LyondellBasell to Sell European Assets to AEQUITA in $2.6 Billion Realignment

On June 5, 2025, LyondellBasell Industries (LYB) announced an agreement with AEQUITA, a German industrial investment group, to sell key olefins and polyolefins assets in Europe. The deal, expected to close in early 2026, includes four plants located in France (Berre), Germany (Münchsmünster), the UK (Carrington), and Spain (Tarragona).

This divestment is part of LYB's 2024 European strategic review, which assessed non-core assets amid challenges like overcapacity, competition from Asia, and rising production costs. The facilities, strategically located near infrastructure and major clients, will provide AEQUITA with a scalable platform for growth.

LYB CEO Peter Vanacker emphasized the move as critical to transforming the company’s core business. While LYB will exit these operations, it remains committed to the European market, focusing on circular and renewable solutions.

In recent years, European chemical producers have been under pressure due to high energy costs and regulatory burdens:

• March 2025: LYB permanently shut its Maasvlakte PO/SM plant in the Netherlands, citing operational inefficiencies.
• May 2025: Huntsman announced the closure of its maleic anhydride plant in Germany.
• 2024-2025: Dow, Shell, and INEOS have also reduced European operations, citing unsustainable costs.

Despite European challenges, LYB plans to expand its propylene production in the US, with a 400,000-ton capacity plant in Houston set to launch by 2028.