Two of the world’s most prominent private equity firms—Advent International and Platinum Equity—are reportedly leading the charge to acquire DuPont’s high-performance protective equipment division, in a deal pegged at around $2 billion.
At the heart of the proposed acquisition are Kevlar and Nomex, two iconic brands synonymous with innovation in the personal protection space. Kevlar, famously used in bulletproof vests and military-grade armour, and Nomex, a heat-resistant material worn by firefighters and race car drivers, have long been staples of DuPont’s legacy in material science.
A Strategic Unbundling
The divestment is part of DuPont’s broader strategy to reposition itself as a focused industrial powerhouse, with an emphasis on specialty materials and advanced engineering. The sale follows DuPont’s earlier announcement to spin off its electronics business by November 2025, a clear signal that the company is doubling down on high-growth, high-margin sectors.
Sources indicate that final bids for the protective equipment unit are due later this month. However, DuPont may still choose to retain the assets depending on market dynamics or internal strategy shifts.
From Conglomerate to Specialist
This potential deal is another chapter in DuPont’s long-term transformation since the $130 billion Dow-DuPont merger in 2017, which was subsequently unraveled into three independent public entities: Dow, Corteva Agriscience, and DuPont.
The Kevlar-Nomex divestiture would further consolidate DuPont’s focus, trimming non-core operations in favour of businesses more aligned with future-facing industries such as semiconductors, mobility, and clean technologies.
Geopolitics and Global Risk
While DuPont’s first-quarter earnings for 2025 reflected strong underlying performance, the company is not immune to geopolitical headwinds—particularly around U.S.-China trade tensions, which continue to cast uncertainty over global industrial exports.
Private Equity Playbook
For Advent and Platinum, the acquisition represents a classic PE opportunity: highly recognisable, IP-rich brands in a stable but under-leveraged segment. The durability of protective equipment demand, spanning defence, industrial safety, and motorsports, provides a compelling foundation for growth—especially with expanding safety regulations and the global emphasis on occupational health.
Neither DuPont nor the bidding firms have issued official statements on the ongoing process.
IMAGE: AFP
