Trinseo announces restructuring moves, will exit virgin polycarbonate output

Trinseo announced restructuring initiatives to better position the business for longer-term growth, improved profitability, and increased cash generation. Effective October 1, 2024, the Company is combining the management of its Engineered Materials, Plastics Solutions and Polystyrene businesses, resulting in a reduction in workforce due to the consolidation of business management roles and support functions. These actions began in the third quarter of 2024 and are anticipated to be substantially complete by the end of 2025. The expected annualized run rate cost savings is $30 million with approximately $25 million realized in 2025 and the full run rate achieved by the end of 2026. The newly combined Engineered Materials, Plastics Solutions and Polystyrene businesses will be led by Francesca Reverberi, SVP, Engineered Materials. Bregje “Bee” Van Kessel, who currently leads the Plastics Solutions and Polystyrene businesses, will assume the role of SVP, Corporate Finance and Investor Relations reporting to David Stasse, EVP, Chief Financial Officer. Han Hendriks, who leads technology and innovation, will add oversight responsibilities for the Company’s sustainability activities as Chief Technology and Sustainability Officer. Additionally, the Company has decided to exit virgin polycarbonate production at its Stade, Germany production facility following discussions with the relevant works councils. Production is anticipated to end by January 2025 with severance and related benefit payments expected to complete by the end of 2026. Once operations have ceased, all the Company’s polycarbonate needs for its downstream, differentiated compounded products will be purchased from external suppliers, including its licensees, with the exception of its dissolution-based polycarbonate production. This purchasing change is expected to result in an annualized run rate profitability improvement of $15 million to $20 million relative to manufacturing at Stade. The Company expects to record total pre-tax restructuring charges of $23 million to $28 million, principally comprised of $22 million to $26 million of severance and related benefit costs and $1 million to $2 million of asset-related and contract termination charges, primarily related to the virgin polycarbonate manufacturing site in Stade, Germany.