Berkshire Hathaway Inc. Completes Acquisition of OxyChem

Key Terms

post-closing purchase price adjustments financial

Post-closing purchase price adjustments are changes made to the agreed sale price of a company after the deal closes, based on actual financial details that are confirmed later — for example cash, debt, or day-to-day operating assets. Think of it like settling a restaurant bill when the final charges or shared items are clarified; the buyer or seller may pay or receive more. Investors care because these adjustments change the ultimate cash paid or received, affect reported earnings and balance sheets, and can change the value realized from a transaction.

polyvinyl chloride technical

Polyvinyl chloride (PVC) is a common, sturdy plastic used to make everything from pipes and window frames to medical tubing and wire insulation; think of it as a durable, weather-resistant workhorse material similar to hardened rubber or vinyl. Investors watch PVC because its price, availability, and environmental or safety regulations can affect manufacturing costs, profit margins and sales for many industries that rely on it, so shifts in PVC markets can signal wider supply-chain or regulatory risks and opportunities.

chlor-alkali technical

Chlor-alkali describes the chemical industry that produces chlorine and caustic soda (sodium hydroxide) — often along with hydrogen — by splitting saltwater using electricity. These two basic chemicals are building blocks for many products (from disinfectants and PVC to paper and water treatment), so changes in output, energy costs, or environmental rules can ripple across many sectors much like a shortage of flour would affect a range of food products.

chlorinated organic chemicals technical

Chlorinated organic chemicals are carbon-based molecules that have one or more chlorine atoms bonded to them; they include solvents, certain pesticides, and plastic additives. Investors care because these substances often persist in the environment, can trigger strict cleanup rules, product bans, or legal claims, and may force costly remediation or change manufacturing and sales—like discovering hidden mold in a building that suddenly raises repair bills and reduces future use.

calcium chloride technical

Calcium chloride is a salty, crystalline chemical that readily absorbs and holds water, similar to how table salt melts ice on a sidewalk. It is used in industry for road de-icing, dust control, concrete acceleration, refrigeration, and as a medical electrolyte, so its supply, price, and regulatory status can affect manufacturers, construction projects, transport costs and healthcare providers. Investors watch it as a low-cost commodity input whose demand shifts with weather, infrastructure spending and industrial activity.

OMAHA, Neb.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Berkshire Hathaway today announced it has completed the acquisition of OxyChem from Occidental for $9.7 billion, subject to customary post-closing purchase price adjustments. OxyChem is a leading producer of essential chemistry with operations in the U.S., Canada and Latin America. Headquartered in Dallas, Texas, OxyChem is a top three U.S. manufacturer of polyvinyl chloride, chlor-alkali and chlorinated organic chemicals, and calcium chloride. OxyChem’s products play an essential role in everyday life, supporting critical applications in water treatment, pharmaceuticals, healthcare, manufacturing, automotive, personal hygiene, and residential and commercial construction. OxyChem will continue to be managed by Wade Alleman, OxyChem president and CEO.

About Berkshire

Berkshire Hathaway and its subsidiaries engage in diverse business activities including insurance and reinsurance, utilities and energy, freight rail transportation, manufacturing, retailing and services. Common stock of the company is listed on the New York Stock Exchange, trading symbols BRK.A and BRK.B.

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Marc D. Hamburg

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Source: Berkshire Hathaway