Epoxy

November 3, 2020

Propylene Update

October chemical grade propylene settled on the 28th up 0.5 cents/lb to $0.35/lb.

November 2, 2020

Tosoh Results

Tosoh Reports Its Consolidated Results for Fiscal 2020

October  30,  2020 –

Tokyo, Japan—Tosoh Corporation is pleased to announce its consolidated results for the first half of fiscal 2021, from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020.

The company’s consolidated net sales amounted to ¥328.5 billion (US$3.1 billion), down ¥67.9 billion, or 17.1%, from the same period a year earlier. The decrease was attributable to a contraction in global demand caused by the spread of the coronavirus and to the resulting decline in overseas market conditions for naphtha and other products.

Operating income also decreased, ¥22.8 billion, or 56.3%, over the same period the preceding year, to ¥17.6 billion (US$164.6 million). Lower sales volumes, worsening trade conditions as declining sales prices exceeding the impact of lower raw material and fuel prices, and a deterioration in the difference between product receipt and payment contributed to the decrease in operating income.

Ordinary income was ¥18.0 billion (US$168.4 million), a decrease of ¥23.9 billion, or 57.1%, compared with the first half of fiscal 2020. Profit attributable to owners of the parent company totaled ¥11.7 billion ((US$109.4 million), a decrease of ¥15.1 billion, or 56.3%, over the same term the previous year.

During the period under review, the spread of the coronavirus brought about restrictions on economic and social activities and rapid declines in demand domestically and abroad. These conditions led to a rapid decline in both Japanese and global economies. As for the global economy, China, which resumed economic activity early, is experiencing an economic recovery. However, the number of infections continues to rise in Europe, the United States, and emerging countries. And the pace of recovery in demand varies by region, due to the different timing and extent of easing of restrictions on economic activity, as well as to regional economic measures. Given this, prolonged economic stagnation remains a concern.

Results by Business Segment

Chlor-alkali Group

The Chlor-alkali Group’s net sales decreased ¥28.4 billion, or 19.3%, to ¥119.0 billion (US$1.1 billion). Its operating income likewise fell, ¥10.3 billion, or 91.6%, to ¥0.9 billion (US$8.4 million), on account of the decline in sales prices exceeding the impact of lower raw material and fuel prices, as well as decreased shipments of urethane raw materials and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin.

An increase in production volume led to an increase in shipments of caustic soda, primarily for export. And product prices fell, reflecting the deterioration in overseas market conditions. Shipments of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) rose in line with an increase in production volume, and worsening market conditions abroad and falling naphtha prices exerted downward pressure on product prices. The spread of coronavirus infection suppressed demand for PVC resin both domestically and overseas, leading to a decrease in shipments. And worsening market conditions abroad caused product prices to fall.

Domestic shipments of cement decreased due to sluggish demand.

Domestic and export shipments of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) fell due to the impact of the coronavirus. Moreover, product prices fell, reflecting the decline in overseas markets. Shipments in Japan and abroad of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) hardeners decreased as the spread of the coronavirus suppressed demand.

Specialty Group

Compared with the first half of the previous fiscal year, net sales by the Specialty Group decreased ¥7.5 billion, or 8.0%, to ¥86.7 billion (US$811.0 million). The group’s operating income also decreased, 26.5%, or ¥4.1 billion, to ¥11.3 billion (US$105.7 million). The decreases in net sales and operating income resulted from lower sales volume caused by the spread of the coronavirus.

The decline in demand brought about by the spread of the coronavirus led to a decrease in ethyleneamine domestic shipments.

Among the Specialty Group’s separation media-related products, shipments of packing materials for liquid chromatography, mostly to Europe and the United States, increased. Diagnostic-related product shipments, especially of in vitro diagnostic reagents bound for Europe, the United States, and China, fell due to sluggish demand attributable to the spread of the coronavirus.

Shipment of high-silica zeolites, mainly for automotive exhaust gas catalyst applications, decreased due to flagging demand caused by the coronavirus. Shipments of zirconia for decorative applications, however, increased. Shipments of quartz glass likewise increased, buoyed by a robust semiconductor market.

https://www.tosoh.com/news-press/news-releases/2020/tosoh-reports-on-its-first-half-consolidated-results-for-fiscal-2021

November 2, 2020

Tosoh Results

Tosoh Reports Its Consolidated Results for Fiscal 2020

October  30,  2020 –

Tokyo, Japan—Tosoh Corporation is pleased to announce its consolidated results for the first half of fiscal 2021, from April 1, 2020, to September 30, 2020.

The company’s consolidated net sales amounted to ¥328.5 billion (US$3.1 billion), down ¥67.9 billion, or 17.1%, from the same period a year earlier. The decrease was attributable to a contraction in global demand caused by the spread of the coronavirus and to the resulting decline in overseas market conditions for naphtha and other products.

Operating income also decreased, ¥22.8 billion, or 56.3%, over the same period the preceding year, to ¥17.6 billion (US$164.6 million). Lower sales volumes, worsening trade conditions as declining sales prices exceeding the impact of lower raw material and fuel prices, and a deterioration in the difference between product receipt and payment contributed to the decrease in operating income.

Ordinary income was ¥18.0 billion (US$168.4 million), a decrease of ¥23.9 billion, or 57.1%, compared with the first half of fiscal 2020. Profit attributable to owners of the parent company totaled ¥11.7 billion ((US$109.4 million), a decrease of ¥15.1 billion, or 56.3%, over the same term the previous year.

During the period under review, the spread of the coronavirus brought about restrictions on economic and social activities and rapid declines in demand domestically and abroad. These conditions led to a rapid decline in both Japanese and global economies. As for the global economy, China, which resumed economic activity early, is experiencing an economic recovery. However, the number of infections continues to rise in Europe, the United States, and emerging countries. And the pace of recovery in demand varies by region, due to the different timing and extent of easing of restrictions on economic activity, as well as to regional economic measures. Given this, prolonged economic stagnation remains a concern.

Results by Business Segment

Chlor-alkali Group

The Chlor-alkali Group’s net sales decreased ¥28.4 billion, or 19.3%, to ¥119.0 billion (US$1.1 billion). Its operating income likewise fell, ¥10.3 billion, or 91.6%, to ¥0.9 billion (US$8.4 million), on account of the decline in sales prices exceeding the impact of lower raw material and fuel prices, as well as decreased shipments of urethane raw materials and polyvinyl chloride (PVC) resin.

An increase in production volume led to an increase in shipments of caustic soda, primarily for export. And product prices fell, reflecting the deterioration in overseas market conditions. Shipments of vinyl chloride monomer (VCM) rose in line with an increase in production volume, and worsening market conditions abroad and falling naphtha prices exerted downward pressure on product prices. The spread of coronavirus infection suppressed demand for PVC resin both domestically and overseas, leading to a decrease in shipments. And worsening market conditions abroad caused product prices to fall.

Domestic shipments of cement decreased due to sluggish demand.

Domestic and export shipments of methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI) fell due to the impact of the coronavirus. Moreover, product prices fell, reflecting the decline in overseas markets. Shipments in Japan and abroad of hexamethylene diisocyanate (HDI) hardeners decreased as the spread of the coronavirus suppressed demand.

Specialty Group

Compared with the first half of the previous fiscal year, net sales by the Specialty Group decreased ¥7.5 billion, or 8.0%, to ¥86.7 billion (US$811.0 million). The group’s operating income also decreased, 26.5%, or ¥4.1 billion, to ¥11.3 billion (US$105.7 million). The decreases in net sales and operating income resulted from lower sales volume caused by the spread of the coronavirus.

The decline in demand brought about by the spread of the coronavirus led to a decrease in ethyleneamine domestic shipments.

Among the Specialty Group’s separation media-related products, shipments of packing materials for liquid chromatography, mostly to Europe and the United States, increased. Diagnostic-related product shipments, especially of in vitro diagnostic reagents bound for Europe, the United States, and China, fell due to sluggish demand attributable to the spread of the coronavirus.

Shipment of high-silica zeolites, mainly for automotive exhaust gas catalyst applications, decreased due to flagging demand caused by the coronavirus. Shipments of zirconia for decorative applications, however, increased. Shipments of quartz glass likewise increased, buoyed by a robust semiconductor market.

https://www.tosoh.com/news-press/news-releases/2020/tosoh-reports-on-its-first-half-consolidated-results-for-fiscal-2021

October 29, 2020

Huntsman Q3 Results

Huntsman Announces Third Quarter 2020 Earnings; Solid Recovery Trends in Core Markets

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

Third Quarter Highlights

  • Third quarter 2020 net income of $57 million compared to net income of $41 million in the prior year period; third quarter 2020 diluted earnings per share of $0.22 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.13 in the prior year period.
  • Third quarter 2020 adjusted net income of $70 million compared to adjusted net income of $95 million in the prior year period; third quarter 2020 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.32 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.41 in the prior year period.
  • Third quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA of $188 million compared to $215 million in the prior year period.
  • Third quarter 2020 net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $65 million. Free cash flow from continuing operations was $11 million for the third quarter 2020 and adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations was $189 million.
  • Balance sheet remains strong with a net leverage of 1.6x and total liquidity is approximately $2.5 billion.
  • Sale of Venator Materials PLC shares to funds advised by SK Capital is on track to close near year end. Together with estimated cash tax savings of approximately $150 million, which this transaction facilitates, we expect to secure an aggregate total cash benefit of approximately $250 million.
  • In excess of $100 million of previously announced targeted annualized savings and acquisition integration synergies remains on track to be achieved by the end of 2021.
  • On October 28, 2020, Huntsman announced the agreement to sell its India based Do-It-Yourself consumer adhesives business for up to $285 million to Pidilite Industries Ltd. The transaction value represents a 2019 adjusted EBITDA multiple of ~15x and is expected to close within the coming week.

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today reported third quarter 2020 results with revenues of $1,510 million, net income of $57 million, adjusted net income of $70 million and adjusted EBITDA of $188 million. 

Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO, commented:

“The third quarter proved to be better than we had anticipated with improving conditions in almost all of our businesses except for commercial aircraft. Although the global community continues to face significant challenges around COVID-19, we see positive momentum entering the fourth quarter.  We remain fully on track in integrating our two downstream acquisitions completed earlier this year and in delivering in excess of $100 million of annualized synergies and savings from our previously announced cost optimization initiative by the end of 2021. We are also on track to close on the sale of our Venator shares near the end of 2020 further bolstering our liquidity and balance sheet with approximately $250 million of total related cash. During 2020, a year that history will remember for unprecedented challenges, more than ever before Huntsman has become significantly stronger, further focused on strategically growing its differentiated businesses and enhancing shareholder value.”

Segment Analysis for 3Q20 Compared to 3Q19

Polyurethanes

The decrease in revenues in our Polyurethanes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period of 2019 was primarily due to lower MDI average selling prices.  MDI average selling prices decreased across most major markets in relation to the global economic slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Overall polyurethanes sales volumes were roughly flat, when including sales volumes in connection with the Icynene-Lapolla Acquisition. The increase in segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower raw material costs and lower fixed costs as well as additional sales volumes in connection with the Icynene-Lapolla Acquisition, partially offset by lower MDI pricing.

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/461/huntsman-announces-third-quarter-2020-earnings-solid

October 29, 2020

Huntsman Q3 Results

Huntsman Announces Third Quarter 2020 Earnings; Solid Recovery Trends in Core Markets

THE WOODLANDS, Texas, Oct. 29, 2020 /PRNewswire/ —

Third Quarter Highlights

  • Third quarter 2020 net income of $57 million compared to net income of $41 million in the prior year period; third quarter 2020 diluted earnings per share of $0.22 compared to diluted earnings per share of $0.13 in the prior year period.
  • Third quarter 2020 adjusted net income of $70 million compared to adjusted net income of $95 million in the prior year period; third quarter 2020 adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.32 compared to adjusted diluted earnings per share of $0.41 in the prior year period.
  • Third quarter 2020 adjusted EBITDA of $188 million compared to $215 million in the prior year period.
  • Third quarter 2020 net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations was $65 million. Free cash flow from continuing operations was $11 million for the third quarter 2020 and adjusted free cash flow from continuing operations was $189 million.
  • Balance sheet remains strong with a net leverage of 1.6x and total liquidity is approximately $2.5 billion.
  • Sale of Venator Materials PLC shares to funds advised by SK Capital is on track to close near year end. Together with estimated cash tax savings of approximately $150 million, which this transaction facilitates, we expect to secure an aggregate total cash benefit of approximately $250 million.
  • In excess of $100 million of previously announced targeted annualized savings and acquisition integration synergies remains on track to be achieved by the end of 2021.
  • On October 28, 2020, Huntsman announced the agreement to sell its India based Do-It-Yourself consumer adhesives business for up to $285 million to Pidilite Industries Ltd. The transaction value represents a 2019 adjusted EBITDA multiple of ~15x and is expected to close within the coming week.

Huntsman Corporation (NYSE: HUN) today reported third quarter 2020 results with revenues of $1,510 million, net income of $57 million, adjusted net income of $70 million and adjusted EBITDA of $188 million. 

Peter R. Huntsman, Chairman, President and CEO, commented:

“The third quarter proved to be better than we had anticipated with improving conditions in almost all of our businesses except for commercial aircraft. Although the global community continues to face significant challenges around COVID-19, we see positive momentum entering the fourth quarter.  We remain fully on track in integrating our two downstream acquisitions completed earlier this year and in delivering in excess of $100 million of annualized synergies and savings from our previously announced cost optimization initiative by the end of 2021. We are also on track to close on the sale of our Venator shares near the end of 2020 further bolstering our liquidity and balance sheet with approximately $250 million of total related cash. During 2020, a year that history will remember for unprecedented challenges, more than ever before Huntsman has become significantly stronger, further focused on strategically growing its differentiated businesses and enhancing shareholder value.”

Segment Analysis for 3Q20 Compared to 3Q19

Polyurethanes

The decrease in revenues in our Polyurethanes segment for the three months ended September 30, 2020 compared to the same period of 2019 was primarily due to lower MDI average selling prices.  MDI average selling prices decreased across most major markets in relation to the global economic slowdown resulting from the COVID-19 pandemic.  Overall polyurethanes sales volumes were roughly flat, when including sales volumes in connection with the Icynene-Lapolla Acquisition. The increase in segment adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower raw material costs and lower fixed costs as well as additional sales volumes in connection with the Icynene-Lapolla Acquisition, partially offset by lower MDI pricing.

https://www.huntsman.com/news/media-releases/detail/461/huntsman-announces-third-quarter-2020-earnings-solid