Trinseo Pauses Process for Sale of Styrenics Business

Rhea-AI Summary

Trinseo (NYSE: TSE) has paused the sale of its styrenics business due to unfavorable economic conditions and financing markets, which have hindered the realization of expected asset value. Initially exploring the divestiture in November 2021, the company received significant interest but could not proceed amid economic uncertainty, particularly related to the Ukraine conflict. CEO Frank Bozich reiterated the commitment to their transformation strategy while utilizing current cash generation for organic growth, sustainability initiatives, and returning cash to shareholders.

Positive

• The company will utilize cash generation from the styrenics business for organic growth projects and sustainability initiatives.
• Trinseo remains committed to its transformation strategy, aiming for increased growth and reduced volatility.

Negative

• The sale of the styrenics business has been paused, delaying potential funds that could aid in growth initiatives.
• Economic uncertainty, particularly in European energy markets, has impeded the company's ability to secure fair value for the assets.

BERWYN, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a specialty material solutions provider, announced today it has decided to pause the sale of its styrenics business (the “Business”).

In November 2021 the Company announced that it had begun work to explore the divestiture of the Business and subsequently launched a formal sales process in the first quarter of 2022. The scope of the potential divestiture was expected to include the Feedstocks and Polystyrene reporting segments as well as the Company’s 50% ownership of Americas Styrenics LLC.

The process generated broad and significant interest from both strategic and financial parties. However, the deterioration of financing markets and the economic uncertainty created by the war in Ukraine, particularly in European energy markets, has impeded the Company’s ability to obtain full value for the Business.

Frank Bozich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinseo, said “While the separation of the styrenics business is part of our transformation strategy, the current economic and financing environments make it challenging to get a value for the assets that is reflective of their significant cash generation, and therefore, we have decided to pause the sale process.”

The delay of the styrenics divestiture does not change the Company’s transformation strategy of becoming a higher growth, higher margin and less volatile specialty material and sustainable solutions provider. The Company intends to reevaluate a potential sale of the Business when macroeconomic conditions improve.

Bozich continued, “In the meantime, we will utilize the cash generation of the styrenics and other businesses to invest in organic growth projects, increase our sustainable product offerings, decrease our CO2 footprint and return cash to shareholders.”

About Trinseo

Trinseo (NYSE: TSE), a specialty material solutions provider, partners with companies to bring ideas to life in an imaginative, smart, and sustainability-focused manner by combining its premier expertise, forward-looking innovations and best-in-class materials to unlock value for companies and consumers. From design to manufacturing, Trinseo taps into decades of experience in diverse material solutions to address customers’ unique challenges in a wide range of industries, including consumer goods, mobility, building and construction, and medical. Trinseo’s approximately 3,400 employees bring endless creativity to reimagining the possibilities with clients all over the world from the company’s locations in North America, Europe, and Asia Pacific. Trinseo reported net sales of approximately $4.8 billion in 2021. Discover more by visiting www.trinseo.com and connecting with Trinseo on LinkedIn, Twitter, Facebook and WeChat.

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 future results to differ from those expressed by the forward-looking statements 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/20220726005299/en/

Trinseo

Andy Myers

Tel: +1 610-240-3221

Email: aemyers@trinseo.com

Source: Trinseo

FAQ

Why did Trinseo pause the sale of its styrenics business?

Trinseo paused the sale due to unfavorable economic conditions and difficulties in securing full value for the business.

What impact does the pause in sale have on Trinseo's transformation strategy?

Despite the pause, Trinseo remains committed to its transformation strategy and will focus on using current cash generation for growth and sustainability efforts.

When did Trinseo initially announce the potential sale of its styrenics business?

Trinseo announced the potential sale of its styrenics business in November 2021.

What are the main challenges affecting Trinseo's sale process?

Challenges include the deterioration of financing markets and economic uncertainty due to the war in Ukraine, particularly impacting European energy markets.