Trinseo PLC (NYSE:TSE) Q1 2024 Earnings Call Transcript

Page 3 of 3

So, those are the things that we are balancing, but yes, favorable mix through the full year with EM applications growing better than the rest of the portfolio.

Kevin Estok: Okay. Got it. Thank you. And apologies if this question has been asked, but my service has been a little spotty on this call. I am just wondering I guess where you are still seeing destocking I guess in which value chain specifically? Thank you.

Frank Bozich: Yes. The only place where we are seeing some where we would see some signs of destocking is in downstream building and construction related to polystyrene EPS, XPS applications. So, those are the only areas where we currently believe in Q1 and that’s specific to Europe and North America.

Kevin Estok: Okay. Great. Thank you very much.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Ed Brucker from Barclays. Your line is open.

Ed Brucker: Hey. Thanks for the call this morning. My question is on just demand, you mentioned that you are still not near normal levels. I guess how far below normal levels are you still – you could do broadly or by business. And for example, like, engineering materials business, you said at $20 million, if you run right that, is that kind of normal demand now, or is there upside if we get demand to return?

Frank Bozich: Yes. So, in the earnings presentation, there is a pretty good breakdown of the trade volumes by segment. And what I would tell you is we are about 20% below the historical run rate volumes for the whole portfolio as it exists today compared to sort of normal demand over the previous cycle, even the previous decade. And so what – and what I would tell you too is, with the current mix in the portfolio that for every 10% improvement, that’s approximately a $25 million per quarter EBITDA impact, so or $100 million per year for every 10% recovery. So, if we get halfway back to normal volumes, we would expect that to deliver an additional $25 million a quarter in EBITDA in aggregate.

Ed Brucker: Got it. That’s helpful. Thank you. My second question the $150 million of the 2025’s outstanding, I guess what was the reasoning behind leaving that outstanding? And then what do you, or what are the plans to address that maturity over the next, or I guess before it goes current?

David Stasse: The reason behind leaving, it was really covenant, it was covenant, for covenant reasons, we left that. We did a transaction in September of last year, as you are aware, And the sizing of that transaction was constrained by covenants. So, look, we clearly had the cash and liquidity to address that. I am kind of less concerned about. I don’t view it going current as a – necessarily as a constraining factor as to when we need to address that. I mean it also happens to be our lowest cost of debt right now. So, look, our plans are to either pay it off or refinance it in a transaction. We do have a number of divested, sale processes underway. I mean that could bring in incremental proceeds. I think as Frank mentioned in his prepared remarks, the AmSty sale, I mean the net proceeds from that already would be earmarked to the most recently issued debt, but other asset sales could be used for others.

So, again, I think we were comfortable with our liquidity and our ability to handle that maturity, but don’t feel compelled to do that before it goes current.

Ed Brucker: Got it. And just one last one. I noticed the 8-K for the retention bonus that you put out at the end of February. What was the reasoning behind those retention bonuses?

Frank Bozich: So, we had several members of the team that did exceptional work navigating through the deepest part of the cycle, and at the same time, we wanted to create a strong incentive and recognition, retention for those efforts, and that’s what it reflects.

Operator: Your next question comes from the line of Roger Spitz from Bank of America. Your line is open.

Roger Spitz: Thanks very much. Good morning. Regarding AmSty, just to see if I understood correctly, you are saying the preliminary steps you are having to take before you start marking this will likely result in both you and CP Chemical working together to sell all of AmSty. Did I hear that correctly or did I misinterpret that?

Frank Bozich: No, these steps are prescriptive and they are precursory to a joint marketing effort, but it will certainly result in a joint marketing of the asset. It’s just we have to go through these prescriptive steps.

Roger Spitz: Got it. But the thinking is AmSty will be sold. Both parties will sell their 50% stakes in AmSty, someone is going to be buying all of AmSty, is that correct?

Frank Bozich: Yes, I am sorry, can you repeat the question, I missed it?

Roger Spitz: You are going to be marking all of AmSty. Somebody, a potential buyer, will be looking to buy all of AmSty, not just your 50%.

Frank Bozich: That is correct.

Roger Spitz: Okay. That’s it. Thank you very much.

Operator: And we have now concluded our question-and-answer session. This concludes today’s conference call. We thank you for your participation. You may now disconnect.

Follow Trinseo Plc (NYSE:TSE)

Page 3 of 3