Momentum across the chemicals and specialty materials sector is picking up as market conditions improve and a growing backlog of quality assets prepare to hit the market. Lower borrowing costs, the anticipated effects of the new presidential administration, growing pressure for private equity-backed platforms to return capital, and continued corporate portfolio optimization are among several factors driving activity in the space. Our Q1 brief shares how these trends are creating M&A opportunities in the sector as well as other insights, including:

• What we’re reading

• Select transactions

• Public market updates