AEQUITA's European experiment: a chemicals comeback?

AEQUITA, a private equity firm specialising in group carve-outs and company succession, has strengthened its chemicals debut by agreeing to acquire SABIC's European asset portfolio. This deal follows their purchase of several LyondellBasell assets in June 2025. AEQUITA will become the largest European polyolefins producer with 4.6 million tonnes per annum capacity. The firm will also rank as the fourth largest ethylene producer with 1.6 million tonnes per annum capacity. The European chemicals market faces challenges from high energy costs, import pressures and weak demand. We assess the impacts on the chemicals market following these sales. We also examine the competitiveness of the newly acquired assets.