Insights

Decco Parent Company UPL Buys Arysta LifeScience inc.

MUMBAI, July 20, 2018 – UPL Limited (“UPL”) announces today that its wholly owned subsidiary UPL Corporation Limited (“UPL Corp”) has signed a definitive agreement with Platform Specialty Products Corporation(NYSE:PAH) to acquire Arysta LifeScience Inc. and its subsidiaries (collectively “Arysta”), a global provider of innovative crop protection solutions, including BioSolutions and Seed Treatment, for approximately US$4.2 billion in cash, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals. A wholly-owned subsidiary of the Abu Dhabi Investment Authority (“ADIA”) and TPG have partnered with UPL Corp to support the proposed acquisition.

This acquisition will create a “New UPL” and fulfills UPL’s objective of creating an integrated patent and post-patent agricultural solutions business with a global footprint. “New UPL” will represent a compelling value proposition for growers, distributors, suppliers and innovation partners in a consolidating market.

Following the acquisition, UPL will be one of the world’s largest global crop protection companies, with an innovative and differentiated product portfolio. The company will be able to offer a complete basket of solutions for various arable as well as specialty crops comprising of crop protection chemicals, BioSolutions and seeds covering the entire crop value chain from planting to post harvest. The acquisition will give UPL access to a variety of patented products through collaborations and partnerships as well as enhanced in-house R&D capabilities. UPL will have an integrated supply chain with a backward integrated manufacturing base in major markets and deep distribution capabilities across the globe to address needs of growers.

Jai Shroff, Group Chief Executive Officer and Executive Director of UPL, said, “The acquisition of Arysta is a transformational transaction for UPL. Arysta has a differentiated position in the crop protection market given its focus primarily on specialty applications and tailored local solutions. This is in line with our long-term vision of becoming a premier global provider of agricultural solutions designed to secure the world’s long-term food supply. This transaction is a “perfect match” with powerful synergies across geographies, crops and products, strengthened through best-in-class manufacturing and differentiated R&D capabilities. We are bringing together two winning teams with strong values and successful track records to create a strong platform for our mission of Farmer First and sustainable growth. New UPL will focus on making agriculture more sustainable and farmers more resilient to impact of climate change and is committed to speeding progress towards the UN’s 2030 sustainable development goals.”