Dassault Systemes, a world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, and Accelrys, Inc., a leading provider of scientific innovation lifecycle management software for chemistry, biology and materials, announced the signing of a definitive merger agreement for Dassault Systemes to acquire San Diego-based Accelrys, Inc. Cravath represented Dassault Systemes in connection with this transaction.

Slaughter and May advised China Power New Energy Development Company (CPNE) in relation to its acquisition of the entire issued share capital and a shareholder loan of Power Will Investment Limited (Power Will) for a total consideration of RMB166 million (approximately US$27 million). The acquisition was announced on 28 January 2014 and constitutes a disclosable transaction under the Hong Kong Listing Rules.

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China Limited (ICBC), the world's largest bank by assets, on its acquisition for around US$770 million of a majority stake in Standard Bank plc (SB plc).

ICBC has agreed to buy 60 percent of the existing issued shares in SB plc from Standard Bank London Holdings Limited, an intermediate holding company of South Africa's Standard Bank Group Limited (SBG) which is established in the UK and the direct shareholder of SB plc, by means of a Share Purchase Agreement.

Global law firm White & Case LLP has advised Bpifrance Investissement on the acquisition of CPI Group, the number one monochromic book printer in Europe, by IMPALA, Bpifrance Investissement and Trèfle. The transaction was accompanied by a restructuring of CPI's financial debt.

The White & Case team in Paris was led by partner Céline Domenget-Morin with support from partner Hugues Mathez and associate Camille Note on corporate matters, counsel Emmanuelle Pontnau Faure on tax matters and associate Julien Chameyrat on financing matters.

Shanghai/Berlin- Global law firm Dentons advised the listed Chinese company Zoomlion Heavy Industry Science & Technology Co. on the 100 percent takeover of the construction engineering company m-tec Mathis Technik GmbH, a subsidiary of the French Saint-Gobain group. The transaction is expected to be completed in Spring 2014.

King & Wood Mallesons SJ Berwin advised CEREA Partenaire, through its fund Cerea Capital and in association with Bpifrance, the management of the group and the group’s Hungarian industrial partner Chemark, on the acquisition of Speciality Chemical Packaging (Spec Chem), the former division of  British group Chesapeake, from Irving Place Capital and Oaktree Capital Management.

Agilitas, the pan-European mid-market private equity firm, has invested in Great Britain by purchasing the business and assets of Impetus Waste Management Limited.  This follows the successful completion of Agilitas' maiden investment in ISS Nordic Damage Control in June 2013, on which Ashurst provided legal advice.

Impetus handles more than 500,000 tonnes of commercial, industrial and municipal waste annually with waste transfer stations in Wallsend and Washington, and landfill sites in Cowpen Bewley and Teesport.The

Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer is advising Bank of Montreal in connection with the recommended offer by its wholly-owned subsidiary, BMO Global Asset Management (Europe) Limited, to acquire the entire issued and to be issued ordinary share capital of F&C Asset Management plc. The offer values F&C’s share capital at approximately £708 million. It is to be effected by means of a scheme of arrangement and is subject to regulatory approvals.

On January 28, 2014, Martin Marietta Materials, Inc. and Texas Industries, Inc. announced that the Boards of Directors of both companies have unanimously approved a definitive merger agreement under which Martin Marietta will acquire all of the outstanding shares of Texas Industries common stock in a tax-free, stock-for-stock transaction valued at US$2.7 billion. Cravath represented Martin Marietta in connection with this transaction.

Pinsent Masons has advised IP Group on its proposed acquisition by way of a scheme of arrangement of investment business Fusion IP at a price of more than £85 million.

Corporate partner Russell Booker led a team advising the IP commercialisation business on the deal which was announced at the same as a £75 million fund raising and open offer of 45.5 million shares to raise up to £75m by way of a firm placing, open offer and placing.