Arkema successfully completed on 26 April 2012 the placing of a € 230 million bonds issue.
This bond loan, with a 30 April 2020 maturity and a 3.85% interest rate, enables Arkema to benefit from current favourable market conditions. This transaction falls in line with Arkema’s long-term financing policy allowing it to diversify its sources of financing and to extend their maturity. Indeed, due to the set-up in July 2011 of a €700 million syndicated line of credit with a July 2016 maturity, and a € 500 million bonds issue in October 2010, with an October 2017 maturity, the Group’s financing average maturity is now exceeding 5 years.
This issue has been led by Crédit Agricole Corporate and Investment Bank.
Arkema is rated BBB- with positive outlook by Standard & Poor’s, and Baa3 with positive outlook by Moody’s.
In view of the listing of the bonds on the Euronext Paris market place, Arkema has filed a prospectus which received visa n° 12-185 from the French capital market authority “Autorité des marchés financiers” dated 26 April 2012. Such prospectus is available in English version on the website of the Autorité des marchés financiers (www.amf-france.org) and on Arkema Group’s website (www.arkema.com).
A global chemical company and France’s leading chemicals producer, Arkema is building the future of the chemical industry every day. Deploying a responsible, innovation-based approach, we produce state-of-the-art specialty chemicals that provide customers with practical solutions to such challenges as climate change, access to drinking water, the future of energy, fossil fuel preservation and the need for lighter materials. With operations in more than 40 countries, some 13,200 employees and 9 research centers, Arkema generates annual revenue of €5.9 billion*, and holds leadership positions in all its markets with a portfolio of internationally recognized brands. The world is our inspiration.
*Sales and headcount for continuing activities at end 2011, excluding vinyl products activities, which are part of a divestment plan.