King & Wood Mallesons (KWM) advised the Frankfurt-based private equity investor VR Equitypartner GmbH (VR Equitypartner) on the acquisition of LEUNA-Tenside GmbH through VR Equitypartner and BIP Investment Partners S.A. (BIP).

LEUNA-Tenside GmbH (LEUNA-Tenside) was founded in 1995 through a management buyout of a business unit of the former LEUNA-Werke. LEUNA-Tenside, located on an industrial site of 130.000 square meters produces surfacants and chlorinated paraffins and takes a leading niche market position within Europe. Surfacents and chlorinated paraffins are used, for example, in the production of washing detergents and flameproofing agents. Longstanding CEO Kiril Mateew will remain with the company. Following the transaction the investors and Dr. Mateew will decide on and initiate a management succession to a new CEO.

VR Equitypartner is one of the leading private equity investors in Germany, Austria and Switzerland. Reasons for investment not only include growth and expansion financing, corporate succession or a change of shareholders, but also majority and minority investments or mezzanine financing projects. The portfolio currently comprises around 100 investments with an investment volume of EUR 500 million.

The anti-trust authorities in Germany and Austria have already given their consent to this transaction and closing took place on August 12, 2015. The purchase price and further financial terms of the transaction remain confidential.

The team of KWM advisors looks back on a longstanding relationship with VR Equitypartner. Most recently KWM advised VR Equitypartner e.g. on a mezzanine financing and on the sale of a participation in Clean Car AG to the Holler Foundation.
KWM Advisors
King & Wood Mallesons, Germany
Corporate / M&A / Private Equity

Christoph Brenner (lead partner), Franz Schaefer (partner), Bernhard Schmaderer (associate), Adrian Dengler (associate, all Munich)
Banking and Finance

Sabine Schomaker (partner, Frankfurt), Wolfgang von Schönborn (partner, Munich), Ulf Gosejacob (counsel), Michael Beyer (associate), Isabelle Winkel (PSL, all Frankfurt)
Employment

Barbara Geck (partner), André Zimmermann (counsel, both Frankfurt)
IP/IT

Axel Walz (partner), Caroline von Nussbaum (counsel), Massimo Bellitto-Grillo (managing associate, all Munich)
EU/ Competition

Tilman Siebert (partner), Michaela Westrup (counsel, both Munich)
Tax

Michael Kreft (partner), Corina Hackbarth (counsel, both Munich)