Covidien (NYSE: COV), a leading global provider of healthcare products, today announced that it has completed the previously announced sale of its Specialty Chemicals business to an affiliate of New Mountain Capital, L.L.C. for a cash purchase price of approximately $280 million.
The decision to divest Specialty Chemicals was made following a thorough evaluation of a number of strategic alternatives. The decision is consistent with Covidien's strategy to streamline its portfolio and reallocate resources to its faster-growing, higher-margin businesses, where the Company has or can develop a global competitive advantage.
The business is currently reported as a discontinued operation and the transaction is not expected to have a material effect on Covidien's operating income or earnings per share for fiscal 2010 or 2011.
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