Ashurst advised Sinarmas Cepsa Deutschland GmbH (Sinarmas Cepsa Deutschland) on the acquisition of a sulphonation / sulphation plant in Genthin (Germany) by way of an asset deal. The seller is Gemini Holding AG (Gemini) from Pfäffikon (Switzerland). Chemicals (tenside) for laundry detergents, washing-up liquid and cleaning agents are manufactured in the plant. The transaction is subject to the approval of the respective antitrust authorities and further conditions precedent. The parties have agreed to keep the purchase price confidential.

Sinarmas Cepsa Deutschland is a subsidiary of Sinarmas Cepsa Pte Ltd (SCPL) which is seated in Singapore, a joint venture of the Cepsa Quimica S.A. belonging to the Spanish energy group Cepsa and Golden Agri-Resources Ltd. SCPL focusses on the fatty alcohols business and its derivatives and was established, in order to attain a global leading position in this market. The acquisition of the plant in Genthin is the first acquisition of the joint venture in Europe.

Ashurst's cross-practice team was led by the Frankfurt-based corporate partner Dr Benedikt von Schorlemer. He was supported by tax partner Heiko Penndorf, employment partner Dr Andreas Mauroschat (both Frankfurt) and competition partner Ute Zinsmeister (Munich).

Counsel Jan Krekeler, senior associate Jan Kupfer as well as the associates Jan van Kisfeld and Markus Hiebel from the corporate practice in Frankfurt supported. Furthermore, senior Associates Felix Krüger (tax), Michael Mehler and Dr. Hendrik Theismann (real estate), Dr Marius Fritzsche (employment, all Frankfurt) and Dr Maria Held (anti-trust, Munich) also supported. The team also comprised paralegals Julia Stumpf and Anja Stötzel (both corporate, Frankfurt).