Katakura Chikkarin Company Limited (TSE:4031) agreed to acquire Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd. (TSE:4003) for approximately ¥4.3 billion on February 17, 2015. On March 31, 2015, Katakura Chikkarin Company Limited concluded a merger contract to acquire Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd. Katakura Chikkarin shall acquire 24.5 million shares of Co-Op Chemical. As reported, the consideration involves issue 0.275 shares of Katakura Chikkarin Company Limited for every one share of Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd. Katakura Chikkarin Company Limited will remain while Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd will dissolve after the merger. The surviving entity will operate as Katakura & Co-op Agri Corp.

The deal will be finalized through general shareholders' meetings of Katakura and Co-Op in June 2015. Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd is expected to delist on September 28, 2015. The Board of Directors approved the transaction on March 31, 2015. As of June 26, 2015, the shareholders of Katakura Chikkarin Co., Ltd. and Co-op Chemical Co., Ltd approved the transaction. The merger is expected to take place on October 1, 2015. Deloitte Tohmatsu Financial acted as financial advisor for Katakura Chikkarin. Sato Sogo Law Office acted as legal advisor for Board of Katakura Chikkarin. Okuno & Partners acted as legal advisor for Board of Co-Op Chemical. Heiseikaikeisha Tax Corporation acted as accountant for Co-Op Chemical Co., Ltd.