OLIN AND MITSUI ANNOUNCE COMMENCEMENT OF BLUE WATER ALLIANCE JOINT VENTURE

Rhea-AI Summary

Olin Corporation and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. have announced the launch of their joint venture, Blue Water Alliance (BWA), following the acquisition of necessary regulatory approvals. BWA, headquartered in Houston, aims to optimize the global trading of electrochemical unit (ECU)-based derivatives, particularly caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC). By leveraging Mitsui's logistics and Olin's production capabilities, BWA seeks to deliver efficient and sustainable supply solutions while supporting industrial decarbonization efforts.

Positive

• The commencement of Blue Water Alliance operations indicates successful regulatory approvals.
• Partnership with Mitsui enhances logistics and global trading capabilities.
• Focus on sustainable supply solutions may attract environmentally conscious investors.

Negative

• None.

CLAYTON, Mo., Jan. 10, 2023 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) and Mitsui & Co., Ltd. (8031: JP) announced today that Blue Water Alliance JV, LLP has received all necessary regulatory approvals and it is beginning operations.

Announced in March 2022, Blue Water Alliance (BWA) is a joint venture of Olin and Mitsui. BWA brings together Mitsui's industry-leading global logistics, long-established supplier and customer relationships, and breadth of product portfolio with Olin's scale, North American export capability, extensive global terminal network, and production flexibility across the electrochemical unit (ECU) portfolio.

Headquartered in Houston, Texas, USA, BWA is an independent global trader of ECU-based derivatives, initially focused on globally traded caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC).

Luiz Pimentel, General Manager, Blue Water Alliance, commented "We're excited to begin delivering strategic solutions through our integrated global supply, trading, marketing, and logistic capabilities. We aim to enable reliable caustic soda and EDC supply through an efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective approach while accelerating industrial decarbonization efforts."

COMPANY DESCRIPTIONS

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, and industrial cartridges.

Mitsui & Co., Ltd. is a global trading and investment company with a diversified business portfolio that spans approximately 63 countries in Asia, Europe, North, Central & South America, The Middle East, Africa and Oceania.

Mitsui has about 5,500 employees and deploys talent around the globe to identify, develop, and grow businesses in collaboration with a global network of trusted partners. Mitsui has built a strong and diverse core business portfolio covering the Mineral and Metal Resources, Energy, Machinery and Infrastructure, and Chemicals industries. 

Leveraging its strengths, Mitsui has further diversified beyond its core profit pillars to create multifaceted value in new areas, including innovative Energy Solutions, Healthcare & Nutrition and through a strategic focus on high-growth Asian markets. This strategy aims to derive growth opportunities by harnessing some of the world's main mega-trends: sustainability, health & wellness, digitalization and the growing power of the consumer. 

Mitsui has a long heritage in Asia, where it has established a diverse and strategic portfolio of businesses and partners that gives it a strong differentiating edge, provides exceptional access for all global partners to the world's fastest growing region and strengthens its international portfolio.

Blue Water Alliance JV, LLP (BWA), headquartered in Houston, TX, USA, is an independent global buyer, supplier, and marketer of ECU-based derivatives. BWA was founded to foster efficiency, sustainability, and excellence in the global shipping and management of caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC). BWA transforms the way industry manages these critical products, connecting producers with customers to deliver supplies where and when they are needed – efficiently, sustainably, safely, and cost-effectively.

Visit www.olin.com, www.mitsui.com and www.BlueWaterAlliance.com for more information.

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, 2021, 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 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;
• availability of and/or higher-than-expected costs of raw material, energy, transportation, and/or logistics;
• the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions, production hazards and weather-related events;
• the failure or an interruption of our information technology systems;
• failure to identify, attract, develop, retain and motivate qualified employees throughout the organization;
• our inability to complete future acquisitions or joint venture transactions or successfully integrate them into our business;
• our substantial amount of indebtedness and significant debt service obligations;
• risks associated with our international sales and operations, including economic, political or regulatory changes;
• the negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to the pandemic, including without limitation adverse impacts in complying with governmental mandates;
• 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.

2023-01

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SOURCE Olin Corporation

FAQ

What is the significance of the Blue Water Alliance JV announcement for Olin Corporation (OLN)?

The announcement marks the commencement of operations for the Blue Water Alliance JV, enhancing Olin's capabilities in the ECU-based derivatives market.

When was the Blue Water Alliance JV established by Olin Corporation (OLN) and Mitsui?

The Blue Water Alliance was announced in March 2022.

What products will Blue Water Alliance focus on?

Blue Water Alliance will initially focus on globally traded caustic soda and ethylene dichloride (EDC).