?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 pre-announcement available on this website does not constitute the Swiss Offer. ChemChina or a designated direct or indirect subsidiary thereof which launches the Swiss Offer (such entity the Offeror) will disseminate an offer prospectus (with full terms and conditions of the Offer) as required by applicable law (the Offer Prospectus), and the shareholders of Syngenta should review 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 /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.
Australia, Canada and Japan
The Swiss Offer is not being addressed to shareholders of Syngenta whose place of residence, seat or habitual abode is in Australia, Canada or Japan, and such shareholders may not accept the Swiss Offer.
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.
Beijing, China, December 20, 2016 – China National Chemical Corporation ("ChemChina") announced today that it has extended the tender offers to purchase all publicly held registered shares ("Common Shares") of Syngenta AG ("Syngenta") and all outstanding American De- positary Shares representing Common Shares ("ADSs") until March 2, 2017, unless further extended.
As previously stated, extensions to the tender offers are expected to occur until all conditions to the offers are satisfied, including obtaining all applicable regulatory approvals. All of the other terms and conditions of the tender offers remain unchanged. ChemChina is aiming to obtain the remaining outstanding regulatory approvals in the first quarter of 2017.
On February 3, 2016, ChemChina announced its agreement with Syngenta to acquire Syn- genta through a public tender offer for all publicly held Common Shares pursuant to Swiss tender offer rules (the "Swiss Offer") and a public tender offer for Common Shares held by U.S. holders and all outstanding ADSs pursuant to U.S. tender offer rules (the "U.S. Offer"). Taking into account the previous extensions, the last one having been announced on Novem- ber 1, 2016, the Swiss Offer was previously scheduled to expire at 4:00 p.m. CET, on Janu- ary 5, 2017 and the U.S. Offer was previously scheduled to expire at 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on January 5, 2017. ChemChina has extended the Swiss Offer until 4:00 p.m. CET, on March 2, 2017 and extended the U.S. Offer until 10:00 a.m., New York City time, on March 2, 2017, in each case, unless further extended. As of 5:00 p.m., New York City time, on December 16, 2016, approximately 19,222,302 Common Shares (including those represented by ADSs) had been validly tendered in, and not withdrawn from, the Offers.
According to the decision of the Swiss Takeover Board dated October 31, 2016, the timeframe for further extensions of the offer period to accommodate the ongoing regulatory proceedings has been extended until April 28, 2017, subject to the offeror applying for further extensions of such timeframe. Within such timeframes, the tender offers may be extended once or several times, in each case by up to 40 trading days as per the trading calendar of the SIX Swiss Exchange, until all offer conditions except the minimum acceptance rate have been satisfied. Once all offer conditions except the minimum acceptance rate have been satisfied (and sub- ject to the offeror's rights under the Swiss Offer and the U.S. Offer documents), a final exten- sion of the offers by up to 20 trading days will be announced. After the expiration of the offer period (as extended) and if the Swiss Offer is declared successful, an additional acceptance period of 10 trading days will be announced for the tender offers. Further adjustments may become necessary to align the timelines of the Swiss and the U.S. offer periods.
For further assistance in connection with the Swiss Offer and/or additional information on how to accept the Swiss Offer, Syngenta shareholders may contact the information agent Georgeson at 00 800 3813 3813 (toll free) or +44 117 378 5186 (direct dial) or by email at chemchinaoffer4syngenta@georgeson.com. For further assistance in connection with the U.S. Offer and/or additional information on how to accept the U.S. Offer, Syngenta shareholders may contact the U.S. information agent Georgeson at its address at 480 Washington Boule- vard, 26th Floor, Jersey City, New Jersey, 07310, or at the toll-free number for holders of se- curities at +1 (866) 431-2096 or by email at syngentaoffer@georgeson.com.
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, its 28,000 people in over 90 countries are working to transform how crops are grown. Syngenta is committed to rescuing land from degradation, enhancing biodi- versity and revitalizing rural communities. To learn more visit www.syngenta.com and www.goodgrowthplan.com. Follow Syngenta on Twitter? at www.twitter.com/Syngenta.
About ChemChina
ChemChina, which is headquartered in Beijing, China, possesses production, R&D and mar- keting systems in 150 countries and regions. It is the largest chemical corporation in China, and occupies the 234th position among the Fortune Global 500. The company’s main busi- nesses include materials science, life science, high-end manufacturing and basic chemicals, among others. Previously, ChemChina has successfully acquired 9 leading industrial compa- nies in France, United Kingdom, Israel, Italy and Germany, etc. To learn more visit www.51pfwang.com and www.51pfwang.com/press.
Additional information and where to find it
This press release is for informational purposes only and does not constitute an offer to pur- chase or a solicitation of an offer to sell Common Shares or ADSs. The solicitation and offer to buy Common Shares or ADSs are only being made pursuant to the Swiss Offer Prospectus and the U.S. Offer to Purchase and other documents relating to the U.S. Offer that have been filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). Investors and security holders are urged to carefully read the Tender Offer Statement on Schedule TO filed by ChemChina and CNAC Saturn (NL) B.V. ("Purchaser") with the SEC and the Solicita- tion/Recommendation Statement on Schedule 14D-9 with respect to the U.S. Offer filed by Syngenta with the SEC, since these materials contain important information, including the terms and conditions of the U.S. Offer. Investors and security holders may obtain a free copy of these materials and other documents filed by ChemChina, Purchaser and Syngenta 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 docu- ments filed with the SEC by Syngenta at www.syngenta.com.
Cautionary statement regarding forward-looking statements
Some of the statements contained in this press release are forward-looking statements, in- cluding statements regarding the expected consummation of the acquisition, which involves a number of risks and uncertainties, including the satisfaction of closing conditions for the ac- quisition, such as regulatory approvals for the acquisition and the tender of at least 67% of the issued Common Shares, the possibility that the acquisition will not be completed and other risks and uncertainties discussed in Syngenta’s public filings with the SEC, including the "risk factors" section of Syngenta's Form 20-F filed on February 11, 2016 as well as the U.S. Offer documents filed by ChemChina and Purchaser and the Solicitation/Recommendation State- ment filed by Syngenta. 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 uncer- tainties materialize, actual results and the timing of events may differ materially from the re- sults and/or timing discussed in the forward-looking statements, and you should not place undue reliance on these statements. ChemChina, Purchaser and Syngenta 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.