FILED BY DUPONT DE NEMOURS, INC.
PURSUANT TO RULE 425 UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933
AND DEEMED FILED PURSUANT TO RULE 14a-12
UNDER THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
SUBJECT COMPANY: DUPONT DE NEMOURS, INC.
COMMISSION FILE NO. 001-38196
DuPont de Nemours, at the 2020 Goldman Sachs Industrials and Materials Conference
May 14, 2020
Excerpts
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Robert Andrew Koort
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Research Division
And Ed, you and Lori, there’s been some change in leadership roles here recently. Can you talk a little bit about, as you come back to the CEO suite, maybe what the objectives you are? Sort of what are your mile posts as you start back in the CEO spot again? And how things are going? Or anything has changed relative to those plans and with the COVID impacts and that sort of thing?
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Lori D. Koch
Executive VP & CFO
Yes. So we quickly put the wheels in motion to get — to shore up our liquidity. So the first thing we did was, we had an existing 364-day facility that’s for general liquidity needs that was set to expire in June. We extended that as well as upsized it to $1 billion. We also knew we had the November maturity upon us. So initially, we went out to the banks to secure commitments from them to be able to cover the $2 billion maturity. And the reason we did that was, initially, the credit markets weren’t open to us just given 2 nuances that we had associated with the IFF transaction. So 1, we wanted a short-dated bond because we knew eventually, we were going to pay that off with the IFF fund. And therefore, we also needed a trigger, so an SMR function on the bond. So those 2 pieces kind of had us locked out in the initial start of COVID back in mid-March. So we went to the banks first to get that commitment to shore it up. And then ultimately, the credit markets did loosen a bit, and we were able to place a 3-year bond with an SMR feature kind of in the late April time frame. So really confident with where we sit with respect to our debt profile. As you know, we’re going to get $7.3 billion when the IFF transaction closes. We’ll use $5 billion of that to pay down debt. So $2 billion for the aforementioned debt bond that we just placed, and then we’ll pay down the $3 billion term loan. So where that leaves us is we don’t have any other maturity in our long-term debt profile until late 2023. So in a really nice position there to be able to ride this out.
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Robert Andrew Koort
Goldman Sachs Group Inc., Research Division
Got it. And I was doing some math. I was looking at the IFF transaction, obviously, just a super deal for you guys. You get some cash back. You get a very full valuation on that asset. And I guess, by default, implies a pretty thin valuation on Remainco Dupont. So I’m just wondering, does that affect at all how you think about the potential to monetize those pieces or to relieve that sum of the parts discount and T&I or S&C and electronics? How do you think about how valuations and/or the COVID impacts other portfolio transition? And should we assume you’re a seller or looking for an RMT? Could you be a buyer in those assets? Maybe just talk around the strategic plan post-IFF?
Edward D. Breen
Executive Chairman & CEO
Yes. Well, just overall, by the way, on the IFF N&B deal, the value of N&B is basically where we announced the deal at $26 billion. When you do the math on the share price of IFF, that’s what it comes to. I would also point out, Bob, I am a very big believer that by putting the portfolio together, N&B with IFF, that there’s going to be significant value uplift in the multiple of that company as we move forward here over the next couple of years. If you look at the — what I would consider the other 2 big companies in that sector, their multiples are like 22x, 23x. And we’re 600 basis points, 700 basis points below that, IFF, the way it trades now. And we’re putting together the best market-leading company with the best breadth of product to service, whether it’s small customers, medium customers, the big large customers in the segment. So as long as we perform well when we put the businesses together, there’s no reason it shouldn’t be afforded a multiple at the top of the peer set. So even though we got full value at $26 billion for the asset, I’m a big believer there’s a lot of upside there as we perform and show the market that we’re performing. So I would just keep that in mind.
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About IFF
At IFF (NYSE:IFF) (Euronext Paris: IFF) (TASE:IFF), we’re using Uncommon Sense to create what the world needs. As a collective of unconventional thinkers and creators, we put science and artistry to work to create unique and unexpected scents, tastes, experiences and ingredients for the products our world craves. Learn more at iff.com, Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and LinkedIn.
About DuPont
DuPont (NYSE:DD) is a global innovation leader with technology-based materials, ingredients and solutions that help transform industries and everyday life. Our employees apply diverse science and expertise to help customers advance their best ideas and deliver essential innovations in key markets including electronics, transportation, construction, water, health and wellness, food and worker safety. More information can be found at www.dupont.com.
About DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences
DuPont Nutrition & Biosciences applies expert science to advance market-driven, healthy and sustainable solutions for the food, beverage, dietary supplement and pharmaceutical industries. We also use cutting-edge biotechnology across a range of markets to advance bio-based solutions to meet the needs of a growing population, while protecting our environment for future generations. We are innovative solvers who help our customers turn challenges into high-value business opportunities. For more information: www.dupontnutritionandhealth.com or www.biosciences.dupont.com.
Additional Information and Where to Find It
This communication is not intended to and shall not constitute an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to sell or the solicitation of an offer to buy any securities or a solicitation of any vote of approval, nor shall there be any sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made except by means of a prospectus meeting the requirements of Section 10 of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). In connection with the proposed combination of Nutrition & Biosciences, Inc. (“N&B”), a wholly owned subsidiary of DuPont, and IFF, which will immediately follow the proposed separation of N&B from DuPont (the “proposed transaction”), IFF has filed a registration statement on Form S-4 and N&B has filed a registration statement on Form S-4/S-1 on May 7, 2020, each of which contains a prospectus. In addition, on May 7, 2020, IFF filed a preliminary proxy statement on Schedule 14A in connection with the proposed transaction. Each of IFF and
N&B expects to file amendments to these filings before they become effective. INVESTORS AND SECURITY HOLDERS ARE URGED TO READ THE REGISTRATION STATEMENTS, PROSPECTUS, PROXY STATEMENT, ANY AMENDMENTS TO THESE FILINGS, AND ANY OTHER RELEVANT DOCUMENTS WHEN THEY BECOME AVAILABLE BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT IFF, N&B, MERGER SUB I, MERGER SUB II AND THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION. A definitive proxy statement will be sent to shareholders of IFF seeking approval of the proposed transaction. The documents relating to the proposed transaction (when they are available) can be obtained free of charge from the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov. Free copies of these documents, once available, and each of the companies’ other filings with the SEC may also be obtained from the respective companies by contacting the investor relations department of DuPont or IFF.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This communication contains “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the federal securities laws, including Section 27A of the Securities Act, and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (the “Exchange Act”). In this context, forward-looking statements often address expected future business and financial performance and financial condition, and often contain words such as “expect,” “anticipate,” “intend,” “plan,” “believe,” “seek,” “see,” “will,” “would,” “target,” similar expressions, and variations or negatives of these words. Forward-looking statements by their nature address matters that are, to different degrees, uncertain, such as statements about the proposed transaction, the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction, the benefits and synergies of the proposed transaction, future opportunities for the combined company and products, the benefits of the proposed organizational and operating model of the combined company and any other statements regarding DuPont’s, IFF’s and N&B’s future operations, financial or operating results, capital allocation, dividend policy, debt ratio, anticipated business levels, future earnings, planned activities, anticipated growth, market opportunities, strategies, competitions, and other expectations and targets for future periods. There are several factors which could cause actual plans and results to differ materially from those expressed or implied in forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to, (1) the parties’ ability to meet expectations regarding the timing, completion and accounting and tax treatments of the proposed transaction, (2) changes in relevant tax and other laws, (3) any failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals, approval of IFF’s shareholders, anticipated tax treatment or any required financing or to satisfy any of the other conditions to the proposed transaction, (4) the possibility that unforeseen liabilities, future capital expenditures, revenues, expenses, earnings, synergies, economic performance, indebtedness, financial condition, losses, future prospects, business and management strategies that could impact the value, timing or pursuit of the proposed transaction, (5) risks and costs and pursuit and/or implementation of the separation of N&B, including timing anticipated to complete the separation, any changes to the configuration of businesses included in the separation if implemented, (6) risks related to indemnification of certain legacy liabilities of E. I. du Pont de Nemours and Company (“Historical EID”) in connection with the distribution of Corteva Inc. on June 1, 2019 (the “Corteva Distribution”), (7) potential liability arising from fraudulent conveyance and similar laws in connection with DuPont’s distribution of Dow Inc. on April 1, 2019 and/or the Corteva Distributions (the “Previous Distributions”), (8) failure to effectively manage acquisitions, divestitures, alliances, joint ventures and other portfolio changes, including meeting conditions under the Letter Agreement entered in connection with the Corteva Distribution, related to the transfer of certain levels of assets and businesses, (9) uncertainty as to the long-term value of DuPont common stock, (10) potential inability or reduced access to the capital markets or increased cost of borrowings, including as a result of a credit rating downgrade, (11) inherent uncertainties involved in the estimates and judgments used in the preparation of financial statements and the providing of estimates of financial measures, in accordance with the accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America and related standards, or on an adjusted basis, (12) the integration of IFF and its Frutarom business and/or N&B being more difficult, time consuming or costly than expected, (13) the failure to achieve expected or targeted future financial and operating performance and results, (14) the possibility that IFF may be unable to achieve expected benefits, synergies and operating efficiencies in connection with the proposed transaction within the expected time frames or at all or to successfully integrate Frutarom and N&B, (15) customer loss and business disruption being greater than expected following the proposed transaction, (16) the impact of divestitures required as a condition to consummation of the proposed transaction as well as other conditional commitments, (17) legislative, regulatory and economic developments; (18) an increase or decrease in the anticipated transaction taxes (including due to any changes to tax legislation and its impact on tax rates (and the timing of the effectiveness of any such changes)), (19) potential litigation relating to the proposed transaction that could be instituted against DuPont, IFF or their respective directors, (20) risks associated with third
party contracts containing consent and/or other provisions that may be triggered by the proposed transaction, (21) negative effects of the announcement or the consummation of the transaction on the market price of DuPont’s and/or IFF’s common stock, (22) risks relating to the value of the IFF shares to be issued in the transaction and uncertainty as to the long-term value of IFF’s common stock, (23) the impact of the failure to comply with U.S. or foreign anti-corruption and anti-bribery laws and regulations, (24) the ability of N&B or IFF to retain and hire key personnel, (25) the risk that N&B, as a newly formed entity that currently has no credit rating, will not have access to the capital markets on acceptable terms, (26) the risk that N&B and IFF will incur significant indebtedness in connection with the potential transaction, and the degree to which IFF will be leveraged following completion of the potential transaction may materially and adversely affect its business, financial condition and results of operations, (27) the ability to obtain or consummate financing or refinancing related to the transaction upon acceptable terms or at all, (28) that N&B may not achieve certain targeted cost and productivity improvements, which could adversely impact its results of operations and financial condition, (29) the risk that natural disasters, public health issues, epidemics and pandemics, including the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), or the fear of such events, could provoke responses that cause delays in the anticipated transaction timing or the completion of transactions related thereto, including, without limitation, as a result of any government or company imposed travel restrictions or the closure of government offices and resulting delays with respect to any matters pending before such governmental authorities and (30) other risks to DuPont’s, N&B’s and IFF’s business, operations and results of operations including from: failure to develop and market new products and optimally manage product life cycles; ability, cost and impact on business operations, including the supply chain, of responding to changes in market acceptance, rules, regulations and policies and failure to respond to such changes; outcome of significant litigation, environmental matters and other commitments and contingencies; failure to appropriately manage process safety and product stewardship issues; global economic and capital market conditions, including the continued availability of capital and financing, as well as inflation, interest and currency exchange rates; changes in political conditions, including tariffs, trade disputes and retaliatory actions; impairment of goodwill or intangible assets; the availability of and fluctuations in the cost of energy and raw materials; business or supply disruption, including in connection with the Previous Distributions; security threats, such as acts of sabotage, terrorism or war, natural disasters and weather events and patterns, disasters, public health issues, epidemics and pandemics, including COVID-19, or the fear of such events, and the inherent unpredictability, duration and severity of such events, which could result in a significant operational event for DuPont, N&B or IFF, adversely impact demand or production; ability to discover, develop and protect new technologies and to protect and enforce DuPont’s, N&B’s or IFF’s intellectual property rights;, as well as management’s response to any of the aforementioned factors. These risks, as well as other risks associated with the proposed merger, are more fully discussed in the registration statement and proxy statement filed by IFF and the registration statement to filed by N&B. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors presented in registration statements filed by each of IFF and N&B in connection with the transaction are considered representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Further lists and descriptions of risks and uncertainties can be found in IFF’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, DuPont’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2019, and each of IFF’s and DuPont’s respective subsequent reports on Form 10-Q, Form 10-K and Form 8-K, the contents of which are not incorporated by reference into, nor do they form part of, this announcement. Any other risks associated with the proposed transaction are more fully discussed in the registration statements filed with the SEC. While the list of factors presented here is, and the list of factors presented in the registration statements filed by each of IFF or N&B are representative, no such list should be considered to be a complete statement of all potential risks and uncertainties. Unlisted factors may present significant additional obstacles to the realization of forward-looking statements. Consequences of material differences in results as compared with those anticipated in the forward-looking statements could include, among other things, business disruption, operational problems, financial loss, legal liability to third parties and similar risks, any of which could have a material adverse effect on IFF’s, DuPont’s or N&B’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, credit rating or liquidity. None of IFF, DuPont nor N&B assumes any obligation to publicly provide revisions or updates to any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future developments or otherwise, should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws.
Participants in the Solicitation
This communication is not a solicitation of a proxy from any investor or security holder. However, DuPont, IFF and certain of their respective directors and executive officers may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the proposed transaction under the rules of the SEC. Information about the directors and executive officers of DuPont may be found in its Annual Report on Form 10-K filed with the SEC on February 14, 2020 and its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on April 9, 2020. Information about the directors and executive officers of IFF may be found in its definitive proxy statement filed with the SEC on March 24, 2020 and its preliminary proxy statement relating to the proposed transaction filed with the SEC on May 7, 2020. Other information regarding the participants in the proxy solicitation and a description of their direct and indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, will be contained in the registration statements, prospectuses and proxy statement and other relevant materials to be filed with the SEC when they become available.