Global law firm Freshfields advised DB Finanziaria S.p.A., Kartesia and Farallon Capital Management on the binding agreement for the sale to NextChem (MAIRE) of the entire share capital of the Ballestra Group ("Ballestra"). Ballestra is one of the world’s leading players in the licensing, design, and engineering of processing plants, as well as in the supply of proprietary technologies and equipment for the chemical industry.

Founded in 1960 and headquartered in Milan, Ballestra leads a group of companies including BUSS ChemTech AG (Switzerland) and Ballestra Engineering and Projects Pvt. Ltd (India). The Ballestra Group operates in over 120 countries, with around 450 employees and offices in Europe and Asia, serving a consolidated customer base and boasting extensive experience with more than 6,400 plants installed worldwide.

Freshfields advised DB Finanziaria S.p.A., Kartesia and Farallon Capital Management with a multi-jurisdictional team coordinated by partners Yann Gozal (Paris) and Giancarlo D’Ambrosio (Milan), together with senior associates Kamile Bougdira (Paris) and Barbara Degli Esposti (Milan), supported by associates Romain Giraud (Paris) and Elena Martegiani (Milan). Partner Charlotte Colin-Dubuisson (Paris), counsel Sara Gil Garcia (Paris), and associate Paul Lesourd (Paris), advised on the antitrust aspects.