Speciality materials provider Trinseo reported a first-quarter net loss of USD 79 million on Monday, despite restructuring efforts that boosted adjusted EBITDA by 44 percent compared to the same period last year.

The Pennsylvania-based company, which manufactures plastics, latex and rubber, saw its net loss widen slightly from USD 76 million a year earlier, weighed down by USD 25 million in refinancing costs from debt transactions completed in January.

Trinseo's quarterly revenue fell 13 percent to USD 785 million, as the company grapples with weak demand across all business segments and its strategic reduction of low-margin sales.

“Core business results in the first quarter were in line with expectations and sequentially higher due to prior quarter customer destocking and seasonality," said Frank Bozich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinseo. “Despite persistent market weakness, the first quarter was Trinseo’s 7th consecutive quarter of year-over-year Adjusted EBITDA improvement driven by the various management actions we took early in this industry downturn."

Adjusted EBITDA rose to USD 65 million from USD 45 million a year ago, bolstered by USD 26 million in polycarbonate technology licensing income and cost-cutting measures, though partially offset by lower volumes and reduced income from its Americas Styrenics joint venture.

Cash used in operations totalled USD 110 million, whilst capital expenditures reached USD 9 million, resulting in a negative free cash flow of USD 119 million. The company ended the quarter with USD 128 million in cash, of which USD 2 million was restricted, and total liquidity of USD 421 million.

Among its business segments, Engineered Materials recorded a 2 percent drop in sales to USD 278 million, yet saw adjusted EBITDA jump by USD 16 million to USD 26 million. Latex Binders sales declined 13 percent to USD 209 million, with adjusted EBITDA slipping USD 2 million to USD 24 million.

Polymer Solutions, despite a 22 percent sales decrease to USD 298 million, posted a USD 15 million increase in adjusted EBITDA to USD 44 million, benefiting from fixed cost reductions and licensing income. Americas Styrenics fell to a negative USD 2 million in adjusted EBITDA, down USD 8 million from the previous year.

Looking ahead, Trinseo forecasts a second-quarter net loss between USD 61 million and USD 46 million, with adjusted EBITDA ranging from USD 55 million to USD 70 million. The company expects approximately break-even free cash flow, which includes USD 21 million from polycarbonate technology license income.

The company has withdrawn its full-year guidance previously provided during its debt refinancing, citing high macroeconomic uncertainty limiting its ability to assess future end-market demand.

Bozich expressed confidence in the company's outlook, stating: "We anticipate Adjusted EBITDA of USD 55 million to USD 70 million in Q2 with seasonally higher volumes, lower costs in Engineered Materials, and improved AmSty performance offsetting the first quarter polycarbonate technology license income."

Trinseo expects limited direct impact from current tariffs, as it generally manufactures products and procures raw materials in the regions where they are sold.

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The German rubber industry is calling for the European Commission's planned postponement of the EU Deforestation Regulation (EUDR) to be used to make the rules more practical. This perspective comes from the German Rubber Industry Association (wdk), which believes the delay presents a critical opportunity to streamline the regulation for all parties involved.

The association's President, Michael Klein, has specifically proposed that the German federal government advocate for the introduction of a ‘first-touch principle’. This concept would require only the initial company placing an EUDR-regulated product on the European market to submit a due diligence declaration. Klein argues that the current requirement for each subsequent actor in the value chain to repeat the declaration for the same material generates high bureaucratic costs and inefficiencies.

According to Klein, limiting the obligation to a single declaration at the start of the value chain would be an elegant solution. He states that it would not only drastically reduce the administrative burden on businesses but also significantly lower the control burden and IT infrastructure requirements for EU authorities. The wdk president positions this as a win-win scenario and a tangible test of the commitment by both the German government and the EU to meaningfully reduce bureaucracy.

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ZC Rubber reinforced its European growth ambitions by convening key partners at the 2025 Westlake TBR Dealer Conference in Madrid. The event assembled strategic wholesalers, service providers and major fleet operators like DSV to outline a collaborative future focused on the fleet segment as a primary growth engine.

Marking a decade since the Westlake brand's European introduction in 2014, the conference highlighted a trajectory of steady expansion. This progress is evidenced by the delivery of over 300,000 Westlake truck and bus radial tyres to the region in 2024, securing an estimated 2.5 percent market share. In response to increasing market competition, ZC Rubber unveiled a comprehensive fleet service strategy aimed at delivering enhanced value. This plan prioritises deep technical collaboration, including on-site support and joint testing initiatives, alongside promotional programmes designed to help partners fortify client relationships. A critical objective is the establishment of a continent-wide service network to guarantee consistent support.

The agenda featured perspectives from Ákos Barcsik, Deputy General Manager of ZC Rubber Europe, on product innovation, while contributions from Interpneu, a German service provider, and logistics leader DSV offered practical insights into fleet needs and customer service. These discussions provided concrete directions for future cooperation. Under the unifying theme ‘Stronger As One, Together To Win’, the conference successfully fostered a spirit of partnership, reaffirming a shared commitment to expanding the Westlake brand’s presence across Europe’s dynamic commercial tyre market.

Leo Liao, Sales Director, ZC Rubber Europe, said, “Over the past decade, Westlake has established a strong foundation in Europe. Now, our mission is to work hand in hand with our partners and fleets, delivering technical expertise, stronger service capabilities and real business value. By focusing on fleet solutions, we are confident Westlake can achieve sustainable growth and become an even stronger player in the European market.”

Barcsik said, “In Europe, our priority is to provide fleets with the right tyre products backed by technical expertise. With reliable products, on-site engineering support and tyre testing programmes, we help partners deliver measurable performance and cost efficiency to their customers.”

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CEAT Limited has significantly expanded its retail footprint with the inauguration of five new exclusive CEAT Shoppes in key urban and upcountry locations across Karnataka. The new outlets are strategically situated in high-traffic areas of Bengaluru such as J C Road, Sarjapur Road and Nagarbhavi, alongside new locations in Puttur and Sira. This expansion is designed to make premium tyres and associated services more accessible to a broader customer base, from metropolitan residents to those in surrounding towns and suburbs.

The newly launched Shoppes will feature the brand’s comprehensive portfolio of tyres for both two-wheelers and four-wheelers. This includes specialised product lines such as CrossDrive for rugged terrain, SportDrive for luxury vehicle performance, SecuraDrive for highway safety and comfort and Milaze for consumers seeking long-lasting durability. Beyond product sales, each outlet will provide essential value-added services including professional wheel balancing, precise wheel alignment and nitrogen filling. To enhance customer convenience, all new locations are digitally integrated, making them easily discoverable through Google search and maps.

This expansion also generates a positive socio-economic impact by creating new employment opportunities within these communities. CEAT is further committed to investing in its workforce through specialised training programmes aimed at developing the technical expertise and customer service skills necessary to deliver a superior experience. The move aligns with the growing demand for premium automotive products in Karnataka's evolving market. By targeting consumers who value adventure, innovation and a premium lifestyle, CEAT reinforces its brand positioning. The modern, interactive environment of the Shoppes is intended to provide a customer-friendly journey, ensuring that every interaction from product selection to final fitment is both engaging and efficient.

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Atturo Tires is accelerating its market growth with a substantial release of 25 new sizes, strategically expanding three core product families. This launch introduces two new sizes for the mud-terrain Trail Blade MTS, eight for the rugged Trail Blade ATS and a significant 15 additional sizes for the high-performance AZ850. This move is designed to place Atturo’s technology within reach of a broader range of drivers, from off-road enthusiasts to owners of modern sports cars and electric vehicles.

The Trail Blade MTS, engineered for larger trucks, incorporates a unique tread pattern inspired by a karambit knife blade to provide extreme traction in muddy conditions. With its new sizes, it now caters to a wider array of wheel configurations. Meanwhile, the Trail Blade ATS reinforces its position as a versatile all-terrain option, boasting a 50,000-mile (approximately 80,467 km) warranty and a winter weather rating. Its eight new sizes extend its application to heavier-duty pickup trucks.

The most notable expansion occurs within the AZ850 line, a tyre focused on delivering ultra-high-performance at an accessible level. It features an advanced asymmetrical tread for maximum grip and stability, yet is engineered for a comfortable daily driving experience. A critical update is its reinforced construction, specifically designed to support the heavier weight of electric vehicles and modern SUVs. The 15 new sizes, including staggered fitments for sports cars and performance SUVs, allow more drivers to experience sharper handling and shorter braking distances, fully unlocking their vehicle's potential.

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