DuPont has announced a plan to separate into three separate, publicly traded companies over the course of the 18-24 months, subject to the satisfaction of customary conditions, including final board approval regulatory approvals and satisfactory completion of financing. Outgoing CEO and executive chairman Ed Breen (pictured) described this as “an extraordinary opportunity to deliver long-term, sustainable shareholder value”.

At its virtual capital markets day on 9 September, Merck KGaA announced that it aims to increase group sales by 6%/year to about €25 billion/year by 2025. To this end, investment, which will increase by 50% in the  years 2021-2025 compared to 2016-2020.

“We will continue to consistently and purposefully invest in areas that make us strong,” said CEO and executive board chair Belén Garijo (pictured). Merck will also seek targeted acquisitions, which are most likely to be small to medium-sized.

DuPont has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire Laird Performance Materials from private equity giant Advent International. This is expected to close in Q3, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions. The $2.3 billion cost (about 15x estimated 2021 EBITDA) will be paid from existing cash.