UBE Corporation
CASE STUDY
What did we do?
Baker McKenzie is advising UBE Corporation, a leading chemical company based in Tokyo, on its acquisition of LANXESS' Urethane Systems business headquartered in Germany for an enterprise value of EUR 460 million and a purchaser price of approximately EUR 500 million.
Our cross-border M&A sector specialists are supporting UBE Corporation with this strategic investment to achieve their ambitious plans for global growth, particularly in the US. We routinely assist global chemical and manufacturing clients in conducting highly complex cross-border M&A transactions, including negotiation of all transactional contract documentation, thorough and proper due diligence to ensure informed decision-making and mitigate risks around environmental and safety compliance, financial due diligence, supply chain restructuring, cross-jurisdictional transferability of data in light of burgeoning privacy requirements and access rights, global trade sanctions and tariffs, employment and regulatory competition and foreign direct investment concerns. Leveraging our expertise in this sector, Baker McKenzie has a strong track record in guiding clients to navigate through legal and commercial opportunities and risks associated with strategic M&A transactions, transformation, market expansion, and other investments.
Advising UBE Corporation on its acquisition of LANXESS’ Urethane Systems business
In depth review
With close collaboration between the Tokyo and the Frankfurt office as lead offices and other offices globally, Baker McKenzie is supporting the client's acquisition of the Urethane Systems business from LANXESS, a German publicly listed company. The acquisition will enable UBE Corporation to further develop the specialty chemical business under its umbrella as it targets growth.
UBE Corporation, founded in 1897, is a manufacturer of chemicals and other products. Its chemical business ranges from basic chemicals to advanced, high-performance products. The UBE Group comprises around 70 companies with around 8,000 employees: In the fiscal year ending March 2024, UBE generated revenues of JPY 468.2 billion. The company is listed on the Tokyo Stock Exchange.
LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with revenues of EUR 6.7 billion in 2023. The company currently has about 12,600 employees in 32 countries. Its core business is the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives and consumer protection products.
The Urethane Systems business consists of five manufacturing sites globally as well as technical centers in the US, Europe, China and India with a total of around 400 employees and estimated net sales for the fiscal year ending December 2024 of EUR 265 million. UBE Corporation will take over the complete Urethanes business from LANXESS.
Led by M&A partners Dr. Johannes M. Baumann, Christian Atzler and Tetsuo Tsujimoto, Baker McKenzie’s cross-border team involves colleagues from the Tax, IP/IT, Data Protection, Employment, Regulatory, International & Commercial Trade, Banking & Finance, Public Law and Real Estate groups.
Baker McKenzie is a trusted advisor to many of the largest industrial manufacturing, chemicals and transportation companies worldwide on their strategic growth initiatives. Combining our global platform, local market knowledge, and practice and sector expertise, our leading team of lawyers execute complex multi-jurisdictional transactions, award-winning deals and major mandates across a number of sectors. Baker McKenzie regularly advises international clients on market-leading deals including Sika’s successful EUR 5.3 billion acquisition of the Master Builder Construction Chemicals Group, Emerson’s USD 14 billion sale of its Climate Technologies business to Blackstone and the management of 3M’s global trademark portfolio in more than 100 jurisdictions worldwide.
Our team
Dr. Johannes M. Baumann, Christian Atzler and Tetsuo Tsujimoto: advises on complex M&A transactions, international network is a key strength, has outstanding knowledge in investments and M&A, and we are always provided with qualified and prompt advice. Chambers
Tetsuo Tsujimoto
Partner, Tokyo
Johannes M. Baumann
Partner, Frankfurt
How we can help
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Strategic impact
Cross-border coverage for the transaction involves, among others, Baker McKenzie’s Tokyo, Frankfurt, Düsseldorf, Berlin, Munich,Amsterdam, Chicago, London, Milan, Rio de Janeiro, São Paulo, Shanghai, Sydney, Washington D.C. and Taipei offices.
International coverage
Enterprise value of EUR 460 million; purchase price approx. EUR 500 million
Deal value
Baker McKenzie’s team comprised of specialists in M&A, Tax, International & Commercial Trade, Employment, IP/IT, Data Protection, Regulatory, Banking & Finance, Public Law and Real Estate groups to deliver a successful transaction.
Seamless support
Sources
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Deal break down
3 October 2024
UBE signed a contract to acquire LANXESS' Urethane Systems business
1 April 2025
The transaction was completed
