Company News

October 17, 2018

Fire at FXI in NJ

East Rutherford Fire Department battles blaze at foam company

 

 

East Rutherford firefighters battled a fire at a foam company Monday morning, authorities said.

The East Rutherford Police Department said the fire broke out at 13 Manor Road at FXI, a foam manufacturer for the “home, health care, electronics, industrial, personal care and transportation markets.”

The blaze was put out within an hour, said Lt. Bill Hopkins. There were no injuries.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/east-rutherford/2018/10/15/east-rutherford-nj-fire-department-fights-fire-foam-company/1646585002/

October 17, 2018

Fire at FXI in NJ

East Rutherford Fire Department battles blaze at foam company

 

 

East Rutherford firefighters battled a fire at a foam company Monday morning, authorities said.

The East Rutherford Police Department said the fire broke out at 13 Manor Road at FXI, a foam manufacturer for the “home, health care, electronics, industrial, personal care and transportation markets.”

The blaze was put out within an hour, said Lt. Bill Hopkins. There were no injuries.

https://www.northjersey.com/story/news/bergen/east-rutherford/2018/10/15/east-rutherford-nj-fire-department-fights-fire-foam-company/1646585002/

October 15, 2018

M&A Activity

Palo Duro Capital forms CCR Specialty Chemicals


Palo Duro Capital LLC has formed CCR Specialty Chemicals LLC, a provider of formulated specialty chemical products. No financial terms were disclosed for the transaction that was done in partnership with a chemical sector special-purpose vehicle controlled by Mario Toukan. 

PRESS RELEASE

DALLAS, Sept. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Palo Duro Capital, LLC (“Palo Duro Capital”), an industrial-focused private equity firm, in partnership with a dedicated chemical sector SPV controlled by Mario Toukan (together the “Sponsor”), announced today that it has formed CCR Specialty Chemicals, LLC (“CCR” or the “Company”) in connection with the acquisition of Crowley Chemicals, Inc. (“Crowley”) and Rusmar, Inc (“Rusmar”). CCR is a specialty formulator of performance chemicals serving a diverse range of end markets. Crowley produces a line of specialty aromatic oil blends used by compounders to extend aromatic polyurethanes, epoxy resins, aromatic based rubbers, PVC plastisols and unsaturated polyester resins which lower formulation costs and improve overall performance. Rusmar has developed a series of water-based and latex-based aqueous foam solutions that have a variety of health, safety and environmental applications in the landfill, environmental remediation and mining markets.

“Crowley and Rusmar are recognized leaders in providing high performance solutions to demanding end markets,” said Palo Duro Capital Partner Matthew Golden. “The management team has done an extraordinary job driving strong operational performance while continuing to extend the Company’s reach into new applications.” Mario Toukan added “The company has an excellent track record driven by a customer centric focus and high quality products, and we look forward to investing additional capital to support both organic growth initiatives and strategic follow-on acquisitions.”

“The management team at CCR is tremendously excited to partner with this team of seasoned specialty chemical investors,” said Bill Callanan, CCR CEO and Chairman. “We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate growth and make investments in product formulations to provide tailored solutions for our customers. Mario and Matt’s reputation in the chemicals sector and track record for investing in and growing businesses is impressive. This makes them ideal partners for CCR and I am very excited to collaborate with them on this opportunity.”

“The combination of CCR’s best-in-class product portfolio and reputation for unparalleled customer service makes this an exciting platform investment,” added Phil Johnson, CCR President. “We look forward to executing a buy and build strategy to expand the company’s capabilities and accelerate growth.”

About Palo Duro Capital
Palo Duro Capital, LLC is a Dallas, Texas-based, lower middle-market private equity firm which works in partnership with business owners and management teams to acquire market-leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals, industrial products and commercial building products. The Palo Duro Capital operating partners bring decades of management experience in the focus industry segments and work collaboratively with management to facilitate long-term strategic growth. Palo Duro Capital has expertise in sourcing and executing complementary add-on acquisitions to supplement organic growth initiatives. For more information, please visit www.palodurocapital.com.

Mario Toukan Bio
Mario Toukan spent nearly 20 years as a chemical M&A banker and most recently was global head of chemicals, materials and packaging at KeyBanc Capital Markets. Since assuming the leadership role in 2012, Mario built the most active chemicals franchise on Wall Street advising on approximately $13.5 billion in transaction value representing 35 M&A transactions. Prior to KeyBanc, he was with Barclays Capital and affiliates, and Arthur Andersen. Mario graduated summa cum laude from the Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University. In addition, he is a strategic investor and board member of VersaFlex (an industrial coatings business based in Kansas City, KS) and a board member of the Make A Wish Foundation.

About CCR Specialty Chemicals
CCR Specialty Chemicals, LLC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Crowley Chemical Company, LLC and Rusmar, Inc., has been a leading provider of formulated specialty chemical products for over 95 years. Crowley Chemical Company, LLC manufactures and distributes organic chemicals derived from petroleum derivatives and serves as a custom formulator of specialty aromatic oils for coatings adhesive and sealant applications. Rusmar Inc. manufacturers and distributed specialty foams and equipment for customers in solid waste, environmental remediation and mining industries. For more information, please visit www.crowleychemical.com and www.rusmarinc.com.

https://www.pehub.com/2018/09/palo-duro-capital-forms-ccr-specialty-chemicals/#

October 15, 2018

M&A Activity

Palo Duro Capital forms CCR Specialty Chemicals


Palo Duro Capital LLC has formed CCR Specialty Chemicals LLC, a provider of formulated specialty chemical products. No financial terms were disclosed for the transaction that was done in partnership with a chemical sector special-purpose vehicle controlled by Mario Toukan. 

PRESS RELEASE

DALLAS, Sept. 13, 2018 /PRNewswire/ — Palo Duro Capital, LLC (“Palo Duro Capital”), an industrial-focused private equity firm, in partnership with a dedicated chemical sector SPV controlled by Mario Toukan (together the “Sponsor”), announced today that it has formed CCR Specialty Chemicals, LLC (“CCR” or the “Company”) in connection with the acquisition of Crowley Chemicals, Inc. (“Crowley”) and Rusmar, Inc (“Rusmar”). CCR is a specialty formulator of performance chemicals serving a diverse range of end markets. Crowley produces a line of specialty aromatic oil blends used by compounders to extend aromatic polyurethanes, epoxy resins, aromatic based rubbers, PVC plastisols and unsaturated polyester resins which lower formulation costs and improve overall performance. Rusmar has developed a series of water-based and latex-based aqueous foam solutions that have a variety of health, safety and environmental applications in the landfill, environmental remediation and mining markets.

“Crowley and Rusmar are recognized leaders in providing high performance solutions to demanding end markets,” said Palo Duro Capital Partner Matthew Golden. “The management team has done an extraordinary job driving strong operational performance while continuing to extend the Company’s reach into new applications.” Mario Toukan added “The company has an excellent track record driven by a customer centric focus and high quality products, and we look forward to investing additional capital to support both organic growth initiatives and strategic follow-on acquisitions.”

“The management team at CCR is tremendously excited to partner with this team of seasoned specialty chemical investors,” said Bill Callanan, CCR CEO and Chairman. “We have an exceptional opportunity to accelerate growth and make investments in product formulations to provide tailored solutions for our customers. Mario and Matt’s reputation in the chemicals sector and track record for investing in and growing businesses is impressive. This makes them ideal partners for CCR and I am very excited to collaborate with them on this opportunity.”

“The combination of CCR’s best-in-class product portfolio and reputation for unparalleled customer service makes this an exciting platform investment,” added Phil Johnson, CCR President. “We look forward to executing a buy and build strategy to expand the company’s capabilities and accelerate growth.”

About Palo Duro Capital
Palo Duro Capital, LLC is a Dallas, Texas-based, lower middle-market private equity firm which works in partnership with business owners and management teams to acquire market-leading manufacturers of specialty chemicals, industrial products and commercial building products. The Palo Duro Capital operating partners bring decades of management experience in the focus industry segments and work collaboratively with management to facilitate long-term strategic growth. Palo Duro Capital has expertise in sourcing and executing complementary add-on acquisitions to supplement organic growth initiatives. For more information, please visit www.palodurocapital.com.

Mario Toukan Bio
Mario Toukan spent nearly 20 years as a chemical M&A banker and most recently was global head of chemicals, materials and packaging at KeyBanc Capital Markets. Since assuming the leadership role in 2012, Mario built the most active chemicals franchise on Wall Street advising on approximately $13.5 billion in transaction value representing 35 M&A transactions. Prior to KeyBanc, he was with Barclays Capital and affiliates, and Arthur Andersen. Mario graduated summa cum laude from the Fisher College of Business at the Ohio State University. In addition, he is a strategic investor and board member of VersaFlex (an industrial coatings business based in Kansas City, KS) and a board member of the Make A Wish Foundation.

About CCR Specialty Chemicals
CCR Specialty Chemicals, LLC, through its wholly-owned subsidiaries Crowley Chemical Company, LLC and Rusmar, Inc., has been a leading provider of formulated specialty chemical products for over 95 years. Crowley Chemical Company, LLC manufactures and distributes organic chemicals derived from petroleum derivatives and serves as a custom formulator of specialty aromatic oils for coatings adhesive and sealant applications. Rusmar Inc. manufacturers and distributed specialty foams and equipment for customers in solid waste, environmental remediation and mining industries. For more information, please visit www.crowleychemical.com and www.rusmarinc.com.

https://www.pehub.com/2018/09/palo-duro-capital-forms-ccr-specialty-chemicals/#

October 15, 2018

Covestro MDI Project

EPCA ’18: US MDI project follows Covestro’s strategy of producing close to main markets – CEO

09 October 2018 14:44 Source:ICIS News

VIENNA (ICIS)–Covestro’s decision to locate its new methyl di-p-phenylene isocyanate (MDI) plant in the US follows its long-term strategy of having production within its main regional markets, the company’s CEO said on Tuesday.

Markus Steilemann said MDI capacity has been increased in Europe and China over the last few years, making the decision to locate the new facility in the US the logical choice.

Covestro announced today that it will invest around €1.5bn to build a new world-scale MDI plant in Baytown, Texas, with start-up scheduled for 2024.

He said: “It is a very natural move to make sure that we continue to keep a very strong position in North America. Because in general, MDI markets are regional so it is important to continue to ensure we can continue to supply North American customers from our North American plants.”

He pointed out that its long-term investment strategy has seen Covestro invest globally – starting from the late 1990’s and early 2000’s – and in China with its €3.1bn integrated chemical site close to Shanghai.

The company is also strengthening its position in Europe with the current repurposing of a toluene di-isocyanate (TDI) plant at Brunsbuttel in northern Germany to MDI, increasing the site’s capacity to 400,000 tonnes/year

It also plans to debottleneck its Tarragona, Spain MDI plant from 170,000 tonnes/year to 220,000 tonnes/year.

MARKET GROWTH
The CEO said intensive studies into the industries Covestro serves today led it to forecast 5%/year MDI demand growth globally for the foreseeable future. These sectors include electrical appliances, building and construction and the automotive industry.

“We also see exciting opportunities in new applications, for example wind turbine blades, which have quite promising growth rates and where PU-based systems can play a significant role in the future,” he added.

Covestro considered all publicly announced capacities in terms of capacity and date onstream.

“We want to take a global capacity leadership position here and we think now is the right time to invest further in the profitable growth of our MDI business.”

Today Covestro is number one globally in polyurethanes and number three in MDI.

“We currently operate with around 20% MDI market share and after the plant has fully started up we expect to still have around 20% of the market,” said Steilemann.

TRADE WAR IMPACT
Steilemann said Covestro has not yet seen any significant impact on its business from the US-China trade war.

“In particular we strive to serve MDI customers in North America from plants in North America. Sometimes we have a need to shift material inter-regionally due to short-term S&D [supply and demand] considerations. But our general approach is from the region for the region,” he added.

Covestro is still committed to mergers and acquisitions as part of a three-pronged approach to creating shareholder value.

“We are strongly committed to create value for our investors so all options are on the table – an attractive dividend policy, a share buyback programme, acquisition opportunities, and spending money on profitable growth opportunities in our core products. All three aspects create value for our shareholders.”

He added that the project is value creating with return on capital employed significantly above the weighted average cost of capital.

Pictured: Covestro’s corporate headquarters in Leverkusen, Germany
Source: Covestro

Interview article by Will Beacham

https://www.icis.com/resources/news/2018/10/09/10264547/epca-18-us-mdi-project-follows-covestro-s-strategy-of-producing-close-to-main-markets-ceo/