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Exhibit (a)(13)
RHODIA SUCCESSFULLY COMPLETES FRIENDLY TENDER OFFER
FOR CHIREX INC.
Paris, September 1, 2000. Rhodia announced today that it has successfully
completed its friendly tender offer for the shares of ChiRex Inc. in the United
States at a price of $31.25 per share. ChiRex is a fast-growing company
providing advanced technology services to the pharmaceutical industry: custom
research and development and manufacturing of active ingredients. It operates in
a worldwide market that is growing rapidly.
Jean-Pierre Tirouflet, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Rhodia stated:
"Our teams are very pleased with the success of this transaction, which forms
part of a joint strategy focused on progress and growth. "Rhodia Chirex(TM)"
immediately becomes one of the world leaders in its business, offering a leading
platform of advanced technologies and covering the needs of the worldwide
pharmaceutical industry. This strategic transaction adds 1% to Rhodia's annual
growth and will contribute significantly to the progress of our group,
especially since other activities of Rhodia will be able to benefit from
ChiRex's technologies and expertise."
The tender offer expired at 12:00 midnight, New York City time, on Thursday,
August 31, 2000. Rhodia has been advised by the depositary for the tender offer
that, as of the expiration of the tender offer, 15,056,935 ChiRex shares,
representing approximately 97.34% of the outstanding shares, had been validly
tendered and not withdrawn pursuant to the offer (including shares tendered
pursuant to the procedures for guaranteed delivery) and has accepted such shares
for payment. As previously announced, Rhodia plans to acquire the remaining
ChiRex shares at $31.25 per share through a cash merger, expected to be
completed as soon as practicable.
Rhodia (NYSE: RHA), one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals, contributes
to improving the quality of life by developing value-added products, services
and solutions for the beauty, clothing, foodstuffs and healthcare markets as
well as for the environment, transport and manufacturing industries. Including
Albright & Wilson, Rhodia employs 30,000 people worldwide and recorded pro-forma
sales of 6.7 billion euros in 1999. Rhodia is listed on the Paris and New York
stock exchanges.
This press release includes certain "forward-looking statements" within the
meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. These
statements are based on management's current views and assumptions and involve
known and unknown risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results,
performance or events to differ materially from those anticipated by such
statements. Factors which could cause such differences in actual results
include, among others (i) the risk that the Rhodia and ChiRex businesses will
not be integrated successfully, (ii) changes in the competitive and regulatory
framework in which Rhodia and ChiRex operate, and (iii) general competitive and
market factors on a global, regional and/or national basis.
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Rhodia Contacts
Press Relations
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Thierry Lemane Tel: 33 (0) 1 55 38 42 45
Investor Relations
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Angelina Palus Tel: 33 (0) 1 55 38 42 99
Sylvie Marchal Tel: 33 (0) 1 55 38 41 79
