WILMINGTON, DE/WASHINGTON, DC - Global alternative asset manager The Carlyle Group, Washington, D.C., and DuPont, Wilmington, DE, have signed a definitive agreement whereby Carlyle will purchase DuPont Performance Coatings (DPC) for $4.9 billion in cash. The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter 2013, subject to customary closing conditions and regulatory approvals.

DPC is a global supplier of vehicle and industrial coating systems with 2012 expected sales of more than $4 billion and more than 11,000 employees. The investment will be funded with equity from Carlyle Partners V and Carlyle Europe Partners III.

“DuPont Performance Coatings is a leader in the automotive and industrial coatings sectors with world-class products and customer service. The business continues to grow and deliver solid results. After a careful review, however, we have determined that DPC’s full growth potential would be best realized outside DuPont and through the sale to Carlyle,” said DuPont Chair and CEO Ellen Kullman. “This transaction is consistent with our vision to be the world’s most dynamic science company and long-term strategy of driving competitive advantages in agriculture and nutrition, advanced materials and biotechnology, which represent high-growth, high-margin opportunities.”

Gregor Böhm, Managing Director and Co-head of Carlyle’s Europe Buyout team, said, “DuPont Performance Coatings is a technology innovator and we look forward to building on its strong market presence to accelerate growth in emerging markets, particularly in China and Brazil.”

Carlyle’s industrial and automotive investments include Allison Transmission, Hertz and PQ Corp., as well as recent commitments to invest in Hamilton Sundstrand Industrial, Sunoco’s Philadelphia refinery and regional rail freight operator Genesee & Wyoming.