Trinseo Completes Sale of Synthetic Rubber Business to Synthos S.A.

Rhea-AI Summary

Trinseo (NYSE: TSE) has completed the sale of its synthetic rubber business to Synthos S.A. for an enterprise value of approximately $491 million. The cash purchase price stands at $402.4 million, alongside the assumption of $41.6 million in pension liabilities. After transaction-related costs, net cash proceeds are expected to be around $400 million. This divestiture is part of Trinseo's strategy to transition into a higher margin and less cyclical specialty materials provider, following recent acquisitions and plans to divest its styrenics businesses.

Positive

• Completion of synthetic rubber business sale enhances cash position, expected net proceeds of approximately $400 million.
• Strategic realignment toward high-margin specialty materials and sustainable solutions.
• Acquisition of Arkema's PMMA business and Aristech Surfaces LLC bolsters portfolio.

Negative

• None.

Close of sale will serve as an additional catalyst for helping Trinseo transform into a higher margin, less cyclical specialty materials and sustainable solutions provider

BERWYN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a global materials company and manufacturer of plastics and latex binders, announced today the closing of the previously announced transaction to sell its synthetic rubber business based in Schkopau, Germany (“Synthetic Rubber” or the “Business”) to Synthos S.A. and its affiliates (collectively “Synthos”) for an enterprise value of approximately $491 million, comprised of a cash purchase price of $402.4 million, the assumption of approximately $41.6 million of pension liabilities by Synthos, and net working capital (excluding inventory) retained by Trinseo of $47.0 million. In October, Trinseo and Synthos entered into an amendment to the original purchase agreement to reduce the cash purchase price from $449.4 million to $402.4 million in exchange for an equivalent amount ($47.0 million) of net working capital to be collected by Trinseo. Following Trinseo’s collection of the net working capital, the expected net cash proceeds are approximately $400 million after transaction-related costs and taxes.

The Business includes approximately 440 employees, mostly located in Schkopau, Germany. The transaction also includes the transfer of the associated Schkopau-based manufacturing and research and development facilities, as well as related intellectual property.

Trinseo’s sale of Synthetic Rubber to Synthos is another step forward in a series of strategic actions, including the recent acquisitions of Arkema's PMMA business in May 2021 and Aristech Surfaces LLC in September 2021, as well as the planned divestiture of its styrenics businesses, for which a formal sales process is expected to launch in the first quarter of 2022. These steps are part of the company’s transformation into a higher growth, higher margin and less cyclical specialty and sustainable materials provider.

About Trinseo

Trinseo (NYSE:TSE) is a global materials solutions provider and manufacturer of plastics and latex binders with a focus on delivering innovative, sustainable, and value-creating products that are intrinsic to our daily lives. Trinseo is dedicated to making a positive impact on society by partnering with like-minded stakeholders, and supporting the sustainability goals of our customers in a wide range of end-markets including automotive, consumer electronics, appliances, medical devices, packaging, footwear, carpet, paper and board, building and construction, and tires. Trinseo had approximately $3.0 billion in net sales in 2020 and has 26 manufacturing sites around the world, and approximately 3,800 employees. For more information, please visit: www.trinseo.com.

Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements

This press release may contain forward-looking statements including, without limitation, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, projections, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are not statements of historical facts or guarantees or assurances of future performance. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like "expect," "anticipate," "intend," "forecast," "outlook," "will," "may," "might," "see," "tend," "assume," "potential," "likely," "target," "plan," "contemplate," "seek," "attempt," "should," "could," "would" or expressions of similar meaning. Forward-looking statements reflect management’s evaluation of information currently available and are based on our current expectations and assumptions regarding our business, the economy and other future conditions. Because forward-looking statements relate to the future, they are subject to inherent uncertainties, risks and changes in circumstances that are difficult to predict. Factors that might cause such a difference include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully execute our transformation strategy and business strategy; our ability to integrate acquired businesses; global supply chain volatility, increased costs or disruption in the supply of raw materials or increased costs for transportation of our products; the nature of investment opportunities presented to the Company from time to time; and those factors discussed in our Annual Report on Form 10-K, under Part I, Item 1A —"Risk Factors" and elsewhere in our other reports, filings and furnishings made with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission from time to time. As a result of these or other factors, our actual results may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. Therefore, we caution you against relying on any of these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this press release are made only as of the date hereof. We undertake no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statement as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, except as otherwise required by law.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20211201005087/en/

Press Contact:

Trinseo

Dina Pokedoff

Tel : +1 610-240-3307

Email: dpokedoff@trinseo.com

Investor Contact:

Trinseo

Andy Myers

Tel : +1 610-240-3221

Email: aemyers@trinseo.com

Source: Trinseo

FAQ

What is the enterprise value of Trinseo's synthetic rubber business sale?

The enterprise value of the sale is approximately $491 million.

How much cash will Trinseo receive after the sale of its synthetic rubber business?

Trinseo expects net cash proceeds to be around $400 million after transaction-related costs and taxes.

What strategic actions is Trinseo taking after the synthetic rubber sale?

Trinseo is focusing on becoming a higher-margin, less cyclical specialty materials provider through acquisitions and divestitures.

Who acquired Trinseo's synthetic rubber business?

Trinseo's synthetic rubber business was acquired by Synthos S.A.

When did Trinseo finalize the sale of its synthetic rubber business?

The sale was announced and finalized as of the recent press release date.