Speciality materials company Trinseo reported a third-quarter net loss of USD 87 million, driven largely by restructuring and other charges totalling USD 26 million. 

This follows recently announced restructuring efforts aimed at streamlining operations. The company posted an adjusted EBITDA of USD 66 million, marking a USD 25 million increase year-over-year.

Despite a one percent year-over-year decline in net sales to USD 868 million, the company attributed an eight percent decrease in sales to intentional reductions in low-margin areas like polystyrene and latex binders. However, a seven percent increase from higher raw material prices partially offset this decline.

Commenting on the company’s third-quarter performance, President and Chief Executive Officer of Trinseo, Frank Bozich said, “As expected, market conditions and Adjusted EBITDA were sequentially similar to the prior quarter. Despite continued weak demand in many of our end markets, particularly building and construction and appliances, we saw significant year-over-year profitability improvement largely as a result of our restructuring actions and continued moderation of European input costs.”

Third Quarter Performance by Segment

Engineered Materials: The segment posted a 12 percent rise in net sales, reaching USD 207 million, driven by increased sales volume in consumer electronics and medical applications. Adjusted EBITDA for the segment rose by USD 20 million to USD 25 million, benefiting from improved margins and a favourable product mix.

 Latex Binders: Net sales increased eight percent to USD 242 million, primarily due to higher prices that offset a drop in sales volume for paper and carpet applications. Adjusted EBITDA increased by USD 8 million to USD 26 million, reflecting improved margins and a positive regional and product mix.

Plastics Solutions: Net sales rose three percent year-over-year to USD 268 million, driven by higher raw material costs. Adjusted EBITDA climbed USD 11 million to USD 28 million, aided by higher fixed cost absorption and inventory builds in preparation for the closure of the virgin polycarbonate facility in Stade, Germany.

Polystyrene: This segment saw a 28 percent year-over-year decline in net sales to USD 151 million, impacted by a 35 percent decrease in volume after the closure of the Terneuzen, Netherlands, facility and a reduction in low-margin sales. Adjusted EBITDA rose by USD 5 million to USD 4 million due to higher margins and cost savings from the Terneuzen facility exit.

Fourth Quarter Outlook

Trinseo projects a net loss of between USD 71 million and USD 81 million in the fourth quarter, with adjusted EBITDA expected to range from USD 40 million to USD 50 million. Bozich noted that while fourth-quarter EBITDA is anticipated to dip from year-end seasonality, restructuring benefits should sustain profitability above prior-year levels. The company also expects positive free cash flow due to seasonal working capital improvements.

Commenting on the fourth quarter outlook, Bozich said, “We expect Adjusted EBITDA to be sequentially lower from year-end seasonality, but still higher than the prior year due to the benefits from our restructuring initiatives. We also expect free cash flow to turn positive in the fourth quarter due to typical seasonal working capital improvements.”

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Nokian Tyres is putting the question of North America’s roughest roads directly to drivers, launching a voting campaign that runs from 30 March to 10 April 2026. The initiative invites the public to cast votes for the state or province they believe has the most challenging surfaces, with the conversation playing out across the tyremaker’s social media channels on Instagram, Facebook and TikTok under the handle @NokianTyresNA.

This bracket-style competition brings back champions and notable contenders from previous years, with the semifinal matchups now set. Quebec faces off against Massachusetts, while Colorado takes on Oregon. For those living outside these regions, the company encourages participation through a write-in option on its dedicated contest website, where drivers can also make their case for why their local roads deserve the title.

Central to the campaign is Nokian Tyres’ use of aramid fibres, the lightweight yet incredibly strong material found in aerospace and defence applications. By weaving these fibres into the sidewalls and sometimes the tread, the company strengthens its tyres against punctures and blowouts. This technology features prominently in the new Hakkapeliitta 01, a studded winter tyre debuting this fall, and qualifies the tyres for the brand’s Pothole Protection warranty, which offers a free replacement if a tyre is damaged beyond repair by a road hazard.

The campaign will be amplified through social media content, testimonials from North American brand ambassadors and messaging from business partners. Drivers following @NokianTyresNA can vote directly on posts and stories, while those entering the tyre giveaway or submitting their regional nomination can do so on the contest website. The company, renowned for inventing the winter tyre, continues to serve the North American market with its full range of all-season, all-weather and winter products.

Hans Dyhrman, Director of Marketing, Nokian Tyres North America, said, “Our tyres come with a Pothole Protection warranty because we understand the unique challenges of North American roads. While the ‘Worst Roads’ contest offers a chance to complain about potholes and rough surfaces, it’s also an opportunity for consumers to learn about the ways Nokian Tyres helps keep them safe thanks to our aramid-reinforced products.”

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Tyrecycle has announced the upcoming implementation of a pioneering conveyor belt system at its East Rockingham facility in Western Australia, marking a significant step forward in sustainable industrial practices. This particular product, the Infinity Series, was developed by Fenner Conveyors and holds the distinction of being the first conveyor belt manufactured in Australia using locally sourced recycled materials. The material used in its production was supplied through an established strategic partnership between the two companies, underscoring a collaborative foundation that prioritises resource efficiency and domestic manufacturing.

By integrating this locally manufactured belt into its own operations, Tyrecycle is transforming its facility into a living demonstration of the shared environmental vision it holds with Fenner Conveyors. The deployment at East Rockingham serves a dual purpose: it not only upholds the rigorous performance standards required for such critical infrastructure but also actively nurtures a novel closed loop ecosystem. This system represents a first of its kind approach where industrial components are deliberately reclaimed and repurposed, reinforcing the viability of circular economy principles within heavy industries like mining.

Together, the two organisations are effectively closing the loop by converting end-of-life conveyor belts into robust new products that maintain high durability standards. This collaborative effort directly supports mining operations seeking to advance their decarbonisation strategies and circularity targets. Their work illustrates how a combined focus on innovation and corporate responsibility can yield tangible solutions, proving that industrial advancement and environmental stewardship can indeed move forward on a parallel and mutually reinforcing path.

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CEAT Kelani Holdings emerged as a standout performer at the 2026 Best Management Practices Company Awards of the Institute of Chartered Professional Managers of Sri Lanka (CPM Sri Lanka), securing the overall Gold award for Best Management Practices. This top honour, which recognised the company as the nation’s best-managed enterprise, was complemented by four additional distinctions. Among these were the Sector Award as the winner in the Manufacturing category for Tyre and Rubber, a place among the 40 Outstanding Companies and a Best Management Practices Excellence Award, underscoring the breadth of the organisation’s operational excellence.

The company’s leadership also received significant acclaim, with Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer Ravi Dadlani being presented with the Leadership Excellence award. This particular recognition highlighted the effectiveness of the strategic direction at the helm of the organisation. The CPM awards themselves serve to evaluate public and private sector entities based on comprehensive management criteria, including leadership effectiveness, people management, resource utilisation and overall performance during the review period.

Central to CEAT Kelani’s achievements this year is its Quality-Based Management philosophy, which prioritises customer satisfaction by aligning quality controls and workforce efforts with strategic business goals. A notable initiative presented during the awards process was the overhaul of the customer claim settlement process, which now facilitates inspections within a single day. This improvement was driven by a structured Quality Improvement Project involving cross-functional teams from Technical Services, Supply Chain and Distribution, supported by digital integration and process enhancements.

The revamped claim settlement system has not only bolstered customer confidence and dealer trust but has also contributed to volume growth, particularly in the Truck and Light Truck segments. Dadlani emphasised that the QBM approach has been instrumental in steering the company towards greater customer centricity while maintaining strong financial results, with continuous improvement through digital transformation and employee engagement remaining central to the corporate strategy. This consistent recognition by CPM reflects the sustained depth and continuity of the company’s management practices over time.

Commenting on the awards, Dadlani said, “To be named the best-managed company in Sri Lanka is an extraordinary honour as well as a reward for years of hard work in times of challenge. This recognition reflects the company’s sustained focus on embedding best-in-class management practices across its operations with the involvement of employees at every level.”

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Zeon has confirmed its role as an official sponsor of RubberCon 2026, scheduled for 28 and 29 April in Paris. The conference is organised by AFICEP under the aegis of IRCO. The event will centre on the theme ‘Ecodesign and Rubber Innovation’, serving as a gathering for global experts spanning academia, research, manufacturing and technology sectors. This focus reflects the industry’s growing emphasis on sustainable material development and circular economy principles.

Through its sponsorship, the company underscores its commitment to sustainable solutions, innovation and international knowledge exchange. Zeon anticipates engaging with industry professionals to explore new approaches and contribute to meaningful sector progress.

“By sponsoring RubberCon 2026, we reaffirm our commitment to driving forward sustainable solutions, fostering innovation and supporting the international exchange of knowledge and best practices. We look forward to engaging with industry professionals, discovering new approaches and contributing to meaningful progress within our sector,” read the company statement.

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