Core Viewpoint - Huntsman Corporation will hold a conference call on May 2, 2025, to discuss its first quarter 2025 financial results, with a question and answer session following the opening remarks [1][2]. Financial Information - The earnings press release, including financial statements and segment information, will be distributed after the market closes on May 1, 2025 [2]. - Huntsman Corporation reported approximately $6 billion in revenues for the year 2024 [3]. Company Overview - Huntsman Corporation is a global manufacturer and marketer of differentiated and specialty chemicals, operating over 60 manufacturing, R&D, and operations facilities in around 25 countries [3]. - The company employs approximately 6,300 associates within its continuing operations [3].

Core Insights - Ashland has completed a $10 million expansion of its pharmaceutical manufacturing plant in Cabreúva, Brazil, enhancing its production capacity and market presence [1][2] - The investment aims to meet the increasing demand for coated tablets in Latin America, with a growth rate of 4.3% per year in the region and 5.7% in Brazil from 2019 to 2023 [2][4] - The expansion includes modernization of equipment for microbial protection in personal care applications at the R&D lab in São Paulo, following previous investments in Ireland and China [3][4] Company Strategy - Ashland's investments are part of a strategy to globalize, innovate, and enhance customer differentiation while increasing shareholder value [4] - The new equipment improves capabilities in tablet coatings, color matching, stability, and quality evaluation, allowing for customized solutions to industry needs [4][5] - The company aims to support organic growth by introducing new platform technologies that extend to secondary markets, offering sustainable innovations [5] Market Position - The expansion is expected to strengthen Ashland's presence in the pharmaceutical and personal care industries, which are evolving rapidly [5] - The company emphasizes the importance of local production for microbial protection products in Brazil as part of its globalization strategy [5] - Ashland's focus on high-performance production and differentiated technical support is designed to meet growing market demand efficiently [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported a net sales decline to $40.7 million in Q4 2024 from $41.2 million in Q4 2023, attributed to lower volume but higher pricing in specialty chemicals [32] - Adjusted EBITDA increased to $2.6 million in Q4 2024 from negative $5.9 million in Q4 2023, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 6.3% compared to negative 14.4% in the prior year [35] - For the full year 2024, net sales were $177.9 million, down from $193.2 million in 2023, while gross profit increased significantly to $22.1 million or 12.4% of net sales compared to $1.5 million or 0.8% in 2023 [36] Business Segment Data and Key Metrics Changes - The tubular products segment experienced a year-over-year sales decline of $12.4 million but increased segment-level gross profit by approximately $15 million due to cost management and product line optimization [16] - The specialty chemicals segment achieved its highest quarterly adjusted EBITDA since Q2 2022, driven by a 14% increase in gross margin despite moderate top-line compression [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company noted that domestic investments in energy and infrastructure are beginning to translate into increased demand, with a stronger order backlog than in the past four years [17] - The total addressable market for the specialty chemicals segment is over $9 billion, with a focus on branded products that recorded a double-digit year-over-year increase in sales [20][22] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to maximize asset value in the tubular product segment while investing in profitable growth in specialty chemicals [7] - There is a commitment to organic growth through branded product sales and a disciplined approach to potential acquisitions [25] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed pragmatic optimism for 2025, indicating that while market dynamics are improving, significant changes are not expected in the first half of the year [17] - The company is focused on driving growth while maintaining operational excellence and has a strong liquidity position with over $16 million in cash [8][39] Other Important Information - The company has initiated a stock repurchase program, allowing for the acquisition of up to an additional one million shares over the next 24 months [9] - The company remains debt-free and generated nearly $15 million in free cash flow throughout the year [15][39] Q&A Session Summary Question: What are the expectations for top-line growth in 2025? - Management indicated that top-line growth is more likely to be a second-half opportunity, with no material changes expected in the first half [44] Question: What contributed to the significant cash growth from Q3 to Q4? - The increase in cash was primarily driven by optimizing idle inventory and improved cash conversion cycles [48][49] Question: How is the new cleaning portfolio being received in the market? - The reception was positive, with new opportunities being pursued following the launch at a cleaning conference [55] Question: What is the outlook for margin improvement in the chemicals segment? - There is potential for ongoing margin improvement as branded product sales increase, although further price increases may not be anticipated [61] Question: Is the share repurchase goal achievable given past buyback trends? - Management clarified that the buyback program provides flexibility and is contingent on market conditions and share price [64] Question: Where does management see the company a year from now? - The focus is on pivoting to growth, both organically and inorganically, with plans to fill underutilized assets with high-value applications [68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For 2024, total sales reached $6.841 billion, with adjusted EBITDA of $1.469 billion, representing a margin of 21% [8] - Adjusted diluted earnings per share for 2024 was $0.38, with free cash flow of $758 million for the full year [10][11] - Potash prices decreased by 24% compared to the previous year, impacting overall performance [9] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - **Industrial Products**: Sales for 2024 were $1.239 billion, with EBITDA of $281 million. Fourth quarter EBITDA improved by 25% to $70 million despite lower sales [15][16] - **Potash Division**: Sales totaled $1.656 billion with EBITDA of $492 million. Average potash price fell nearly $100 CIF per ton, with total sales volume down by approximately 127,000 metric tons [18][19] - **Phosphate Solutions**: 2024 sales were $2.250 billion, with annual EBITDA of $559 million. EBITDA margin expanded to 25% despite lower acid prices [21][22] - **Growing Solutions**: Sales decreased to $1.950 billion, but EBITDA increased by 70% to $202 million, with a margin expansion to 10% [28] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Inflation rates remained stable except for Brazil, which saw a 40 basis point increase in Q4 [41] - Global industrial production growth was 2.4%, with expectations of 2.9% to 3.3% for 2025 [42] - Potash prices stabilized in January, while phosphate prices increased by 4% since year-end [45] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company continues to focus on specialty-driven businesses, which represented 70% of 2024 EBITDA [10] - Strategic relationships and innovative product launches were emphasized as key growth drivers [11][32] - The company is advancing its battery material aspirations in Europe and has signed a strategic agreement for lithium iron phosphate production [27][35] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management noted improvements in the geopolitical situation in Israel, which had previously impacted operations [8] - The outlook for potash prices is more favorable, with expectations of price increases in 2025 [86] - The company anticipates continued volume growth in Phosphate Solutions, despite a stable overall market [65] Other Important Information - The company distributed a total of $242 million in dividends for 2024, yielding 3.8% [11][54] - The balance sheet is reported as the strongest in recent years, with available resources of approximately $1.6 billion [54] Q&A Session Summary Question: Demand drivers in Phosphate Solutions - Management highlighted headwinds from WPA prices but noted increased volumes from specialty products, particularly in China [64] Question: Trade disputes and Industrial Products - Management discussed local production facilities in Europe and the impact of antidumping measures on market opportunities [68][70] Question: Chinese bromine capacity - No significant bankruptcies were reported, but there have been reductions in capacity in China [75] Question: Political changes in Eastern Europe - Demand for fertilizers remains solid, with expectations of stable potash shipments [77] Question: Potash price outlook - Management indicated a better outlook for potash pricing, with recent increases observed [86] Question: LFP demand for EVs vs. ESS - Management noted a significant shift towards LFP technologies, with demand for stationary storage being a primary opportunity [116]

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