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Olin Among European Union Epoxy Resin Producers Lodging an Anti-Dumping Complaint Against Four Countries

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Olin (NYSE: OLN), part of the Ad Hoc Coalition of Epoxy Resin Producers, has prompted the European Commission to initiate an anti-dumping investigation into epoxy resin imports from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. The Coalition alleges these countries' exporters have significantly undercut EU prices, causing harm to the European epoxy resin industry. The complaint suggests dumping margins between 10% and 170%, depending on the country. If proven, additional duties may be imposed to restore market fairness. The investigation also echoes similar anti-dumping measures under review in the U.S. Ensuring a level playing field could bolster the EU epoxy resin industry's supply chain resilience, job market, and economic security.

Positive
  • Initiation of anti-dumping investigation by the European Commission may lead to additional duties, potentially benefiting EU epoxy resin producers.
  • If successful, the investigation could enhance the EU epoxy resin industry's supply chain resilience and economic security.
Negative
  • Alleged dumping margins are as high as 170%, indicating significant market disruption for EU epoxy resin producers.
  • Potential material injury to the European epoxy resin industry due to undercut prices from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Insights

The anti-dumping investigation by the European Commission against Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese and Thai epoxy resin producers, initiated due to the complaint by the Ad Hoc Coalition of Epoxy Resin Producers, has several financial implications for Olin Corporation and its peers. An anti-dumping duty imposition would mitigate the price undercutting pressures faced by Olin in the European market, potentially leading to improved pricing power and profit margins. This move could stabilize the EU epoxy resin market, reducing volatility and potential revenue losses for Olin.

For a retail investor, it's essential to understand that any introduction of anti-dumping duties would likely translate to higher product prices for EU epoxy resin producers like Olin, bolstering their revenue. In the short term, this news could positively affect stock prices as market participants anticipate better financial performance. However, the actual implementation and effects of these duties will be critical to evaluate in the long term.

The anti-dumping proceeding against epoxy resin imports from several Asian countries highlights significant market dynamics within the EU's chemical sector. The alleged dumping margins, particularly the 140%-170% for China, indicate a massive price disparity that has likely been disrupting the market. If the European Commission imposes anti-dumping duties, it will enhance the competitive position of EU-based manufacturers like Olin, especially in critical industries such as Aerospace and Automotive, where epoxy resins are indispensable.

From a market perspective, the imposition of such duties could lead to a rebalancing of supply chains, favoring European producers. This is not only critical for ensuring supply chain resilience but also aligns with the broader goals of the European Green Deal, potentially opening up more opportunities for Olin and its peers in the eco-friendly and sustainable product segments. Retail investors should keep an eye on any official announcements regarding duty impositions as they will substantially influence market dynamics and competitive landscapes.

The initiation of anti-dumping proceedings by the European Commission is a significant legal development for Olin Corporation and the wider EU epoxy resin market. Successful imposition of anti-dumping duties would legally restrict the import of unfairly priced epoxy resins, providing a level playing field for EU producers. It's worth noting that anti-dumping duties are designed to counteract unfair trade practices and protect domestic industries from significant harm caused by underpriced imports.

For the retail investor, understanding the complexities of such legal measures is crucial. The legal process might take several months, involving detailed investigations and potential appeals. However, a favorable outcome could significantly strengthen the market position for Olin and similar companies, leading to long-term financial benefits. Investors should monitor the progress of this investigation closely and be aware of any legal challenges that might arise during the process.

CLAYTON, Mo., July 1, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN), as a member of the Ad Hoc Coalition of Epoxy Resin Producers (Coalition), comprised of Olin, Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK), and Spolchemie, announces that the European Commission has initiated an anti-dumping proceeding concerning imports of epoxy resins from China, the Republic of Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand. This notice of initiation published today in the European Union (EU) Official Journal results from a complaint lodged by the Coalition to investigate the level of dumping practiced by Chinese, Korean, Taiwanese, and Thai exporters on the EU market and whether dumped imports from the four targeted countries have caused material injury to the European epoxy resin industry. 

The Complaint alleges that exporting producers in the four targeted countries have injured the European epoxy resin producers by selling their products on the EU market at unfairly low prices that significantly undercut the prices of European producers. If the anti-dumping investigation concludes that injurious dumping practices from the four targeted countries have taken place, the European Commission is entitled to impose additional duties on imports of epoxy resins from the four targeted countries to restore a level playing field in the EU.

The dumping margins alleged during the investigation period and set in the complaint are as follows:

COUNTRY

DUMPING MARGINS ALLEGED

China

140% - 170%

The Republic of Korea

10% - 40%

Taiwan

20% - 40%

Thailand

60% - 90%

The European producers in the Coalition manufacture epoxy resins, an essential component for which there are no practical substitutes, for various customer applications including critical industries such as Aerospace, Automotive, Defense, Electrical Transmission, Semiconductors, and Wind Energy. The availability of European epoxy production is critical to ensure the EU's supply chain resiliency for the industries that deliver progress toward the European Green Deal priorities.

"Although this issue is not unique to Epoxy, nor to the EU, the significant volume of what we believe are unfairly dumped imports of epoxy resin have a seriously negative impact on the EU," said Florian Kohl, President, Olin Epoxy & International. "Related unfair trade practices for the same products are also under investigation in the United States by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission."

If successful, this investigation will ensure that foreign epoxy resin producers cannot continue to benefit from sending dumped epoxy resins to the EU market and will restore the health of the EU epoxy resin industry, improve the resilience and security of domestic epoxy resin supply chains, enhance the jobs and communities that rely on the epoxy resin industry, and strengthen European economic security by preserving a critical EU manufacturing sector. The entire EU industrial complex would benefit from such an outcome.

COMPANY DESCRIPTION

Olin Corporation is a leading vertically integrated global manufacturer and distributor of chemical products and a leading U.S. manufacturer of ammunition. The chemical products produced include chlorine and caustic soda, vinyls, epoxies, chlorinated organics, bleach, hydrogen, and hydrochloric acid. Winchester's principal manufacturing facilities produce and distribute sporting ammunition, law enforcement ammunition, reloading components, small caliber military ammunition and components, industrial cartridges, and clay targets.

Visit www.olin.com for more information on Olin.

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This communication includes forward-looking statements. These statements relate to analyses and other information that are based on management's beliefs, certain assumptions made by management, forecasts of future results, and current expectations, estimates and projections about the markets and economy in which we and our various segments operate. The statements contained in this communication that are not statements of historical fact may include forward-looking statements that involve a number of risks and uncertainties.

We have used the words "anticipate," "intend," "may," "expect," "believe," "should," "plan," "outlook," "project," "estimate," "forecast," "optimistic," "target," and variations of such words and similar expressions in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the Company's intent to repurchase, from time to time, the Company's common stock. These statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties, and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. Therefore, actual outcomes and results may differ materially from those matters expressed or implied in such forward-looking statements. We undertake no obligation to update publicly any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of future events, new information or otherwise. The payment of cash dividends is subject to the discretion of our board of directors and will be determined in light of then-current conditions, including our earnings, our operations, our financial conditions, our capital requirements, and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. In the future, our board of directors may change our dividend policy, including the frequency or amount of any dividend, in light of then-existing conditions.

The risks, uncertainties and assumptions involved in our forward-looking statements, many of which are discussed in more detail in our filings with the SEC, including without limitation the "Risk Factors" section of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, and our Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q and other reports furnished or filed with the SEC, include, but are not limited to, the following:

Business, Industry and Operational Risks

  • sensitivity to economic, business and market conditions in the United States and overseas, including economic instability or a downturn in the sectors served by us;
  • declines in average selling prices for our products and the supply/demand balance for our products, including the impact of excess industry capacity or an imbalance in demand for our chlor alkali products;
  • unsuccessful execution of our strategic operating model, which prioritizes Electrochemical Unit (ECU) margins over sales volumes;
  • failure to identify, attract, develop, retain, and motivate qualified employees throughout the organization and ability to manage executive officer and other key senior management transitions;
  • failure to control costs and inflation impacts or failure to achieve targeted cost reductions;
  • our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for specified feedstock and services and our reliance on third-party transportation;
  • the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions and production hazards;
  • exposure to physical risks associated with climate-related events or increased severity and frequency of severe weather events;
  • availability of and/or higher-than-expected costs of raw material, energy, transportation, and/or logistics;
  • the failure or an interruption, including cyber-attacks, of our information technology systems;
  • our inability to complete future acquisitions or joint venture transactions or successfully integrate them into our business;
  • risks associated with our international sales and operations, including economic, political, or regulatory changes;
  • our indebtedness and debt service obligations;
  • weak industry conditions affecting our ability to comply with the financial maintenance covenants in our senior credit facility;
  • adverse conditions in the credit and capital markets, limiting or preventing our ability to borrow or raise capital;
  • the effects of any declines in global equity markets on asset values and any declines in interest rates or other significant assumptions used to value the liabilities in, and funding of, our pension plans;
  • our long-range plan assumptions not being realized, causing a non-cash impairment charge of long-lived assets;

Legal, Environmental and Regulatory Risks

  • changes in, or failure to comply with, legislation or government regulations or policies, including changes regarding our ability to manufacture or use certain products and changes within the international markets in which we operate;
  • new regulations or public policy changes regarding the transportation of hazardous chemicals and the security of chemical manufacturing facilities;
  • unexpected outcomes from legal or regulatory claims and proceedings;
  • costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings;
  • various risks associated with our Lake City U.S. Army Ammunition Plant contract and performance under other governmental contracts; and
  • failure to effectively manage environmental, social and governance (ESG) issues and related regulations, including climate change and sustainability.

All of our forward-looking statements should be considered in light of these factors. In addition, other risks and uncertainties not presently known to us or that we consider immaterial could affect the accuracy of our forward-looking statements.

2024-08

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SOURCE OLIN CORPORATION

FAQ

What is Olin 's role in the anti-dumping complaint?

Olin , as part of the Ad Hoc Coalition of Epoxy Resin Producers, has lodged a complaint that led to the European Commission's anti-dumping investigation into epoxy resin imports from China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

Which countries are targeted in the epoxy resin anti-dumping investigation?

The countries targeted in the investigation are China, South Korea, Taiwan, and Thailand.

What are the alleged dumping margins for epoxy resin imports?

The alleged dumping margins range from 10% to 170%, depending on the exporting country.

How might the anti-dumping investigation impact the European epoxy resin industry?

If successful, the investigation could lead to additional duties on imports, restoring market fairness, improving supply chain resilience, and strengthening economic security for the EU epoxy resin industry.

Is there a similar anti-dumping investigation in the U.S.?

Yes, related unfair trade practices for epoxy resin products are also under investigation by the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission.

Olin Corp.

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