ONE of Darwen's biggest employers has completed the takeover of chemical giant ICI.
The deal began back in August last year when the speciality chemicals firm accepted an offer from Dutch company Akzo Nobel of 670p per share, which values ICI at £8billion.
Akzo Nobel employs about 650 people at its Crown Paints manufact-uring site at Crown House, Hollins Road, Darwen.
But the firm is being forced to sell off the Darwen site by the Competition Commission.
Akzo bosses said they would work to ensure that no jobs were lost in any handover.
It first approached ICI in June 2007 with an offer of 600p a share but was rebuffed, and a second offer in July of 650p a share was also rejected.
The takeover will have to be cleared by regulators, who may be concerned that owning both Crown and Dulux will give Akzo too much of the UK paint market.
As part of the deal, German-based Henkel - which produces Persil washing powder - will buy ICI's adhesives and electronic materials unit for £2.7billion.
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