Archroma Successfully Completes USD 515 Million Credit Facilities Offering

• Senior secured term loans and revolving credit facility of approximately USD 515 million.
• Loans to be used to refinance Archroma’s existing debt and support the acquisition of BASF’s textile chemicals business.

Reinach, 01 July 2015 – Archroma, a global leader in specialty chemicals for the textile, paper and emulsions sectors, announced today that it entered into a senior secured credit agreement that provides for credit facilities totaling approximately USD 515 million.

The credit facilities are comprised of a USD 75 million multi-currency revolving credit facility, a USD 220 million senior secured term loan and a EUR 200 million senior secured term loan.

Bank of America Merrill Lynch International Limited and HSBC Bank plc acted as Global Coordinators, Bookrunners and Mandated Lead Arrangers for the senior secured credit agreement. ICICI Bank UK plc acted as Bookrunner and Mandated Lead Arranger. Credit Suisse AG and UBS Switzerland AG acted as Mandated Lead Arrangers and Mizuho Bank, Ltd. and Itau BBA International plc acted as Lead Arrangers.

The new credit facilities will be used to refinance Archroma’s existing debt, as well as to support the acquisition of BASF’s textile chemicals business announced on July 1, 2015.

Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s have published their respective ratings for the Archroma group and its new credit facilities.

In a report issued on June 15, 2015, Moody’s, the investor service agency, assigned a B2 corporate family rating to SK Spice Holding Sarl, the ultimate parent company of the Archroma group. Moody’s also assigned a B2 rating to the loan and credit package. The outlook on all ratings by Moody’s is stable. In its report, Moody’s comments that the stable outlook reflects its expectation that Archroma will maintain adequate liquidity, smoothly integrate the BASF textile chemicals business after the intended acquisition closes, and execute on its current rationalization and cost efficiency programs.

Standard & Poor’s announced on June 18, 2015 that it had assigned a preliminary “B” long-term rating, with stable outlook, to SK Spice Holding Sarl (Archroma) and a “3” recovery rating to the term loans.

“The successful refinancing and ratings issued by Moody’s and Standard & Poor’s are consistent with Archroma’s current size, revenue and profitability,” comments Roland Waibel, Chief Financial Officer of Archroma. “Archroma continues to move forward on its path to becoming the preferred chemicals and dyes supplier in our industries through organic growth and acquisitions,” Mr. Waibel adds. “We wanted to show an objective rating from leading agencies to allow our financial partners, as well as our customers and suppliers, to share our confidence in Archroma and its ability to deliver on its ambitions.”

About Archroma

Archroma is a global color and specialty chemicals company committed to innovation, world-class quality standards, high service levels, cost efficiency and sustainability. Archroma is headquartered in Reinach near Basel, Switzerland, and operates with approximately 3000 employees over 35 countries. Through its three businesses: Textile Specialties, Paper Solutions and Emulsion Products, Archroma delivers specialized performance and color solutions to meet customer needs in their local markets.

Archroma helps people fulfill their desire for products that appeal to their emotions and senses for a greater life experience, by developing beauty- and performance-improving technologies applied to everyday products. Products enhanced, colors enhanced, performance enhanced – “Life enhanced”. More information about Archroma can be found at www.archroma.com.

About SK Capital

SK Capital is a private investment firm with a disciplined focus on the specialty materials, chemicals and healthcare sectors. SK Capital’s integrated, multi-disciplinary team utilizes its industry, operating and investment experience to help transform businesses into higher performing organizations. The firm has over $1.5 billion in third party capital under management. SK Capital’s portfolio companies generate revenues of over $8.0 billion annually and employ approximately 9,000 people. More information about SK Capital can be found at www.skcapitalpartners.com.

Media Relations

Archroma
Muriel Werlé
+41 61 716 3375 or +41 79 536 9117
[email protected]

EMG
Kevin Noels
+31 164 317 011
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SK Capital
Douglas Allen
BackBay Communications
212-520-1385, x5
[email protected]