Taiyo Holdings Nears Deal to Go Private Via KKR Buyout (1)

Japanese chemical manufacturer Taiyo Holdings Co. is in final discussions to be taken private by KKR & Co., people familiar with the matter said.

The board’s special committee has determined that the US investor’s proposal to buy out the company was acceptable, said the people, who asked not to be identified because the negotiations aren’t public. The per-share takeover bid is likely to be less than the current market price, which is trading at around ¥6,000, they added.

KKR edged out private equity firms that were competing to buy the chemical company, the people said. Japan has seen a ...