Industrials and Chemicals

On October 2, 2025, Occidental, an international energy company, and Berkshire Hathaway announced a definitive agreement for Berkshire Hathaway to acquire Occidental’s chemical business, OxyChem, in an all‑cash transaction for $9.7 billion, subject to customary purchase price adjustments. Cravath is representing Occidental in connection with the transaction.

Cravath represented the underwriters in connection with the $2 billion registered junior subordinated notes offering of Phillips 66 Company, guaranteed by Phillips 66, an energy manufacturing and logistics company with midstream, chemicals, refining, marketing and specialties businesses. The transaction closed on September 18, 2025.

On October 1, 2025, global agricultural technology leader Corteva announced that its Board of Directors has unanimously approved a plan to separate the company into two independent, publicly traded companies, one comprising its current Crop Protection business (“New Corteva”) and the other comprising its current Seed business (“SpinCo”). 2025 net sales attributable to New Corteva are estimated to total $7.8 billion, representing 44% of net sales for Corteva; 2025 net sales attributable to SpinCo are estimated to total $9.9 billion, representing 56% of net sales for Corteva. The separation is expected to be effected through a spin‑off of SpinCo that is intended to qualify as a tax‑free transaction for U.S. federal tax purposes to Corteva shareholders. Cravath is representing Corteva in connection with the transaction.

Cravath represented the initial purchasers in connection with the $850 million 144A/Reg. S high‑yield senior guaranteed notes offering of Cleveland‑Cliffs Inc., a leading North America‑based steel producer. The transaction closed on September 8, 2025.

Cravath represented Weyerhaeuser Company (“Weyerhaeuser”) and its subsidiary, Weyerhaeuser NR Company, in connection with its $800 million term loan facility. The proceeds were used to finance the partial redemption of Weyerhaeuser’s 4.75% senior unsecured notes due in 2026 and for general corporate purposes. Weyerhaeuser is one of the world’s largest private owners of timberlands. The transaction closed on August 25, 2025.

On September 18, 2025, the Financial Times recognized Cravath at the publication’s Innovative Lawyer Europe Awards 2025, which recognize the most innovative work and legal service lawyers have developed for their clients in Europe. Cravath was chosen as the winner in the “Dealmaking” category in recognition of the Firm’s representation of the lead arrangers and initial purchasers in the €1.9 billion financing supporting TDR Capital and I Squared Capital’s public-to-private acquisition of Applus+.

On August 11, 2025, Cravath published the latest edition of its Quarterly Review, which provides insight into practical points, key takeaways and relevant developments across the M&A, activism, tax, regulatory and corporate governance landscape. This edition covers:

On July 24, 2025, the India Business Law Journal named Cravath among the “Significant Players” in its 2025 ranking of the top foreign law firms for India-related work. The publication highlighted the Firm’s representation of HDFC Bank Limited as U.S. counsel in its $40 billion merger with HDFC Limited, as well as the Firm’s representation of HMS Networks AB as special U.S. counsel in its acquisition of Red Lion Controls. The Firm was also praised by an interviewee for its consistent “quality of service.”

On July 8, 2025, Thomson Reuters Westlaw published an article written by Cravath partner Benjamin G. Joseloff entitled “Following De Novo CFIUS review, U.S. Government Approves Nippon Steel’s Proposed Acquisition of U.S. Steel with Potentially Groundbreaking Conditions.” The article examines a recently issued order approving the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel Corporation, the third‑largest domestic steel producer, by Nippon Steel Corporation, a global steelmaker headquartered in Japan.

On June 17, 2025, Cravath prepared a memo for its clients entitled “Following De Novo CFIUS Review, U.S. Government Approves Nippon Steel’s Proposed Acquisition of U.S. Steel with Potentially Groundbreaking Conditions.” The memo examines a recently issued order approving the proposed acquisition of U.S. Steel Corporation, the third‑largest domestic steel producer, by Nippon Steel Corporation, a global steelmaker headquartered in Japan.