Epoxy

December 10, 2020

Huntsman Increases Outlook

Huntsman Updates its Fourth Quarter Outlook

Download as PDF December 10, 2020 6:30am EST

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 10, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today updated its fourth quarter 2020 outlook.  Overall the Company currently expects its fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA to be better than its prior guidance and above the prior year by between 20% and 25%.  For the Polyurethanes segment, fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be better than third quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA by at least 20%.  The increase versus the previous guidance is being driven by stronger than expected overall demand as well as higher MDI component margins, most notably in Asia.  For the Performance Products segment, fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA is currently expected to be better than third quarter 2020 by nearly 15%.  For the Advanced Materials segment, fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be approximately in-line with the third quarter 2020.  For the Textile Effects segment, fourth quarter adjusted EBITDA is now expected to be approximately flat with the prior year fourth quarter. 

The Company remains on-track to close on the sale of approximately 42.5 million shares it holds in Venator Materials PLC to funds managed by SK Capital Partners, LP before year-end 2020.  Additionally, the Company intends to redeem in full €445 million in aggregate principal amount of its 5.125% Senior Notes due 2021 at par with available liquidity.  The redemption date will be January 15, 2021, and the redemption price will equal to 100% of the principal amount of the notes, plus accrued and unpaid interest on the redemption date.  Redeeming the notes will reduce the Company’s interest expense by approximately $25 million on an annual basis.  

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/465/huntsman-updates-its-fourth-quarter-outlook

December 9, 2020

BASF Portfolio Changes

BASF Weighs Sale of $400 Million in U.S. Chemical Assets

Andrew Noël, Bloomberg News

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company's headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company’s headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — BASF SE is exploring the sale of some U.S. chemicals assets that could fetch around $400 million, as Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermueller seeks to streamline the company’s portfolio, people familiar with the matter said.

The world’s largest chemical producer is considering the divestment of a surfactants plant in Kankakee, Illinois, that could be valued at about $250 million, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans are private.

BASF is also working with an adviser to gauge interest in a kaolin business in the southern U.S. state of Georgia, the people said. Those operations could fetch at least $150 million, the people said.

Deliberations are ongoing, and no final decisions have been made on the potential disposals, according to the people. A representative for BASF declined to comment.

Under Brudermueller, BASF has been streamlining its operations. In late 2019, it agreed to sell its construction chemicals business to private equity firm Lone Star Funds for 3.2 billion euros.

BASF has also been preparing a potential stock market listing for Wintershall Dea GmbH, its oil and gas venture with billionaire Mikhail Fridman. Brudermueller said on an Oct. 28 conference call that only some smaller units are left to be divested under its current plan, and BASF has “no urgent need” to rush ahead.

Any proceeds from asset sales in the U.S. would raise funds for BASF at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is hurting demand. BASF reported a net loss of 2.1 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in the third quarter due to heavy writedowns linked to the aviation and automobile industries.

The company’s shares have fallen about 5% this year, giving it a market value of 58.7 billion euros.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/basf-weighs-sale-of-400-million-in-u-s-chemical-assets-1.1534067?source=content_type%3Areact%7Cfirst_level_url%3Anews%7Csection%3Amain_content%7Cbutton%3Abody_link

December 9, 2020

BASF Portfolio Changes

BASF Weighs Sale of $400 Million in U.S. Chemical Assets

Andrew Noël, Bloomberg News

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company's headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg

The BASF SE logo sits on banners flying outside the company’s headquarters in Ludwigshafen, Germany, on Friday, Feb, 28, 2020. The chemical industry became the latest sector to be hit by the coronavirus after German giant BASF warned the outbreak could lead to the lowest growth in production since the financial crisis more than a decade ago. Photographer: Alex Kraus/Bloomberg , Bloomberg

(Bloomberg) — BASF SE is exploring the sale of some U.S. chemicals assets that could fetch around $400 million, as Chief Executive Officer Martin Brudermueller seeks to streamline the company’s portfolio, people familiar with the matter said.

The world’s largest chemical producer is considering the divestment of a surfactants plant in Kankakee, Illinois, that could be valued at about $250 million, according to the people, who asked not to be identified as the plans are private.

BASF is also working with an adviser to gauge interest in a kaolin business in the southern U.S. state of Georgia, the people said. Those operations could fetch at least $150 million, the people said.

Deliberations are ongoing, and no final decisions have been made on the potential disposals, according to the people. A representative for BASF declined to comment.

Under Brudermueller, BASF has been streamlining its operations. In late 2019, it agreed to sell its construction chemicals business to private equity firm Lone Star Funds for 3.2 billion euros.

BASF has also been preparing a potential stock market listing for Wintershall Dea GmbH, its oil and gas venture with billionaire Mikhail Fridman. Brudermueller said on an Oct. 28 conference call that only some smaller units are left to be divested under its current plan, and BASF has “no urgent need” to rush ahead.

Any proceeds from asset sales in the U.S. would raise funds for BASF at a time when the coronavirus pandemic is hurting demand. BASF reported a net loss of 2.1 billion euros ($2.6 billion) in the third quarter due to heavy writedowns linked to the aviation and automobile industries.

The company’s shares have fallen about 5% this year, giving it a market value of 58.7 billion euros.

https://www.bnnbloomberg.ca/basf-weighs-sale-of-400-million-in-u-s-chemical-assets-1.1534067?source=content_type%3Areact%7Cfirst_level_url%3Anews%7Csection%3Amain_content%7Cbutton%3Abody_link

December 7, 2020

Huntsman Acquires Gabriel Performance Products

Huntsman Announces the Acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, Further Expanding its Specialty Chemicals Portfolio

Download as PDF December 07, 2020 7:00am EST

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced its agreement to acquire Gabriel Performance Products, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer of specialty additives and epoxy curing agents for the coatings, adhesives, sealants and composite end-markets, from funds owned by Audax Private Equity.

Under terms of the agreement, Huntsman will pay $250 million, subject to customary closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction funded from available liquidity.  Gabriel had 2019 revenues of approximately $106 million with three manufacturing facilities located in Ashtabula, Ohio, Harrison City, Pennsylvania and Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Based on calendar year 2019, the purchase price represents an adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 11 times, or approximately 8 times pro forma for synergies.  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021 after regulatory approvals.

Commenting on the acquisition, Scott Wright, President of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials division, said: “The acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products broadens the offering in our specialty portfolio and is complementary to our recent acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties. Gabriel makes highly specialized toughening and curing agents and other additives used in a wide range of composite, adhesive and coatings applications.  We expect that the Gabriel business will strengthen our North America footprint and provide significant commercial synergies as we expand and globalize their specialty products across our global footprint and customer base.  The acquisition will further enhance our competitiveness and our world class formulations business by improving our ability to create differentiation in our customers’ applications.”

Peter Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO further commented: “With this acquisition we conclude a series of strategic initiatives in our Advanced Materials division we started in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our initial intent was to complete the acquisitions of Gabriel and CVC simultaneously, together with the divestiture of our India DIY business earlier this year.  Despite the challenges created by COVID, I am pleased that we have already closed on two of the transactions and intend to close on the acquisition of Gabriel within the first quarter of 2021.  We have significantly strengthened our Advanced Material’s portfolio and broadened our offerings to the market.  Based on 2019 results, when netting the three transactions together, we are adding approximately $57 million of adjusted EBITDA pro forma for synergies to our Advanced Materials division, for less than 5 times EBITDA.” 

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/464/huntsman-announces-the-acquisition-of-gabriel-performance

December 7, 2020

Huntsman Acquires Gabriel Performance Products

Huntsman Announces the Acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, Further Expanding its Specialty Chemicals Portfolio

Download as PDF December 07, 2020 7:00am EST

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Dec. 7, 2020 /PRNewswire/ — Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today announced its agreement to acquire Gabriel Performance Products, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer of specialty additives and epoxy curing agents for the coatings, adhesives, sealants and composite end-markets, from funds owned by Audax Private Equity.

Under terms of the agreement, Huntsman will pay $250 million, subject to customary closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction funded from available liquidity.  Gabriel had 2019 revenues of approximately $106 million with three manufacturing facilities located in Ashtabula, Ohio, Harrison City, Pennsylvania and Rock Hill, South Carolina.  Based on calendar year 2019, the purchase price represents an adjusted EBITDA multiple of approximately 11 times, or approximately 8 times pro forma for synergies.  The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2021 after regulatory approvals.

Commenting on the acquisition, Scott Wright, President of Huntsman’s Advanced Materials division, said: “The acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products broadens the offering in our specialty portfolio and is complementary to our recent acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties. Gabriel makes highly specialized toughening and curing agents and other additives used in a wide range of composite, adhesive and coatings applications.  We expect that the Gabriel business will strengthen our North America footprint and provide significant commercial synergies as we expand and globalize their specialty products across our global footprint and customer base.  The acquisition will further enhance our competitiveness and our world class formulations business by improving our ability to create differentiation in our customers’ applications.”

Peter Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO further commented: “With this acquisition we conclude a series of strategic initiatives in our Advanced Materials division we started in 2019 before the COVID-19 pandemic.  Our initial intent was to complete the acquisitions of Gabriel and CVC simultaneously, together with the divestiture of our India DIY business earlier this year.  Despite the challenges created by COVID, I am pleased that we have already closed on two of the transactions and intend to close on the acquisition of Gabriel within the first quarter of 2021.  We have significantly strengthened our Advanced Material’s portfolio and broadened our offerings to the market.  Based on 2019 results, when netting the three transactions together, we are adding approximately $57 million of adjusted EBITDA pro forma for synergies to our Advanced Materials division, for less than 5 times EBITDA.” 

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/464/huntsman-announces-the-acquisition-of-gabriel-performance