MOSCOW (MRC) -- Hexion saw revenues decline in Q3 year on year, but the recovery began to take shape with a solid sequential rebound in volumes, said the company.
"Third quarter 2020 results reflected steadily improving volume gains each month during the quarter as ongoing improvement in several key end markets drove Segment EBITDA that exceeded the prior year by 6 percent if excluding the prior year impact of fresh start accounting,” said Craig Rogerson, Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We were also pleased to post strong sequential Segment EBITDA from continuing operations gains of 60% in the third quarter of 2020 compared to second quarter Segment EBITDA from continuing operations of $56 million. Favorable residential construction trends drove strong sequential improvement in our third quarter volumes and EBITDA for our Adhesives segment. Our Coatings & Composites segment posted positive Segment EBITDA gains in the third quarter of 2020 versus the prior year due to our specialty epoxy resins business and continued positive demand in wind energy, as well as our Versatic Acids™ and Derivatives business due to strength in architectural coatings and recovering automotive demand."
Mr. Rogerson added: "We were pleased to recently announce a divestiture and continue to explore other portfolio optimization opportunities. Upon closing, we plan to use the proceeds to invest in our business and reduce our debt. While our volumes continued to improve sequentially in October, visibility remains limited regarding the fourth quarter of 2020 because of the pandemic as well as normal year-end volatility. Our balance sheet, liquidity, and ability to generate cash remain strong, and we are encouraged by the recent trends in housing, wind energy, automotive and several other markets, although we continue to keep a close eye on key economic indicators to monitor the impact of COVID-19. In addition, we expect to be free cash flow1 positive in 2020. We remain focused on the things we can control, such as completing the pending divestiture, maintaining our streamlined cost structure and continuing to accelerate new product development, which we believe positions us favorably as demand recovers. We also plan to expand our investments in productivity and growth-oriented capital expenditures to drive future growth in 2021 and future years."
On September 27, 2020, the Company entered into a Purchase Agreement for the sale of its Phenolic Specialty Resin (PSR), Hexamine and European-based Forest Products Resins businesses (together with PSR, the “Held for Sale Business” or the “Business”) for approximately $425 million to Black Diamond and Investindustrial. The consideration consists of $335 in cash and certain assumed liabilities with the remainder in future proceeds based on the performance of the Held for Sale Business. The final purchase price is subject to customary post-closing adjustments.
The business includes approximately 900 associates and 11 manufacturing facilities globally where phenolic specialty resins and engineered thermoset molding compounds are produced for a wide range of end markets including building and construction, industrial, automotive, electronics, agriculture and consumer. The Company expects to use the net sale proceeds to reduce indebtedness as well as for general corporate purposes including investments in its business. The transaction is intended to close in the first quarter of 2021, subject to regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions, including Works Council consultation.
As MRC informed earlier, Hexion, a major American manufacturer of phenol and bisphenol A (BPA), has shut down its BPA plant in Pernis, the Netherlands for scheduled maintenance. Hexion is currently carrying out scheduled repairs at the enterprises for the production of epichlorohydrin with a capacity of 90,000 tonnes/year and bisphenol-A (BPA) with a capacity of 120,000 tonnes/year in Pernis in the Netherlands. The renovation began in early November and will last until the end of November, a company source added. The exact dates were not disclosed.
According to MRC's ScanPlast report, Russia's estimated consumption of PC granules (excluding imports and exports to/from Belarus) rose in the first three quarters of 2020 by 32% year on year to 75,600 tonnes (57,200 tonnes a year earlier).
Hexion Inc., formerly Momentive Specialty Chemicals Inc., is a chemical company based in Columbus, Ohio. It manufactures thermosetting resins and related technologies and specialty products. Hexion has two divisions: the epoxy, phenolic and coating resins division and the forest products division.
MRC