Royal DSM N.V., the Dutch chemicals group, and Sociedad Química y Minera de Chile S.A. (SQM), today signed and closed the sale of the DSM business unit Minera to SQM. DSM Minera is a business unit of the DSM Fine Chemicals business group and includes the iodine and iodine derivatives facilities in the first region of Chile, the mining reserves in the first and second region of Chile and DSM’s iodine and iodine derivatives commercial operations in Europe.

SQM will pay DSM a transaction price of USD 72 million cash and debt free. In addition, the operating working capital will be paid for. The transaction comprises the entire business unit, and includes the acquisition of shares in the two legal entities DSM Minera S.C.M. in Chile and DSM Minera B.V. in the Netherlands.

About SQM
SQM is an integrated producer and distributor of specialty plant nutrients, iodine, lithium and industrial chemicals. Its products are based on the development of high quality natural resources that allow the company to be leader in costs, supported by a specialized international network with sales in over 100 countries. SQM’s development strategy aims to maintain and strengthen its world leadership in its three main businesses: specialty plant nutrition, iodine and lithium.

About DSM Minera
DSM Minera was part of the business group DSM Fine Chemicals and consists of two companies: DSM Minera S.C.M. in Chile and DSM Minera B.V. in the Netherlands. DSM Minera S.C.M. is a producer of iodine and iodine derivatives. The company owns and operates iodine mining facilities and derivative production facilities in Iquique, Chile. DSM Minera B.V. markets iodine and iodine derivatives through DSM’s worldwide sales network and manages other iodine derivative production with toll manufacturers in Europe. DSM Minera employs 120 people, excluding 300 contractor employees.