Wacker Chemie AG examines a number of strategic options with regard to the present ownership structure of Siltronic AG, its semiconductor subsidiary. The Executive Board of WACKER presented appropriate plans to the Supervisory Board today. The possible steps under consideration include an IPO at Siltronic, which is currently 100-percent WACKER owned.
“Reshaping Siltronic’s ownership structure could be beneficial for both WACKER and Siltronic,” explained Rudolf Staudigl, CEO of Wacker Chemie AG. WACKER, added Staudigl, could, for example, invest additionally available funds in reinforcing its chemical and polysilicon businesses. Also, the overall capital intensity of the Group would decrease. Siltronic, on the other hand, could harness additional growth opportunities in the event of an IPO by accessing the capital markets itself. A further option to be considered is a divestment to a strategic investor. “A detailed analysis of all the possible courses of action is necessary first to see how far these goals are achievable and which path would then be appropriate,” stressed Staudigl. “However, it is important to us to inform capital-market participants, customers and employees that such deliberations exist and that they may result in changes to Siltronic’s current ownership structure.”
This press release contains forward-looking statements based on assumptions and estimates of WACKER’s Executive Board. Although we assume the expectations in these forward-looking statements are realistic, we cannot guarantee they will prove to be correct. The assumptions may harbor risks and uncertainties that may cause the actual figures to differ considerably from the forward-looking statements. Factors that may cause such discrepancies include, among other things, changes in the economic and business environment, variations in exchange and interest rates, the introduction of competing products, lack of acceptance for new products or services, and changes in corporate strategy. WACKER does not plan to update the forward-looking statements, nor does it assume the obligation to do so.
