ADNOC to acquire German firm for $16b

BERLIN:

Abu Dhabi's ADNOC has struck a deal to buy German chemicals maker Covestro for 14.7 billion euros ($16.3 billion), including debt, in the energy giant's biggest ever acquisition.

The deal is one of the largest foreign takeovers by a Gulf state as countries in the region seek to reduce their dependence on oil amid the global switch to cleaner energy.

It also comes at a sensitive time in Germany for foreign acquisitions, as Commerzbank and the government seek to fend off interest in the bank from Italy's UniCredit.

The 62 euros-per-share cash deal, which will also see ADNOC take on about 3 billion euros in debt, follows protracted negotiations and is a cornerstone of the energy giant's drive to grow in petrochemicals along with gas and renewable energy.

ADNOC said that when the transaction closes it would also buy 1.17 billion euros worth of new shares in Covestro to improve funding at the former Bayer unit.

Shares in Covestro jumped 3.7% to a three-year high of 58 euros.