乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Acts to Extend Merger Agreement and Files Counterclaims in Delaware
Asks Delaware Court for Expedited Review and to Enjoin Hexion
THE WOODLANDS, Texas, July 2 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced that its Board of Directors unanimously provisionally authorized the company to exercise 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站's right to extend the merger agreement with Hexion by an additional ninety days to October 2, 2008, as permitted by the terms of the merger agreement. 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 expects to deliver a formal notice of the extension to Hexion on July 4, 2008.
乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 also announced that it filed its answer and counterclaims to the Hexion suit in Delaware and has asked the court to expedite the proceedings, including by granting expedited discovery and trial.
乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 asked the Delaware court to declare that the premature and inappropriately released Duff & Phelps opinion does not excuse Hexion from its obligations, that it will in fact be possible to provide Hexion's lenders with assurance of solvency, and to declare that no material adverse effect has occurred under the merger agreement. 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 asked the court to enjoin Hexion from continuing to breach the merger agreement and to order Hexion to specifically perform its obligations under the merger agreement.
The counterclaims made by 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 in the filing include breach of contract, breach of good faith and fair dealing, defamation, injurious falsehood, and commercial disparagement, among others.
Commenting on the decision of 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站's Board, Peter 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站, President and CEO, stated, "After actively evaluating the current situation, our Board has concluded that if Apollo causes Hexion to honor its contractual obligations, Hexion will obtain the antitrust approvals and the merger can and will close by October 2, 2008. Apollo and Hexion continue to assert their ongoing intention that Hexion will do the work necessary to complete the transaction, and we are asking the Delaware court to make those more than hollow words."
Jon M. 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站, Founder and Chairman of 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation, added, "I have been deeply disappointed in the actions of Leon Black and Josh Harris these past two weeks. However, I believe, as does the rest of our Board, that all of the conditions to closing this merger can and will be satisfied, and that the conditions to Hexion's commitment letter with its lenders can and will be satisfied as well. As I have said repeatedly, we will take every available action on behalf of our shareholders to cause Hexion to live up to the merger agreement."
About 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站:
乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated chemicals. Its operating companies manufacture products for a variety of global industries, including chemicals, plastics, automotive, aviation, textiles, footwear, paints and coatings, construction, technology, agriculture, health care, detergent, personal care, furniture, appliances and packaging. Originally known for pioneering innovations in packaging and, later, for rapid and integrated growth in petrochemicals, 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 today has 13,000 employees and operates from multiple locations worldwide. The company had 2007 revenues of approximately $10 billion. For more information, please visit the company's website at .
Forward-Looking Statements:
Statements in this release that are not historical are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on management's current beliefs and expectations. The forward-looking statements in this release are subject to uncertainty and changes in circumstances and involve risks and uncertainties that may affect the company's operations, markets, products, services, prices and other factors as discussed in the 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 companies' filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Significant risks and uncertainties may relate to, but are not limited to, financial, economic, competitive, environmental, political, legal, regulatory and technological factors. In addition, the completion of any transaction described in this release is subject to a number of uncertainties and closing will be subject to approvals and other customary conditions. Accordingly, there can be no assurance that such transactions will be completed or that the company's expectations will be realized. The company assumes no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by applicable laws.
SOURCE 乐天堂fun88(中国区)官方网站 Corporation
Released July 2, 2008