Speculation is mounting that Reliance Industries is looking to buy the North American assets of LyondellBasell. Various sources suggest that a price of between $3 billion and $6 billion will be offered for the assets.
LyondellBasell was formed back in July 2007, when Basell acquired Lyondell Chemical Co. for $12.1 billion.
Although it is necessary to take into account the fact that Lyondell had assets outside the US, the price range quoted is still much lower than the original price paid by Basell. It is not clear at this stage whether the deal would include any of LyondellBasell's very strong technology licensing businesses - which cover predominantly polyolefins, polyolefin catalysts, olefins, propylene oxide and derivatives - although I would think this is unlikely.
LyondellBasell does have some very good US assets. If Reliance were to acquire these assets it would significantly strengthen its global position and move significantly higher in the ICIS Top 100 chemical companies, where it currently holds 34th place. LyondellBasell is currently in 4th place. Changing times!
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