Houlihan Lokey Advises APK
Houlihan Lokey is pleased to announce that APK AG has entered into an agreement to be acquired by Netherlands-based multinational chemical company LyondellBasell Industries NV (LyondellBasell). The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions.
Headquartered in Merseburg, Germany, APK is the technology leader in solvent-based industrial plastics recycling. The company’s patented closed-loop recycling solution, Newcycling®, enables the production of high-quality granulates from plastic waste feedstock, providing excellent economics as well as substantial CO2 savings relative to alternative mechanical and chemical recycling methods or incineration. APK’s products are used across a variety of applications, including film and packaging for the food and cosmetics industries. The company currently employs ~150 employees across two manufacturing and research facilities in Germany. Together with the new owner, APK envisions ramping up its industrially proven circular plastics recycling platform to a commercial scale.
LyondellBasell is a global leader in the development, production, and marketing of advanced polymer solutions, polyolefin technologies, intermediates, derivatives, and refining solutions. Its innovative product portfolio caters to various applications, including sustainable transportation, food and water safety, as well as the healthcare sector, thereby contributing to a circular, low-carbon economy and a reduction of plastic waste. Headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, LyondellBasell generated revenues of $41 billion in 2023 and employs around 20,000 people in more than 30 countries. The acquisition complements LyondellBasell’s existing mechanical and advanced recycling operations, positioning it for future growth in the circular and low-carbon solutions segment.
Houlihan Lokey served as the exclusive sellside financial advisor to APK. The transaction highlights Houlihan Lokey’s deep chemicals sector expertise in the plastics recycling market and execution capabilities in complex M&A situations.
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