Clariant and Huntsman Corporation are facing a second regulatory hurdle before they can finalise their merger to form HuntsmanClariant.
The specialty chemicals companies have been delivered a second request for information from the US Federal Trade Commission, the antitrust regulator.
The request concerns two products: sodium isethionate, which is used in personal care products such as soap and shampoo, and a polyetheramine product, used in construction, paint and ink.
The products are claimed to have accounted for less than USD$24m in total revenues for Clariant and Huntsman Corporation each in 2016.
It stated: “Clariant is confident the parties will be able to satisfy any FTC concerns on a timeline consistent with the merger, which we continue to expect to close around year-end.”
In May, the two companies announced a merger of equals to form HuntsmanClariant – a combined company with approximately $20bn enterprise value.