiber-reinforced composites. The unit employs 1,900 people across ten production sites and seven R&D centers worldwide. Huafeng Group vs. DuPont On June 1, 2022 (Beijing time), Huafeng Group officially completed the acquisition of DuPont’s divested bio-based products business and related technologies. This marks Huafeng Group’s largest overseas M&A transaction to date, valued at USD 240 million. The acquired assets include DuPont’s bio-based business, which generated USD 200 million in sales in 2021. Key assets comprise two U.S. production facilities: first, a DuPont joint-venture site in Tennessee producing Susterra® and Zemea®, two globally renowned brands of bio-based 1,3-propanediol (PDO)—a key raw material enabling high-performance, naturally recyclable, and biodegradable polyester plastics; second, DuPont’s core Sorona® manufacturing facility in North Carolina, producing Sorona®—an eco-friendly, high-performance bio-based specialty polyester (PTT) fiber. SKC vs. Hahn & Company On June 8, SKC convened its board of directors and resolved to spin off and sell its film business. On the same day, it signed a share purchase agreement with Hahn & Company—the largest Korea-based private equity fund dedicated exclusively to investments. The transaction covers SKC’s film business division, its film processing subsidiary SKC hi-tech & marketing, and its U.S. and Chinese manufacturing facilities, for a total consideration of KRW 1.6 trillion (approximately USD 1.3 billion). Following necessary procedures—including shareholder approval and business separation—SKC expects to complete the transaction in Q4. DIC vs. Tongde New Materials On July 1, DIC Corporation’s wholly owned subsidiary DIC (China) Co., Ltd. announced the acquisition of Guangdong TOD New Material Co., Ltd. (Chinese name: Guangdong Tongde New Materials Co., Ltd.), a Chinese coatings and resin manufacturer. The acquisition price remains undisclosed. Hengshen Group vs. AKRO-PLASTIC On July 14 (Beijing time), Fujian Hengshen Engineering Plastics Co., Ltd. (“Hengshen EP”), a subsidiary of Hengshen Group, and AKRO-PLASTIC GmbH (“AKRO”), a German company under Feddersen Group, simultaneously held a share transfer closing ceremony in Niedersachsen, Germany, and Fuzhou, China. Following this transaction, Hengshen EP holds 51% of the shares in AKRO-PLASTIC Engineering Plastics (Changzhou) Co., Ltd., which has been renamed Hengshen-AKRO Engineering Materials (Changzhou) Co., Ltd. The joint venture thus becomes China’s first domestic high-end engineering plastics enterprise integrating the polyamide-based value chain, offering fully integrated development and solutions for critical domestic engineering plastics markets.

Great Power Competition | U.S. Invests $2 Billion to Revitalize Domestic Critical Mineral Supply Chains

On August 7, 2026, former President Trump hosted a mining industry roundtable meeting, announcing a $2 billion investment initiative focused on revitalizing critical mineral and mining projects essential to the U.S. defense industrial base. On the same day, the White House released a fact sheet summarizing a series of measures undertaken since Trump’s return to office to revitalize America’s critical mineral supply chains. Key highlights are excerpted below. I. Strengthening the U.S. Mining Industry On August 7, 2026, Trump presided over a landmark mining industry roundtable, announcing over $2 billion in combined investments in critical mineral and supporting mining projects to revitalize domestic mining capacity. Concurrently, $180 million will be allocated to develop mining education institutions and expand the U.S. mining workforce. • The Department of Defense (DoD) invested $85 million in Standard Bauxite Company to secure the supply chain for refractory-grade bauxite—essential for producing high-temperature-resistant materials used in critical U.S. military equipment components and modern industrial systems. • DoD invested $150 million in Nelen Magnetics, a Minnesota-based firm, to develop and manufacture 100% domestically produced rare-earth-free permanent magnets—bolstering the defense industrial base and reducing reliance on imported rare-earth magnets. • DoD committed $1.4 billion to Sila Nanotechnologies, a California-based manufacturer, to expand silicon-carbon anode battery production capacity and construct a new lithium-ion cell manufacturing facility—enhancing supply chain security for satellites, drones, and munitions. • DoD invested $400 million in Sunrise Energy Metals to build a complete scandium supply chain, including establishing the world’s first primary scandium mine—ensuring stable supply of scandium for high-temperature aluminum alloys used in aircraft and spacecraft. • The U.S. International Development Finance Corporation (DFC) provided $8 million to 5E Advanced Materials, Inc. (California) to develop boron resources—boron being a critical raw material for permanent magnets, semiconductors, and specialty glass. • DFC allocated $25 million to Westwater Resources (Alabama) to develop the Coosa Graphite Mine, supporting domestic battery manufacturing. • DFC granted $25 million to Global Advanced Metals (Pennsylvania) for tantalum and niobium mining—key inputs for electronics, permanent magnets, and specialty steels. • DFC invested $4.8 million in Rainbow Rare Earths Limited to develop a rare earth mine in Madagascar, ensuring stable U.S. manufacturing access to rare earth metals and magnetic materials. • The Department of Energy (DOE) allocated $100 million to 14 U.S. mining schools to cultivate the next generation of mining professionals—doubling the number of graduates holding professional qualifications in mining, mineral processing, and associated supply chain disciplines. • DoD invested over $80 million across three mining schools to launch large-scale talent development programs and technology innovation centers—training the next generation of geologists, metallurgical engineers, and mining engineers. II. Prioritizing Domestic Critical Minerals and Securing Supply Chain Resilience The Trump administration is building a robust, secure U.S. critical minerals and supporting supply chain—reducing dependence on adversarial nations, safeguarding national security, and enhancing economic resilience across core industries.

5E Advanced Materials Acquires Searles Valley Minerals

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5E Advanced Materials is acquiring Searles Valley Minerals to capitalize on rising boron demand and distressed asset prices. The transaction aims to boost EBITDA from negative $14 million to $40 million within four years, leveraging federal support for its Fort Cady project.

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