Wolf Theiss advises Arkema Group on the acquisition of a majority stake in proionic GmbH

Vienna, 23 April 2024 – Wolf Theiss is advising Arkema Group in connection with the acquisition of a majority stake of nearly 78% in proionic GmbH (“Proionic”), a leading start-up in the production and development of ionic liquids which are key components for the next generation of lithium-ion batteries, by a subsidiary of Arkema Group. Completion of the transaction is subject to customary conditions. The parties have agreed to keep other terms and conditions of the transaction confidential.

Proionic was founded in 2004 by Dr. Roland Kalb in Graz, Austria, and is a pioneering start-up and world leader in the field of ionic liquids, with innovative and competitive proprietary technologies for both their synthesis and recycling.

Arkema Group has an unrivalled range of high value-added materials that improve the performance of today’s batteries, particularly in terms of energy density, safety, temperature resistance and cooling system performance. With this acquisition, Arkema is preparing for the next technological developments and consolidating its position as a key player in supporting its customers in the battery ecosystem, regardless of the technologies involved. Proionic will benefit from significant technological and commercial synergies with Arkema, which will enable it to greatly accelerate its development in the coming years.

Arkema’s inhouse legal team was led by Hélène Monceaux, Vice President Group Legal M&A, and Quentin Dosda, Legal Department M&A.

The Wolf Theiss team advising Arkema is led by Florian Kusznier (Partner and Head Corporate/M&A) and Martina Edlinger (Senior Associate, Corporate/M&A). The team further includes Klemens Kendler (Associate, Corporate/M&A), Stefan Wartinger (Partner), Sophie Weber (Associate), Teresa Atzelsdorfer (Associate, all Antitrust/FDI), Philip Wrabetz (Senior Associate), Pascal Gstöttner (Associate, both Intellectual Property/IT), Karin Spindler-Simader (Consultant, Tax), Matthias Unterrieder (Partner), Anna Schwamberger (Senior Associate), Dorothea Arlt (Associate, both Employment), Stefan Horn (Counsel), Dominik Mayrhofer (Associate), Julia Moser (Associate, all Real Estate) and Georg Knafl (Senior Associate, Public Law Regulatory).