Noteworthy Work
K&L Gates Advises InfraLeuna GmbH on the Acquisition of DOMO Caproleuna GmbH
Global law firm K&L Gates has advised InfraLeuna GmbH, the operator of the Leuna Chemical Park, on the acquisition of the business operations of DOMO Caproleuna GmbH. InfraLeuna and LEUNA-Harze GmbH jointly acquired the business operations and assets of DOMO Caproleuna through their newly established joint venture company, LEUNA – Polyamid GmbH. The business operations were transferred to LEUNA – Polyamid GmbH as of April 1, 2026.
The transaction prevented the imminent shutdown of the chemical plant in Leuna. The site will be preserved, as will more than 430 of the approximately 500 jobs.
At the end of December 2025, the three German subsidiaries of the Belgian Domo Chemicals Group, headquartered in Ghent, filed for insolvency, including DOMO Caproleuna GmbH. The chemical company produces organic base chemicals (e.g., caprolactam, phenol, acetone) and polyamide 6 plastics that, after further processing, are used in the automotive industry as well as in the electrical and electronics sectors. The insolvency administrator, Prof. Dr. Lucas F. Flöther of Flöther & Wissing, succeeded in maintaining operations until the very end.
Frankfurt partner Dr. Georg Bernsau stated: “We are very pleased that, thanks to the constructive cooperation of all parties involved, it was possible to preserve the business operations and more than 400 jobs despite the tight timeline.”
Dr. Christof Günther, Managing Director of InfraLeuna GmbH, explained: “The acquisition has made it possible to avert significant damage to the Leuna chemical site. The site and material integration can be maintained. This preserves the industrial functionality of the site—a key prerequisite for its further development.”
“This was a last-minute rescue in a process that was unusual in every respect,” emphasized the insolvency administrator Prof. Dr. Lucas Flöther. “With LEUNA – Polyamid GmbH, an investor was found who will continue operations at the site and preserve a large portion of the jobs. The sale of the assets represents a positive conclusion to the insolvency proceedings. In particular, the preservation of jobs and the continuation of the site under new, viable structures are a good outcome for all parties involved.”
The transaction was led by Frankfurt partner Dr. Georg Bernsau and counsel Dr. Angelika Bartholomäi. They were supported Berlin partners Dr. Christian Hullmann, Dr. Annette Mutschler-Siebert, Nils Neumann, LL.M., Berlin counsels Marion Baumann, Dr. Ulrike Elteste, Oda Elmoutaouakil, Munich counsels Jennifer Hock and Dominik Sailer, Berlin senior associates Leonie Abendroth, LL.M. and Maxim Horvath, Frankfurt associates James Schütze, LL.M., Isabel Häntsch, Lilly Reichwein, and Berlin professional support lawyer Tobias Schneider.
K&L Gates is a fully integrated global law firm. The firm represents leading multinational corporations, growth and middle-market companies, capital markets participants and entrepreneurs in every major industry group as well as public sector entities, educational institutions, philanthropic organizations and individuals.
