Sector News

MeadWestvaco to spin off specialty chemicals business

January 8, 2015
Energy & Chemical Value Chain
MeadWestvaco (MWV) says it plans a tax-free spin-off of its specialty chemicals business, a maker of pine chemical derivatives for printing inks, adhesives, and asphalt paving, among other sectors. The chemicals business also makes activated carbon products. The spin-off is expected to be complete by the end of this year, and MWV “remains open to other value-creating alternatives” for specialty chemicals.
 
MWV’s specialty chemical business posted revenue of $1.03 billion and Ebitda margin of 26.5% for the 12-month period ended 30 September. Pine chemical derivatives accounted for 76% of sales and activated carbon was 24%. The specialty chemical business will remain headquartered in Charleston, SC. Edward Rose is currently president of the division. 
 
MWV company will undertake a reorganization of its remaining paper and plastic packaging business along with the spin-off of specialty chemicals. “The separation of our specialty chemicals business, along with the organizational redesign work we are undertaking, reflects the strong commitment of our management team and board of directors to creating value for our shareholders and establishing a business model that will significantly improve the profitability and cash flow profile of our packaging business,” says MWV chairman and CEO John Luke, Jr.
 
MWV expects to use cash generated from the spin-off to pay down debt. BofA Merrill Lynch and Goldman Sachs are acting as MWV’s financial advisers on the deal, and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are its legal adviser.
 
By Vincent Valk
 

comments closed

Related News

November 26, 2023

INEOS Styrolution and Sinopec inaugurate new ABS facility in Ningbo, China

Energy & Chemical Value Chain

INEOS Styrolution, the global leader in styrenics, has today announced the official opening of a new world-scale ABS[1] facility located in Ningbo, China, together with its joint venture partner SINOPEC. The facility has an annual nameplate capacity of 600,000 tonnes.

November 26, 2023

Rohm, SABIC combine on New Film, Sheet Unit

Energy & Chemical Value Chain

The merger of Röhm’s Acrylic Products business unit and SABIC’s Functional Forms business has resulted in the formation of Polyvantis. This new company will offer extruded products in the forms film, sheet, pipe and rod for markets that include building and construction, transportation and aviation, electrical and electronics, automotive and home and garden.

November 26, 2023

Report: Adnoc considering €10B acquisition of BASF affiliate Wintershall DEA

Energy & Chemical Value Chain

Abu Dhabi National Oil Co. (Adnoc) is considering plans to acquire upstream oil and gas company Wintershall DEA, an affiliate of BASF SE, according to a Bloomberg report citing people with knowledge of the matter. A deal to acquire Wintershall DEA could be worth more than €10 billion, the report said. BASF and Adnoc declined to comment on the report.

How can we help you?

We're easy to reach