Shenyang Chemical Industry : ChemChina and Syngenta reach a…

Öffentliches Kaufangebot für alle sich im Publikum befindenden Namenaktien mit einem Nennwert von je CHF 0.10 von Syngenta AG, Schweiz

Offre publique d'acquisition sur toutes les actions nominatives d'une valeur nominale de CHF 0.10 chacune en mains du public de Syngenta SA, Suisse

Public tender offer for all publicly held registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 each of Syngenta Ltd, Switzerland

Angebotsrestriktionen | Restrictions à l'Offre | Offer Restrictions

Allgemein | Généralités | In General

Das in den auf dieser Website verfügbar gemachten Dokumenten beschriebene öffentliche Kaufangebot (das Schweizer Angebot) wird weder direkt noch indirekt in einem Land oder einer Rechtsordnung unterbreitet, in welchem/welcher ein solches Schweizer Angebot widerrechtlich wäre, oder in welchem/welcher es in anderer Weise anwendbares Recht verletzen würde, oder in welchem/welcher China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) oder einer ihrer direkten oder indirekten Tochtergesellschaften verpflichtet wäre, irgendeine Änderung oder Anpassung der Bestimmungen oder Bedingungen des Schweizer Angebots, ein zusätzliches Gesuch an staatliche. regulatorische oder andere Behörden oder zusätzliche Handlungen in Bezug auf das Schweizer Angebot vorzunehmen. Es ist nicht beabsichtigt, das Schweizer Angebot auf ein solches Land oder eine solche Rechtsordnung zu erstrecken. Dokumente, die im Zusammenhang mit dem Schweizer Angebot stehen, dürfen weder in solchen Ländern oder Rechtsordnungen vertrieben, noch in solche Länder oder Rechtsordnungen versandt werden und dürfen von niemandem zur Werbung für Käufe von Beteiligungsrechten an Syngenta AG, Schweiz, in solchen Ländern oder Rechtsordnungen verwendet werden.

L'Offre décrite dans les documents disponible sur ce site web (l'Offre suisse) n'est faite ni directement ni indirectement dans aucun Etat ou une juridiction dans lequel|laquelle une telle Offre suisse serait illicite ou enfreindrait de toute autre manière les lois ou réglementations en vigueur ou qui exigerait de la part de China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) ou l'une de ses filiales directes ou indirectes un changement ou une modification des termes ou des conditions de l'Offre suisse de quelque manière que ce soit, la formulation d'une demande en lien avec l'Offre suisse auprès d'une quelconque autorité gouvernementale, régulatrice ou autre, ou des démarches supplémentaires en lien avec l'Offre suisse. Il n'est pas prévu d'étendre l'Offre suisse à de tels Etats ou juridictions. Les documents relatifs à l'Offre suisse ne doivent être ni distribués ni envoyés dans de tels Etats ou juridictions. De tels documents ne doivent pas non plus être utilisés pour solliciter l'acquisition de titres de participation de Syngenta SA, Suisse, par toute personne ou entité domiciliée ou ayant son siège dans de tels Etats ou juridictions.

The public tender offer described in the documents available on this website (the Swiss Offer) will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which such Swiss Offer would be considered unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) or any of its affiliates to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Swiss Offer in any way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other authority or take additional action in relation to the Swiss Offer. It is not intended to extend the Swiss Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Documents relating to the Swiss Offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction. Any such documents must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of any securities of Syngenta Ltd, Switzerland, by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction.

Notice to U.S. Persons Holding Syngenta Shares and to Holders of ADSs

The Swiss Offer described in the documents available on this website is being made for the registered shares of Syngenta Ltd, Switzerland (Syngenta), a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX), and is subject to Swiss disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States (U.S.). The Swiss Offer is being made in the U.S. pursuant to Section 14(d) and Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14D and Regulation 14E under, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act), subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the U.S. Exchange Act, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law. Accordingly, the Swiss Offer is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights (which may or may not apply), settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and laws. Holders of registered shares of Syngenta (Syngenta Shares) who are resident in the U.S., including holders who are U.S. holders within the meaning of Rule 14d-1(d) under the U.S. Exchange Act (U.S. Persons), are encouraged to consult with their own Swiss advisors regarding the Swiss Offer.

The pre-announcement available on this website does not constitute the Swiss Offer. ChemChina or a designated direct or indirect subsidiary thereof which launches the Swiss Offer (such entity the Offeror) will disseminate an offer prospectus (with full terms and conditions of the Offer) as required by applicable law (the Offer Prospectus), and the shareholders of Syngenta should review the Offer Prospectus and all other documents relating to the Swiss Offer carefully. The Swiss Offer may not be accepted before publication of the Offer Prospectus and expiration of a cooling-off period of ten (10) trading days on the SIX (if not extended by the Swiss Takeover Board), which will run from such trading day immediately after the publication date of the Offer Prospectus.

In accordance with the laws of Switzerland and subject to applicable regulatory requirements, ChemChina and its subsidiaries or their nominees or brokers (acting as agents for ChemChina or any of its subsidiaries) may from time to time after the date hereof, and other than pursuant to the Swiss Offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase, Syngenta Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for Syngenta Shares. These purchases, or arrangements to purchase, may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices and shall comply with applicable laws and regulations in Switzerland and applicable U.S. securities laws. Any such purchases will not be made at prices higher than the offer price or on terms more favorable than those offered pursuant to the Swiss Offer unless the offer price is increased accordingly. Any information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase will be publicly disclosed in the U.S. on http://www.chemchina.com/press to the extent that such information is made public in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of Switzerland. In addition, the financial advisors to ChemChina, the Offeror and Syngenta may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Syngenta, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.

It may be difficult for U.S. Persons holding Syngenta Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of U.S. securities laws, since each of ChemChina, the Offeror and Syngenta is located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. Persons holding Syngenta Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a U.S. or non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.

The receipt of cash pursuant to the Swiss Offer by a U.S. Person holding Syngenta Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local laws, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each shareholder of Syngenta is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of an acceptance of the Swiss Offer.

Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any securities commission of any State of the U.S. has (a) approved or disapproved of the Swiss Offer; (b) passed upon the merits or fairness of the Swiss Offer; or (c) passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the Swiss Offer documents. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the U.S.

ChemChina or a designated direct or indirect subsidiary thereof is expecting to launch a public tender offer in the U.S. to all holders of American Depositary Shares of Syngenta (ADSs) issued by Bank of New York Mellon acting as depositary (the U.S. Depositary) and listed on the New York Stock Exchange and to holders of Syngenta Shares who are U.S. Persons pursuant to a separate U.S. offer documentation (the U.S. Offer). Holders of Syngenta Shares who are U.S. Persons and holders of ADSs, in each case who wish to participate in the U.S. Offer, are urged to carefully review the Schedule TO and other documents relating to the U.S. Offer that will be filed by the relevant offeror with the SEC because these documents will contain important information relating to the U.S. Offer. Holders of Syngenta Shares who are U.S. Persons and holders of ADSs, in each case who wish to participate in the U.S. Offer, are also urged to read the related solicitation | recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 that will be filed with the SEC by Syngenta relating to the U.S. Offer. You may obtain a free copy of these documents after they have been filed with the SEC, and other documents filed by Syngenta and the relevant offeror with the SEC, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. YOU SHOULD READ THE SCHEDULE TO AND SCHEDULE 14D-9 CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A DECISION CONCERNING THE U.S. OFFER.

The Swiss Offer is not being addressed to holders of ADSs. Holders of ADSs who wish to participate in the Swiss Offer should present their ADSs to the U.S. Depositary for cancellation and (upon compliance with the terms of the deposit agreements relating to the ADS Program concerning Syngenta Shares, including payment of the U.S. Depositary's fees and any applicable transfer fees, taxes and governmental charges) delivery of Syngenta Shares to them, in order to become shareholders of Syngenta. The Swiss Offer may then be accepted in accordance with the Offer Prospectus for the Syngenta Shares delivered to holders of ADSs upon such cancellation.

United Kingdom

In the United Kingdom (U.K.), the communication about the Swiss Offer is directed only at persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the 'Order'), (ii) falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ('high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.') of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as 'relevant persons'). This communication must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.

Australia, Canada and Japan

The Swiss Offer is not being addressed to shareholders of Syngenta whose place of residence, seat or habitual abode is in Australia, Canada or Japan, and such shareholders may not accept the Swiss Offer.

Confirmation

By clicking on the 'I confirm and agree' button below, you confirm and agree to each of the following:

- that you have read and understood and that you are not subject to any of the Swiss Offer restrictions set forth above, that the communication about the Swiss Offer may lawfully be directed at and the Swiss Offer lawfully addressed to you;

- that you are not located or resident in any jurisdiction where extension of the Swiss Offer would trigger a requirement for ChemChina or any of its affiliates or any other person to file or register an offer prospectus or any other document, or to take any other or additional action in relation to the Swiss Offer, in or by virtue of the laws of such jurisdiction;

- that you will not copy or forward to any person any of the documents available on this website; and

- that you understand, acknowledge and agree that failure to comply with the foregoing could result in a violation of applicable laws and|or damages to ChemChina, its affiliates and other persons.

(Beijing, February 3) China National Chemical Corporation ('ChemChina') has announced today that it has agreed to acquire the Swiss agrochemical and seeds company Syngenta by way of a public tender offer.

ChemChina and Syngenta have reached the acquisition agreement in which the Board of Directors of Syngenta AG ('Syngenta' or the 'Company') unanimously recommends ChemChina's offer to purchase 100% of Syngenta's equity. The offer price is USD 465 per share in cash. In addition, the offer will allow the payment of a special dividend of CHF 5 payable immediately before closing, subject to the approval of Syngenta's shareholders. The intended offer values Syngenta's total outstanding share capital at USD 43 billion. The acquisition is subject to anti-trust reviews and approvals from relevant countries.

Syngenta - a world leader in agrochemicals and a leading global player in seeds - is at the forefront of delivering on the sustainability and enhancement of food security in an increasingly interconnected global production chain through its commercial offers, The Good Growth Plan and the Syngenta Foundation for Sustainable Agriculture. ChemChina is committed to supporting Syngenta to further pursue these goals.

ChemChina is fully supportive of Syngenta's intactness in its operations, management and employees, including keeping its headquarters in Basel, Switzerland.‎ ChemChina will further maintain, promote and enhance Syngenta's exemplary reputation by continuing to invest in its leading agricultural solutions and innovation capabilities. ‎ChemChina will accelerate the implementation of Syngenta's strategy while seeking to open new markets and opportunities for Syngenta's next phase of growth and plans to relist Syngenta in a few years.

ChemChina is the ideal partner to accelerate Syngenta's next phase of development in China and other emerging markets. In these markets, Syngenta's seeds and crop protection products can enable farmers around the world to make better use of available resources to meet the growing demands of consumers globally.

Ren Jianxin, Chairman of ChemChina, stated: 'We are delighted that our 'friendly and cooperative' principle has led to the agreement announced today. We will continue to work alongside the management and employees of Syngenta to maintain the company's leading competitive edge in the global agricultural technology field.' He also added: 'Our vision is not confined to our mutual interests, but will also respond to and maximize the interests of farmers and consumers around the world. We look forward to Michel Demaré remaining as Vice Chairman of Syngenta and lead independent director, and look forward to working with John Ramsay and the management and employees of Syngenta to deliver safe and reliable solutions for the continued growth in global food demand.'

Michel Demaré, Chairman of Syngenta stated: 'In making this offer, ChemChina is recognizing the quality and potential of Syngenta's business. This includes industry-leading R&D and manufacturing and the quality of our people worldwide. The transaction will enable growth in China and globally and the long term investment in innovation which is vital to global food security, while minimizing operational disruption and execution risk. Syngenta will remain Syngenta and will continue to be headquartered in Switzerland, reflecting this country's attractiveness as a corporate location.'

John Ramsay, CEO of Syngenta stated: 'Syngenta is a world leader in crop protection, and this deal will enable us to maintain and expand this position, while at the same time significantly increasing the potential for our seeds business. It will best ensure continuing choice for growers and ongoing R&D investment across technology platforms and across crops. Our commitment to cost and capital efficiency will remain unchanged.'

HSBC and China CITIC Bank International are acting as financial advisers of this transaction. Credit Suisse is acting as Tender Agent of this transaction.Simpson Thacher & Bartlett (STB) and Homburger served as legal advisors.

Syngenta is one of the world's leading companies with 28,000 people in over 90 countries dedicated to our purpose: Bring plant potential to life. Through world class science, global reach and commitment to our customers Syngenta helps to increase crop productivity, protect the environment and improve health and quality of life. For more information, please go to www.syngenta.com.

ChemChina, which is headquartered in Beijing, China, possesses production, R&D bases and marketing systems in 150 countries and regions. It is the largest chemical corporation in China, and occupies the 265th position among the Fortune 500. The company's main businesses include materials science, life science, high-end manufacturing and basic chemicals, among others. Previously, ChemChina has successfully acquired 9 leading industrial companies in France, United Kingdom, Israel, Italy and Germany, etc. For more information, please go to: www.chemchina.com, http://www.chemchina.com/press/.

For further inquiries please contact:
Ren Kan
Phone [phone]
[e-mail]