UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM
(Mark One)
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended
or
EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number:
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization) | (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number) |
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(
(Registrant’s telephone number)
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company,” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
☒ | Accelerated filer | ◻ | |||
Non-accelerated filer | ◻ | Smaller reporting company | Emerging growth company |
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. ☐
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class | Trading symbol | Name of Exchange on which registered |
As of October 31, 2023, there were
TABLE OF CONTENTS
2
Trinseo PLC
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
For the quarterly period ended September 30, 2023
Unless otherwise indicated or required by context, as used in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q (“Quarterly Report”), the term “Trinseo” refers to Trinseo PLC (NYSE: TSE), a public limited company existing under the laws of Ireland, and not its subsidiaries. The terms “Company,” “we,” “us” and “our” refer to Trinseo and its consolidated subsidiaries, taken as a consolidated entity. Trinseo PLC is the surviving entity of a cross-border merger with our predecessor company, Trinseo S.A., which merger was completed in October 2021. All financial data provided in this Quarterly Report is the financial data of Trinseo PLC, unless otherwise indicated. Prior to the formation of the Company, our business was wholly owned by The Dow Chemical Company (together with other affiliates, “Dow”). The Company may distribute cash to shareholders under Irish law via dividends or distributions made out of distributable profits.
Definitions of capitalized terms not defined herein appear within our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022 (“Annual Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2023.
Cautionary Note on Forward-Looking Statements
This Quarterly Report contains, without limitation, statements concerning plans, objectives, goals, projections, forecasts, strategies, future events or performance, and underlying assumptions and other statements, which are not statements of historical facts. Forward-looking statements may be identified by the use of words like “expect,” “anticipate,” “believe,” “intend,” “forecast,” ”estimate,” “see,” “outlook,” “will,” “may,” “might,” “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, our current indebtedness 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.
Specific factors that may cause future results to differ from those expressed by the forward-looking statements, or otherwise impact performance or other predictions of future actions have, in many but not all cases, been identified in connection with specific forward-looking statements. 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 implement proposed restructuring initiatives, including the closure of certain plants and product lines, and to successfully generate cost savings and increase profitability; our ability to successfully execute our business and transformation strategy; increased costs or disruption in the supply of raw materials; increased energy costs; compliance with laws and regulations impacting our business; conditions in the global economy and capital markets; our ability to meet the covenants under our existing indebtedness; our ability to successfully investigate and remediate chemical releases on or from our sites, make related capital expenditures, reimburse third-party cleanup costs or settle potential regulatory penalties or other claims; and those discussed in our Annual Report filed with the SEC on February 27, 2023 under Part I, Item IA— “Risk Factors,” within this Quarterly Report and in other filings and furnishings made by the Company with the SEC from time to time.
As a result of these or other factors, our actual results, performance or achievements may differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements. They are neither statements of historical fact nor guarantees or assurances of future performance. Therefore, we caution you against relying on these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements included in this Quarterly Report 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.
Available Information
Our annual reports on Form 10-K, quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and current reports on Form 8-K, and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, are available free of charge through the Investor Relations section of our website, www.trinseo.com, as soon as reasonably practicable after the reports are electronically filed or furnished with the SEC. We provide this website and information contained in or connected to it for informational purposes only. That information is not a part of this Quarterly Report.
3
PART I —FINANCIAL INFORMATION
Item 1. Financial Statements
TRINSEO PLC
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
September 30, | December 31, | ||||||
| 2023 | 2022 | |||||
Assets |
|
| |||||
Current assets | |||||||
Cash and cash equivalents | $ | | $ | | |||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (September 30, 2023: $ | | | |||||
Inventories |
| |
| | |||
Other current assets |
| |
| | |||
Total current assets |
| |
| | |||
Investments in unconsolidated affiliate |
| |
| | |||
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (September 30, 2023: $ |
| | | ||||
Other assets | |||||||
Goodwill |
| |
| | |||
Other intangible assets, net |
| |
| | |||
Right-of-use assets - operating, net | | | |||||
Deferred income tax assets |
| |
| | |||
Deferred charges and other assets |
| |
| | |||
Total other assets |
| |
| | |||
Total assets | $ | | $ | | |||
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity | |||||||
Current liabilities | |||||||
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt | $ | | $ | | |||
Accounts payable |
| |
| | |||
Current lease liabilities - operating | | | |||||
Income taxes payable |
| |
| | |||
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities |
| |
| | |||
Total current liabilities |
| |
| | |||
Noncurrent liabilities | |||||||
Long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred financing fees |
| |
| | |||
Noncurrent lease liabilities - operating | | | |||||
Deferred income tax liabilities |
| |
| | |||
Other noncurrent obligations |
| |
| | |||
Total noncurrent liabilities |
| |
| | |||
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13) | |||||||
Shareholders’ equity | |||||||
Ordinary shares, $ | | | |||||
Preferred shares, € | |||||||
Deferred ordinary shares, € | — | — | |||||
Additional paid-in-capital |
| |
| | |||
Treasury shares, at cost (September 30, 2023: | ( | ( | |||||
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit) |
| ( |
| | |||
Accumulated other comprehensive loss |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Total shareholders’ equity |
| ( |
| | |||
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
4
TRINSEO PLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
|
| |||||
Net sales |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | | ||
Cost of sales |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
Gross profit (loss) |
| |
| ( |
| |
| | ||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
Impairment and other charges | | | | | ||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| | ||||||
Interest expense, net |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of long-term debt |
| | ( | | ( | |||||||||
Other expense (income), net |
| ( |
| | ( | | ||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| | ||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
Weighted average shares- basic | | | | | ||||||||||
Net loss per share- basic: | ||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
Discontinued operations | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Net loss per share- basic | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
Weighted average shares- diluted |
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
Net loss per share- diluted: | ||||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
Discontinued operations | — | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Net loss per share- diluted: | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
5
TRINSEO PLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||||
Net loss |
| $ | ( | $ | ( |
| $ | ( |
| $ | ( |
| |
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax: |
| ||||||||||||
Cumulative translation adjustments (net of tax of $ | ( | ( | ( |
| ( | ||||||||
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (net of tax of $ | | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans: | |||||||||||||
Net gain (loss) arising during period (net of tax of $ | — | | — | | |||||||||
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Comprehensive loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
6
TRINSEO PLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
(In millions, except per share data)
(Unaudited)
| Shares |
| Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Shares Outstanding |
| Treasury Shares | Deferred Ordinary Shares |
| Ordinary Shares | Deferred Ordinary Shares | Additional |
| Treasury Shares |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
| Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) |
| Total | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Net loss |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | | — |
| | |||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation activity |
| | — | — | — | — | | — | — | — |
| | |||||||||||||||
Dividends on ordinary shares ($ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2023 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Net loss |
| — | — | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| — | — | — |
| — | — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||||||||||
Share-based compensation activity |
| — | — | — |
| — | — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | ||||||||||
Dividends on ordinary shares ($ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2023 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | |||||||||
Net loss |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation activity |
| — | — | — | — | — | | — | — | — |
| | |||||||||||||||
Dividends on ordinary shares ($ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | ||||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
7
| Shares |
| Shareholders' Equity | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Ordinary Shares Outstanding |
| Treasury Shares | Deferred Ordinary Shares |
| Ordinary Shares | Deferred Ordinary Shares | Additional |
| Treasury Shares |
| Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) |
| Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit) |
| Total | |||||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2021 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Net income |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |
| | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation activity |
| | — | — | — | — | | — | — | — |
| | |||||||||||||||
Purchase of treasury shares | ( | | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Dividends on ordinary shares ($ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at March 31, 2022 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Net income |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| | |||||||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| — | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||||||
Share-based compensation activity |
| | — | — |
| — |
| — |
| |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||||||
Purchase of treasury shares | ( | | — | — | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Dividends on ordinary shares ($ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at June 30, 2022 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
Net loss |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Other comprehensive income |
| — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | — |
| ( | |||||||||||||||
Share-based compensation activity |
| — | — | — | — | — | | — | — | — |
| | |||||||||||||||
Purchase of treasury shares | ( | | — | — | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||||||
Dividends on ordinary shares ($ | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2022 |
| | | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
8
TRINSEO PLC
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
(In millions)
(Unaudited)
Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 | ||||
Cash flows from operating activities |
|
|
|
|
| ||
Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||
Less: Net loss from discontinued operations | — | ( | |||||
Net loss from continuing operations | ( | ( | |||||
Adjustments to reconcile net loss from continuing operations to net cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations | |||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| |
| | |||
Amortization of deferred financing fees and issuance discount |
| |
| | |||
Deferred income tax (benefit) |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Share-based compensation expense |
| |
| | |||
Earnings of unconsolidated affiliate, net of dividends |
| |
| ( | |||
Unrealized net (gain) loss on foreign exchange forward contracts |
| ( |
| | |||
Unrealized net loss on commodity economic swap contracts | | — | |||||
Pension curtailment and settlement gain | ( | ( | |||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of long-term debt |
| | ( | ||||
Gain on sale of businesses and other assets |
| ( | — | ||||
Impairment charges or write-offs |
| | | ||||
Changes in assets and liabilities | |||||||
Accounts receivable |
| |
| | |||
Inventories |
| |
| ( | |||
Accounts payable and other current liabilities |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Income taxes payable |
| |
| ( | |||
Other assets, net |
| |
| | |||
Other liabilities, net |
| ( |
| | |||
Cash provided by operating activities - continuing operations |
| |
| | |||
Cash used in operating activities - discontinued operations | — | ( | |||||
Cash provided by operating activities | | | |||||
Cash flows from investing activities | |||||||
Capital expenditures |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Cash paid for asset or business acquisitions, net of cash acquired ($ | — | ( | |||||
Proceeds from the sale of businesses and other assets |
| |
| | |||
Proceeds from the settlement of hedging instruments | — | | |||||
Cash used in investing activities - continuing operations |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations | — | ( | |||||
Cash used in investing activities | ( | ( | |||||
Cash flows from financing activities | |||||||
Deferred financing fees |
| ( |
| — | |||
Short-term borrowings, net |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Purchase of treasury shares | — | ( | |||||
Dividends paid | ( | ( | |||||
Proceeds from exercise of option awards | | | |||||
Withholding taxes paid on restricted share units | ( | ( | |||||
Acquisition-related contingent consideration payment | ( | — | |||||
Net proceeds from issuance of 2028 Refinance Term Loans | | — | |||||
Repurchases and repayments of long-term debt | ( | ( | |||||
Cash used in financing activities |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Effect of exchange rates on cash |
| ( |
| ( | |||
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash |
| |
| ( | |||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of period |
| |
| | |||
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of period | $ | | $ | | |||
Less: Restricted cash | — | — | |||||
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period | $ | | $ | |
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
9
TRINSEO PLC
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise stated)
(Unaudited)
NOTE 1—BASIS OF PRESENTATION
The unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements of Trinseo PLC and its subsidiaries (the “Company”) as of and for the periods ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 were prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“GAAP”) and reflect all adjustments, consisting only of normal recurring adjustments, which, in the opinion of management, are considered necessary for the fair statement of the results for the periods presented. Because they cover interim periods, the statements and related notes to the financial statements do not include all disclosures normally provided in annual financial statements, and therefore, these statements should be read in conjunction with the 2022 audited consolidated financial statements included within the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”) filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”) on February 27, 2023. The Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements presented herein reflect the latest estimates and assumptions made by management that affect the reported amounts and related disclosures as of and for the period ended September 30, 2023. However, actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.
The December 31, 2022 condensed consolidated balance sheet data presented herein was derived from the Company’s December 31, 2022 audited consolidated financial statements, but does not include all disclosures required by GAAP for annual periods.
Certain prior year amounts have been reclassified to conform to the current year presentation. Throughout this Quarterly Report, unless otherwise indicated, amounts and activity are presented on a continuing operations basis.
NOTE 2—RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE
As of September 30, 2023, there was no recently issued accounting standards which would have a material effect on the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.
NOTE 3—ACQUISITIONS
Acquisition of Heathland B.V.
On January 3, 2022, the Company completed the acquisition of Heathland B.V. (“Heathland”) from Heathland Holding B.V. (“Heathland Holding”), through the purchase of all issued and outstanding shares (the “Heathland Acquisition”). Heathland is a leading collector and recycler of post-consumer and post-industrial plastic wastes in Europe. The total purchase price consideration is estimated to be $
In February 2023, the Company delivered the first year earn-out to Heathland Holding based on its first related performance milestones or threshold in the amount of $
NOTE 4—DIVESTITURES AND DISCONTINUED OPERATIONS
On December 1, 2021, the Company completed the divestiture of its Synthetic Rubber business to Synthos S.A. and certain of its subsidiaries (together, “Synthos”) for a purchase price of $
10
materials used in the Synthetic Rubber business subsequent to the sale. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded net sales of $
The results of the Synthetic Rubber business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 were insignificant. The following table summarizes the results of the Synthetic Rubber business for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, which are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Net sales |
| $ | — |
| $ | — |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
Cost of sales |
| — |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Gross loss |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Operating loss |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Gain on sale of businesses and other assets | — | — | — | | |||||||||
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Provision for income taxes |
| — |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | |||||
Net income from discontinued operations | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( |
NOTE 5—NET SALES
Refer to the Annual Report for information on the Company's accounting policies and further background related to its net sales.
The following table provides disclosure of net sales to external customers by primary geographical market (based on the location where sales originated), by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Engineered | Latex | Plastics |
| ||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Materials | Binders | Solutions | Polystyrene | Feedstocks | Total |
| ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
United States | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Europe |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||||
Asia-Pacific |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |||||||
Rest of World |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
United States | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Europe |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||||
Asia-Pacific |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — | | ||||||||
Rest of World |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
11
Engineered | Latex | Plastics |
| ||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Materials | Binders | Solutions | Polystyrene | Feedstocks | Total |
| ||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | |||||||||||||||||||
United States | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Europe |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||||
Asia-Pacific |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |||||||
Rest of World |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| — |
| | |||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||||
September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||
United States | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | | |||||||
Europe |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||||
Asia-Pacific |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — | | ||||||||
Rest of World |
| |
| |
| |
| |
| — |
| | |||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
NOTE 6—INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATE
The Company maintains an investment in an unconsolidated affiliate, Americas Styrenics LLC (“Americas Styrenics,” a styrene and polystyrene joint venture with Chevron Phillips Chemical Company LP), which is accounted for using the equity method. The results of Americas Styrenics are included within its separate reporting segment.
Americas Styrenics is a privately held company; therefore, a quoted market price for its equity interests is not available. The summarized financial information of the Company’s unconsolidated affiliate is shown below.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Sales |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | | |
Gross profit | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | |||||
Net income | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s investment in Americas Styrenics was $
NOTE 7—INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
September 30, | December 31, | |||||
| 2023 | 2022 | ||||
Finished goods |
| $ | |
| $ | |
Raw materials and semi-finished goods |
| |
| | ||
Supplies |
| |
| | ||
Total | $ | | $ | |
12
NOTE 8—DEBT
Refer to the Annual Report for definitions of capitalized terms not included herein and further background on the Company’s debt structure discussed below. The Company was in compliance with all debt related covenants as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, debt consisted of the following:
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest Rate as of |
| Maturity Date |
| Carrying Amount |
| Unamortized Deferred Financing Fees (1) |
| Total Debt, Less Unamortized Deferred Financing Fees |
| Carrying Amount |
| Unamortized Deferred Financing Fees (1) |
| Total Debt, Less | ||||||||
2029 Senior Notes | April 2029 | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | ||||||||||
2025 Senior Notes | September 2025 (2) | | ( | | | ( | | ||||||||||||||||
Senior Credit Facility | |||||||||||||||||||||||
2024 Term Loan B | — | September 2024 (2) | — | — | — | | ( | | |||||||||||||||
2028 Term Loan B | May 2028 | | ( | | | ( | | ||||||||||||||||
2026 Revolving Facility (3) | Various | May 2026 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||||||||||||||
2028 Refinance Term Loans | May 2028 (2) | | ( | | — | — | — | ||||||||||||||||
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (4) | Various | November 2024 | | | | | | | |||||||||||||||
Other indebtedness | Various | Various | | — | | | — | | |||||||||||||||
Total debt | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||||||||
Less: current portion(5) | ( | ( | |||||||||||||||||||||
Total long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred financing fees | $ | | $ | |
(1) | This caption does not include deferred financing fees related to the Company’s revolving facilities, which are included within “Deferred charges and other assets” on the condensed consolidated balance sheets. |
(2) | The 2024 Term Loan B was repaid in full on September 8, 2023 using the proceeds of the 2028 Refinance Term Loans, discussed below. Additionally, the 2025 Senior Notes were partially repaid on September 8, 2023 using the proceeds of the 2028 Refinance Term Loans. |
(3) | As of September 30, 2023, under the 2026 Revolving Facility, the Company had a capacity of $ |
(4) | As of September 30, 2023, this facility had a borrowing capacity of $ |
(5) | The current portion of long-term debt as of September 30, 2023 was primarily related to $ |
Pursuant to the terms of the existing senior secured credit agreement that was entered into during 2017 (the “Credit
13
Agreement”), the Company implemented the benchmark replacement to replace the LIBO rate with the Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) in the third quarter of 2023. Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 848, Reference Rate Reform, will allow the Company to account for the modification as a continuation of the existing contract without additional analysis.
2028 Refinance Term Loans
On September 8, 2023, the Company entered into a Credit Agreement (the “2028 Refinance Credit Agreement”) which provides for a senior secured term loan facility of $
The obligations under the 2028 Refinance Term Loans are secured by equity pledges of
The 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and contains events of default including (i) relating to a change of control or (ii) failure to maintain at least $
As of September 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenant requirements under the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement. The Company had Liquidity of $
Fees incurred in connection with the issuance of the 2028 Refinance Term Loans were $
2024 Term Loan B
On September 6, 2017, the Company entered into the Credit Agreement, which provides senior secured financing of up to $
On September 8, 2023, upon completion of the refinancing transactions discussed above, the Company repaid in full the outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, the 2024 Term Loan B, in an aggregate amount of $
14
2025 Senior Notes
On August 29, 2017, the Company executed an indenture (the “2017 Indenture”) pursuant to which it issued $
On September 8, 2023, upon completion of the refinancing transactions discussed above, the Company redeemed $
NOTE 9—GOODWILL
The following table shows changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, from December 31, 2022 to September 30, 2023:
Engineered | Latex | Plastics | Americas |
| ||||||||||||||||||
| Materials |
| Binders |
| Solutions |
| Polystyrene |
| Feedstocks |
| Styrenics |
| Total |
| ||||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | ||||||||
Impairment losses | ( | — | — | — | — | — | ( | |||||||||||||||
Foreign currency impact |
| | — | ( | — | — | — |
| ( | |||||||||||||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | — | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | |
Goodwill impairment testing is performed annually as of October 1, or more frequently when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the fair value of a reporting unit has more likely than not declined below the carrying value. The Company primarily utilizes an income approach (under the discounted cash flow method) to calculate the fair value of its reporting units as it is most representative of the value that would be received from a market participant. Refer to the Annual Report for further information on the Company’s accounting policies.
As a result of the Company’s fourth quarter 2022 annual goodwill impairment testing, a $
As of January 1, 2023, the Company realigned the Engineered Materials segment reporting structure. The
During the second quarter 2023, the Company determined that a triggering event had occurred for the Engineered Materials reporting unit indicating it was more likely than not that the fair value of this goodwill was less than the associated carrying value. This determination resulted from the persistence of the challenging operating conditions, customer destocking and underlying demand weakness that contributed to a revised outlook reflecting a further reduction in near-term forecasted operating results, growth projections, as well as an additional decrease in market capitalization. Therefore, the Company performed a goodwill impairment assessment as of June 1, 2023 and recorded a goodwill impairment charge of $
As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the reported balance of goodwill included accumulated impairment losses of $
15
NOTE 10—DERIVATIVE INSTRUMENTS
The Company’s ongoing business operations expose it to various risks, including fluctuating foreign exchange rates, interest rate risk, and commodity price risk, in particular natural gas. To manage these risks, the Company periodically enters into derivative financial instruments, such as foreign exchange forward contracts, interest rate swap agreements, and commodity swap agreements, forward contracts, or options. The Company does not hold or enter into financial instruments for trading or speculative purposes. All derivatives are recorded on the condensed consolidated balance sheets at fair value.
Foreign Exchange Forward Contracts
Certain subsidiaries have assets and liabilities denominated in currencies other than their respective functional currencies, which creates foreign exchange risk. The Company’s principal strategy in managing its exposure to changes in foreign currency exchange rates is to naturally hedge the foreign currency-denominated liabilities on its balance sheet against corresponding assets of the same currency, such that any changes in liabilities due to fluctuations in exchange rates are offset by changes in their corresponding foreign currency assets. In order to further reduce this exposure, the Company also uses foreign exchange forward contracts to economically hedge the impact of the variability in exchange rates on assets and liabilities denominated in certain foreign currencies. These derivative contracts are not designated for hedge accounting treatment.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had open foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional U.S. dollar equivalent absolute value of $
Buy / (Sell) |
| September 30, 2023 | |
Euro | $ | ( | |
Chinese Yuan | $ | ( | |
Swiss Franc | $ | ( | |
Indonesian Rupiah | $ | ( | |
South Korean Won | $ | ( |
Open foreign exchange forward contracts as of September 30, 2023 had maturities occurring over a period of
Foreign Exchange Cash Flow Hedges
The Company also enters into forward contracts, as deemed appropriate, with the objective of managing the currency risk associated with forecasted U.S. dollar-denominated raw materials purchases by
The Company had
Commodity Cash Flow Hedges & Commodity Economic Hedges
The Company purchases certain commodities, primarily natural gas, to operate facilities and generate heat and steam for various manufacturing processes, which purchases are subject to price volatility. In order to manage the risk of price fluctuations associated with these commodity purchases, as deemed appropriate, the Company may enter into commodity swaps, forward contracts, or options. As of September 30, 2023, the Company had open commodity swap agreements, which effectively convert a portion of its natural gas costs into a fixed rate obligation. These commodity derivatives are designated as cash flow hedges, and as such, the contracts are marked-to-market at each reporting date and any unrealized gains or losses are included in AOCI to the extent effective, and reclassified to cost of sales in the period during which the transaction affects earnings or it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur.
16
Open commodity cash flow hedges as of September 30, 2023 had maturities occurring over a period of
The Company may also enter into certain commodity swap agreements to economically hedge the impact of these price fluctuations, which are not designated for hedge accounting treatment. Open commodity economic hedges as of September 30, 2023 had maturities occurring over a period of
Interest Rate Swaps
On September 6, 2017, the Company issued the 2024 Term Loan B, which bore an interest rate of LIBOR plus
Net Investment Hedge
The Company accounts for its cross currency swaps (“CCS”) under the spot method, meaning that changes in the fair value of the hedge included in the assessment of effectiveness (changes due to spot foreign exchange rates) are recorded within AOCI, where they remain until either the sale or substantially complete liquidation of the subsidiary subject to the hedge. Additionally, the initial value of any component excluded from the assessment of effectiveness is recognized in income using a systematic and rational method over the life of the hedging instrument and any difference between the change in the fair value of the excluded component and amounts recognized in income under that systematic and rational method is recognized in AOCI. When applicable, the Company amortizes any initial excluded component value of a CCS as a reduction of “Interest expense, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations using the straight-line method over the remaining term of the related CCS. Additionally, interest receipts and payments are accrued under the terms of the Company’s CCS and are recognized within “Interest expense, net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The Company entered into a CCS arrangement (the “2017 CCS”) on September 1, 2017, swapping U.S. dollar principal and interest payments of $
On April 7, 2022, the Company settled its existing 2020 CCS, which were set to mature in November 2022. Upon settlement of the 2020 CCS, the Company realized net cash proceeds of $
17
Summary of Derivative Instruments
The following table presents the effect of the Company’s derivative instruments, including those not designated for hedge accounting treatment, on the condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of | Interest expense, net | Other (expense) income, net | Cost of | Interest expense, net | Other (expense) income, net | ||||||||||||
Total amount of income and (expense) line items presented in the statements of operations in which the effects of derivative instruments are recorded | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
The effects of cash flow hedge instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Commodity cash flow hedges | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain reclassified from AOCI into income | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | ||||||
The effects of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain recognized in income | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | ||||||
Commodity economic hedges | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of loss recognized in income | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in | ||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | September 30, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||
| Cost of | Interest expense, net | Other (expense) income, net | Cost of | Interest expense, net | Other (expense) income, net | ||||||||||||
Total amount of income and (expense) line items presented in the statements of operations in which the effects of derivative instruments are recorded | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
The effects of cash flow hedge instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Commodity cash flow hedges | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain (loss) reclassified from AOCI into income | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | — | ||||||
The effects of net investment hedge instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Cross currency swaps | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain excluded from effectiveness testing | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | ||||||
The effects of derivatives not designated as hedge instruments: | ||||||||||||||||||
Foreign exchange forward contracts | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of gain recognized in income | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | ||||||
Commodity economic hedges | ||||||||||||||||||
Amount of loss recognized in income | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — |
18
The following table presents the effect of cash flow and net investment hedge accounting on AOCI for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
` | Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Balance Sheet | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
2023 | 2022 | 2023 | 2022 | |||||||||
Designated as Cash Flow Hedges | ||||||||||||
Commodity cash flow hedges | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
Interest rate swaps | — | ( | — | | ||||||||
Total | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
Designated as Net Investment Hedges | ||||||||||||
Cross currency swaps (CCS) | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Total | $ | — | $ | — | $ | — | $ | |
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other expense (income), net in Statement of Operations | |||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Settlements and changes in the fair value of forward contracts (not designated as hedges) |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| $ | |
|
Remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities | ( | ( | | ( | |||||||||
$ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( |
The Company expects to reclassify in the next twelve months an approximate $
The following tables summarize the gross and net unrealized gains and losses, as well as the balance sheet classification, of outstanding derivatives recorded in the condensed consolidated balance sheets:
September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||
Foreign | ||||||||||||
Exchange | Commodity | Commodity | ||||||||||
Balance Sheet | Forward | Economic | Cash Flow | |||||||||
Classification |
| Contracts | Hedges | Hedges | Total | |||||||
Asset Derivatives: | ||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Gross derivative asset position | | — | — | | ||||||||
Less: Counterparty netting | ( | — | — | ( | ||||||||
Net derivative asset position | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | ||||
Liability Derivatives: | ||||||||||||
$ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
— | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Gross derivative liability position | ( | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||
Less: Counterparty netting | | — | — | | ||||||||
Net derivative liability position | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||
Total net derivative position | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
19
December 31, 2022 |
| ||||||||||||
Foreign |
| ||||||||||||
Exchange | Commodity | Commodity | |||||||||||
Balance Sheet | Forward | Economic | Cash Flow |
| |||||||||
Classification |
| Contracts |
| Hedges |
| Hedges |
| Total |
| ||||
Asset Derivatives: | |||||||||||||
Accounts receivable, net of allowance | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||||
Gross derivative asset position | | — | — | | |||||||||
Less: Counterparty netting | ( | — | — | ( | |||||||||
Net derivative asset position | $ | | $ | — | $ | — | $ | | |||||
Liability Derivatives: | |||||||||||||
$ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | ||||||
— | ( | ( | ( | ||||||||||
Gross derivative liability position | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Less: Counterparty netting | | — | — | | |||||||||
Net derivative liability position | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Total net derivative position | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
Forward contracts, interest rate swaps, commodity forward contracts, swaps, or options, and cross currency swaps are entered into with a limited number of counterparties, each of which allows for net settlement of all contracts through a single payment in a single currency in the event of a default on or termination of any one contract. As such, in accordance with the Company’s accounting policy, these derivative instruments are recorded on a net basis by counterparty within the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
Refer to Notes 11 and 18 of the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information regarding the fair value of the Company’s derivative instruments and the related changes in AOCI.
NOTE 11—FAIR VALUE MEASUREMENTS
Fair value is defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Assets and liabilities measured at fair value are classified using the following hierarchy, which is based upon the transparency of inputs to the valuation as of the measurement date.
Level 1—Valuation is based upon quoted prices (unadjusted) for identical assets or liabilities in active markets.
Level 2—Valuation is based upon quoted prices for similar assets and liabilities in active markets, or other inputs that are observable for the asset or liability, either directly or indirectly, for substantially the full term of the financial instrument.
Level 3—Valuation is based upon other unobservable inputs that are significant to the fair value measurement.
20
The following table summarizes the basis used to measure certain assets and liabilities at fair value on a recurring basis in the condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
September 30, 2023 |
| ||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in | Significant | Significant |
| ||||||||||
Assets (Liabilities) at Fair Value |
| (Level 1) |
| (Level 2) |
| (Level 3) |
| Total |
| ||||
| $ | — |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | | ||
— | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Commodity cash flow hedges—(Liabilities) | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||
Total fair value | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( |
December 31, 2022 |
| ||||||||||||
Quoted Prices in | Significant | Significant |
| ||||||||||
Assets (Liabilities) at Fair Value |
| (Level 1) |
| (Level 2) |
| (Level 3) |
| Total |
| ||||
$ | — |
| $ | |
| $ | — |
| $ | | |||
— | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
— | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
— | ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Total fair value | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( |
The Company uses an income approach to value its derivative instruments, utilizing discounted cash flow techniques, considering the terms of the contract and observable market information available as of the reporting date, such as interest rate yield curves and currency spot and forward rates. Significant inputs to the valuation for these derivative instruments are obtained from broker quotations or from listed or over-the-counter market data, and are classified as Level 2 in the fair value hierarchy.
Nonrecurring Fair Value Measurements
The Company measured certain financial assets at fair value on a nonrecurring basis during the year ended December 31, 2022, which were still held as of September 30, 2023. These financial assets represent the Company’s styrene monomer assets in Boehlen, Germany, which it continued to operate until the fourth quarter of 2022 when the Company decided to close this plant in connection with the asset restructuring plan. Refer to Note 17 for further information. These assets were measured at fair value using underlying fixed asset records in conjunction with the use of industry experience and available market data, which are classified as Level 3 significant unobservable inputs in the fair value hierarchy. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded additional impairment charges of $
There were
21
Fair Value of Debt Instruments
The following table presents the estimated fair value of the Company’s outstanding debt not carried at fair value as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
| As of | As of |
| ||||
| September 30, 2023 |
| December 31, 2022 |
| |||
2029 Senior Notes | $ | | $ | | |||
2025 Senior Notes | | | |||||
2028 Term Loan B | | | |||||
2028 Refinance Term Loans | | — | |||||
2024 Term Loan B | — | | |||||
Total fair value | $ | | $ | |
The fair value of the Company’s debt facilities above (each Level 2 securities) is determined using over-the-counter market quotes and benchmark yields received from independent vendors. The fair value amount presented reflect the Company’s carrying value of debt, net of original issuance discount.
There were no other significant financial instruments outstanding as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
NOTE 12—PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||||||
Effective income tax rate | | % | | % | | % | ( | % |
Benefit from income taxes for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $(
The most significant drivers of the increase in the effective income tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 compared to the prior year was the change in the Company’s forecasted earnings, where the overall decrease in profitability is expected to be generated primarily in lower rate jurisdictions, and a reduction in losses not anticipated to provide a tax benefit.
The effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was impacted by a $
Impacting the effective tax rate for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was the revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax assets in Switzerland, which were originally established as part of the Swiss cantonal tax reform measures enacted in 2019. This revaluation resulted in a one-time deferred tax expense of $
In determining the need for a valuation allowance, the Company weighs both positive and negative evidence in the various jurisdictions in which it operates to determine whether sufficient future taxable income will be generated to permit use of the existing deferred tax assets. Based on cumulative earnings in one of the Company’s Switzerland subsidiaries during the prior three years, as well as other positive evidence, the Company believes it is more likely than
22
not that the net deferred tax assets in the Company’s Switzerland subsidiary will be realized as of September 30, 2023. However, given the Company’s prior year losses and current year losses, the Company will continue to evaluate positive and negative evidence over the next 12 months, that could result in sufficient objective negative evidence for the Company to reach a conclusion that an increased or full valuation allowance against the net deferred tax assets in the Switzerland subsidiary will be needed. An increased or full valuation allowance would result in the material reduction of deferred tax assets and a corresponding increase to income tax expense in the period the valuation allowance is recorded. The exact timing and amount of the valuation allowance are subject to change on the basis of the losses sustained in Switzerland in the current year and forecasted future earnings, as well as other evidence. The Company’s Switzerland Subsidiary has $
NOTE 13—COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES
Environmental Matters
Accruals for environmental matters are recorded when it is probable that a liability has been incurred and the amount of the liability can be reasonably estimated based on current law, existing technologies and other information. Pursuant to the terms of the agreement associated with the Company’s formation, the pre-closing environmental liabilities were retained by Dow, and Dow agreed, subject to temporal, monetary, and other limitations to indemnify the Company from and against environmental liabilities incurred or relating to the predecessor periods. Other than certain immaterial environmental liabilities assumed as part of the PMMA Acquisition and the Aristech Surfaces Acquisition,
On March 24, 2023, due to equipment failure at the Bristol, Pennsylvania facility, operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Altuglas LLC, an accidental release of a latex emulsion product occurred, which ultimately flowed into a local waterway (the “Bristol Spill”). We reported the event and cooperated closely with local, state, and federal authorities on the response activities. Water sampling conducted by the authorities did not detect site-related material in the waterway. See “Litigation Matters” below for information on environmental proceedings related to this incident. In the event of one or more adverse determinations related to this matter, it is possible that the ultimate liability resulting from this matter and the impact on the Company’s results of operations could be material.
Inherent uncertainties exist in the Company’s potential environmental liabilities primarily due to unknown conditions, whether future claims may fall outside the scope of the indemnity, changing governmental regulations and legal standards regarding liability, and evolving technologies for handling site remediation and restoration. In connection with the Company’s existing indemnification, the possibility is considered remote that environmental remediation costs will have a material adverse impact on the condensed consolidated financial statements over the next 12 months.
Purchase Commitments
In the normal course of business, the Company has certain raw material purchase contracts where it is required to purchase certain minimum volumes at current market prices. These commitments range from
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a one-time charge of approximately $
Asset Retirement Obligations
The Company has built certain manufacturing facilities on leased land and is required to remove these facilities at the end of the corresponding contract term. Legal obligations for these demolition and decommissioning activities exist in connection with the retirement of these assets triggered upon closure of the facilities. In instances when the Company
23
plans to continue operations at these facilities indefinitely, and therefore, a reasonable estimate of fair value cannot be determined, an asset retirement obligation is not recognized.
In connection with the Asset Restructuring Plan as described within Note 17, the Company concluded the Boehlen, Germany site no longer had an indeterminate life. Accordingly, during the fourth quarter of 2022, the Company recorded the fair value of an asset retirement obligation and a corresponding asset retirement cost, which was capitalized as part of the carrying amount of the related long-lived assets and depreciated over the asset’s shortened useful life. The asset retirement cost was fully depreciated as of September 30, 2023.
Change in asset retirement obligation | |||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | | |
Obligations incurred and adjustments to estimated obligations (1) | ( | ||
Settlements | ( | ||
Accretion expense | | ||
Currency translation adjustment | | ||
Balance at September 30, 2023 | $ | |
(1) | During the three months ended September 30, 2023, the Company was able to realize efficiencies during decommissioning which allowed for a change in the cost estimate of the retirement obligation. |
Accretion expense is included within “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The current portion of the asset retirement obligation is recorded within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” and the long-term portion is recorded within “Other noncurrent obligations” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the current portion was $
Litigation Matters
From time to time, the Company may be subject to various legal claims and proceedings incidental to the normal conduct of business, relating to such matters as employees, product liability, antitrust/competition, past waste disposal practices and release of chemicals into the environment. While it is impossible at this time to determine with certainty the ultimate outcome of these routine claims, the Company does not believe that the ultimate resolution of these claims will have a material adverse effect on the Company’s results of operations, financial condition or cash flow. Legal costs, including those legal costs expected to be incurred in connection with a loss contingency, are expensed as incurred.
Legal Proceedings related to the Bristol Spill
(a) | Jonnie Helfrich v. Trinseo PLC (No. 2:23-cv-01525) (United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) |
On April 20, 2023, a complaint was filed purporting to be on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company’s securities between May 3, 2021 and March 27, 2023. It named the Company, our chief executive officer and chief financial officer as defendants and sought unspecified damages and other relief for alleged violations of Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of, and Rule 10b-5 under, of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. On October 19, 2023, plaintiffs filed a notice of voluntary dismissal of the complaint, discontinuing all claims against the defendants.
(b) | Timothy McGraw, Emily Cohen & Danielle Byrd v. Altuglas LLC and Trinseo LLC (United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania) |
On March 29, 2023, a putative class action complaint was filed which seeks to certify a class that could potentially include all persons and entities that reside in the area served by the Baxter Drinking Water Treatment Plant. The plaintiffs allege claims of breach of duty of care based on negligence as a result of the Bristol Spill, as well as other causes of action, and seek compensatory damages, restitution, or refund of damages, including actual, statutory, and punitive damages, as well as injunctive relief. On May 12, 2023, the Company filed notice to remove the case from Pennsylvania state court to United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania, with immediate effect. On May 19, 2023, the Company also filed a motion to dismiss with the U.S.
24
district court, on the grounds that the alleged harms do not fall within the parameters of the relevant public and private nuisance or negligence laws. On June 2, 2023, plaintiffs objected to federal jurisdiction and asked the court to remand the action to state court. On August 23, 2023, plaintiffs filed a voluntary dismissal of the federal complaint, which was granted on August 29, and plaintiffs are expected to re-file the claim in Pennsylvania state court. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.
As of September 2023, the Company established an accrual for the estimated resolution of the class action complaint. The Company expects any damages related to these claims will be reimbursed through its insurance coverage.
(c) | Environmental Proceedings |
On March 25, 2023, the Company received a Notice of Federal Interest from the United States Coast Guard (“USCG”), identifying the Company as a “potentially responsible party” (“PRP”) related to the Bristol Spill. The Company also received a Notice of Federal Assumption and an Administrative Order, dated April 20, 2023 from the USCG, identifying the Company as a PRP related to the Bristol Spill. The USCG notices and order do not designate specific fines or penalties against the Company. In October 2023, the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection (PADEP) notified the Company of its intent to impose penalties related to a Notice of Violation dated April 26, 2023 alleging water violations associated with the Spill. Discussions between the Company and PADEP are ongoing and while the Company believes that it is reasonably possible a loss may be incurred, such loss is not expected to be material to our business.
It is not possible at this time for the Company to estimate its ultimate liability pursuant to these matters or other potential administrative actions related to the Bristol Spill, whether a material loss to our business is probable or remote, or estimate a potential range of loss, if any.
Synthos Matter
On November 21, 2022, the Company received formal notice from the German Arbitration Institute that Synthos had initiated an arbitration dispute on October 14, 2022 against Trinseo and its following subsidiaries: Trinseo Deutschland GmbH, Trinseo Belgium BV, Trinseo Europe GmbH, and Trinseo Export GmbH, related to Synthos’ purchase of Trinseo’s Rubber Business in 2021.
As discussed in Note 4, Synthos and Trinseo are parties to an asset purchase agreement (“APA”) dated May 21, 2021, whereby Trinseo transferred its Rubber Business to Synthos, pending regulatory approval and other administrative pre-closing conditions, for an enterprise value of approximately $
The Company believes it has valid and prevailing defenses to Synthos’ claims and intends to vigorously defend itself against all allegations.
European Commission Request for Information
On June 6, 2018, Trinseo Europe GmbH, a subsidiary of the Company, received a request for information in the form of a letter from the European Commission Directorate General for Competition (the “European Commission”) related to styrene monomer commercial activity in the European Economic Area. The Company subsequently commenced an internal investigation into these commercial activities and discovered instances of inappropriate activity.
As a result of further developments in this matter, during the first quarter of 2022, the Company recorded a charge of $
25
NOTE 14—PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The components of net periodic benefit costs for all significant plans were as follows:
Three Months Ended | Three Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
| ||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | | $ | |
| $ | | $ | | ||||
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — | ||||||
| ( |
| |
| — |
| — | ||||||
| |
| ( |
| — |
| ( | ||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | — |
Nine Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans | U.S. Defined Benefit Pension | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Net periodic benefit cost |
| ||||||||||||
Service cost | $ | | $ | |
| $ | | $ | | ||||
| |
| |
| |
| | ||||||
| ( |
| ( |
| ( |
| ( | ||||||
| ( |
| ( |
| — |
| — | ||||||
| ( |
| |
| — |
| — | ||||||
| ( | — | ( | ||||||||||
Net periodic benefit cost | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The Company had less than $
Service cost related to the Company’s defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans is included within “Cost of sales” and “Selling, general and administrative expenses,” whereas all other components of net periodic benefit cost are included within “Other expense (income), net” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. As of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s benefit obligations included primarily in “Other noncurrent obligations” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $
The Company made cash contributions and benefit payments to unfunded plans of approximately $
26
NOTE 15—SHARE-BASED COMPENSATION
Refer to the Annual Report for definitions of capitalized terms not included herein and further background on the Company’s share-based compensation programs included in the tables below.
The following table summarizes the Company’s share-based compensation expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, as well as unrecognized compensation cost as of September 30, 2023:
As of | ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | September 30, 2023 | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | Unrecognized | Weighted | |||||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Compensation Cost |
| Average Years | |||||||
RSUs | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Options | | | | | | |||||||||||||
PSUs | | | | | | |||||||||||||
Total share-based compensation expense | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
The following table summarizes awards granted and the respective weighted average grant date fair value for the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, 2023 | |||||||
Awards Granted | Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Award | ||||||
RSUs | | $ | | ||||
Options | | | |||||
PSUs | | |
Option Awards
The following are the weighted average assumptions used within the Black-Scholes pricing model for the Company’s option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Nine Months Ended | |||
| September 30, 2023 | ||
Expected term (in years) |
| ||
Expected volatility |
| | % |
Risk-free interest rate |
| | % |
Dividend yield | | % |
The expected volatility assumption is determined based on the historical volatility of the Company’s publicly traded ordinary shares. The expected term of option awards represents the period of time that option awards granted are expected to be outstanding. For the option awards granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the simplified method was used to calculate the expected term, given the Company’s limited historical exercise data. The risk-free interest rate for the periods within the expected term of option awards is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant. The dividend yield is estimated based on historical and expected dividend activity.
27
Performance Share Units (PSUs)
The following are the weighted average assumptions used within the Monte Carlo valuation model for PSUs granted during the nine months ended September 30, 2023:
Nine Months Ended | |||
September 30, 2023 | |||
Expected term (in years) | |||
Expected volatility |
| | % |
Risk-free interest rate |
| | % |
Share price | $ | |
Determining the fair value of PSUs requires considerable judgment, including estimating the expected volatility of the price of the Company’s ordinary shares, the correlation between the Company’s share price and that of its peer companies, and the expected rate of interest. The expected volatility for each grant is determined based on the historical volatility of the Company’s ordinary shares. The expected term of PSUs represents the length of the performance period. The risk-free interest rate is based on the U.S. Treasury yield curve in effect at the time of grant for a duration equivalent to the performance period. The share price is the closing price of the Company’s ordinary shares on the grant date.
NOTE 16—SEGMENTS
The Company operates under
28
The following table provides disclosure of the Company’s segment Adjusted EBITDA, which is used to measure segment operating performance and is defined below, for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Asset and intersegment sales information by reporting segment are not regularly reviewed or included with the Company’s reporting to the chief operating decision maker. Therefore, this information has not been disclosed below. Refer to Note 5 for the Company’s net sales to external customers by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Engineered | Latex | Plastics | Americas | Total Segment |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Three Months Ended (1) | Materials | Binders | Solutions | Polystyrene | Feedstocks | Styrenics | Adjusted EBITDA |
| |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 |
| $ | |
| $ | | $ | | $ | |
| $ | ( |
| $ | |
| $ | |
| |||
September 30, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( |
Engineered | Latex | Plastics | Americas | Total Segment |
| ||||||||||||||||||
Nine Months Ended (1) | Materials | Binders | Solutions | Polystyrene | Feedstocks | Styrenics | Adjusted EBITDA |
| |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | |||||||||
September 30, 2022 | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
(1) | The Company’s primary measure of segment operating performance is Adjusted EBITDA, which is defined as income from continuing operations before interest expense, net; provision for income taxes; depreciation and amortization expense; loss on extinguishment of long-term debt; asset impairment charges; gains or losses on the dispositions of businesses and assets; restructuring charges; acquisition related costs and benefits and other items. Segment Adjusted EBITDA is a key metric that is used by management to evaluate business performance in comparison to budgets, forecasts, and prior year financial results, providing a measure that management believes reflects core operating performance by removing the impact of transactions and events that would not be considered a part of core operations. Other companies in the industry may define segment Adjusted EBITDA differently than the Company, and as a result, it may be difficult to use segment Adjusted EBITDA, or similarly named financial measures, that other companies may use to compare the performance of those companies to the Company’s segment performance. |
The reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes to segment Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Interest expense, net |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Depreciation and amortization(2) |
| |
| | |
| | ||||||
Corporate Unallocated(3) | | | | | |||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA Addbacks(4) |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Segment Adjusted EBITDA | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | |
(2) | Includes a $ |
(3) | Corporate unallocated includes corporate overhead costs and certain other income and expenses. |
(4) | Adjusted EBITDA addbacks for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows: |
29
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||||||
Net gain on disposition of businesses and assets (a) | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Restructuring and other charges (Note 17) | | — | | ( | |||||||||
Acquisition transaction and integration net costs (Note 3) | — | | | | |||||||||
Asset impairment charges or write-offs (Note 11) (b) | | | | | |||||||||
European Commission request for information (Note 13) | — | — | — | | |||||||||
Goodwill impairment charges (Note 9) | — | — | | — | |||||||||
Other items (c) | | | | | |||||||||
Total Adjusted EBITDA Addbacks | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
(a) | In September 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell certain European emission certifications the Company no longer intends to utilize for a cash consideration of approximately $ |
(b) | Asset impairment charges or write-offs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily relate to write-offs and other charges, as well as the impairment of the Company’s styrene monomer assets in Boehlen. Asset impairment charges or write-offs for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 primarily relate to the impairment of the Company’s styrene monomer assets in Boehlen. |
(c) | Other items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to fees incurred in conjunction with certain of the Company’s strategic initiatives. Other items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 also relate to fees incurred in conjunction with our transition to a new enterprise resource planning system. |
30
NOTE 17—RESTRUCTURING
Refer to the Annual Report for further details regarding the Company’s previously announced restructuring activities included in the tables below. Restructuring charges are included within “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
The following table provides detail of the Company’s restructuring charges for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | Cumulative | ||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | Life-to-date | ||||||||||||||||
2023 |
| 2022 | 2023 |
| 2022 | Charges |
| Segment | ||||||||||
Asset Optimization and Corporate Restructuring(1) | ||||||||||||||||||
Engineered Materials: | ||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | Engineered Materials | |||||||
Employee termination benefits | | — | | — | | Engineered Materials | ||||||||||||
Decommissioning and other | | — | | — | | Engineered Materials | ||||||||||||
Corporate: | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee termination benefits | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | N/A(2) | |||||||
Asset Optimization and Corporate Restructuring Subtotal | $ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||||||
Asset Restructuring Plan(3) | ||||||||||||||||||
Feedstocks: | ||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | | Feedstocks | |||||||
Employee termination benefits | — | — | ( | — | | Feedstocks | ||||||||||||
Contract terminations | | — | | — | | Feedstocks | ||||||||||||
Decommissioning and other | | — | | — | | Feedstocks | ||||||||||||
Plastics Solutions: | ||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation | — | — | — | — | | Plastics Solutions | ||||||||||||
Employee termination benefits | — | — | ( | — | | Plastics Solutions | ||||||||||||
Decommissioning and other | | — | | — | | Plastics Solutions | ||||||||||||
Engineered Materials: | ||||||||||||||||||
Accelerated depreciation | — | — | | — | | Engineered Materials | ||||||||||||
Employee termination benefits | | — | | — | | Engineered Materials | ||||||||||||
Decommissioning and other | — | — | ( | — | | Engineered Materials | ||||||||||||
Asset Restructuring Plan subtotal | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | | $ | — | $ | | ||||||||
Transformational Restructuring Program | ||||||||||||||||||
Employee termination benefits | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | ||||||||
Transformational Restructuring Program Subtotal | $ | ( | $ | — | $ | ( | $ | | $ | | N/A(2) | |||||||
Other Restructurings | — | — | — | ( | Various | |||||||||||||
$ | | $ | — | $ | | $ | ( |
(1) | On August 23, 2023, the Company announced a restructuring plan to optimize its PMMA sheet network, primarily in Europe, consolidate manufacturing operations and certain other workforce reductions to streamline its general & administrative network. The Asset Optimization and Corporate Restructuring plan includes closure of certain plants and product lines, including (i) closure of manufacturing operations at the Company’s PMMA cast sheets plant in Bronderslev, Denmark, (ii) closure of manufacturing operations at the Company’s batch polyester tray casting plant in Belen, New Mexico, and (iii) closure of its PMMA extruded sheet production line at its Rho, Italy plant. |
31
During the third quarter of 2023, the Company incurred employee termination benefit charges, net of $
The Company expects to incur incremental accelerated depreciation charges of $
On October 26, 2023, the Company approved additional restructuring actions to discontinue styrene production at the Company’s Terneuzen, the Netherlands plant. These actions are expected to result in additional estimated restructuring charges of $
(2) | Reflects certain employee termination benefit charges associated with streamlining internal general & administrative network. As these employee termination benefit charges were identified as a corporate-related activity, the charges related to this portion of the Asset Optimization and Corporate Restructuring plan were not allocated to a specific segment, but rather included within corporate unallocated. |
(3) | In December 2022, the Company announced an asset restructuring plan designed to reduce costs, improve profitability, reduce exposure to cyclical markets and elevated natural gas prices, and address market overcapacity. The asset restructuring plan includes (i) closure of manufacturing operations at the styrene production facility in Boehlen, Germany, (ii) closure of one of its production lines at the Stade, Germany polycarbonate plant, and (iii) closure of the PMMA sheet manufacturing site in Matamoros, Mexico. The program is expected to be substantially completed by the second quarter of 2025. |
In connection with this restructuring plan, during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred employee termination benefit charges, net of $
In April 2023, the Company entered into an agreement to sell its land, buildings and equipment in Matamoros, Mexico for a cash consideration of approximately $
(4) | In May 2021, the Company approved a transformational restructuring program associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives. The Company expects to incur incremental employee termination benefit charges related to impacted employees as of September 30, 2023 of less than $ |
32
Refer to Note 13 for further information regarding the asset retirement obligation. The following table provides a roll forward of the other liability balances associated with the Company’s restructuring activities as of September 30, 2023. Employee termination benefits and contract termination charges are primarily recorded within “Accrued expenses and other current liabilities” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets.
| Balance at |
|
|
| Balance at |
| |||||||
| December 31, 2022 |
| Expenses |
| Deductions(1) |
| September 30, 2023 |
| |||||
Employee termination benefits | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | |||||
Contract terminations |
| — |
| |
| ( |
| — | |||||
Decommissioning and other | — | | ( | — | |||||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | ( | $ | |
(1) | Primarily includes payments made against the existing accrual, as well as immaterial impacts of foreign currency remeasurement. |
NOTE 18—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The components of AOCI, net of income taxes, consisted of:
| Cumulative |
| Pension & Other |
| |||||||||
Translation | Postretirement Benefit | Cash Flow | |||||||||||
Three Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 |
| Adjustments |
| Plans, Net |
| Hedges, Net |
| Total |
| ||||
Balance as of June 30, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Other comprehensive loss |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income(1) | — | ( | | | |||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Balance as of June 30, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income (1) | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
| Cumulative |
| Pension & Other |
| |||||||||
Translation | Postretirement Benefit | Cash Flow | |||||||||||
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 | Adjustments |
| Plans, Net |
| Hedges, Net |
| Total | ||||||
Balance at December 31, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
| ( |
| — |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income(1) | — | ( | | | |||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2023 | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Balance as of December 31, 2021 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||||
Other comprehensive income (loss) |
| ( |
| |
| ( |
| ( | |||||
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income(1) | — | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||
Balance as of September 30, 2022 | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(1) | The following is a summary of amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022: |
33
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | Statements of Operations | |||||||||||||
AOCI Components |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| Classification | |||||
Cash flow hedging items | |||||||||||||||
Commodity cash flow hedges | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | Cost of sales | ||||||
Interest rate swaps | — | ( | — | | Interest expense, net | ||||||||||
Total before tax | | ( | | ( | |||||||||||
Tax effect | ( | — | ( | ( | Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | ||||||||||
Total, net of tax | $ | | $ | ( | $ | | $ | ( | |||||||
Amortization of pension and other postretirement benefit plan items | |||||||||||||||
$ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | (a) | |||||||
( | | ( | | (a) | |||||||||||
( | ( | ( | ( | (a) | |||||||||||
Total before tax | ( | ( | ( | ( | |||||||||||
Tax effect | | — | | ( | Provision for (benefit from) income taxes | ||||||||||
Total, net of tax | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(a) | These AOCI components are included in the computation of net periodic benefit costs (see Note 14). |
NOTE 19—EARNINGS PER SHARE
Basic earnings per ordinary share (“basic EPS”) is computed by dividing net income available to ordinary shareholders by the weighted average number of the Company’s ordinary shares outstanding for the applicable period. Diluted earnings per ordinary share (“diluted EPS”) is calculated using net income available to ordinary shareholders divided by diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding during each period, which includes unvested RSUs, option awards, and PSUs. Diluted EPS considers the impact of potentially dilutive securities except in periods in which there is a loss from continuing operations because the inclusion of the potential ordinary shares would have an anti-dilutive effect.
34
The following table presents basic EPS and diluted EPS for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||
(in millions, except per share data) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||||
Earnings: | |||||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Net loss from discontinued operations | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Shares: | |||||||||||||
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Dilutive effect of RSUs, option awards, and PSUs(1) |
| — |
| — |
| — |
| — | |||||
Diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding |
| |
| |
| |
| | |||||
Loss per share: | |||||||||||||
Loss per share—basic: | |||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Discontinued operations | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||
Loss per share—basic | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Loss per share—diluted: | |||||||||||||
Continuing operations | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | |||||
Discontinued operations | — | ( | — | ( | |||||||||
Loss per share—diluted | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( | $ | ( |
(1) | Refer to Note 15 for discussion of RSUs, option awards, and PSUs granted to certain Company directors and employees. As the Company recorded a net loss from continuing operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and September 30, 2022, potential shares related to equity-based awards have been excluded from the calculation of diluted EPS, as doing so would be anti-dilutive. |
NOTE 20—IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES
Impairment and other charges consisted of the following:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | |||||||||||
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | |||||
Asset impairment charges or write-offs (Note 11) | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | | ||||
European Commission request for information (Note 13) | — | — | — | | ||||||||
Goodwill impairment charges (Note 9) | — | — | | — | ||||||||
Total | $ | | $ | | $ | | $ | |
35
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
2023 Year-to-Date Highlights
During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023, Trinseo recognized net loss from continuing operations of $38.4 million and $436.3 million, respectively, and Adjusted EBITDA of $40.9 million and $134.0 million, respectively. The nine months ended period is inclusive of non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $349.0 million, equal to the full carrying value of the Engineered Materials reporting unit associated goodwill during the second quarter of 2023. These impairment charges do not affect the Company’s cash position, and the Company remains encouraged by the businesses’ expected synergies and strategic value as it continues to evolve as a specialty material and sustainable solutions provider.
Continued persistent underlying demand weakness have been experienced across all reporting segments, especially in building & construction and consumer durables applications, however, the impact to our operating performance was mitigated from lower costs, commercial actions and the asset restructuring initiatives that were announced in the fourth quarter of 2022 and the second half of 2023. In addition, amid this challenging environment, the Company continues to implement numerous liquidity improvement actions, including reducing working capital, deferring capital expenditures, and reducing cash dividends. As a result of these actions, the Company achieved positive cash generation from operating activities and strong quarter-end liquidity. The Company continues to have access to capital resources and with the successful refinancing of our existing debt structure, no significant debt maturing until May 2028. Refer to the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section below for further information.
Refer to the discussion below for further information and refer to “Non-GAAP Performance Measures” for discussion of our use of non-GAAP measures in evaluating our performance and a reconciliation of these measures. Other highlights for the year are described below.
New Financing Arrangements
On September 8, 2023, the Company entered into $1,077.3 million in term loan borrowings (“2028 Refinance Term Loans”) under a separate senior secured credit facility. The net proceeds from the 2028 Refinance Term Loans were used to repay in full the outstanding principal amount of, and all accrued and unpaid interest on, the senior secured Term Loan B facility maturing in September 2024 (the “2024 Term Loan B”) and redeemed $385.0 million of the Trinseo Borrowers’ 5.375% Notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”). Refer to Note 8 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further details on these new financing arrangements.
Asset Optimization and Corporate Restructuring
In response to the challenging macroeconomic conditions noted above, during the second half of 2023, Trinseo approved an asset restructuring and corporate restructuring initiative to improve its economic position and operating flexibility, reduce its exposure to cyclical commodity markets and reduce certain general and administrative costs. These actions consist of the following:
● | Closure of manufacturing operations at the Company’s PMMA cast sheets plant in Bronderslev, Denmark, |
● | Closure of manufacturing operations at the Company’s batch polyester tray casting plant in Belen, New Mexico, |
● | Closure of its PMMA extruded sheet production line at its Rho, Italy plant. |
● | Certain other workforce reductions to streamline the Company’s internal general & administrative network. |
● | In October 2023, the Company approved additional restructuring actions to discontinue styrene production at its Terneuzen, the Netherlands plant to both improve profitability and aid in achieving its 2030 sustainability goals. |
Exploration for Divestiture of Styrenics Business
In November 2021, the Company announced that it had begun work to explore the divestiture of our styrenics business and subsequently launched a formal sales process in the first quarter of 2022, which was paused in July 2022 as a result of the deterioration of financing markets and the geopolitical economic uncertainty, particularly in the European energy markets. During the second quarter, the Company resumed the sales process due to interest from third parties for all or part of the business. The scope of the potential divestiture is expected to include the Feedstocks and Polystyrene
36
reporting segments as well as our 50% ownership of Americas Styrenics, and will include marketing individual assets and regional businesses as needed in order to ensure the Company obtains full value for the styrenics business.
Sale of Matamoros, Mexico Manufacturing Facility
In April 2023, Trinseo entered into an agreement to sell its land, buildings and equipment at its PMMA sheet manufacturing facility in Matamoros, Mexico for a cash consideration of approximately $19.0 million, which was received in May 2023 when the transaction closed. The sale resulted in a pre-tax gain of $14.4 million recognized in the second quarter of 2023. This site was part of the previously-announced asset restructuring plan approved in the fourth quarter of 2022 to consolidate our sheet manufacturing business and optimize our resources.
Bristol Spill
On March 24, 2023, due to equipment failure at the Bristol, Pennsylvania facility, operated by our wholly-owned subsidiary, Altuglas LLC, an accidental release of a latex emulsion product occurred, which ultimately flowed into a local waterway (the “Bristol Spill”). We reported the event and cooperated closely with local, state, and federal authorities on the response activities. Water sampling conducted by the authorities did not detect site-related material in the waterway. The safety of our employees, our communities and our environment are a top priority, and we are committed to operate safely and without disturbance to our community. Refer to Note 13 in our condensed consolidated financial statements for additional information related to this matter.
37
Results of Operations
Results of Operations for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2023 and 2022
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||||||||
(in millions) |
| 2023 |
| % | 2022 |
| % | 2023 |
| % | 2022 |
| % | ||||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 879.0 |
| 100 | % | $ | 1,178.1 |
| 100 | % | $ | 2,837.9 |
| 100 | % | $ | 3,990.3 |
| 100 | % | |||||
Cost of sales |
| 847.7 | 96 | % |
| 1,217.6 | 103 | % |
| 2,715.9 | 96 | % |
| 3,714.8 | 93 | % | |||||||||
Gross profit (loss) |
| 31.3 | 4 | % |
| (39.5) | (3) | % |
| 122.0 | 4 | % |
| 275.5 | 7 | % | |||||||||
Selling, general and administrative expenses |
| 66.6 | 8 | % |
| 80.5 | 7 | % |
| 205.1 | 7 | % |
| 262.8 | 7 | % | |||||||||
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliate |
| 19.0 | 2 | % |
| 22.8 | 2 | % |
| 49.2 | 2 | % |
| 83.8 | 2 | % | |||||||||
Impairment and other charges | 0.1 | — | % | 1.9 | — | % | 349.5 | 12 | % | 39.5 | 1 | % | |||||||||||||
Operating income (loss) |
| (16.4) | (2) | % |
| (99.1) | (8) | % |
| (383.4) | (13) | % |
| 57.0 | 1 | % | |||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 46.6 | 5 | % |
| 30.4 | 3 | % |
| 125.1 | 4 | % |
| 77.7 | 2 | % | |||||||||
(Gain) loss on extinguishment of long-term debt | 6.3 | 1 | (0.8) | — | 6.3 | — | % | (0.8) | — | % | |||||||||||||||
Other expense (income), net |
| (13.2) | (2) | % |
| 1.3 | — | % |
| (19.0) | (1) | % |
| 2.4 | — | % | |||||||||
Loss from continuing operations before income taxes |
| (56.1) | (6) | % |
| (130.0) | (11) | % |
| (495.8) | (16) | % |
| (22.3) | (1) | % | |||||||||
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
| (17.7) | (2) | % |
| (12.1) | (1) | % |
| (59.5) | (2) | % |
| 41.4 | 1 | % | |||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | $ | (38.4) | (4) | % | $ | (117.9) | (10) | % | $ | (436.3) | (14) | % | $ | (63.7) | (2) | % | |||||||||
Net loss from discontinued operations, net of income taxes |
| — | — | % |
| (1.9) | — | % |
| — | — | % |
| (1.9) | — | % | |||||||||
Net loss | $ | (38.4) | (4) | % | $ | (119.8) | (10) | % | $ | (436.3) | (14) | % | $ | (65.6) | (2) | % |
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net Sales
Net sales decreased 25% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes resulted in a 8% decrease from continued customer destocking and underlying persistent market demand weakness, particularly in applications supporting building & construction and consumer durables. Additionally, a decrease of 20% was related to lower selling prices from the pass through of lower raw material costs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of 3% due to favorable foreign exchange rate impacts.
Cost of Sales
The 30% decrease in cost of sales was primarily attributable to a 6% decrease due to lower sales volumes, a 18% decrease in raw material costs, and a 6% decrease from lower utilities.
Gross Profit (Loss)
The increase in gross profit of 179% was primarily due to higher styrene and polycarbonate margins in the Feedstocks and Plastics Solutions segments. See the segment discussion below for further information.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
The $13.9 million, or 17%, decrease in SG&A was primarily due to a decrease of $13.3 million in costs associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the exploration of a potential divestiture of our styrenics business, a $5.1 million decrease in salary and wages expense and a $1.0 million decrease in acquisition transaction and integration costs as well as the Company’s enterprise resource planning system upgrade. Offsetting these decreased costs was a
38
$13.7 million increase in restructuring costs, driven by the Asset Optimization and Corporate Restructuring plan approved in the third quarter of 2023 and the Asset Restructuring Plan approved in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliate
The decrease in equity earnings from Americas Styrenics of $3.8 million was due to lower polystyrene margins, partially offset by higher styrene margin.
Impairment and Other Charges
During the three months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.1 million and $1.9 million, respectively, related to our Boehlen styrene monomer assets, as described within Note 11 in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Interest Expense, Net
The increase in interest expense, net of $16.2 million, or 53%, was primarily attributable to the year-over-year increase in market interest rates on our variable rate debt. Refer to Note 8 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Loss (Gain) on Extinguishment of Long-Term Debt
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt was $6.3 million for the three months ended September 30, 2023, which related to the Company’s debt refinancing during the third quarter of 2023. This amount was primarily comprised of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and unamortized original issue discount related to the 2024 Term Loan B as well as the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the 2025 Senior Notes.
An $0.8 million gain on extinguishment of debt was recorded for the three months ended September 30, 2022, in relation to the repurchase of $3.0 million of the 2029 Senior Notes in the open market.
Other Expense (Income), Net
Other income, net for the three months ended September 30, 2023 was $13.2 million, which was primarily driven by a gain of $9.3 million related to the sale of certain European emission certifications the Company no longer intends to utilize, foreign exchange transaction gains of $4.5 million and a $0.6 million gain related to the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost. These net foreign exchange transaction gains included $8.5 million of gains from our foreign exchange forward contracts, partially offset by $4.0 million of losses primarily from the remeasurement of our euro-denominated payables due to the relative changes in rates between the U.S. dollar and the euro during the period.
Other expense, net for the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $1.3 million, which included foreign exchange transaction losses of $1.7 million partially offset by a $0.4 million gain related to the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost. These net foreign exchange transaction losses included $35.4 million of losses primarily from the remeasurement of our euro-denominated payables due to the relative changes in rates between the U.S. dollar and the euro during the period, partially offset by $33.7 million of gains from our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
Benefit from income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $17.7 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 31.6%. Benefit from income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $12.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 9.3%.
The increase in benefit for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2023 is primarily driven by the jurisdictional mix of earnings, offset by an increase of $73.9 million in income from continuing operations before income taxes.
The decrease in provision for income taxes for the three months ended September 30, 2022 is primarily driven by the decrease of $214.9 million in income from continuing operations before income.
39
Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes
There was no net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes during the three months ended September 30, 2023. Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes during the three months ended September 30, 2022 was $(1.9) million, and was related to the results and sale of our Synthetic Rubber business. Refer to Note 4 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net Sales
Net sales decreased 29% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes resulted in an 15% decrease from continued customer destocking and underlying persistent market demand weakness from an uncertain economic and geopolitical macroenvironment, particularly in applications supporting building & construction and consumer durables. Additionally, a decrease of 14% was related to lower selling prices from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
Cost of Sales
The 27% decrease in cost of sales was primarily attributable to a 13% decrease due to lower sales volumes and a 16% decrease in raw material costs.
Gross Profit (Loss)
The decrease in gross profit of 56% was primarily attributable to lower sales volumes as discussed above as well as lower margins from weaker market conditions including low demand and available supply. Margins were also pressured by unfavorable impacts from natural gas hedges. See the segment discussion below for further information.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
The $57.7 million, or 22%, decrease in SG&A was primarily due to a decrease of $51.0 million in costs associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the exploration of a potential divestiture of our styrenics business, a $11.0 million decrease in salary and wages expense, and a $9.5 million decrease in acquisition transaction and integration costs. Offsetting these decreased costs was a $19.0 million increase in restructuring costs, driven by the asset optimization and corporate restructuring plan approved in the third quarter of 2023 and the asset restructuring plan approved in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliate
The decrease in equity earnings from Americas Styrenics of $34.6 million was due to lower styrene margins compared to the high levels in the prior year.
Impairment and Other Charges
During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a non-cash goodwill impairment charge of $349.0 million related to the Engineered Materials reporting unit, as described within Note 9 in the condensed consolidated financial statements. Additionally, during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.5 million and $3.9 million, respectively, related to our Boehlen styrene monomer assets, as described within Note 11 in the condensed consolidated financial statements. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the Company recorded a charge of $35.6 million related to the European Commission request for information, as described within Note 13 in the condensed consolidated financial statements.
Interest Expense, Net
The increase in interest expense, net of $47.4 million, or 61%, was primarily attributable to the year-over-year increase in market interest rates on our variable rate debt. Refer to Note 8 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
40
Loss (Gain) on Extinguishment of Long-Term Debt
Loss on extinguishment of long-term debt was $6.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2023, which related to the Company’s debt refinancing during the third quarter of 2023. This amount was primarily comprised of the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs and unamortized original issue discount related to the 2024 Term Loan B as well as the write-off of unamortized deferred financing costs related to the 2025 Senior Notes.
An $0.8 million gain on extinguishment of debt was recorded for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, in relation to the repurchase of $3.0 million of the 2029 Senior Notes in the open market.
Other Expense (Income), Net
Other income, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was $19.0 million, which was primarily driven by a gain of $9.3 million related to the sale of certain European emission certifications the Company no longer intends to utilize, foreign exchange transaction gains of $10.6 million and a $0.6 million gain related to the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost. These net foreign exchange transaction gains included $6.7 million of gains primarily from the remeasurement of our euro-denominated payables due to the relative changes in rates between the U.S. dollar and the euro during the period as well as a $3.9 million gain from our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Other expense, net for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $2.4 million, which included foreign exchange transaction losses of $1.8 million. These net foreign exchange transaction losses included $83.4 million of losses primarily from the remeasurement of our euro-denominated payables due to the relative changes in rates between the U.S. dollar and the euro during the period, partially offset by $81.6 million of gains from our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
Benefit from income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $59.5 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 12.0%. Provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $41.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of (185.2)%.
The decrease in provision for income taxes is primarily driven by the decrease of $473.5 million in income from continuing operations before income taxes.
Also increasing the provision for income taxes for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was the revaluation of the Company’s net deferred tax assets in Switzerland, which were originally established as part of the Swiss cantonal tax reform measures enacted in 2019. This revaluation resulted in a one-time deferred tax expense of $15.3 million recorded in the second quarter of 2022. This expense was partially offset by the release of a valuation allowance of $8.5 million during the second quarter of 2022, as a result of improvements in actual and projected future results in one of the Company’s subsidiaries in Luxembourg.
Net Income (Loss) from Discontinued Operations, Net of Income Taxes
There was no net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2023. Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 was $(1.9) million and was related to the results and sale of our Synthetic Rubber business. Refer to Note 4 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Outlook
We expect a constrained demand environment in the fourth quarter similar to what we have seen throughout the year. Despite the economic environment, we have generated cash through the first three quarters of the year. Also, we are seeing the benefit of our previously announced asset restructuring initiatives, and we anticipate the recently announced additional restructuring initiatives will result in meaningful cost savings in 2024. We believe these actions will better position us to achieve higher growth, higher margin and lower volatility as demand normalizes.
The Company has access to capital resources and continues to focus on liquidity improvement actions to manage the anticipated impact of the challenging macroeconomic environment on our business operations for the foreseeable future. The profitability improvement factors noted above, coupled with certain cash preservation initiatives that we have
41
undertaken, such as a reduction in working capital and capital expenditure deferments, will strengthen our liquidity and balance sheet and are expected to position us to deliver sustained financial strength.
Selected Segment Information
The following sections describe net sales, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA margin by segment for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. Inter-segment sales have been eliminated. Refer to Note 16 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information on our segments, as well as for a detailed definition of Adjusted EBITDA and a reconciliation of income from continuing operations before income taxes to segment Adjusted EBITDA.
Engineered Materials Segment
Our Engineered Materials segment consists of rigid thermoplastic compounds and blends products sold into high growth and high value applications in markets such as consumer electronics and medical, as well as soft thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”) products which are sold into markets such as footwear and automotive. The Engineered Materials segment also includes polymethyl methacrylates (“PMMA”) and activated methyl methacrylates (“MMA”) products, which are sold into a variety of applications including automotive, building & construction, medical, consumer electronics, and wellness, among others.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 186.0 |
| $ | 242.7 | (23) | % | $ | 598.4 |
| $ | 839.2 | (29) | % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 4.8 | $ | 7.5 | (36) | % | $ | 4.9 | $ | 76.2 | (94) | % | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 3 | % |
| 3 | % |
| 1 | % |
| 9 | % |
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
The 23% decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to a 10% decrease due to lower sales volumes from weak underlying demand and continued customer destocking, particularly in building & construction, consumer electronics, and wellness applications. Lower pricing also contributed to a 15% decrease year-over-year.
The $2.7 million, or 36%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $11.2 million, or 149%, due to lower sales volumes as described above. This decrease was partially offset by an increase of $5.9 million, or 79%, due to higher margins, as well as an increase of $3.3 million, or 44%, from lower fixed costs.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
The 29% decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to an 18% decrease due to lower sales volumes from weak underlying demand and continued customer destocking, particularly in building & construction, consumer electronics, and wellness applications. Lower pricing also contributed to an 11% decrease year-over-year.
The $71.3 million, or 94%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $71.6 million, or 94%, due to lower sales volumes as described above. Higher fixed costs also resulted in a $4.4 million, or 6%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA due to manufacturing cost under absorption. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.8 million, or 2%, due to higher margins.
Latex Binders Segment
Our Latex Binders segment produces styrene-butadiene latex (“SB latex”) and other latex polymers and binders primarily for coated paper and packaging board, carpet and artificial turf backings, as well as a broad range of
42
performance latex binders products, including SB latex, styrene-acrylate latex (“SA latex”), and vinylidene chloride latex for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (“CASE”) applications.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 222.0 |
| $ | 340.9 | (35) | % | $ | 724.1 |
| $ | 1,001.3 | (28) | % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 22.8 | $ | 31.0 | (26) | % | $ | 74.2 | $ | 90.6 | (18) | % | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 10 | % |
| 9 | % |
| 10 | % |
| 9 | % |
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
The 35% decrease in net sales was primarily due to a 15% decrease due to lower sales volumes across all regions and applications and a 21% decrease in pricing from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
The $8.2 million, or 26%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $10.5 million, or 34%, from lower sales volumes in addition to a decrease of $1.7 million, or 6%, attributable to lower margins from an unfavorable net timing variance, which was mostly offset by pricing initiatives. These decreases were partially offset by a $3.6 million, or 12%, increase attributable to lower fixed costs.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
The 28% decrease in net sales was primarily due to a 16% decrease due to lower sales volumes across all regions and applications and an 12% decrease in pricing from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
The $16.5 million, or 18%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $34.9 million, or 39%, from lower sales volume. These decreases were partially offset by a $19.9 million, or 22%, increase attributable to higher margins including pricing initiatives.
Plastics Solutions Segment
On January 1, 2023, the Base Plastics segment was renamed to Plastics Solutions. Our Plastics Solutions segment consists of a variety of compounds and blends, the majority of which are for automotive applications. The segment also includes our acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”), styrene-acrylonitrile (“SAN”), and polycarbonate (“PC”) businesses. The Plastics Solutions segment also includes the results of Heathland, which was acquired in the first quarter of 2022. However, this did not have a material impact on sales or Adjusted EBITDA for the period.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 245.8 |
| $ | 293.4 | (16) | % | $ | 807.8 |
| $ | 1,051.8 | (23) | % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 22.0 | $ | (14.9) | 248 | % | $ | 73.1 | $ | 99.8 | (27) | % | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 9 | % |
| (5) | % |
| 9 | % |
| 9 | % |
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net sales decreased by 16% year-over-year, primarily due to a 18% decrease from lower pricing due to the pass through of lower raw material costs. In addition, sales decreased 2% from lower volume in polycarbonate. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of 3% due to favorable foreign exchange rate impacts.
The $36.9 million, or 248%, increase in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a $28.3 million, or 190%, increase in margin from lower polycarbonate cost including impacts from the closure of one polycarbonate production line. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA increased by $3.8 million, or 25%, due to higher sales volumes. Lower fixed costs also contributed a $3.0 million, or 20%, increase in Adjusted EBITDA.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net sales decreased by 23% year-over-year, primarily due to lower sales volume which contributed a 11% decrease. Sales volumes were primarily impacted by a decrease in polycarbonate from the announced shutdown of one
43
production line as well as in copolymers in building & construction, industrial, and consumer durables applications, partially offset by higher volumes to automotive applications. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a 12% decrease from lower pricing due to the pass through of lower raw material costs.
The $26.7 million, or 27%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower sales volumes and margins. Lower sales volumes, as described above, contributed to an $11.2 million, or 11%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $12.0 million, or 12%, due to lower margins caused by weaker market conditions, primarily in ABS products. Higher fixed costs also contributed a $4.4 million, or 4%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA. Volumes supporting automotive applications improved 3% versus prior year, mainly from Europe, as production and supply chain constraints eased.
Polystyrene Segment
Our product offerings in our Polystyrene segment include a variety of general purpose polystyrenes (“GPPS”) and polystyrene that has been modified with polybutadiene rubber to increase its impact resistant properties (“HIPS”). These products provide customers with performance and aesthetics at a low cost across applications, including appliances, packaging, including food packaging and food service disposables, consumer electronics, and building and construction materials.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 175.1 |
| $ | 247.7 | (29) | % | $ | 577.0 |
| $ | 877.7 | (34) | % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 9.2 | $ | 18.7 | (51) | % | $ | 31.2 | $ | 87.0 | (64) | % | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| 5 | % |
| 8 | % |
| 5 | % |
| 10 | % |
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net sales decreased by 29% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes due to weaker demand in appliance and building & construction applications led to a 7% decrease in net sales from the prior year. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a 25% decrease from lower pricing, primarily from the pass through of lower styrene costs. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of 3% due to favorable foreign exchange rate impacts.
The $9.4 million, or 50%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to weaker demand which negatively impacted volumes and margins, particularly in building & construction and appliance applications. This resulted in a decrease of $3.9 million, or 21%, due to lower volumes, and a decrease of $7.0 million, or 38%, due to lower margins. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $1.4 million, or 8%, due to lower fixed costs.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net sales decreased by 34% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes due to weaker demand in appliance and building & construction applications led to a 15% decrease in net sales from the prior year. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a 19% decrease from lower pricing, primarily from the pass through of lower styrene costs.
The $55.8 million, or 64%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to weaker demand which negatively impacted volumes and margins, particularly in building & construction and appliance applications. This resulted in a decrease of $19.9 million, or 23%, due to lower volumes, and a decrease of $32.4 million, or 37%, due to lower margins. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a $3.2 million, or 4%, decrease from higher fixed costs.
44
Feedstocks Segment
The Feedstocks segment includes the Company’s production and procurement of styrene monomer outside of North America, which is used as a key raw material for the production of polystyrene, expandable polystyrene, SAN resins, SA latex, SB latex, ABS resins, and unsaturated polyethylene resins.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||
Net sales | $ | 50.1 |
| $ | 53.4 | (6) | % | $ | 130.6 |
| $ | 220.3 | (41) | % | |||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (19.4) | $ | (78.0) | 75 | % | $ | (37.1) | $ | (59.8) | 38 | % | |||||||
Adjusted EBITDA margin |
| (39) | % |
| (146) | % |
| (28) | % |
| (27) | % |
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net sales decreased 6% year-over-year. Lower pricing resulted in a 19% decrease in net sales, which was partially offset by an increase of 7% due to higher volumes and an increase of 6% due to favorable foreign exchange rate impacts.
The increase of $58.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributed to a $53.7 million, or 69%, increase from higher styrene margins, including impacts from a $26.8 million favorable net timing variance. Also contributing to the overall increase was $6.3 million, or 8%, increase from lower fixed costs mainly due to the December 2022 Boehlen, Germany styrene plant closure.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
Net sales decreased 41% year-over-year. Lower styrene-related sales volume resulted in a 17% decrease along with a 24% decrease due to lower pricing.
The increase of $22.7 million in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributed to an increase of $13.3 million, or 22%, from lower fixed costs mainly due to the December 2022 Boehlen, Germany styrene plant closure. Also contributing to the overall increase was a $9.6 million, or 16%, increase from higher styrene margins.
Americas Styrenics Segment
This segment consists solely of the equity earnings from of our 50%-owned joint venture, Americas Styrenics, a producer of both styrene monomer and polystyrene in North America. Styrene monomer is a basic building block of plastics and a key input to many of the Company’s products, as well as a key raw material for the production of polystyrene. Major applications for the polystyrene products Americas Styrenics produces include appliances, food packaging, food service disposables, consumer electronics, and building and construction materials.
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | ||||||||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, | ||||||||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | 2023 |
| 2022 | % Change | ||||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA* | $ | 19.0 | $ | 22.8 | (17) | % | $ | 49.1 | $ | 83.8 | (41) | % |
*The results of this segment are comprised entirely of earnings from Americas Styrenics, our equity method investment. As such, Adjusted EBITDA related to this segment is included within “Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
Three Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly due to lower polystyrene margins, which were partially offset by higher styrene margins.
Nine Months Ended – September 30, 2023 vs. September 30, 2022
The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly due to lower styrene margins compared to the high levels in the prior year.
45
Non-GAAP Performance Measures
We present Adjusted EBITDA as a non-GAAP financial performance measure, which we define as income from continuing operations before interest expense, net; provision for income taxes; depreciation and amortization expense; loss on extinguishment of long-term debt; asset impairment charges; gains or losses on the dispositions of businesses and assets; restructuring charges; acquisition related costs and other items. In doing so, we are providing management, investors, and credit rating agencies with an indicator of our ongoing performance and business trends, removing the impact of transactions and events that we would not consider a part of our core operations.
There are limitations to using the financial performance measures such as Adjusted EBITDA. This performance measure is not intended to represent net income or other measures of financial performance. As such, it should not be used as an alternative to net income as an indicator of operating performance. Other companies in our industry may define Adjusted EBITDA differently than we do. As a result, it may be difficult to use this or similarly-named financial measures that other companies may use, to compare the performance of those companies to our performance. We compensate for these limitations by providing a reconciliation of this performance measure to our net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP.
Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as follows for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022:
Three Months Ended | Nine Months Ended | |||||||||||||
September 30, | September 30, |
| ||||||||||||
(in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| |||||
Net loss | $ | (38.4) |
| $ | (119.8) |
| $ | (436.3) |
| $ | (65.6) | |||
Net loss from discontinued operations | — | (1.9) | — | (1.9) | ||||||||||
Net loss from continuing operations | (38.4) | (117.9) | (436.3) | (63.7) | ||||||||||
Interest expense, net |
| 46.6 |
| 30.4 |
| 125.1 |
| 77.7 | ||||||
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes |
| (17.7) |
| (12.1) |
| (59.5) |
| 41.4 | ||||||
Depreciation and amortization |
| 38.2 |
| 45.9 |
| 146.7 |
| 147.1 | ||||||
EBITDA(a) | $ | 28.7 | $ | (53.7) | $ | (224.0) | $ | 202.5 | ||||||
Net gain on disposition of businesses and assets(b) |
| (9.3) |
| — | (25.6) | (1.8) | ||||||||
Restructuring and other charges(c) |
| 13.8 |
| — | 19.0 | (1.0) | ||||||||
Acquisition transaction and integration net costs(d) | — | 0.4 | 0.1 | 6.2 | ||||||||||
Asset impairment charges or write-offs(e) | 0.5 | 1.9 | 2.1 | 3.9 | ||||||||||
European Commission request for information(f) | — | — | — | 35.6 | ||||||||||
Goodwill impairment charges(g) | — | — | 349.0 | — | ||||||||||
Other items(h) |
| 7.2 |
| 14.8 | 13.4 | 60.1 | ||||||||
Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 40.9 | $ | (36.6) | $ | 134.0 | $ | 305.5 |
(a) | EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial performance measure that we refer to in making operating decisions because we believe it provides our management as well as our investors and credit agencies with meaningful information regarding the Company’s operational performance. We believe the use of EBITDA as a metric assists our board of directors, management and investors in comparing our operating performance on a consistent basis. Other companies in our industry may define EBITDA differently than we do. As a result, it may be difficult to use EBITDA, or similarly-named financial measures that other companies may use, to compare the performance of those companies to our performance. We compensate for these limitations by providing reconciliations of our EBITDA results to our net income, which is determined in accordance with GAAP. |
(b) | Amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily relate to the sale of the Matamoros, Mexico manufacturing facility. Refer to Note 17 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information. |
(c) | Amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to charges incurred in connection with the Company’s various restructuring programs. Refer to Note 17 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information. |
46
(d) | Amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2022 relate to expenses incurred for the Company’s acquisition and integration of the PMMA business and Aristech Surfaces Acquisitions, which were acquired in 2021. |
(e) | Amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to the impairment of the Company’s styrene monomer assets in Boehlen, Germany, as described within Note 11 in the condensed consolidated financial statements. |
(f) | Amount for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 relates to the estimated liability recorded in connection with the European Commission request for information, as described in Note 13 in the condensed consolidated financial statements. |
(g) | Amounts for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 relate to the goodwill impairment of the Engineered Materials reporting unit. Refer to Note 9 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information. |
(h) | Other items for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022 primarily relate to fees incurred in conjunction with certain of the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the potential divestiture of our styrenics business and our transition to a new enterprise resource planning system. For the three months ended September 30, 2023, Other items also includes a $6.3 million loss on extinguishment of long-term debt related to the Company’s debt refinancing during the third quarter of 2023. |
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The table below summarizes our primary sources and uses of cash for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022. We have derived the summarized cash flow information from our unaudited financial statements.
Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
(in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
Net cash provided by (used in): |
| ||||||
Operating activities - continuing operations | $ | 131.2 | $ | 10.8 | |||
Operating activities - discontinued operations | — | (1.4) | |||||
Operating activities | 131.2 | 9.4 | |||||
Investing activities - continuing operations |
| (11.1) | (109.0) | ||||
Investing activities - discontinued operations | — | (0.8) | |||||
Investing activities | (11.1) | (109.8) | |||||
Financing activities |
| (48.2) | (213.5) | ||||
Effect of exchange rates on cash |
| (5.0) | (16.3) | ||||
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash | $ | 66.9 | $ | (330.2) |
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $131.2 million, which included $55.0 million of dividends received from Americas Styrenics. Although operating results continued to be challenged by customer destocking and macroeconomic conditions, which resulted in reduced customer demand and negative earnings, there was a significant increase in cash performance during the quarter primarily as a result of targeted inventory control actions and cash improvement initiatives. Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 was not significant.
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $10.8 million, which included $62.5 million of dividends received from Americas Styrenics. Although operating results were challenged by macroeconomic conditions resulting in reduced customer demand, higher raw material and utility costs and negative earnings and cash flow, there was a significant working capital release during the quarter. The working capital release, which came mostly within the third quarter, was primarily attributable to a steep decline in many raw material prices from the historically high prices seen in the second quarter, inventory control
47
actions, and sequentially lower sales. Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $1.4 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $11.1 million, which was primarily attributable to capital expenditures of $49.1 million offset by proceeds from the sale of business and other assets of $38.0 million. The Company has taken proactive measures to reduce and defer capital expenditures during the year as part of our liquidity improvement actions.
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $109.0 million, which was primarily attributable to net cash paid for asset or business acquisitions of $22.2 million (see Note 3), and capital expenditures, including cash spent for our ongoing enterprise resource planning system upgrade, of $94.0 million. Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $0.8 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2023 totaled $48.2 million. This activity was primarily due to $1,054.0 million in debt repayments, $9.5 million in deferred financing fees related to the issuance of the 2028 Refinance Term Loans, $17.6 million of dividends paid, and $8.9 million of net repayments of short-term borrowings. This activity was partially offset by $1,044.9 million in proceeds from the issuance of the 2028 Refinance Term Loans.
Net cash used in financing activities during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 totaled $213.5 million. This activity was primarily due to $151.9 million of payments related to the repurchase of ordinary shares, $36.3 million of dividends paid, and $12.2 million of net repayments of short-term borrowings. In addition, there was $12.9 million of repurchases and repayments of long-term debt during the period, primarily related to our 2024 Term Loan B and 2028 Term Loan B obligations.
Free Cash Flow
We use Free Cash Flow as a non-GAAP measure to evaluate and discuss the Company’s liquidity position and results. Free Cash Flow is defined as cash from operating activities, less capital expenditures. We believe that Free Cash Flow provides an indicator of the Company’s ongoing ability to generate cash through core operations, as it excludes the cash impacts of various financing transactions as well as cash flows from business combinations that are not considered organic in nature. We also believe that Free Cash Flow provides management and investors with useful analytical indicator of our ability to service our indebtedness, pay dividends (when declared), and meet our ongoing cash obligations.
Free Cash Flow is not intended to represent cash flows from operations as defined by GAAP, and therefore, should not be used as an alternative for that measure. Other companies in our industry may define Free Cash Flow differently than we do. As a result, it may be difficult to use this or similarly-named financial measures that other companies may use, to compare the liquidity and cash generation of those companies to our own. We compensate for these limitations by providing a reconciliation to cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations, which is determined in accordance with GAAP.
Nine Months Ended | |||||||
September 30, | |||||||
(in millions) |
| 2023 |
| 2022 |
| ||
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities | $ | 131.2 | $ | 9.4 | |||
Capital expenditures | (49.1) | (94.8) | |||||
Free Cash Flow | $ | 82.1 | $ | (85.4) |
Refer to the discussion above for significant impacts to cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 and 2022.
48
Capital Resources and Liquidity
We require cash principally for day-to-day operations, to finance capital investments and other initiatives, to purchase materials, to service our outstanding indebtedness, and to fund the return of capital to shareholders via dividend payments and ordinary share repurchases, when deemed appropriate. Our sources of liquidity include cash on hand, cash flow from operations from continuing operations, and amounts available under the Senior Credit Facility and the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility (discussed further below).
The 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement requires the Company to comply with customary affirmative, negative and financial covenants, and contains events of default including (i) relating to a change of control or (ii) failure to maintain at least $100.0 million of Liquidity at the end of any calendar month, and (iii) a cross default to the Credit Agreement. If an event of default occurs, the Term Lenders will be entitled to take various actions, including the acceleration of amounts due under the 2028 Refinance Term Loans. Liquidity is defined under the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement as a combination of cash and cash equivalents held at certain of the Company’s restricted subsidiaries as well as the funds available for borrowing under both the 2026 Revolving Facility and the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, subject to certain restrictions outlined in the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement. As of September 30, 2023, the Company was in compliance with all debt covenant requirements under the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement and the Credit Agreement.
As of September 30, 2023, the Company had Liquidity of $492.9 million, comprised of $276.8 million of cash and cash equivalents and approximately $216.1 million of funds available for borrowing under both the 2026 Revolving Facility and the Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, $95.7 million and $120.4 million respectively. At September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $2,345.2 million and $2,353.7 million, respectively, in outstanding indebtedness and $614.8 million and $701.3 million, respectively, in working capital. In addition, as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $155.4 million and $168.7 million, respectively, of foreign cash and cash equivalents on our balance sheet, outside of Ireland, our country of domicile, all of which is readily convertible into other foreign currencies, including the U.S. dollar. Our intention is not to permanently reinvest our foreign cash and cash equivalents. Accordingly, we record deferred income tax liabilities related to the unremitted earnings of our subsidiaries.
The following table outlines our outstanding indebtedness as of September 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 and the associated interest expense, including amortization of deferred financing fees and debt discounts. Effective interest rates for the borrowings included in the table below exclude the impact of deferred financing fee amortization, certain other fees charged to interest expense (such as fees for unused commitment fees during the period), and the impacts of derivatives designated as hedging instruments. For definitions of capitalized terms not included herein, refer to our Annual Report on Form 10-K (“Annual Report”).
As of and for the Nine Months Ended | As of and for the Year Ended |
| |||||||||||||||
September 30, 2023 | December 31, 2022 |
| |||||||||||||||
Effective | Effective |
| |||||||||||||||
Interest | Interest | Interest | Interest |
| |||||||||||||
($ in millions) |
| Balance |
| Rate |
| Expense |
| Balance | Rate |
| Expense |
| |||||
2029 Senior Notes | $ | 447.0 | 5.1 | % | $ | 18.6 | $ | 447.0 | 5.1 | % | $ | 24.8 | |||||
2025 Senior Notes | 115.0 | 5.4 | % | 19.7 | 500.0 | 5.4 | % | 25.8 | |||||||||
Senior Credit Facility | |||||||||||||||||
2024 Term Loan B | — | — | % | 34.1 | 663.4 | 3.9 | % | 29.1 | |||||||||
2028 Term Loan B | 730.6 | 7.9 | % | 44.1 | 735.9 | 4.2 | % | 34.7 | |||||||||
2026 Revolving Facility | — | — | % | 1.7 | — | — | % | 1.8 | |||||||||
2028 Refinance Term Loans | 1,045.2 | 13.8 | % | 10.0 | — | — | % | — | |||||||||
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility |
| — | — | % |
| 1.0 |
| — | — | % |
| 1.4 | |||||
Other indebtedness |
| 7.4 | 6.5 | % |
| 0.3 |
| 7.4 | 5.1 | % |
| 0.1 | |||||
Total | $ | 2,345.2 | $ | 129.5 | $ | 2,353.7 | $ | 117.7 |
As of September 30, 2023, our Senior Credit Facility included the 2026 Revolving Facility, which is scheduled to mature in May 2026 and had a borrowing capacity of $375.0 million and $26.8 million outstanding letters of credit. The 2026 Revolving Facility contains a springing covenant which, if not met, limits our borrowing to 30% of the maximum
49
available capacity under the 2026 Revolving Facility. This covenant requires the Company to meet a first lien net leverage ratio (as defined in our secured credit agreement) not to exceed 3.50x at the end of each financial quarter. As of September 30, 2023, the first lien net leverage ratio was 6.41x, and as such, the Company had $95.7 million of funds available for borrowing (net of $16.8 million outstanding letters of credit as defined in the secured credit agreement). Further, as of September 30, 2023, the Company is required to pay a quarterly commitment fee in respect of any unused commitments under the 2026 Revolving Facility equal to 0.375% per annum.
Also included in our Senior Credit Facility is our 2028 Term Loan B (with original principal of $750.0 million, maturing in May 2028). The stated interest rate on our 2028 Term Loan B is Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) plus 2.50% (subject to a 0.00% SOFR floor).
As of September 30, 2023, our 2028 Refinance Term Loans (with original principal of $1,077.3 million, maturing in May 2028), issued under the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement, have a stated interest rate plus 8.50% (subject to a 3.00% SOFR floor).
As of September 30, 2023, our 2025 Senior Notes, as issued under the Indenture executed in 2017, include $115.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes that mature on September 1, 2025.
As of September 30, 2023, our 2029 Senior Notes, as issued under the Indenture executed in 2021, include $447.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes that mature on April 1, 2029.
We also continue to maintain our Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, which matures in November 2024 and has an outstanding borrowing capacity of $150.0 million. As of September 30, 2023, there were no amounts outstanding under this facility and the Company had approximately $120.4 million of accounts receivable available to support this facility, based on the pool of eligible accounts receivable. Refer to Note 8 in the consolidated financial statements for further information on the facility.
Our ability to raise additional financing and our borrowing costs may be impacted by short- and long-term debt ratings assigned by independent rating agencies, which are based, in significant part, on our performance as measured by certain credit metrics such as interest coverage and leverage ratios.
We and our subsidiaries, affiliates or significant shareholders may from time to time seek to retire or purchase our outstanding debt through cash purchases in the open market, privately negotiated transactions, exchange transactions or otherwise. Such repurchases or exchanges, if any, will depend on prevailing market conditions, our liquidity requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors. The amounts involved may be material.
Trinseo Materials Operating S.C.A. and Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc. (the “Issuers” of our 2029 Senior Notes and 2025 Senior Notes and “Borrowers” under our Senior Credit Facility) are dependent upon the cash generation and receipt of distributions and dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries and joint venture in order to satisfy their debt obligations. There are no known significant restrictions by third parties on the ability of subsidiaries of the Company to disburse or dividend funds to the Issuers and the Borrowers in order to satisfy these obligations. However, as the Company’s subsidiaries are located in a variety of jurisdictions, the Company can give no assurances that our subsidiaries will not face transfer restrictions in the future due to regulatory or other reasons beyond our control.
The Senior Credit Facility and Indentures also limit the ability of the Borrowers and Issuers, respectively, to pay dividends or make other distributions to Trinseo PLC, which could then be used to make distributions to shareholders. During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company declared dividends of $0.16 per ordinary share, totaling $5.8 million, of which $0.9 million was accrued as of September 30, 2023 and was paid in October 2023. These dividends are well within the available capacity under the terms of the restrictive covenants contained in the Senior Credit Facility and Indentures. Further, additional capacity continues to be available under the terms of these covenants to support expected future dividends to shareholders, should the Company continue to declare them.
Despite the challenging and uncertain market conditions we are continuing to experience in 2023, the Company generated positive cash flows from operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2023 primarily due to our cash improvement initiatives and working capital reductions. We believe our existing cash and cash equivalent balances, borrowings available under our 2026 Revolving Facility and borrowings available under our Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility will be adequate to meet all necessary operating and capital expenditures as well as our liquidity covenants for at least the next 12 months under the current operating environment.
50
Our ability to generate cash from operations to pay our indebtedness and meet other liquidity needs is subject to certain risks described herein and under Part I, Item 1A – Risk Factors of our Annual Report, as well as risk factors included in Part II, Item 1A herein. As of September 30, 2023, we were in compliance with all the covenants and default provisions under our debt agreements. Refer to our Annual Report for further information on the details of the covenant requirements.
Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments
There have been no material revisions outside the ordinary course of business to our contractual obligations as described within “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations – Contractual Obligations and Commercial Commitments” within our Annual Report.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
Our unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements are based on the selection and application of significant accounting policies. The preparation of unaudited interim condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities and revenues and expenses at the date of and during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates. However, we are not currently aware of any reasonably likely events or circumstances that would result in materially different results.
We describe our significant accounting policies in Note 2, Basis of Presentation and Summary of Significant Accounting Policies, in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in our Annual Report, while we discuss our critical accounting policies and estimates in “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” within our Annual Report. There have been no material revisions to the significant accounting policies or critical accounting policies and estimates as filed in our Annual Report.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We do not have any off-balance sheet arrangements.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
We describe the impact of recent accounting pronouncements in Note 2 of our condensed consolidated financial statements, included elsewhere within this Quarterly Report.
Item 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk
As discussed in “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk” within our Annual Report, we are exposed to changes in interest rates and foreign currency exchange rates as well as changes in the prices of certain commodities that we use in production. There have been no material changes in our exposure to market risks from the information provided within our Annual Report.
Item 4. Controls and Procedures
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining internal controls designed to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by us in our reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act (as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended) is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms, and that such information is accumulated and communicated to our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. Our management, with the participation of our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of the Company’s disclosure controls and procedures as of September 30, 2023. Based on that evaluation, the Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that our disclosure controls and procedures as of the end of the period covered by this Quarterly Report were effective to provide the reasonable level of assurance described above.
51
Changes in Internal Control over Financial Reporting
There were no additional changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) of the Exchange Act) that occurred during the quarter ended September 30, 2023 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.
PART II — OTHER INFORMATION
Item 1. Legal Proceedings
From time to time we may be subject to various legal claims and proceedings incidental to the normal conduct of business, relating to such matters as product liability, antitrust, competition, waste disposal practices, release of chemicals into the environment and other matters that may arise in the ordinary course of our business. Regardless of the outcome, legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors. For information regarding new matters and material developments in legal proceedings during the quarter ended September 30, 2023, see “Litigation Matters” in Note 13 to our condensed consolidated financial statements.
Item 1A. Risk Factors
Our business faces various risks. Certain important factors may have a material adverse effect on our business prospects, financial condition and results of operations, and you should carefully consider them. Accordingly, in evaluating our business, we encourage you to consider the risk factors related to our ordinary shares as well those risk factors related to our business and industry which have been previously disclosed in Part 1, Item 1A of our Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2022. Certain material updates to these risk factors are included below.
We encourage you to consider these risks, in their entirety, in addition to other information contained in or incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report and our other public filings with the SEC. Other events that we do not currently anticipate or that we currently deem immaterial may also affect our business, prospects, financial condition and results of operations.
We may not be successful in the proposed divestiture of our styrenics businesses.
In May 2023, we announced our intention to restart the sale of our styrenics business, which had been paused since July 2022, including marketing of individual businesses and sites. While the divestiture of our styrenics businesses remains a key part of our transformation strategy, we cannot estimate whether economic conditions and capital markets will sufficiently improve to allow us to restart and successfully complete a sale of all or a portion of our styrenics business, or guarantee that we will be successful in our efforts to restart the sale process, generate interest in a sale of all or a portion of the business, locate an adequate buyer or buyers, or negotiate terms of a sale acceptable to the Company.
A successful divestiture depends on various factors, including our ability to effectively transfer liabilities, contracts, facilities and employees to any purchaser, revise our legal entity structure, negotiate continued equity ownership, identify and separate intellectual property, reduce fixed costs previously associated with the divested assets or business, and collect the proceeds from any sale. Any divestiture may result in a dilutive impact to our future earnings if we are unable to offset the dilutive impacts from the loss of revenue associated with the divested business, as well as significant write-offs, including those related to goodwill and other intangible assets, which could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial condition. All of these efforts require varying levels of management resources, which may divert our attention from other business operations.
Our current and future level of indebtedness of our subsidiaries could adversely affect our financial condition.
As of September 30, 2023, our indebtedness totaled approximately $2.3 billion. Additionally, as of September 30, 2023, we had $95.7 million (net of $16.8 million outstanding letters of credit) of funds available for borrowing under our senior secured credit agreement (the “Credit Agreement”) governing our senior secured financing facility of up to $1,075.0 million (the “Senior Credit Facility”), as well as $120.4 million of funds available for borrowing under our accounts receivable securitization facility.
Our current level of indebtedness, as well as future borrowings or other indebtedness, could have significant consequences for our business, including but not limited to:
52
● | increasing our vulnerability to economic downturns and adverse industry, competitive, or market conditions; |
● | requiring a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to be dedicated to the payment of principal and interest on our indebtedness, therefore reducing our ability to use our cash flow to fund capital expenditures and future business opportunities and returning cash to our shareholders in the form of dividends or share repurchases; |
● | limiting our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, and general corporate or other purposes; |
● | compromising our flexibility to capitalize on business opportunities or other strategic acquisitions, and to react to competitive pressures, as compared to our competitors, or forcing us to make nonstrategic divestitures; |
● | placing us at a disadvantage compared to other, less leveraged competitors or competitors with comparable debt at more favorable interest rates; and |
● | increasing our cost of borrowing. |
Although the terms of our Credit Agreement, the credit agreement (the “2028 Refinance Credit Agreement”) governing our senior secured term loan facility of $1,077.0 million maturing in May 2028 (the “2028 Refinance Credit Facility”), and the indentures (the “Indentures”) governing our 5.375% senior notes due 2025 (the “2025 Senior Notes”), and our 5.125% senior notes due 2029 (the “2029 Senior Notes”) contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, these restrictions are subject to a number of qualifications and exceptions and the indebtedness incurred in compliance with these restrictions could be substantial. Also, we are not prevented from incurring obligations that do not constitute “indebtedness” as defined in the Senior Credit Facility, the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement or the Indentures, such as operating leases and trade payables. If new debt is added to our subsidiaries’ current debt levels, the risks related to indebtedness that we now face could intensify.
In addition, a substantial portion of our subsidiaries’ current indebtedness is secured by substantially all of our assets, which may make it more difficult to secure additional borrowings at reasonable costs. If we default or declare bankruptcy, after these obligations are met, there may not be sufficient funds or assets to satisfy our subordinate interests, including those of our shareholders.
For more information regarding our indebtedness, please see Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations— Capital Resources, Indebtedness and Liquidity – in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
The terms of our subsidiaries’ indebtedness may restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to change or to take certain actions.
The Indentures, the Credit Agreement and the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement contain a number of covenants imposing certain restrictions on our subsidiaries’ businesses. These restrictions may affect our ability to operate our business and may limit our ability to take advantage of business opportunities. These agreements restrict, among other things, our subsidiaries’ ability to:
● | sell or assign assets; |
● | incur additional indebtedness; |
● | pay dividends to Trinseo PLC; |
● | make investments or acquisitions; |
● | incur liens; |
● | repurchase or redeem capital shares; |
● | engage in mergers or consolidations; |
● | materially alter the business they conduct; |
● | engage in transactions with affiliates; and |
● | consolidate, merge or transfer all or substantially all of their assets. |
Our Senior Credit Facility contains a springing covenant which, if not met, limits our borrowing to 30% of the maximum available capacity under the revolver. We have not been in compliance with this financial covenant since
53
March 31, 2023 and access to our revolving credit facility has been limited to 30% of the total capacity of the revolver. We are also required to meet a minimum liquidity test under our 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement. The ability of our subsidiaries to comply with the covenants, financial ratios and tests contained in the Credit Agreement, the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement and the Indentures, to pay interest on indebtedness, fund working capital, and make anticipated capital expenditures depends on our future performance, which is subject to general economic conditions and other factors, some of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our business will generate sufficient cash flow from operations or that future borrowings will be available under our Senior Credit Facility to fund liquidity needs in an amount sufficient to enable them to service their indebtedness. Furthermore, if we need additional capital for general corporate purposes or to execute on an expansion strategy, there can be no assurance that this capital will be available on satisfactory terms or at all.
A failure to repay amounts owed under the Senior Credit Facility, 2028 Refinance Credit Facility, our 2029 Senior Notes or 2025 Senior Notes at maturity would result in a default. In addition, a breach of any of the covenants in the Credit Agreement, 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement or Indentures, or our inability to comply with the required financial ratios, tests or limits could result in a default. If a default occurs, lenders may refuse to lend us additional funds and the lenders or noteholders could declare all of the debt and any accrued interest and fees immediately due and payable. A default under one of our subsidiaries’ debt agreements may trigger a cross-default under our other debt agreements. For more information regarding our indebtedness, please see Item 7—Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Conditions and Results of Operations— Capital Resources, Indebtedness and Liquidity – in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2022.
We may engage in other future strategic acquisitions or dispositions of certain assets and/or businesses that could affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
We may selectively pursue other complementary acquisitions and joint ventures, which inherently involves a number of risks and presents financial, managerial and operational challenges, including, but not limited to:
● | potential disruption of our ongoing business and the distraction of our management; |
● | difficulty retaining key employees or with integration of personnel and financial and other systems; |
● | difficulty maintaining relationships with customers; |
● | hiring additional management and other critical personnel; |
● | generating expected cost savings and synergies from the acquisition; and |
● | increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations. |
Also, the presence of one or more material liabilities of an acquired company that are unknown to us at the time of acquisition may have a material adverse effect on our business or financial results. Our acquisition and joint venture strategy may not be successfully received by customers or other stakeholders, and we may not realize any anticipated benefits from these other acquisitions or joint ventures.
We previously announced our intention to divest our styrenics businesses, and after pausing the formal sales process in 2022, we announced that we are restarting the sales process to include the marketing of individual assets and regional businesses related to styrenics. We may also opportunistically pursue dispositions of certain other assets and/or businesses, which may involve material amounts of assets or lines of business, and adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. If any such dispositions were to occur, under the terms of our Credit Agreement and Senior Credit Facility, the 2028 Refinance Credit Agreement and 2028 Refinance Credit Facility, and the Indentures governing our 2025 Senior Notes and our 2029 Senior Notes, we may be required to apply the proceeds of the sale to repay any borrowings under our Senior Credit Facility, 2028 Refinance Credit Facility, and our 2025 Senior Notes or our 2029 Senior Notes. Dispositions may also involve continued financial involvement in the divested business, such as through continuing equity ownership, transition service agreements, supply agreements, guarantees, indemnities or other current or contingent financial obligations.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
(a) | Recent sales of unregistered securities |
None.
54
(b) | Use of Proceeds from registered securities |
None.
(c) | Purchases of Equity Securities by the Issuer and Affiliated Purchasers |
On September 2, 2022, the board of directors of the Company unanimously approved the authorization of a share repurchase program where the Company may repurchase up to $200.0 million of our ordinary shares, subject to certain parameters defined by the board of directors. The repurchase authorization expires after 18 months and repurchases may be effected through open market purchases, 10b5-1 plans or by other means. There were no share repurchases during the three months ended September 30, 2023. There was $200.0 million remaining for share repurchases as of September 30, 2023.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
None.
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
Item 6. Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
55
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit No. | Description |
3.1 | |
4.1 | |
4.2 | |
10.1 | |
10.2 | |
31.1† | Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
31.2† | Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002 |
32.1† | |
32.2† | |
101.INS† | XBRL Instance Document – the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document |
101.SCH† | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document |
101.CAL† | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document |
101.DEF† | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document |
101.LAB† | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document |
101.PRE† | XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document |
104† | Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted in Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101) |
† Filed herewith.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the Registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized.
Date: November 6, 2023
TRINSEO PLC | ||
By: | /s/ Frank Bozich | |
Name: | Frank Bozich | |
Title: | President, Chief Executive Officer | |
(Principal Executive Officer) | ||
By: | /s/ David Stasse | |
Name: | David Stasse | |
Title: | Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer | |
(Principal Financial Officer) | ||