Global law firm Dentons advised Draslovka, a Czech-based family-owned global leader in CN-based specialty chemicals, on its strategic partnership with funds managed by Oaktree Capital Management, L.P. Oaktree will invest US$150 million in Draslovka providing preferred equity capital to support the Draslovka Group’s growth strategy.

Oaktree’s investment in Draslovka comes on the heels of the company’s recent acquisitions of Chemours’ Mining Solutions business (completed in December 2021) as well as the signed (but not yet completed) acquisition of the Sasol South Africa Limited’s Sodium Cyanide business. Dentons advised both on the Chemours and the Sasol’ deals.

Commenting on the transaction, Dentons partner Petr Zákoucký, said: “I am very happy when we can leverage the talent of Dentons’ top lawyers worldwide to help Czech businesses succeed abroad. The equity raise through hybrid equity is becoming more and more popular in this process. On top, the story of Draslovka is a great inspiration. Based in Kolín, Czech Republic, Draslovka has developed unique technology and know-how and leveraged that to acquire far larger competitors globally. Oaktree’s equity investment will help Draslovka to push this vision one step further.”

Pavel Brůžek, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Draslovka said, “The strategic partnership with Oaktree marks another significant milestone on our ambitious growth strategy. Dentons’ team has guided us with confidence on several transactions and their skills and dedication are an essential part of the success we have delivered to date.”

M&A Partners Petr Zákoucký (Prague), Rob Irving (Budapest/Prague), Ilan Katz (New York), Namik Ramić (Luxemburg) and Nik Colbridge (London) led the cross-border team working on this equity raise that included Prague-based Ivo Hartmann, Vojtěch Novák, Michal Pelikán, Lucie Kubínyiová, Barbora Obračajová, Anna Urbanová, Petr Kotáb, Jan Tylš, Justina Bodláková, Martin Fiala, Vojtěch Laga, Tomáš Jonáš, Jana Málková Želechovská, Tomáš Pavelka, Adam Přerovský, Danylo Romashko and Petr Müller and Luxembourg-based Clémence Personne.

Dentons provided comprehensive legal advisory, while PwC is acting as financial and tax advisor.

About Draslovka

Draslovka a.s. (Draslovka) is a global leader in cyanide-based chemical specialties and agricultural chemicals including next generation fumigants and biocides. A private holding company based in the Czech Republic, it is owned by four Czech families collaborating within a framework of bpd partners, a leading family office based in Prague. Draslovka has more than 100 years of experience in hydrogen cyanide (HCN) production and HCN chemistry and specializes in the production of fully synthetic and highly purified liquid HCN, which undergoes further processing for application in a variety of downstream products ranging from the mining through to agriculture sectors. Draslovka aims to be a leading global player in the production of cyanides for use in synthesis, mining, and industrial and agricultural applications.

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