Table of Contents
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
(Mark One)
☒QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIESEXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the quarterly period ended June 30, 2023
or
☐TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIESEXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
For the transition period from to
Commission File Number: 001-36473
Trinseo PLC
(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)
Ireland
N/A
(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)
(I.R.S. Employer
Identification Number)
440 East Swedesford Road
Suite 301
Wayne, PA 19087
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(610) 240-3200
(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. Yes ☒ No ☐
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). Yes ☒ No ☐
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.
Large accelerated filer
☒
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 ☐ No ☒
Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each Class
Trading symbol
Name of Exchange on which registered
Ordinary Shares, par value $0.01 per share
TSE
New York Stock Exchange
As of July 28, 2023, there were 35,189,133 of the registrant’s ordinary shares outstanding.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Page
Part I
Financial Information
Item 1.
Financial Statements
4
Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022 (Unaudited)
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)
5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)
6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)
7
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 (Unaudited)
8
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements (Unaudited)
9
Item 2.
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
32
Item 3.
Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk
46
Item 4.
Controls and Procedures
Part II
Other Information
Legal Proceedings
Item 1A.
Risk Factors
47
Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Mine Safety Disclosures
Item 5.
48
Item 6.
Exhibits
Exhibit Index
Signatures
2
Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q
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 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 such a difference include, but are not limited to, our ability to successfully execute our transformation strategy and business strategy; increased costs or disruption in the supply of raw materials; increased energy costs; our ability to successfully generate cost savings and increase profitability through asset restructuring initiatives; compliance with laws and regulations impacting our business; conditions in the global economy and capital markets; 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)
June 30,
December 31,
2023
2022
Assets
Current assets
Cash and cash equivalents
$
269.5
211.7
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts (June 30, 2023: $8.2; December 31, 2022: $7.3)
590.1
586.0
Inventories
430.9
553.6
Other current assets
33.6
39.4
Total current assets
1,324.1
1,390.7
Investments in unconsolidated affiliates
255.2
255.1
Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation (June 30, 2023: $725.7; December 31, 2022: $668.8)
662.3
691.1
Other assets
Goodwill
62.5
410.4
Other intangible assets, net
739.0
772.0
Right-of-use assets - operating, net
69.8
76.1
Deferred income tax assets
177.1
97.3
Deferred charges and other assets
65.0
67.5
Total other assets
1,113.4
1,423.3
Total assets
3,355.0
3,760.2
Liabilities and shareholders’ equity
Current liabilities
Short-term borrowings and current portion of long-term debt
18.5
16.0
Accounts payable
434.5
438.1
Current lease liabilities - operating
16.4
17.1
Income taxes payable
37.4
9.9
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities
188.4
208.3
Total current liabilities
695.2
689.4
Noncurrent liabilities
Long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred financing fees
2,298.6
2,301.6
Noncurrent lease liabilities - operating
56.0
60.2
Deferred income tax liabilities
44.6
59.8
Other noncurrent obligations
239.4
228.9
Total noncurrent liabilities
2,638.6
2,650.5
Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)
Shareholders’ equity
Ordinary shares, $0.01 nominal value, 4,000.0 shares authorized (June 30, 2023: 39.3 shares issued and 35.2 shares outstanding; December 31, 2022: 39.2 shares issued and 35.1 shares outstanding)
0.4
Preferred shares, €0.01 nominal value, 1,000.0 shares authorized (no shares issued or outstanding)
—
Deferred ordinary shares, €1.00 nominal value, 0.025 shares authorized (June 30, 2023: 0.025 shares issued and outstanding; December 31, 2022: 0.025 shares issued and outstanding)
Additional paid-in-capital
496.8
486.7
Treasury shares, at cost (June 30, 2023: 4.1 shares; December 31, 2022: 4.1 shares)
(200.0)
Retained earnings (accumulated deficit)
(138.9)
264.5
Accumulated other comprehensive loss
(137.1)
(131.3)
Total shareholders’ equity
21.2
420.3
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these condensed consolidated financial statements.
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations
Three Months Ended
Six Months Ended
Net sales
962.6
1,425.5
1,958.9
2,812.2
Cost of sales
909.0
1,286.4
1,868.2
2,497.1
Gross profit
53.6
139.1
90.7
315.1
Selling, general and administrative expenses
53.8
85.6
138.5
182.3
Equity in earnings of unconsolidated affiliates
12.5
30.2
61.0
Impairment and other charges
349.1
1.3
349.4
37.6
Operating income (loss)
(336.8)
91.6
(367.0)
156.2
Interest expense, net
40.2
25.4
78.5
47.3
Other expense (income), net
(2.9)
(1.7)
(5.8)
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes
(374.1)
67.9
(439.7)
107.6
Provision for (benefit from) income taxes
(25.1)
30.8
(41.8)
53.4
Net income (loss) from continuing operations
(349.0)
37.1
(397.9)
54.2
Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes
0.3
Net income (loss)
Weighted average shares- basic
35.2
36.3
35.1
36.8
Net income (loss) per share- basic:
Continuing operations
(9.93)
1.02
(11.34)
1.47
Discontinued operations
0.01
Net income (loss) per share- basic
1.03
Weighted average shares- diluted
37.0
Net income (loss) per share- diluted:
1.00
1.44
Net income (loss) per share- diluted
1.01
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss)
(In millions)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Cumulative translation adjustments (net of tax of $0.0, $3.9, $0.0, $3.9)
(8.6)
(34.8)
1.9
(39.1)
Net gain (loss) on cash flow hedges (net of tax (benefit) of $0.0, $0.6, $(2.5), $0.6)
0.2
(7.2)
1.8
Pension and other postretirement benefit plans:
Net gain arising during period (net of tax of $0.0, $0.9, $0.0, $0.9)
7.7
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income
(0.8)
(1.4)
(0.5)
(1.1)
Total other comprehensive loss, net of tax
(9.2)
(28.2)
(30.7)
Comprehensive income (loss)
(358.2)
9.2
(403.7)
23.5
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Shareholders’ Equity
Shares
Shareholders' Equity
Ordinary Shares Outstanding
Treasury Shares
Deferred Ordinary Shares
Ordinary Shares
AdditionalPaid-In Capital
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Retained Earnings (Accumulated Deficit)
Total
Balance at December 31, 2022
4.1
Net loss
(48.9)
Other comprehensive income
3.4
Share-based compensation activity
0.1
6.6
Dividends on ordinary shares ($0.14 per share)
(5.2)
Balance at March 31, 2023
493.3
(127.9)
210.4
376.2
Other comprehensive loss
3.5
Dividends on ordinary shares ($0.01 per share)
(0.3)
Balance at June 30, 2023
Balance at December 31, 2021
37.9
1.0
468.1
(50.0)
(147.2)
741.8
1,013.1
Net income
16.7
(2.5)
7.6
Purchase of treasury shares
(0.9)
0.9
Dividends on ordinary shares ($0.32 per share)
(12.1)
Balance at March 31, 2022
37.2
475.7
(100.0)
(149.7)
746.4
972.8
4.4
(1.0)
(11.8)
Balance at June 30, 2022
2.9
480.1
(150.0)
(177.9)
924.6
Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Cash flows from operating activities
Less: Net income from discontinued operations
Adjustments to reconcile net income (loss) from continuing operations to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations
Depreciation and amortization
108.5
101.1
Amortization of deferred financing fees and issuance discount
4.7
4.6
Deferred income tax (benefit)
(94.1)
9.8
Share-based compensation expense
12.0
12.2
Earnings of unconsolidated affiliates, net of dividends
(0.2)
(23.5)
Unrealized net gain on foreign exchange forward contracts
(4.5)
Unrealized net loss on commodity economic swap contracts
4.2
Pension curtailment and settlement gain
Gain on sale of businesses and other assets
(16.5)
(1.8)
Impairment charges or write-offs
2.0
Changes in assets and liabilities
Accounts receivable
0.8
(135.1)
125.8
(166.7)
Accounts payable and other current liabilities
(22.0)
15.8
27.8
(17.4)
Other assets, net
14.8
20.9
Other liabilities, net
(10.9)
41.2
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities - continuing operations
101.9
(88.9)
Cash provided by operating activities - discontinued operations
Cash provided by (used in) operating activities
(88.1)
Cash flows from investing activities
Capital expenditures
(35.6)
(55.4)
Cash paid for asset or business acquisitions, net of cash acquired ($0.0 and $1.0)
(22.2)
Proceeds from the sale of businesses and other assets
22.3
5.3
Proceeds from the settlement of hedging instruments
Cash used in investing activities - continuing operations
(13.3)
(70.4)
Cash used in investing activities - discontinued operations
Cash used in investing activities
(71.2)
Cash flows from financing activities
Deferred financing fees
(0.4)
Short-term borrowings, net
(5.9)
(7.5)
(101.9)
Dividends paid
(17.1)
(24.6)
Proceeds from exercise of option awards
Withholding taxes paid on restricted share units
Acquisition-related contingent consideration payment
(1.2)
Repurchases and repayments of long-term debt
(5.4)
Cash used in financing activities
(31.7)
(140.8)
Effect of exchange rates on cash
(8.5)
Net change in cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash
57.8
(308.6)
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—beginning of period
573.0
Cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash—end of period
264.4
Less: Restricted cash
Cash and cash equivalents—end of period
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements
(Dollars in millions, unless otherwise stated)
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 June 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 June 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.
Throughout this Quarterly Report, unless otherwise indicated, amounts and activity are presented on a continuing operations basis.
NOTE 2—RECENT ACCOUNTING GUIDANCE
As of June 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 $29.3 million, including an initial cash purchase price of $22.9 million which was paid during the six months ended June 30, 2022, as well as $6.4 million of contingent cash consideration, representing the fair value of certain earn-out payments. The maximum amount of potential earn-out payments is $6.8 million, which will become payable to Heathland Holding as and when the related performance milestones or thresholds are achieved over the three-year period following the date of acquisition. Heathland results are included within the Plastics Solution segment. The Company allocated the purchase price of the acquisition to identifiable assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the acquisition date. Refer to the Annual Report for further information.
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 $1.2 million.
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 $402.4 million, which reflected a reduction of approximately $41.6 million for the assumption of pension liabilities by Synthos and $47.0 million for net working capital (excluding inventory) retained by Trinseo. Refer to the Annual Report for further information. At closing, the Company and Synthos executed a long-term supply agreement, in which Trinseo will supply Synthos certain raw materials used in the Synthetic Rubber business subsequent to the sale. For the three and six months ended June 30,
2023, the Company recorded net sales of $11.1 million and $24.6 million, respectively, and $22.7 million and $41.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively. For the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded cost of sales of $13.4 million and $28.8 million, respectively, and $15.6 million and $31.8 million for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively related to the supply agreement, which is recorded in continuing operations.
The results of the Synthetic Rubber business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 were insignificant. The following table summarizes the results of the Synthetic Rubber business for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, which are reflected as discontinued operations in the Company’s condensed consolidated statements of operations:
1.4
Gross loss
(1.3)
(0.1)
Operating loss
(0.7)
1.2
Income from discontinued operations before income taxes
0.5
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 six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Engineered
Latex
Plastics
Materials
Binders
Solutions
Polystyrene
Feedstocks
June 30, 2023
United States
108.3
70.4
63.5
3.1
245.3
Europe
69.3
123.0
156.6
129.5
34.4
512.8
Asia-Pacific
25.7
59.2
23.1
63.3
171.3
Rest of World
28.9
33.2
206.2
254.0
272.1
192.8
37.5
June 30, 2022
150.7
102.5
106.1
363.9
108.9
169.4
198.5
215.9
92.0
784.7
38.2
79.3
31.6
96.0
245.1
2.5
31.8
301.3
353.7
361.9
312.0
96.6
10
219.2
138.0
132.2
6.7
496.1
142.8
251.1
321.9
268.0
73.8
1,057.6
109.9
50.9
133.9
339.3
5.8
57.0
65.9
412.4
502.1
562.0
401.9
80.5
289.1
184.7
190.6
8.5
672.9
227.6
320.3
445.1
430.5
158.4
1,581.9
73.5
151.0
68.8
199.4
492.7
6.3
53.9
64.7
596.5
660.4
758.4
630.0
166.9
NOTE 6—INVESTMENTS IN UNCONSOLIDATED AFFILIATES
The Company is currently supplemented by one joint venture, 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 own 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.
Sales
416.6
594.6
859.9
1,119.0
39.1
93.5
141.6
25.8
80.1
63.6
116.2
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s investment in Americas Styrenics was $255.2 million and $255.1 million, respectively, which was $1.6 million and $8.4 million greater than the Company’s 50% share of the underlying net assets of Americas Styrenics, respectively. This amount represents the difference between the book value of assets held by the joint venture and the Company’s 50% share of the total recorded value of the joint venture’s assets, inclusive of certain adjustments to conform with the Company’s accounting policies. This difference is being amortized over a weighted average remaining useful life of approximately 1.7 years as of June 30, 2023. The Company received dividends of $10.0 million and $30.0 million from Americas Styrenics during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively, and $30.0 million and $37.5 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2022, respectively.
NOTE 7—INVENTORIES
Inventories consisted of the following:
Finished goods
155.6
218.4
Raw materials and semi-finished goods
237.4
295.6
Supplies
39.6
11
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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, debt consisted of the following:
December 31, 2022
Interest Rate as ofJune 30, 2023
Maturity Date
Carrying Amount
Unamortized Deferred Financing Fees (1)
Total Debt, Less Unamortized Deferred Financing Fees
Total Debt, LessUnamortized DeferredFinancing Fees
Senior Credit Facility
2024 Term Loan B
7.538%
September 2024
659.9
(3.6)
656.3
663.4
(5.1)
658.3
2028 Term Loan B
7.717%
May 2028
734.2
(13.2)
721.0
735.9
(14.4)
721.5
2026 Revolving Facility(2)
Various
May 2026
2029 Senior Notes
5.125%
April 2029
447.0
(12.0)
435.0
(12.9)
434.1
2025 Senior Notes
5.375%
September 2025
500.0
(3.1)
496.9
(3.7)
496.3
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility(3)
November 2024
Other indebtedness
7.9
7.4
Total debt
2,349.0
(31.9)
2,317.1
2,353.7
(36.1)
2,317.6
Less: current portion(4)
(18.5)
(16.0)
Total long-term debt, net of unamortized deferred financing fees
Pursuant to the terms of the Credit 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 us to account for the modification as a continuation of the existing contract without additional analysis.
We believe funds provided by operations, our cash and cash equivalent balances, coupled with borrowings available under our 2026 Revolving Facility and our Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility, will be adequate to meet all necessary operating and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months under the current operating environment.
12
The Company’s ability to refinance the 2024 Term Loan B, which matures in September 2024, as well as the timing and terms of any such refinancing, are dependent upon several factors, including the prevailing credit, market and economic conditions, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in refinancing on similar terms or at all. In addition, rising benchmark interest rates will result in higher interest rates on future indebtedness, and the terms, which could include negative covenants, may further restrict the Company’s ability to take certain actions.
If the Company is unable to refinance the 2024 Term Loan B as it approaches maturity, the Company’s liquidity, results of operations, and financial condition would be materially adversely impacted.
NOTE 9—GOODWILL
The following table shows changes in the carrying amount of goodwill, by segment, from December 31, 2022 to June 30, 2023:
Americas
Styrenics
348.9
42.5
Impairment losses
Foreign currency impact
0.6
1.1
15.1
43.1
4.3
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. As a result of the Company’s fourth quarter 2022 impairment testing, a $297.1 million impairment charge was taken for the PMMA business and Aristech Surfaces reporting units primarily due to the continuation of the challenging macroeconomic environment experienced in 2022 into the fourth quarter of 2022, including significantly lower demand for building & construction and wellness applications, which led to lower operating results including slower growth projections, and a prolonged drop in market capitalization, as well as an increase in the weighted average cost of capital.
As of January 1, 2023, the Company realigned the Engineered Materials segment reporting structure. The PMMA business and Aristech Surfaces reporting units were combined with the Legacy Engineered Materials reporting unit to form the Engineered Materials reporting unit. Impairment assessments on each reporting unit were performed immediately before and after the change in organizational structure where it was concluded there was no goodwill impairment.
The Company determined that a triggering event for the Engineered Materials reporting unit had occurred in the second quarter of 2023 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 macroeconomic environment into the second quarter of 2023 that resulted in an updated outlook on the duration of the recovery timeline. Therefore, the Company performed a goodwill impairment assessment as of June 1, 2023 on the Engineered Materials reporting unit. The Company did not identify any impairment indicators in any of the other reporting units for the six months ended June 30, 2023.
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. The persistence of challenging operating conditions, customer destocking and underlying demand weakness in the second quarter of 2023 contributed to a revised outlook including a further reduction in forecasted operating results and growth projections, most notably impacting the near-term, as well as an additional decrease in market capitalization. As a result, the Company recognized a non-cash goodwill impairment loss of $349.0 million during the three months ended June 30, 2023, which was equal to the full carrying value of the reporting unit's associated goodwill. This charge is recorded within “Impairment and other charges” on the condensed consolidated statement of operations and is allocated to the Engineered Materials segment.
As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the reported balance of goodwill included accumulated impairment losses of $646.1 million and $297.1 million in the Engineered Materials segment, respectively.
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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 June 30, 2023, the Company had open foreign exchange forward contracts with a notional U.S. dollar equivalent absolute value of $658.4 million. The following table displays the notional amounts of the most significant net foreign exchange hedge positions outstanding as of June 30, 2023:
Buy / (Sell)
Euro
(525.2)
Chinese Yuan
(39.0)
Swiss Franc
(22.6)
Indonesian Rupiah
(19.0)
South Korean Won
(18.4)
Open foreign exchange forward contracts as of June 30, 2023 had maturities occurring over a period of two months.
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 one of its subsidiaries whose functional currency is the euro. By entering into these forward contracts, which are designated as cash flow hedges, the Company buys a designated amount of U.S. dollars and sells euros at the prevailing market rate to mitigate the risk associated with the fluctuations in the euro-to-U.S. dollar foreign currency exchange rates. The qualifying hedge contracts are marked-to-market at each reporting date and any unrealized gains or losses are included in Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (“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.
The Company had no open foreign exchange cash flow hedges as of June 30, 2023.
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 June 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
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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.
Open commodity cash flow hedges as of June 30, 2023 had maturities occurring over a period of 18 months and had a notional value of approximately 897 thousand megawatt hours of natural gas purchases.
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 June 30, 2023 had maturities occurring over a period of 21 months and had a notional value of approximately 1,355 thousand megawatt hours of natural gas purchases.
Interest Rate Swaps
On September 6, 2017, the Company issued the 2024 Term Loan B, which currently bears an interest rate of LIBOR plus 2.00%, subject to a 0.00% LIBOR floor. In order to reduce the variability in interest payments associated with the Company’s variable rate debt, during 2017 the Company entered into certain interest rate swap agreements to convert a portion of these variable rate borrowings into a fixed rate obligation. These interest rate swap agreements 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 interest expense in the period during which the transaction affects earnings or it becomes probable that the forecasted transaction will not occur. Under the terms of the swap agreements, with a net notional U.S. dollar equivalent of $200.0 million and an effective date of September 29, 2017, the Company was required to pay the counterparties a stream of fixed interest payments at a rate of 1.81%, and in turn, receives variable interest payments based on 1-month LIBOR from the counterparties. These interest rate swap agreements matured in September 2022, and the Company has no remaining open interest rate swap agreements.
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 $500.0 million at an interest rate of 5.375% on its 2025 Senior Notes for euro-denominated payments of €420.0 million at a weighted average interest rate of 3.45% for approximately five years. On February 26, 2020, the Company settled its 2017 CCS and replaced it with a new CCS arrangement (the “2020 CCS”) that carried substantially the same terms as the 2017 CCS. Under the 2020 CCS, the Company notionally exchanged $500.0 million at an interest rate of 5.375% for €459.3 million at a weighted average interest rate of 3.672% for approximately 2.7 years, with a final maturity of November 3, 2022. The cash flows under the 2020 CCS are aligned with the Company’s principal and interest obligations on its 5.375% 2025 Senior Notes. Refer to the Annual Report for further information.
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 $1.9 million.
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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 six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
Location and Amount of Gain (Loss) Recognized in Statements of Operations
Cost ofsales
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
(909.0)
(40.2)
(1,286.4)
(25.4)
1.7
The effects of cash flow hedge instruments:
Commodity cash flow hedges
Amount of loss reclassified from AOCI into income
(9.7)
Interest rate swaps
(0.6)
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
6.0
Commodity economic hedges
Amount of loss recognized in income
(2.6)
16
(1,868.2)
(78.5)
(2,497.1)
(47.3)
(16.1)
2.4
Amount of gain (loss) recognized in income
47.9
(15.0)
The following table presents the effect of cash flow and net investment hedge accounting on AOCI for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
Gain (Loss) Recognized in AOCI on Balance Sheet
Designated as Cash Flow Hedges
Designated as Net Investment Hedges
Cross currency swaps (CCS)
9.7
Gain (Loss) Recognized in Other expense (income), net in Statement of Operations
Settlements and changes in the fair value of forward contracts (not designated as hedges)
Remeasurement of foreign currency-denominated assets and liabilities
(37.8)
(48.0)
6.1
17
The Company expects to reclassify in the next twelve months an approximate $22.4 million net loss from AOCI into earnings related to the Company’s outstanding commodity cash flow hedges as of June 30, 2023, based on current commodity price indices.
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:
Foreign
Exchange
Commodity
Balance Sheet
Forward
Economic
Cash Flow
Classification
Contracts
Hedges
Asset Derivatives:
Accounts receivable, net of allowance
Gross derivative asset position
Less: Counterparty netting
Net derivative asset position
Liability Derivatives:
(7.4)
(10.0)
(22.4)
(39.8)
(4.9)
Gross derivative liability position
(25.5)
(44.7)
Net derivative liability position
(6.4)
(43.7)
Total net derivative position
(11.1)
(5.3)
(11.3)
(27.7)
(2.2)
(6.6)
(12.2)
(29.9)
(11.0)
(29.8)
(29.7)
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.
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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.
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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Items
Significant Other Observable Inputs
Significant Unobservable Inputs
Assets (Liabilities) at Fair Value
(Level 1)
(Level 2)
(Level 3)
Foreign exchange forward contracts—(Liabilities)
Commodity economic hedges—(Liabilities)
Commodity cash flow hedges—(Liabilities)
Total fair value
Foreign exchange forward contracts—Assets
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 June 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 six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company recorded additional impairment charges of $0.1 million and $0.4 million, respectively, related to capital expenditures at the Boehlen styrene monomer facility
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that it determined to be impaired, which are also included within “Impairment and other charges” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. Refer to the Company’s Annual Report for further information. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the value of the Boehlen styrene monomer assets are recorded at $3.2 million within the Company’s condensed consolidated balance sheets herein.
There were no other financial assets or liabilities measured at fair value on a nonrecurring basis as of December 31, 2022.
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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022:
As of
211.3
292.3
585.6
687.1
419.5
416.9
638.9
645.6
1,855.3
2,041.9
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. 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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022.
NOTE 12—PROVISION FOR INCOME TAXES
Effective income tax rate
%
45.4
9.5
49.7
Benefit from income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $25.1 million and $41.8 million, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 6.7% and 9.5% respectively. Provision for income taxes for the three and six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $30.8 million and $53.4 million, respectively, resulting in an effective tax rate of 45.4% and 49.7%, respectively.
The most significant drivers of the decrease in the effective income tax rate for the three and six months ended June 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 portion of the goodwill impairment not anticipated to provide a tax benefit. This is partially offset by a reduction in losses not anticipated to provide a tax benefit.
The effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 was impacted by a $349.0 million charge related to goodwill impairment, as described within Note 9 of the condensed consolidated financial statements, for which the Company recorded a tax benefit of $63.5 million.
Also impacting the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 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.
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Lastly, the effective income tax rate for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was impacted by a $35.6 million charge related to the European Commission request for information, as described within Note 13 in the condensed consolidated financial statements, for which the Company estimates no tax benefit.
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, no material environmental claims have been asserted against the Company, and the Company does not have any material accrued obligations for any Superfund Sites. As of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company had $3.9 million and $3.5 million, respectively, of accrued obligations for environmental remediation or restoration costs, which were recorded at fair value within the opening balance sheets of the PMMA business and Aristech Surfaces during 2021.
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 one to four years. In certain raw material purchase contracts, the Company has the right to purchase less than the required minimums and pay a liquidated damages fee, or, in case of a permanent plant shutdown, to terminate the contracts. In such cases, these obligations would be less than the annual commitment as disclosed in the Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements included in the Annual Report.
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 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
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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 June 30, 2023.
Change in asset retirement obligation
35.8
Obligations incurred
5.2
Settlements
(6.8)
Accretion expense
Currency translation adjustment
35.6
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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the current portion was $24.6 million and $25.3 million, respectively, and the long-term portion was $11.0 million and $10.5 million, respectively.
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
On April 20, 2023, a complaint was filed which purports to be on behalf of a class of purchasers of the Company’s securities between May 3, 2021 and March 27, 2023. It names as defendants the Company and our chief executive officer and chief financial officer, and seeks 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. Given the early stage of this matter, we are not able to estimate whether a material loss to our business is probable or remote, or estimate a potential range of loss, if any. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.
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. 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. Given the early stage of this matter, we are not able to estimate whether a material loss to our business is probable or remote, or estimate a potential range of loss, if any. The Company intends to vigorously defend this action.
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
22
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. It is not possible at this time for the Company to estimate its ultimate liability pursuant to the USCG notices or order, 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 $491.0 million. This transaction formally closed on December 1, 2021. Synthos claims that Trinseo did not properly disclose certain information including the natural gas pricing mechanism for the steam which is supplied by a third party to the Rubber Business. Synthos is seeking non-monetary restitution and monetary damages related to the spike of utility prices in Germany that commenced in the fall of 2021.
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 $35.6 million which is included within “Impairment and other charges” on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In November 2022, the Company reached a final settlement with the European Commission in respect of this matter of $33.8 million, adjusted for foreign exchange rate impacts, which was subsequently paid in full in December 2022.
NOTE 14—PENSION PLANS AND OTHER POSTRETIREMENT BENEFITS
The components of net periodic benefit costs for all significant plans were as follows:
Non-U.S. Defined Benefit Pension Plans
U.S. Defined Benefit Pension
Net periodic benefit cost
Service cost
Interest cost
Expected return on plan assets
Amortization of prior service credit
Amortization of net (gain) loss
Settlement and curtailment gain
(1.9)
2.6
2.3
23
(1.5)
5.6
The Company had less than $0.3 million of net periodic benefit costs for its other postretirement plans for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
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 June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, the Company’s benefit obligations included primarily in “Other noncurrent obligations” in the condensed consolidated balance sheets were $183.9 million and $177.8 million, respectively.
The Company made cash contributions and benefit payments to unfunded plans of approximately $2.7 million and $4.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, respectively. The Company expects to make additional cash contributions, including benefit payments to unfunded plans, of approximately $8.9 million to its defined benefit plans for the remainder of 2023.
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 six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, as well as unrecognized compensation cost as of June 30, 2023:
Unrecognized
Weighted
Compensation Cost
Average Years
RSUs
2.2
7.0
12.1
Options
0.7
3.3
3.8
1.5
PSUs
6.5
Total share-based compensation expense
24
The following table summarizes awards granted and the respective weighted average grant date fair value for the six months ended June 30, 2023:
Awards Granted
Weighted Average Grant Date Fair Value per Award
482,563
22.28
438,727
9.87
219,238
9.20
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 six months ended June 30, 2023:
Expected term (in years)
5.50
Expected volatility
54.01
Risk-free interest rate
4.06
Dividend yield
2.00
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 six months ended June 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.
Performance Share Units (PSUs)
The following are the weighted average assumptions used within the Monte Carlo valuation model for PSUs granted during the six months ended June 30, 2023:
3.00
62.60
4.41
Share price
24.08
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 six segments: Engineered Materials, Latex Binders, Plastics Solutions, Polystyrene, Feedstocks, and Americas Styrenics. On January 1, 2023, the Base Plastics segment was renamed to Plastics Solutions to better reflect Trinseo’s strategic focus on providing solutions in areas such as sustainability and material substitution. The Engineered Materials segment includes the Company’s compounds and blends products sold into higher growth and value applications, such as consumer electronics and medical, as well as soft thermoplastic elastomers (“TPEs”) products which are sold into markets such as footwear and automotive. Additionally, following the PMMA Acquisition and the
25
Aristech Surfaces Acquisition in 2021, the Engineered Materials segment also includes PMMA and MMA products, which are sold into a variety of applications including automotive, building & construction, medical, consumer electronics, and wellness, among others. The 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 number of performance latex binders applications, such as adhesive, building and construction and the technical textile paper market. The Plastics Solutions segment contains the results of the acrylonitrile-butadiene-styrene (“ABS”), styrene-acrylonitrile (“SAN”), and polycarbonate (“PC”) businesses, as well as compounds and blends for automotive and other applications. The Plastics Solutions segment also includes the results of Heathland, which was acquired in the first quarter of 2022. The Polystyrene segment includes a variety of general purpose polystyrenes (“GPPS”) and polystyrene that has been modified with polybutadiene rubber to increase its impact resistant properties (“HIPS”). 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 in many of the Company’s products, including polystyrene, SB latex, and ABS resins. Lastly, the Americas Styrenics segment consists solely of the operations of the Company’s 50%-owned joint venture, Americas Styrenics, a producer of both styrene monomer and polystyrene in North America.
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 six months ended June 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 six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
Three Months Ended (1)
11.8
25.3
25.2
6.2
(6.9)
34.0
29.4
46.1
23.0
14.2
Six Months Ended (1)
51.3
50.8
21.9
(17.7)
30.1
68.7
59.6
114.7
68.3
18.3
(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.
26
The reconciliation of income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes to segment Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
52.5
48.1
Corporate Unallocated(2)
17.3
21.6
43.4
48.5
Adjusted EBITDA Addbacks(3)
338.2
345.8
86.1
Segment Adjusted EBITDA
74.1
186.1
136.5
390.6
(2)
Corporate unallocated includes corporate overhead costs and certain other income and expenses.
(3)
Adjusted EBITDA addbacks for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022 are as follows:
Net gain on disposition of businesses and assets (Note 17)
(16.3)
Restructuring and other charges (Note 17)
Acquisition transaction and integration net costs (Note 3)
2.7
5.9
Asset impairment charges or write-offs (Note 11) (a)
1.6
European Commission request for information (Note 13)
Goodwill impairment charges (Note 9)
349.0
Other items (b)
22.1
Total Adjusted EBITDA Addbacks
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.
27
The following table provides detail of the Company’s restructuring charges for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
Cumulative
Life-to-date
Charges
Segment
Asset Restructuring Plan(1)
Feedstocks:
Accelerated depreciation
40.3
Employee termination benefits
3.7
Contract terminations
Decommissioning and other
Plastics Solutions:
Plastics Solutions
3.0
Engineered Materials:
Engineered Materials
2.8
Asset Restructuring Plan subtotal
13.5
70.2
Transformational Restructuring Program
8.8
Transformational Restructuring Program Subtotal
N/A(2)
Other Restructurings
Total Restructuring Charges
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 $19.0 million, which was received in May 2023 when the transaction closed. The Company recorded a pre-tax gain on sale of $14.4 million during the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, which was recorded within “Selling, general and administrative expenses” in the condensed consolidated statements of operations.
28
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 June 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
Expenses
Deductions(1)
13.3
(3.5)
(4.3)
NOTE 18—ACCUMULATED OTHER COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
The components of AOCI, net of income taxes, consisted of:
Pension & Other
Translation
Postretirement Benefit
Three Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
Adjustments
Plans, Net
Hedges, Net
Balance as of March 31, 2023
(140.7)
29.3
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income(1)
8.7
Balance as of June 30, 2023
(149.3)
28.5
Balance as of March 31, 2022
(118.6)
(33.3)
Other comprehensive income (loss)
(27.1)
Amounts reclassified from AOCI to net income (1)
Balance as of June 30, 2022
(153.4)
(27.0)
Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
(151.2)
29.0
(9.1)
(21.7)
(19.8)
14.5
14.0
Balance as of December 31, 2021
(114.3)
(33.6)
29
Statements of Operations
AOCI Components
Cash flow hedging items
16.1
Total before tax
Tax effect
(1.6)
Total, net of tax
Amortization of pension and other postretirement benefit plan items
Prior service credit
(a)
Net actuarial (gain) loss
Net curtailment and settlement gain
.
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.
30
The following table presents basic EPS and diluted EPS for the three and six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
(in millions, except per share data)
Earnings:
Shares:
Weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
Dilutive effect of RSUs, option awards, and PSUs(1)
Diluted weighted average ordinary shares outstanding
Income (loss) per share:
Income (loss) per share—basic:
Income (loss) per share—basic
Income (loss) per share—diluted:
Income (loss) per share—diluted
NOTE 20—IMPAIRMENT AND OTHER CHARGES
Impairment and other charges consisted of the following:
Asset impairment charges or write-offs (Note 11)
173.8t
31
Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
2023 Year-to-Date Highlights
During the three and six months ended June 30, 2023, Trinseo recognized net loss from continuing operations of $349.0 million and $397.9 million, respectively, and Adjusted EBITDA of $56.8 million and $93.1 million, respectively. Each period is inclusive of non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $349.0 million as discussed below. The persistence of challenging operating conditions, customer destocking, and underlying demand weakness contributed to a revised outlook. This outlook includes a further reduction in near-term forecasted operating results and growth projections, as well as an additional decrease in market capitalization. As a result of conditions discussed above, the Company recorded a non-cash impairment charge of $349.0 million equal to the full carrying value of the Engineered Materials reporting unit associated goodwill. 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 customer destocking and 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 the asset restructuring initiatives that were announced in the fourth quarter of 2022 as well as lower input costs and commercial actions. 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.
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, no maintenance covenants on our debt agreements, and no significant debt maturing until September 2024. Refer to the “Capital Resources and Liquidity” section below for further information. Other highlights for the year are described below.
Potential Profitability Improvement Initiatives
In response to the challenging macroeconomic environment, Trinseo continues to evaluate its asset footprint to improve its economic position and operating flexibility. The potential initiatives under current consideration include:
Restarting 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. The Company is restarting 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 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.
Results of Operations
Results of Operations for the Three and Six Months Ended June 30, 2023 and 2022
(in millions)
100
94
90
95
89
1
36
(35)
(18)
(39)
(22)
(36)
(20)
Three Months Ended – June 30, 2023 vs. June 30, 2022
Net Sales
Net sales decreased 32% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes resulted in a 16% decrease from continued customer destocking and underlying demand weakness from an uncertain economic and geopolitical macroenvironment, particularly in applications supporting building & construction and consumer durables. Additionally, a decrease of 17% was related to lower selling prices from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
Cost of Sales
The 29% decrease in cost of sales was primarily attributable to a 16% decrease due to lower sales volumes and a 26% decrease in raw material costs. Natural gas hedges contributed to a $12.3 million unfavorable impact year-over-year.
Gross Profit
The decrease in gross profit of 61% 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 as discussed above. See the segment discussion below for further information.
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Selling, General and Administrative Expenses (SG&A)
The $31.8 million, or 37%, decrease in SG&A was primarily due to a decrease of $20.1 million in costs associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the exploration of a potential divestiture of our styrenics business, a $6.4 million decrease in salary and wages expense and a $3.3 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 $3.0 million increase in restructuring costs, driven by the asset restructuring plan approved in the fourth quarter of 2022.
Equity in Earnings of Unconsolidated Affiliates
The decrease in equity earnings from Americas Styrenics of $26.9 million was due to lower styrene margins compared to high levels in the prior year.
Impairment and Other Charges
During the three months ended June 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 three months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.1 million and $1.3 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 $14.8 million, or 58%, was primarily attributable to the increase in the LIBO rate year-over-year. Refer to Note 8 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Other Expense (Income), Net
Other income, net for the three months ended June 30, 2023 was $2.9 million, which was primarily driven by foreign exchange transaction gains of $3.4 million. These net foreign exchange transaction gains included $6.0 million of gains from our foreign exchange forward contracts, partially offset by $2.6 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 income, net for the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $1.7 million, which included $1.0 million of income related to the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost, as well as foreign exchange transaction gains of $1.3 million. These net foreign exchange transaction gains included $37.8 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 $39.1 million of gains from our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Provision for (Benefit from) Income Taxes
Benefit from income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $25.1 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 6.7%. Provision for income taxes for the three months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $30.8 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 45.4%.
The decrease in provision for income taxes is primarily driven by the decrease of $442.0 million in income from continuing operations before income taxes.
Also increasing the provision for income taxes in the three months ended June 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.
34
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 June 30, 2023. Net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes during the three months ended June 30, 2022 was $0.3 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.
Six Months Ended – June 30, 2023 vs. June 30, 2022
Net sales decreased 30% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes resulted in an 18% decrease from continued customer destocking and underlying demand weakness from an uncertain economic and geopolitical macroenvironment, particularly in applications supporting building & construction and consumer durables. Additionally, a decrease of 12% was related to lower selling prices from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
The 25% decrease in cost of sales was primarily attributable to a 17% decrease due to lower sales volumes and an 18% decrease in raw material costs. Natural gas hedges contributed to a $31.1 million unfavorable impact year-over-year.
The decrease in gross profit of 71% 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 as discussed above. See the segment discussion below for further information.
The $43.8 million, or 24%, decrease in SG&A was primarily due to a decrease of $37.8 million in costs associated with the Company’s strategic initiatives, including the exploration of a potential divestiture of our styrenics business, a $7.3 million decrease in salary and wages expense, and a $5.8 million decrease in acquisition transaction and integration costs. Offsetting these decreased costs was a $6.2 million increase in restructuring costs, driven by the asset restructuring plan approved in the fourth quarter of 2022.
The decrease in equity earnings from Americas Styrenics of $30.8 million was due to lower styrene margins compared to the high levels in the prior year.
During the six months ended June 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 six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022, the Company recorded impairment charges of $0.4 million and $2.0 million, respectively, related to our Boehlen styrene monomer assets, as described within Note 11 in the condensed consolidated financial statements. During the six months ended June 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.
The increase in interest expense, net of $31.2 million, or 66%, was primarily attributable to the increase in the LIBO rate year-over-year. Refer to Note 8 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
35
Other income, net for the six months ended June 30, 2023 was $5.8 million, which was primarily driven by foreign exchange transaction gains of $6.1 million. These net foreign exchange transaction gains included $7.9 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, partially offset by $1.8 million of losses from our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Other expense, net for the six months ended June 30, 2022 was $1.3 million, which included $0.2 million of expense related to the non-service cost components of net periodic benefit cost as well as foreign exchange transaction losses of $0.1 million. These net foreign exchange transaction losses included $48.0 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, partially offset by $47.9 million of gains from our foreign exchange forward contracts.
Benefit from income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $41.8 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 9.5%. Provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $53.4 million, resulting in an effective tax rate of 49.7%.
The decrease in provision for income taxes is primarily driven by the decrease of $547.3 million in income from continuing operations before income taxes.
Also increasing the provision for income taxes for the six months ended June 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.
There was no net income from discontinued operations, net of income taxes during the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. Refer to Note 4 in the condensed consolidated financial statements for further information.
Outlook
Many of the challenging operating conditions from the second half of 2022 have persisted into 2023, such as customer destocking and underlying demand weakness. We expect a similar, constrained demand environment through the remainder of the year and therefore anticipate second half performance that is similar to the second quarter. Despite the economic environment, we have generated cash during the first half of the year. Also, we are seeing the benefit of our previously announced asset restructuring initiatives, and we have recently undertaken additional restructuring initiatives that we anticipate 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 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 six months ended June 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.
($ in millions)
% Change
(32)
(31)
Adjusted EBITDA
(65)
(100)
Adjusted EBITDA margin
0
The 32% 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 a 13% decrease year-over-year.
The $22.2 million, or 65%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $17.9 million, or 53%, due to lower sales volumes as described above. Lower margins resulted in a decrease of $3.5 million, or 10%, due to weaker MMA market conditions, as well as a $6.4 million unfavorable impact from natural gas hedges.
The 31% decrease in net sales was primarily attributable to a 21% 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 10% decrease year-over-year.
The $68.6 million, or 100%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $36.1 million, or 53%, due to lower sales volumes as described above. Lower margins resulted in a decrease of $28.2 million, or 41%, due to weaker MMA market conditions, as well as a $16.0 million unfavorable impact from natural gas hedges. Higher fixed costs also resulted in a $5.7 million, or 8%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA due to manufacturing cost under absorption.
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 performance latex binders products, including SB latex, styrene-acrylate latex (“SA latex”), and vinylidene chloride latex for coatings, adhesives, sealants, and elastomers (“CASE”) applications.
(28)
(24)
(14)
The 28% decrease in net sales was primarily due to a 17% decrease due to lower sales volumes across all regions and applications and a 12% decrease in pricing from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
The $4.1 million, or 14%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $12.8 million, or 43%, from lower sales volumes in addition to a decrease of $4.3 million, or 15%, due to higher fixed costs. These
37
decreases were partially offset by a $13.4 million, or 46%, increase attributable to higher margins including pricing initiatives and a favorable net timing variance.
The 24% decrease in net sales was primarily due to a 15% decrease due to lower sales volumes across all regions and applications and an 8% decrease in pricing from the pass through of lower raw material costs.
The $8.3 million, or 14%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to a decrease of $23.7 million, or 40%, from lower sales volumes in addition to a decrease of $4.8 million, or 8%, due to higher fixed costs. These decreases were partially offset by a $21.2 million, or 36%, 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.
(25)
(26)
(45)
(56)
Net sales decreased by 25% year-over-year, primarily due to a 14% decrease from lower pricing due to the pass through of lower raw material costs. In addition, sales decreased 11% from lower volume in polycarbonate from the announced shutdown of one production line as well as in copolymers in building & construction, industrial, and consumer durables applications.
The $20.9 million, or 45%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower sales volumes and margins. Lower sales volumes, as described above, contributed to a $2.1 million, or 5%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $16.1 million, or 35%, due to lower margins in ABS products from weaker market conditions. Higher fixed costs, mainly from manufacturing cost under absorption, also contributed a $3.1 million, or 7%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA.
Net sales decreased by 26% year-over-year, primarily due to lower sales volume which contributed a 15% decrease. Sales volumes were primarily impacted by a decrease in polycarbonate from the announced shutdown of one 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 10% decrease from lower pricing due to the pass through of lower raw material costs.
38
The $63.9 million, or 56%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily due to lower sales volumes and margins. Lower sales volumes, as described above, contributed to a $21.4 million, or 19%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA decreased by $33.5 million, or 29%, due to lower margins caused by weaker market conditions, primarily in ABS products. Higher fixed costs also contributed a $7.4 million, or 6%, decrease in Adjusted EBITDA. Volumes supporting automotive applications improved 3% versus prior year, mainly from Europe and North America, 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.
(38)
(73)
(68)
Net sales decreased by 38% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes due to weaker demand in appliance and building & construction applications led to a 14% 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.
The $16.8 million, or 73%, 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 $4.4 million, or 19%, due to lower volumes, and a decrease of $6.0 million, or 26%, due to lower margins. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a $6.3 million, or 28%, decrease from higher fixed costs primarily from manufacturing cost under absorption.
Net sales decreased by 36% year-over-year. Lower sales volumes due to weaker demand in appliance and building & construction applications led to an 18% decrease in net sales from the prior year. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a 17% decrease from lower pricing, primarily from the pass through of lower styrene costs.
The $46.4 million, or 68%, 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 $16.6 million, or 24%, due to lower volumes, and a decrease of $24.5 million, or 36%, due to lower margins. Also contributing to the overall decrease was a $4.7 million, or 7%, decrease from higher fixed costs.
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.
(61)
(52)
(149)
(197)
39
Net sales decreased 61% year-over-year. Lower styrene-related sales volume resulted in a 33% decrease along with a 28% decrease due to lower pricing.
The decrease of $21.1 million in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributed to a $28.4 million, or 201%, decrease from lower styrene margins, including impacts from a $23.3 million unfavorable net timing variance. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $7.3 million, or 52%, from lower fixed costs mainly due to the December 2022 Boehlen, Germany styrene plant closure.
Net sales decreased 52% year-over-year. Lower styrene-related sales volume resulted in a 26% decrease along with a 24% decrease due to lower pricing.
The decrease of $36.0 million in Adjusted EBITDA was primarily attributed to a $43.6 million, or 239%, decrease from lower styrene margins, including impacts from a $30.6 million unfavorable net timing variance. These decreases were partially offset by an increase of $7.1 million, or 39%, from lower fixed costs mainly due to the December 2022 Boehlen, Germany styrene plant closure.
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.
Adjusted EBITDA*
(51)
*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.
The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA was mainly due to lower styrene margins compared to the high levels in the prior year.
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
40
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 six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022:
EBITDA(a)
(281.4)
141.4
(252.7)
256.0
Net gain on disposition of businesses and assets(b)
Restructuring and other charges(c)
Acquisition transaction and integration net costs(d)
Asset impairment charges or write-offs(e)
European Commission request for information(f)
Goodwill impairment charges(g)
Other items(h)
56.8
164.5
93.1
342.1
41
Liquidity and Capital Resources
Cash Flows
The table below summarizes our primary sources and uses of cash for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022. We have derived the summarized cash flow information from our unaudited financial statements.
Net cash provided by (used in):
Operating activities - continuing operations
Operating activities - discontinued operations
Operating activities
Investing activities - continuing operations
Investing activities - discontinued operations
Investing activities
Financing activities
Operating Activities
Net cash provided by operating activities from continuing operations during the six months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $101.9 million, which included $30.0 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 working capital release during the quarter. This working capital release was primarily a result of targeted inventory control actions and cash improvement initiatives. Net cash used in operating activities from discontinued operations during the six months ended June 30, 2023 was not significant.
Net cash used in operating activities from continuing operations during the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $88.9 million. Solid earnings, including $37.5 million of dividends received from Americas Styrenics, were more than offset by a significant working capital build during the quarter. This working capital build, and resulting negative impact on cash flow, was driven by a rapid and significant increase in raw material prices experienced in the first half of 2022, especially in benzene. Also contributing to the working capital build were historically high energy prices. Net cash provided by operating activities from discontinued operations during the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $0.8 million.
Investing Activities
Net cash used in investing activities from continuing operations during the six months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $13.3 million, which was primarily attributable to capital expenditures of $35.6 million offset by proceeds from the sale of business and other assets of $22.3 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 six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $70.4 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
42
$55.4 million. Net cash used in investing activities from discontinued operations during the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $0.8 million.
Financing Activities
Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2023 totaled $31.7 million. This activity was primarily due to $17.1 million of dividends paid, $5.4 million in debt repayments, and $5.9 million of net repayments of short-term borrowings.
Net cash used in financing activities during the six months ended June 30, 2022 totaled $140.8 million. This activity was primarily due to $101.9 million of payments related to the repurchase of ordinary shares, $24.6 million of dividends paid, $7.5 million of net repayments of short-term borrowings, and $7.2 million of net principal payments related to our 2024 Term Loan B and 2028 Term Loan B during the period.
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.
(56.2)
66.3
(144.3)
Refer to the discussion above for significant impacts to cash provided by (used in) operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2023 and 2022.
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).
At June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $2,349.0 million and $2,353.7 million, respectively, in outstanding indebtedness and $628.9 million and $701.3 million, respectively, in working capital. In addition, as of June 30, 2023 and December 31, 2022, we had $173.8 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 June 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
43
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 Six Months Ended
As of and for the Year Ended
Effective
Interest
Balance
Rate
Expense
12.3
3.9
29.1
7.5
24.1
34.7
2026 Revolving Facility
5.1
24.8
5.4
14.1
Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility
81.0
117.7
As of June 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 $25.1 million outstanding letters of credit. The 2026 Revolving Facility contains a springing covenant which applies when 30% or more is drawn from the 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 June 30, 2023, the first lien net leverage ratio was 6.07x, and as such, the Company had $97.4 million of funds available for borrowing (net of $15.1 million outstanding letters of credit as defined in the secured credit agreement). Further, as of June 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 2024 Term Loan B (with original principal of $700.0 million, maturing in September 2024), and our 2028 Term Loan B (with original principal of $750.0 million, maturing in May 2028). The stated interest rate on our 2024 Term Loan B is London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) plus 2.00% (subject to a 0.00% LIBOR floor). The stated interest rate on our 2028 Term Loan B was LIBOR plus 2.50% (subject to a 0.00% LIBOR floor). Pursuant to the terms of the Credit 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.
As of June 30, 2023, our 2025 Senior Notes, as issued under the Indenture executed in 2017, include $500.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.375% senior notes that mature on September 1, 2025.
As of June 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 June 30, 2023, there were no amounts outstanding under this facility and the Company had approximately $139.0 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.
44
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 six months ended June 30, 2023, the Company declared dividends of $0.15 per ordinary share, totaling $5.5 million, of which $1.0 million was accrued as of June 30, 2023 and was paid in July 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 six months ended June 30, 2023 primarily due to our cash improvement initiatives and working capital reductions. We believe funds provided by operations, our cash and cash equivalent balances of $269.5 million as of June 30, 2023, coupled with borrowings available under our 2026 Revolving Facility and our Accounts Receivable Securitization Facility totaling a minimum of $236.4 million, will be adequate to meet all necessary operating and capital expenditures for at least the next 12 months under the current operating environment.
Refinancing the 2024 Term Loan B, which matures in September 2024, remains an ongoing priority for the Company. The Company’s ability to refinance its near-term indebtedness, as well as the timing and terms of any such refinancing, are dependent upon several factors, including the prevailing credit, market and economic conditions, and there can be no assurance that the Company will be successful in refinancing on similar terms or at all. In addition, rising benchmark interest rates will result in higher interest rates on future indebtedness, and the terms, which could include negative covenants, may further restrict the Company’s ability to take certain actions.
If the Company is unable to refinance the 2024 Term Loan B as it approaches maturity, the Company’s liquidity, results of operations, and financial condition would be materially adversely impacted. The Company will continue to focus on negotiation of a refinancing transaction, as well as implementation of liquidity improvement actions until customer destocking ends and sales volumes stabilize, at which point we expect our cash flow generation to resume to normal operating levels.
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 June 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.
45
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 June 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.
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 June 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 June 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.
Item 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds
Recent sales of unregistered securities
None.
(b)
Use of Proceeds from registered securities
(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 June 30, 2023. There was $200.0 million remaining for share repurchases as of June 30, 2023.
Item 3. Defaults Upon Senior Securities
Item 4. Mine Safety Disclosures
Not applicable.
Item 5. Other Information
None of the Company’s directors or officers adopted, modified, or terminated a Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement or a non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement during the Company’s fiscal quarter ended June 30, 2023.
Item 6. Exhibits
See Exhibit Index.
EXHIBIT INDEX
Exhibit
No.
Description
Memorandum and Articles of Association of Trinseo PLC, as amended (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 3.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 17, 2022).
Indenture among Trinseo Materials Operating S.C.A., Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, dated as of August 29, 2017 (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed September 5, 2017).
Indenture among Trinseo Materials Operating S.C.A., Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc. and The Bank of New York Mellon, as Trustee, dated as of March 24, 2021 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit 4.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K filed March 24, 2021).
10.1
Trinseo PLC Amended and Restated 2014 Omnibus Incentive Plan (incorporated herein by reference to Exhibit 10.1 to the Current Report on Form 8-K, filed on June 16, 2023).
10.2†
2023 SOFR Amendment to the Credit Agreement dated September 6, 2017 among Trinseo Materials Operating S.C.A., Trinseo Materials Finance, Inc., together with Trinseo Holding S.à r.l. and Trinseo Ireland Holdings Limited, Deutsche Bank AG New York Branch, as administrative agent, collateral agent, L/C issuer and swing line lender, and the guarantors and lenders party thereto from time to time, dated as of June 30, 2023.
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†
Certification of Chief Executive Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
32.2†
Certification of Chief Financial Officer Pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
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: August 4, 2023
By:
/s/ Frank Bozich
Name:
Frank Bozich
Title:
President, Chief Executive Officer
(Principal Executive Officer)
/s/ David Stasse
David Stasse
Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
(Principal Financial Officer)