Olin To Shut Down Additional Chlor Alkali Capacity

Rhea-AI Summary

Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) plans to permanently close its remaining diaphragm-grade chlor alkali capacity, totaling approximately 200,000 ECU tons, at the McIntosh, Alabama facility by the end of Q3 2022. This follows a previous shutdown of 200,000 ECU tons earlier in 2021, leading to a total reduction of around 855,000 ECU tons since early 2021. CEO Scott Sutton stated this move aims to enhance ECU values to a more sustainable level.

Positive

• Rationalization of approximately 855,000 ECU tons of high-cost capacity since early 2021.

Negative

• Closure of the remaining chlor alkali capacity may lead to reduced production capacity and potential impact on revenue.

CLAYTON, Mo., Oct. 21, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Olin Corporation (NYSE: OLN) announced today that it plans to permanently shut down the remaining diaphragm-grade chlor alkali capacity (approximately 200,000 Electrochemical Unit "ECU" tons) at its McIntosh, Alabama facility.  The closure is expected to be completed by the end of third quarter 2022 and is in addition to the 200,000 ECU tons shut down at McIntosh in first quarter 2021.

"When this shut down is complete, Olin will have rationalized approximately 855,000 ECU tons of high-cost, low-value diaphragm-grade chlor alkali capacity since early 2021," remarked Scott Sutton, Olin Chairman, President, and Chief Executive Officer.  "This action reinforces our commitment to lift our ECU values to a more sustainable level."

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, 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.

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," and variations of such words and similar expressions in this communication to identify such forward-looking statements.  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" sections of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 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 in the chlor alkali industry 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 implementation of our operating model, which prioritizes Electrochemical Unit (ECU) margins over sales volumes;
• our reliance on a limited number of suppliers for specified feedstock and services and our reliance on third-party transportation;
• failure to control costs or to achieve targeted cost reductions;
• higher-than-expected raw material, energy, transportation, and/or logistics costs;
• the occurrence of unexpected manufacturing interruptions and outages, including those occurring as a result of labor disruptions and production hazards;
• the failure or an interruption of our information technology systems;
• our substantial amount of indebtedness and significant debt service obligations;
• the negative impact from the COVID-19 pandemic and the global response to the pandemic, including without limitation adverse impacts in complying with governmental COVID-19 vaccine mandates;
• weak industry conditions affecting our ability to comply with the financial maintenance covenants in our senior secured credit facility;
• the loss of a substantial customer for either chlorine or caustic soda could cause an imbalance in customer demand for these products;
• failure to attract, retain and motivate key employees;
• risks associated with our international sales and operations, including economic, political or regulatory changes;
• 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 our pension plan;
• adverse conditions in the credit and capital markets, limiting or preventing our ability to borrow or raise capital;
• our long-range plan assumptions not being realized causing a non-cash impairment charge of long-lived assets;

Legal, Environmental and Regulatory Risks

• new regulations or public policy changes regarding the transportation of hazardous chemicals and the security of chemical manufacturing facilities;
• changes in, or failure to comply with, legislation or government regulations or policies, including changes within the international markets in which we operate;
• unexpected litigation outcomes;
• costs and other expenditures in excess of those projected for environmental investigation and remediation or other legal proceedings; and
• various risks associated with our Lake City U.S. Army Ammunition Plant contract, including performance and compliance with governmental contract provisions.

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.

2021-22

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/olin-to-shut-down-additional-chlor-alkali-capacity-301405043.html

SOURCE Olin Corporation

FAQ

What is Olin's plan regarding its chlor alkali capacity?

Olin plans to shut down its remaining diaphragm-grade chlor alkali capacity of approximately 200,000 ECU tons at the McIntosh facility by the end of Q3 2022.

How much chlor alkali capacity has Olin shut down since early 2021?

Since early 2021, Olin has shut down approximately 855,000 ECU tons of high-cost, low-value diaphragm-grade chlor alkali capacity.

What are the implications of Olin's capacity shutdown for investors?

The shutdown may reduce production capacity and potentially impact Olin's revenue, which investors should monitor.

When did Olin announce the chlor alkali capacity shutdown?

Olin announced the chlor alkali capacity shutdown on October 21, 2021.

What is the significance of the chlor alkali capacity closure for Olin?

The closure is part of Olin's strategy to improve ECU values and eliminate high-cost production.