Livent Announces Special Meeting Date to Vote on Pending Merger of Equals with Allkem; Form S-4 Registration Statement Declared Effective

Rhea-AI Summary

Livent Corporation (LTHM) announced the virtual Livent Special Meeting on December 19, 2023, to vote on the proposed merger with Allkem Limited (AKE). The Livent Board recommends voting 'FOR' the merger. The registration statement on Form S-4 of Arcadium Lithium plc has become effective, serving as a proxy statement and prospectus. Livent stockholders needing assistance can contact Morrow Sodali, LLC. The closing of the Transaction is targeted for January 4, 2024.

PHILADELPHIA, Nov. 20, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Livent Corporation (NYSE: LTHM, "Livent") announced that its special meeting of stockholders will be held virtually via webcast on Tuesday December 19, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time for consideration and voting on the proposed merger of equals between Allkem Limited (ASX|TSX: AKE, "Allkem") and Livent, as well as certain other matters relating thereto ("Livent Special Meeting"). The record date for the determination of stockholders entitled to receive notice of and to vote at the Livent Special Meeting is the close of business on November 14, 2023.

The Livent Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote "FOR" each of the proposals to be considered at the Livent Special Meeting, including the proposed merger in connection with the merger of equals transaction with Allkem, previously announced on May 10, 2023 (the "Transaction").

The registration statement on Form S-4 of Arcadium Lithium plc ("Arcadium Lithium"), the new holding company of the combined group that will result from the proposed Transaction, has become effective today as filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC"). The Form S-4 serves as both a proxy statement of Livent (to solicit proxies for the meeting of Livent stockholders) and as a prospectus (relating to the Arcadium Lithium shares to be issued to Livent stockholders under the Transaction). A copy of the Form S-4 is accessible on the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

Livent stockholders who need assistance in completing the proxy card, need additional copies of the proxy materials or have questions regarding the upcoming special meeting may contact Livent's proxy solicitor, Morrow Sodali, LLC, by calling toll-free at (800) 662-5200 or by email at Livent@info.morrowsodali.com.

The Form S-4 becoming effective satisfies another condition to the closing of the Transaction. The closing of the Transaction remains subject to approval by both Livent and Allkem shareholders, and Australian court approval. Allkem and Livent are targeting to close the Transaction on January 4, 2024.

About Livent 
For nearly eight decades, Livent has partnered with its customers to safely and sustainably use lithium to power the world. Livent is one of only a small number of companies with the capability, reputation, and know-how to produce high-quality finished lithium compounds that are helping meet the growing demand for lithium. The Company has one of the broadest product portfolios in the industry, powering demand for green energy, modern mobility, the mobile economy, and specialized innovations, including light alloys and lubricants. Livent has a combined workforce of approximately 1,350 full-time, part-time, temporary, and contract employees and operates manufacturing sites in the United States, England, China and Argentina. For more information, visit Livent.com.

Important Information and Legal Disclaimer:

Forward-Looking Statements

This announcement contains forward-looking statements, including within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements can often be identified by terms such as "may," "will," "appears," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "could," "intends," "target," "projects," "contemplates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential," or "continue," or the negative of these words or other similar terms or expressions that concern expectations, strategy, plans, or intentions. However, the absence of these words or similar terms does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking. All forward-looking statements are based on information and estimates available to Allkem or Livent at the time of this announcement and are not guarantees of future performance.

Examples of forward-looking statements in this announcement (made at the date of this announcement unless otherwise indicated) include, among others, statements regarding the future performance of the combined company, the perceived and potential synergies and other benefits of the Transaction, and expectations around the financial impact of the Transaction on the combined company's financials. In addition, this announcement contains statements concerning the intentions, beliefs and expectations, plans, strategies and objectives of the directors and management of Allkem and Livent for Allkem, Livent and the combined company, the anticipated timing for and outcome and effects of the Transaction (including expected benefits to shareholders of Allkem and Livent), anticipated production, production capacity or construction or development commencement dates, costs or production outputs, capital expenditure and future demand for lithium, expectations for the ongoing development and growth potential of the combined company and the future operation of Allkem, Livent and the combined company.

Forward-looking statements are not statements of historical fact and actual events and results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors (many of which are outside the control of Allkem, Livent and the combined company), some of which are described from time to time in Livent's filings with the SEC and Allkem's filings with the ASX, including Livent's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, and any subsequent Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and Current Reports on Form 8-K and Allkem's Annual Report for the financial year ended 30 June 2022 (Appendix 4E), Half-Year Report for the half year ended 31 December 2022 (Appendix 4D), and March Activities Report for the quarter ended 31 March 2023, and future filings and reports by either Allkem or Livent.

These statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results to be materially different from any results, levels of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by any forward-looking statement and may include statements regarding the expected timing and structure of the proposed transaction; the ability of the parties to complete the proposed transaction considering the various closing conditions; the expected benefits of the proposed transaction, such as improved operations, enhanced revenues and cash flow, synergies, growth potential, market profile, business plans, expanded portfolio and financial strength; the competitive ability and position of Arcadium Lithium following completion of the proposed transaction; and anticipated growth strategies and anticipated trends in Livent's, Allkem's and, following the completion of the proposed transaction, Arcadium Lithium's business.

In addition, other factors related to the Transaction between Allkem and Livent that contribute to the uncertain nature of the forward-looking statements and that could cause actual results and financial condition to differ materially from those expressed or implied include, but are not limited to: the satisfaction of the conditions precedent to the consummation of the Transaction, including, without limitation, the receipt of shareholder and regulatory approvals on the terms desired or anticipated; unanticipated difficulties or expenditures relating to the Transaction, including, without limitation, difficulties that result in the failure to realize expected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings from the Transaction within the expected time period (if at all); potential difficulties in Allkem's and Livent's ability to retain employees as a result of the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; risks relating to the value of Arcadium Lithium's shares to be issued in the Transaction; disruptions of Allkem's and Livent's current plans, operations and relationships with customers caused by the announcement and pendency of the Transaction; legal proceedings that may be instituted against Allkem and Livent following announcement of the Transaction; funding requirements; lithium and other commodity prices; exploration, development and operating risks (including unexpected capital or operating costs); production risks; regulatory restrictions (including environmental regulations and associated liability, changes in regulatory restrictions or regulatory policy and potential title disputes) and risks associated with general economic conditions.

Additional factors that could cause actual results, level of activity, performance or achievements to differ materially from the results, level of activity, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking statements are detailed in the filings with the SEC, including Livent's annual report on Form 10-K, periodic quarterly reports on Form 10-Q, periodic current reports on Form 8-K and other documents filed with the SEC.

There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be implemented or that plans of the directors and management of Allkem and Livent for the combined company will proceed as currently expected or will ultimately be successful. Investors are strongly cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements, including in respect of the financial or operating outlook for Allkem, Livent or the combined company (including the realisation of any expected synergies).

Except as required by applicable law or the ASX Listing Rules, Allkem and Livent assume no obligation to, and expressly disclaim any duty to, provide any additional or updated information or to update any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or results, or otherwise. Nothing in this announcement will, under any circumstances (including by reason of this announcement remaining available and not being superseded or replaced by any other presentation or publication with respect to Allkem, Livent or the combined company, or the subject matter of this announcement), create an implication that there has been no change in the affairs of Allkem or Livent since the date of this announcement. The distribution of this announcement may be subject to legal or regulatory restrictions in certain jurisdictions. Any person who comes into possession of this announcement must inform himself or herself of and comply with any such restrictions.

No offer or solicitation

This communication is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be and shall not constitute a solicitation of any vote or approval, or an offer to buy or sell, or the solicitation of an offer to buy or sell, any securities, or an invitation or recommendation to subscribe for, acquire or buy securities of Allkem, Livent or Arcadium Lithium, or any other financial products or securities, in any place or jurisdiction, nor shall there be any offer, solicitation or sale of securities in any jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful prior to registration or qualification under the securities laws of any such jurisdiction. No offer of securities shall be made in the United States absent registration under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"), or pursuant to an exemption from, or in a transaction not subject to, such registration requirements.

Additional information and where to find it

Arcadium Lithium has filed with the SEC, and the SEC has declared effective on November 20, 2023, a registration statement on Form S-4 (File No. 333-273360) that contains a proxy statement/prospectus and other documents (the "Form S-4"). Livent has or will mail the proxy statement/prospectus contained in the Form S-4 to its stockholders. This communication is not a substitution for any registration statement, proxy statement/prospectus or other documents that are or may be filed with the SEC in connection with the proposed Transaction.

INVESTORS SHOULD READ THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND SUCH OTHER DOCUMENTS FILED OR TO BE FILED WITH THE SEC CAREFULLY AND IN THEIR ENTIRETY, AS WELL AS ANY AMENDMENTS OR SUPPLEMENTS TO THE PROXY STATEMENT/PROSPECTUS AND SUCH DOCUMENTS, BEFORE THEY MAKE ANY DECISION WITH RESPECT TO THE PROPOSED TRANSACTION BECAUSE THEY WILL CONTAIN IMPORTANT INFORMATION ABOUT ARCADIUM LITHIUM, LIVENT, ALLKEM, THE TRANSACTION AND RELATED MATTERS. The Form S-4, the proxy statement/prospectus, any amendments or supplements thereto and all other documents filed with the SEC in connection with the Transaction is or will be available when filed free of charge on the SEC's web site at www.sec.gov.  Copies of documents filed with the SEC by Livent will be made available free of charge on Livent's investor relations website (at https://ir.livent.com/overview/default.aspx).

Participants in the Solicitation

Livent, Allkem, Arcadium Lithium and certain of their respective directors and executive officers and other members of their respective management and employees may be deemed to be participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Transaction. Information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of proxies in connection with the Transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests in the Transaction, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials  filed with the SEC. Information regarding the directors and executive officers of Livent is contained in Livent's proxy statement for its 2023 annual meeting of stockholders, filed with the SEC on March 16, 2023, its Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2022, which was filed with the SEC on February 24, 2023, subsequent statements of beneficial ownership on file with the SEC and other filings made from time to time with the SEC. Information about Allkem's directors and executive officers is set forth in Allkem's latest annual report dated 25 August 2022, as updated from time to time via announcements made by Allkem on the Australian Securities Exchange. Additional information regarding the persons who may, under the rules of the SEC, be deemed participants in the solicitation of Livent security holders in connection with the Transaction, including a description of their direct or indirect interests, by security holdings or otherwise, is set forth in the proxy statement/prospectus and other relevant materials filed with the SEC. These documents can be obtained free of charge from the sources indicated above.

Media contact: Juan Carlos Cruz +1.215.299.6725
juan.carlos.cruz@livent.com

Investor contact: Daniel Rosen +1.215.299.6208
daniel.rosen@livent.com

 

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SOURCE Livent Corporation

FAQ

When is the Livent Special Meeting scheduled?

The Livent Special Meeting is scheduled for December 19, 2023, at 9:00 a.m., Eastern Time.

What is the purpose of the Livent Special Meeting?

The purpose of the meeting is to vote on the proposed merger of equals between Livent and Allkem Limited.

Who is recommended to vote 'FOR' the proposals at the Livent Special Meeting?

The Livent Board of Directors unanimously recommends that stockholders vote 'FOR' each of the proposals to be considered at the Livent Special Meeting.

What is the status of the registration statement on Form S-4 of Arcadium Lithium plc?

The registration statement on Form S-4 of Arcadium Lithium plc has become effective, serving as both a proxy statement of Livent and a prospectus relating to the Arcadium Lithium shares to be issued to Livent stockholders under the Transaction.

When is the closing of the Transaction targeted?

The closing of the Transaction is targeted for January 4, 2024.