Herbert Smith Freehills Paris has recently advised Arkema, France's leading chemicals producer, on the financing for its €1.74bn (£1.37bn) proposed acquisition of Bostik, one of the world’s largest adhesive makers, from energy giant Total.

The financing would take the form of a bridge facility of €1.50bn and would be subject to a refinancing by way of a share capital increase and via the financial markets through bonds issues.

The internal team at Arkema was led by the Financing Treasury Department and the Legal Department.

The Herbert Smith Freehills team was led by banking and finance partner Louis de Longeaux, assisted by Christelle Salmon-Lataste and Charlotte Dufour.

White & Case advised the original mandated lead arrangers with a team led by Raphael Richard (partner), Julien Chameyrat and Aissatou Bah.