The Urethane Blog

Everchem Updates

VOLUME XXI

September 14, 2023

Everchem’s Closers Only Club

Everchem’s exclusive Closers Only Club is reserved for only the highest caliber brass-baller salesmen in the chemical industry. Watch the hype video and be introduced to the top of the league: read more

May 10, 2021

Distribution Podcast

PODCAST: Distributors navigate market chaos, must build resilience

Author: Will Beacham

2021/05/10

BARCELONA (ICIS)–While chemical distributors have been able to thrive, despite chaotic supply/demand conditions, they must now plan for long-term trends such as digitalisation and sustainability.

  • Current chaotic market conditions have echoes of 2008/9 financial crisis
  • Distributor financial results have shown resilience in face of crisis
  • Better quality data is helping distributors navigate crisis with agility
  • Distribution is 15-20% of total chemical demand
  • Care needed to build resilient supply chains without unsustainable costs
  • Distributors can play role in developing regional circular economies
  • Further consolidation can be expected via mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
  • Digitalisation will allow better customer engagement, user experience
  • Questions over size of Asia distribution market, quoted at $120-130bn

Register for Distribution Day on Tuesday 11 May to hear CEOs discuss the future of distribution.

Download the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors list for 2021.

Click here to listen to the podcast

https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2021/05/10/10637347/podcast-distributors-navigate-market-chaos-must-build-resilience

May 10, 2021

Distribution Podcast

PODCAST: Distributors navigate market chaos, must build resilience

Author: Will Beacham

2021/05/10

BARCELONA (ICIS)–While chemical distributors have been able to thrive, despite chaotic supply/demand conditions, they must now plan for long-term trends such as digitalisation and sustainability.

  • Current chaotic market conditions have echoes of 2008/9 financial crisis
  • Distributor financial results have shown resilience in face of crisis
  • Better quality data is helping distributors navigate crisis with agility
  • Distribution is 15-20% of total chemical demand
  • Care needed to build resilient supply chains without unsustainable costs
  • Distributors can play role in developing regional circular economies
  • Further consolidation can be expected via mergers and acquisitions (M&A)
  • Digitalisation will allow better customer engagement, user experience
  • Questions over size of Asia distribution market, quoted at $120-130bn

Register for Distribution Day on Tuesday 11 May to hear CEOs discuss the future of distribution.

Download the ICIS Top 100 Chemical Distributors list for 2021.

Click here to listen to the podcast

https://www.icis.com/explore/resources/news/2021/05/10/10637347/podcast-distributors-navigate-market-chaos-must-build-resilience

Intermediates & Derivatives (I&D)– Our I&D segment produces and markets Propylene Oxide & Derivatives, Oxyfuels & Related Products and Intermediate Chemicals, such as styrene monomer, acetyls, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol.

Table 4 – I&D Financial Overview
Millions of U.S. dollarsThree Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
Operating income$88$166$131
EBITDA182262203
LCM (benefits) charges, pre-tax(66)78
EBITDA excluding LCM182196281

Three months ended March 31, 2021 versus three months ended December 31, 2020 – EBITDA decreased $14 million versus the fourth quarter 2020, excluding an unfavorable variance of $66 million due to LCM inventory benefits in the fourth quarter.  First quarter results increased approximately $50 million due to LIFO inventory valuation charges in the fourth quarter.  Compared to the prior period, Propylene Oxide & Derivatives results decreased approximately $35 million due to lower volumes driven by Texas weather events and planned maintenance partially offset by higher margins due to tight market supply.  Intermediate Chemicals results decreased about $55 million primarily due to a decrease in volumes driven by the weather events.  Oxyfuels & Related Products results increased approximately $25 million with higher margins benefiting from improving gasoline prices partially offset by lower volumes.

Three months ended March 31, 2021 versus three months ended March 31, 2020 – EBITDA decreased $99 million versus the first quarter 2020, excluding a favorable variance of $78 million due to LCM inventory charges in the first quarter 2020.  First quarter 2021 results benefited approximately $10 million due to an increase in the euro versus the U.S. dollar exchange rate relative to the first quarter 2020.  Compared with the prior period, Propylene Oxide & Derivatives results decreased about $25 million due to lower volumes driven by the weather events and planned maintenance partially offset by higher margins due to tight market supply.  Intermediate Chemicals results decreased approximately $20 million due to lower margins driven by higher feedstock costs and lower volumes.  Oxyfuels & Related Products results decreased approximately $70 million driven by lower margins and volumes. Volumes were lower driven by weather events and lower gasoline demand.  Equity income increased more than $10 million due to improved results at our joint venture in China.

https://lyondellbasell.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1365

Intermediates & Derivatives (I&D)– Our I&D segment produces and markets Propylene Oxide & Derivatives, Oxyfuels & Related Products and Intermediate Chemicals, such as styrene monomer, acetyls, ethylene oxide and ethylene glycol.

Table 4 – I&D Financial Overview
Millions of U.S. dollarsThree Months Ended
March 31,
2021
December 31,
2020
March 31,
2020
Operating income$88$166$131
EBITDA182262203
LCM (benefits) charges, pre-tax(66)78
EBITDA excluding LCM182196281

Three months ended March 31, 2021 versus three months ended December 31, 2020 – EBITDA decreased $14 million versus the fourth quarter 2020, excluding an unfavorable variance of $66 million due to LCM inventory benefits in the fourth quarter.  First quarter results increased approximately $50 million due to LIFO inventory valuation charges in the fourth quarter.  Compared to the prior period, Propylene Oxide & Derivatives results decreased approximately $35 million due to lower volumes driven by Texas weather events and planned maintenance partially offset by higher margins due to tight market supply.  Intermediate Chemicals results decreased about $55 million primarily due to a decrease in volumes driven by the weather events.  Oxyfuels & Related Products results increased approximately $25 million with higher margins benefiting from improving gasoline prices partially offset by lower volumes.

Three months ended March 31, 2021 versus three months ended March 31, 2020 – EBITDA decreased $99 million versus the first quarter 2020, excluding a favorable variance of $78 million due to LCM inventory charges in the first quarter 2020.  First quarter 2021 results benefited approximately $10 million due to an increase in the euro versus the U.S. dollar exchange rate relative to the first quarter 2020.  Compared with the prior period, Propylene Oxide & Derivatives results decreased about $25 million due to lower volumes driven by the weather events and planned maintenance partially offset by higher margins due to tight market supply.  Intermediate Chemicals results decreased approximately $20 million due to lower margins driven by higher feedstock costs and lower volumes.  Oxyfuels & Related Products results decreased approximately $70 million driven by lower margins and volumes. Volumes were lower driven by weather events and lower gasoline demand.  Equity income increased more than $10 million due to improved results at our joint venture in China.

https://lyondellbasell.mediaroom.com/index.php?s=43&item=1365

Arsenal’s Meridian Adhesives Acquires Frontier Products DALTON, Georgia, May 4, 2021 – Meridian Adhesives Group (Meridian) announced today the acquisition of Frontier Products Inc. (Frontier).
Located in Alvarado, Texas, Frontier is a manufacturer of high-performance flooring solutions, including urethane, acrylic pressure sensitive and hybrid adhesives; moisture barriers; sound control; and construction products. With more than 40 years of experience in the flooring industry, Frontier offers custom formulations for its private label customers throughout North America.
“The addition of Frontier to our Flooring Division brings new processes and technologies to our platform,” said Daniel Pelton, CEO of Meridian Adhesives Group. “This will benefit our customers and partners by opening up additional product offerings and technical support, further positioning us as the go-to solution providers in the adhesives market.”
As part of Meridian’s Flooring Division, Frontier will work alongside Taylor Adhesives, a leading name in the flooring adhesives market for its resilient, wood and carpet flooring adhesives and the company’s moisture mitigation coatings and specialty products; as well as Polycom Solutions, a manufacturer specializing in custom product assembly solutions.
“I’m especially excited to be bringing Frontier into the Meridian Flooring Division to work alongside Taylor and Polycom,” said Paul Murfin, President of Taylor and Meridian’s Flooring Division. “Frontier helps expand our product and brand portfolio and further increases our leadership position in the flooring adhesives space.”
Together, the three companies will serve the flooring industry with advanced flooring, construction and product assembly solutions.
“Joining Meridian Adhesives Group is a strategic move that will meet the goals of our company,” said Carl Nichols, President of Frontier. “Having the backing of Meridian and Taylor – technologically, operationally and financially – will allow us to better serve our customers and continue the upward momentum of our business.”
For more information regarding Frontier Products Inc., visit https://frontierproductsinc.com.