?ffentliches Kaufangebot für alle sich im Publikum befindenden Namenaktien mit einem Nennwert von je CHF 0.10 von Syngenta AG, Schweiz
Offre publique d'acquisition sur toutes les actions nominatives d'une valeur nominale de CHF 0.10 chacune en mains du public de Syngenta SA, Suisse
Public tender offer for all publicly held registered shares with a nominal value of CHF 0.10 each of Syngenta Ltd, Switzerland
Angebotsrestriktionen | Restrictions à l'Offre | Offer Restrictions
Allgemein | Généralités | In General
Das in den auf dieser Website verfügbar gemachten Dokumenten beschriebene ?ffentliche Kaufangebot (das Schweizer Angebot) wird weder direkt noch indirekt in einem Land oder einer Rechtsordnung unterbreitet, in welchem/welcher ein solches Schweizer Angebot widerrechtlich w?re, oder in welchem/welcher es in anderer Weise anwendbares Recht verletzen würde, oder in welchem/welcher China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) oder einer ihrer direkten oder indirekten Tochtergesellschaften verpflichtet w?re, irgendeine ?nderung oder Anpassung der Bestimmungen oder Bedingungen des Schweizer Angebots, ein zus?tzliches Gesuch an staatliche. regulatorische oder andere Beh?rden oder zus?tzliche Handlungen in Bezug auf das Schweizer Angebot vorzunehmen. Es ist nicht beabsichtigt, das Schweizer Angebot auf ein solches Land oder eine solche Rechtsordnung zu erstrecken. Dokumente, die im Zusammenhang mit dem Schweizer Angebot stehen, dürfen weder in solchen L?ndern oder Rechtsordnungen vertrieben, noch in solche L?nder oder Rechtsordnungen versandt werden und dürfen von niemandem zur Werbung für K?ufe von Beteiligungsrechten an Syngenta AG, Schweiz, in solchen L?ndern oder Rechtsordnungen verwendet werden.
L'Offre décrite dans les documents disponible sur ce site web (l'Offre suisse) n'est faite ni directement ni indirectement dans aucun Etat ou une juridiction dans lequel|laquelle une telle Offre suisse serait illicite ou enfreindrait de toute autre manière les lois ou réglementations en vigueur ou qui exigerait de la part de China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) ou l'une de ses filiales directes ou indirectes un changement ou une modification des termes ou des conditions de l'Offre suisse de quelque manière que ce soit, la formulation d'une demande en lien avec l'Offre suisse auprès d'une quelconque autorité gouvernementale, régulatrice ou autre, ou des démarches supplémentaires en lien avec l'Offre suisse. Il n'est pas prévu d'étendre l'Offre suisse à de tels Etats ou juridictions. Les documents relatifs à l'Offre suisse ne doivent être ni distribués ni envoyés dans de tels Etats ou juridictions. De tels documents ne doivent pas non plus être utilisés pour solliciter l'acquisition de titres de participation de Syngenta SA, Suisse, par toute personne ou entité domiciliée ou ayant son siège dans de tels Etats ou juridictions.
The public tender offer described in the documents available on this website (the Swiss Offer) will not be made, directly or indirectly, in any country or jurisdiction in which such Swiss Offer would be considered unlawful or otherwise violate any applicable laws or regulations, or which would require China National Chemical Corporation (ChemChina) or any of its affiliates to change or amend the terms or conditions of the Swiss Offer in any way, to make an additional filing with any governmental, regulatory or other ity or take additional action in relation to the Swiss Offer. It is not intended to extend the Swiss Offer to any such country or jurisdiction. Documents relating to the Swiss Offer must neither be distributed in any such country or jurisdiction nor be sent into such country or jurisdiction. Any such documents must not be used for the purpose of soliciting the purchase of any securities of Syngenta Ltd, Switzerland, by any person or entity resident or incorporated in any such country or jurisdiction.
Notice to U.S. Persons Holding Syngenta Shares and to Holders of ADSs
The Swiss Offer described in the documents available on this website is being made for the registered shares of Syngenta Ltd, Switzerland (Syngenta), a Swiss company whose shares are listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange (SIX), and is subject to Swiss disclosure and procedural requirements, which are different from those of the United States (U.S.). The Swiss Offer is being made in the U.S. pursuant to Section 14(d) and Section 14(e) of, and Regulation 14D and Regulation 14E under, the U.S. Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the U.S. Exchange Act), subject to the exemptions provided by Rule 14d-1(d) under the U.S. Exchange Act, and otherwise in accordance with the requirements of Swiss law. Accordingly, the Swiss Offer is subject to disclosure and other procedural requirements, including with respect to withdrawal rights (which may or may not apply), settlement procedures and timing of payments that are different from those applicable under U.S. domestic tender offer procedures and laws. Holders of registered shares of Syngenta (Syngenta Shares) who are resident in the U.S., including holders who are U.S. holders within the meaning of Rule 14d-1(d) under the U.S. Exchange Act (U.S. Persons), are encouraged to consult with their own Swiss advisors regarding the Swiss Offer.
The shareholders of Syngenta should review the terms and conditions of the Swiss Offer set out in the offer prospectus available on the website (the Offer Prospectus) and all other documents relating to the Swiss Offer carefully. The Swiss Offer may not be accepted before publication of the Offer Prospectus and expiration of a cooling-off period of ten (10) trading days on the SIX (if not extended by the Swiss Takeover Board), which will run from such trading day immediately after the publication date of the Offer Prospectus.
In accordance with the laws of Switzerland and subject to applicable regulatory requirements, ChemChina and its subsidiaries or their nominees or brokers (acting as agents for ChemChina or any of its subsidiaries) may from time to time after the date hereof, and other than pursuant to the Swiss Offer, directly or indirectly purchase, or arrange to purchase, Syngenta Shares or any securities that are convertible into, exchangeable for or exercisable for Syngenta Shares. These purchases, or arrangements to purchase, may occur either in the open market at prevailing prices or in private transactions at negotiated prices and shall comply with applicable laws and regulations in Switzerland and applicable U.S. securities laws. Any such purchases will not be made at prices higher than the offer price or on terms more favorable than those offered pursuant to the Swiss Offer unless the offer price is increased accordingly. Any information about such purchases or arrangements to purchase will be publicly disclosed in the U.S. on www.dzrcsb.com/press to the extent that such information is made public in accordance with the applicable laws and regulations of Switzerland. In addition, the financial advisors to ChemChina, the Offeror and Syngenta may also engage in ordinary course trading activities in securities of Syngenta, which may include purchases or arrangements to purchase such securities.
It may be difficult for U.S. Persons holding Syngenta Shares to enforce their rights and any claim arising out of U.S. securities laws, since each of ChemChina, the Offeror and Syngenta is located in a non-U.S. jurisdiction, and some or all of their officers and directors may be residents of a non-U.S. jurisdiction. U.S. Persons holding Syngenta Shares may not be able to sue a non-U.S. company or its officers or directors in a U.S. or non-U.S. court for violations of the U.S. securities laws. Further, it may be difficult to compel a non-U.S. company and its affiliates to subject themselves to a U.S. court's judgment.
The receipt of cash pursuant to the Swiss Offer by a U.S. Person holding Syngenta Shares may be a taxable transaction for U.S. federal income tax purposes and under applicable U.S. state and local laws, as well as foreign and other tax laws. Each shareholder of Syngenta is urged to consult his or her independent professional advisor immediately regarding the tax consequences of an acceptance of the Swiss Offer.
Neither the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) nor any securities commission of any State of the U.S. has (a) approved or disapproved of the Swiss Offer; (b) passed upon the merits or fairness of the Swiss Offer; or (c) passed upon the adequacy or accuracy of the disclosure in the Swiss Offer documents. Any representation to the contrary is a criminal offence in the U.S.
ChemChina or a designated direct or indirect subsidiary thereof is expecting to launch a public tender offer in the U.S. to all holders of American Depositary Shares of Syngenta (ADSs) issued by Bank of New York Mellon acting as depositary (the U.S. Depositary) and listed on the New York Stock Exchange and to holders of Syngenta Shares who are U.S. Persons pursuant to a separate U.S. offer documentation (the U.S. Offer). Holders of Syngenta Shares who are U.S. Persons and holders of ADSs, in each case who wish to participate in the U.S. Offer, are urged to carefully review the Schedule TO and other documents relating to the U.S. Offer that will be filed by the relevant offeror with the SEC because these documents will contain important information relating to the U.S. Offer. Holders of Syngenta Shares who are U.S. Persons and holders of ADSs, in each case who wish to participate in the U.S. Offer, are also urged to read the related solicitation | recommendation statement on Schedule 14D-9 that will be filed with the SEC by Syngenta relating to the U.S. Offer. You may obtain a free copy of these documents after they have been filed with the SEC, and other documents filed by Syngenta and the relevant offeror with the SEC, at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov. YOU SHOULD READ THE SCHEDULE TO AND SCHEDULE 14D-9 CAREFULLY BEFORE MAKING A DECISION CONCERNING THE U.S. OFFER.
The Swiss Offer is not being addressed to holders of ADSs. Holders of ADSs who wish to participate in the Swiss Offer should present their ADSs to the U.S. Depositary for cancellation and (upon compliance with the terms of the deposit agreements relating to the ADS Program concerning Syngenta Shares, including payment of the U.S. Depositary’s fees and any applicable transfer fees, taxes and governmental charges) delivery of Syngenta Shares to them, in order to become shareholders of Syngenta. The Swiss Offer may then be accepted in accordance with the Offer Prospectus for the Syngenta Shares delivered to holders of ADSs upon such cancellation.
United Kingdom
In the United Kingdom (U.K.), the communication about the Swiss Offer is directed only at persons (i) who have professional experience in matters relating to investments falling within Article 19(5) of the Financial Services and Markets Act 2000 (Financial Promotion) Order 2005 (the “Order”), (ii) falling within article 49(2)(a) to (d) ("high net worth companies, unincorporated associations, etc.") of the Order or (iii) to whom it may otherwise lawfully be communicated (all such persons together being referred to as "relevant persons"). This communication must not be acted on or relied on by persons who are not relevant persons. Any investment or investment activity to which this communication relates is available only to relevant persons and will be engaged in only with relevant persons.
Notice to Australian Residents
The Swiss Offer will be made in compliance with the laws of Switzerland. The Swiss Offer is not regulated by the Australian Corporations Act 2001 (Cth), the Australian Takeovers Panel, the Australian Securities & Investments Commission or the rules of the Australian Securities Exchange (together, the Australian Regulations). The laws of Switzerland will regulate the content of the offer document and the takeover procedures, not the Australian Regulations.
Confirmation
By clicking on the "I confirm and agree" button below, you confirm and agree to each of the following:
— that you have read and understood and that you are not subject to any of the Swiss Offer restrictions set forth above, that the communication about the Swiss Offer may lawfully be directed at and the Swiss Offer lawfully addressed to you;
— that you are not located or resident in any jurisdiction where extension of the Swiss Offer would trigger a requirement for ChemChina or any of its affiliates or any other person to file or register an offer prospectus or any other document, or to take any other or additional action in relation to the Swiss Offer, in or by virtue of the laws of such jurisdiction;
— that you will not copy or forward to any person any of the documents available on this website; and
— that you understand, acknowledge and agree that failure to comply with the foregoing could result in a violation of applicable laws and|or damages to ChemChina, its affiliates and other persons.
joint media release
Basel, Switzerland, March 8, 2016
Publication of Swiss Prospectus for ChemChina cash offer
On 3 February 2016 Syngenta announced that ChemChina has offered to acquire 100% of the outstanding share capital of Syngenta at a price of USD 465 per ordinary share plus a special dividend of CHF 5 to be paid conditional upon, and prior to, closing. The intended offer values Syngenta’s total outstanding share capital at around USD 43 billion. The acquisition is subject to regulatory approvals and other conditions.
Today CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V., a subsidiary of ChemChina, has published the Prospectus for the Swiss Public Tender Offer. The Swiss Offer Prospectus is available on www.dzrcsb.com/press. The report of Syngenta’s Board of Directors and the Fairness Opinion issued by N+1 Swiss Capital regarding the Swiss Public Tender Offer are available on www.syngenta.com. The Swiss and US Public Tender Offers are expected to commence on 23 March 2016. The US Offer to Purchase is expected to be published on 23 March 2016 upon commencement of the US Public Tender Offer and will then be available on the website of the US Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) at www.sec.gov.
The Swiss Public Tender Offer will be open for an initial period of 40 trading days. It may be renewed once or several times for subsequent periods of up to 40 trading days pending satisfaction of all offer conditions, including receipt of all regulatory approvals. The offeror intends to align the offer timelines of the US Offer with those of the Swiss Offer, subject to the approval of the Swiss Takeover Board and certain relief from the SEC. The transaction is expected to conclude by the end of the year.
Privately invested individual persons who hold their Syngenta shares with a Swiss custodian bank and who hold no more than 500 Syngenta shares and tender them into the Swiss Public Tender Offer will have the opportunity to elect to receive the USD offer price for their tendered Syngenta shares in Swiss francs as further described in the Prospectus.
The Board of Directors of Syngenta considers in its report that the proposed transaction is in the best interests of Syngenta and all of its stakeholders and that the price offered by ChemChina is fair and appropriate. The Board of Directors therefore unanimously recommends the shareholders of Syngenta to accept the offer.
About Syngenta
Syngenta is a leading agriculture company helping to improve global food security by enabling millions of farmers to make better use of available resources. Through world class science and innovative crop solutions, our 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. We are committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodiversity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow us on Twitter? at www.twitter.com/Syngenta.
About ChemChina
ChemChina, which is headquartered in Beijing, China, possesses production, R&D and marketing systems in 150 countries and regions. It is the largest chemical corporation in China, and occupies the 265th position among the Fortune Global 500. The company’s main businesses include materials science, life science, high-end manufacturing and basic chemicals, among others. Previously, ChemChina has successfully acquired 9 leading industrial companies in France, United Kingdom, Israel, Italy and Germany, etc. To learn more visit www.dzrcsb.com and www.dzrcsb.com/press.
Disclaimer
This press release is not an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell any securities. Any offer or offer document, if any, would be made and distributed by ChemChina or its subsidiaries.
Additional information and where to find it
The Swiss Public Tender Offer and the US Offer for the outstanding shares and (in the case of the US Offer) for American Depositary Shares of Syngenta have not been commenced. This announcement is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to purchase or a solicitation of an offer to sell company securities. The solicitation and offer to buy company securities will only be made pursuant to the Prospectus for the Swiss Public Tender Offer and a Schedule TO and other documents relating to the US Offer that will be filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). At the time the US Public Tender Offer is commenced, ChemChina and a designated direct or indirect subsidiary will file a tender offer statement on Schedule TO with the SEC and thereafter, the company will file a solicitation/recommendation statement on Schedule 14d-9 with respect to the offer. Investors and security holders are urged to read these materials carefully when they become available since they will contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the offer. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these materials (when available) and other documents filed by ChemChina and the company with the SEC at the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. Investors and security holders may also obtain free copies of the solicitation/recommendation statement and other documents filed with the SEC by the company at www.syngenta.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Some of the statements contained in this announcement are forward-looking statements, including statements regarding the expected consummation of the acquisition, which involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including the satisfaction of closing conditions for the acquisition, such as regulatory approval for the transaction and the tender of at least 67% of the outstanding shares of the company, the possibility that the transaction will not be completed and other risks and uncertainties discussed in the company’s public filings with the SEC, including the “risk factors” section of the company’s form 20-F filed on February 11, 2016 as well as the tender offer documents to be filed by the offeror and the solicitation/recommendation statement to be filed by the company. These statements are based on current expectations, assumptions, estimates and projections, and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause results, levels of activity, performance or achievements to be materially different from any forward-looking statements. These statements are generally identified by words or phrases such as “believe”, “anticipate”, “expect”, “intend”, “plan”, “will”, “may”, “should”, “estimate”, “predict”, “potential”, “continue” or the negative of such terms or other similar expressions. If underlying assumptions prove inaccurate or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from the results and/or timing discussed in the forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these statements. The offeror, ChemChina and the company disclaim any intent or obligation to update any forward-looking statements as a result of developments occurring after the period covered by this press release or otherwise.