23 Feb 2017 --- Questions are being raised about the imminent US$130 billion Dow Chemical and DuPont merger after US media reports are circulating claiming the European Union regulators are on the verge of approving the deal. 

Although DuPont is not yet making any official statement, it is understood EU antitrust regulators are on track to clear the merger.

FoodIngredientsFirst got in touch with DuPont who stressed that they are not commenting further on the merger. 

Shares for both companies spiked yesterday (Wednesday February 22) with DuPont rising 3.5% to 79.80 on the stock market, it’s best level in almost 19 years. Dow Chemical increased 4% to 63.67, also hitting record levels.

Earlier this month DuPont said it would sell part of its Crop Science Unit while Dow Chemical said it would sell its acid copolymers and ionomers business as a way of allaying any competition concerns. 

It could still be several weeks until we hear for sure whether or not EU regulators have cleared the deal as the official deadline is April 4. It is seen as hugely important for the EU to approve the merger even though it must still gain approval from US regulators. 
If approvals are granted and the merger is given the green light, the combined entity plans to separate into different focused companies which includes a crop science business. 

It is believed the fact that both companies have “fine-tuned” proposals to allay any competition fears is a strong signal that approval is on the cards. 

Last month FoodIngredientsFirst reported how DuPont swung into the black with fourth quarter profits of US$263million and full-year profits of US$2.5 billion, but warned that transaction costs associated with its merger with Dow Chemical would hit earnings for the first three months of 2017.

by Gaynor Selby

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