Newly Formed Axiall Corporation Could Become Major Chlor-Alkali, Vinyl Producer

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Researched by Industrial Info Resources (Sugar Land, Texas)--Georgia Gulf Corporation, traditionally a producer of chlorovinyls, took an extra step to strengthen its core industry and merged with the commodity chemical business of PPG Industries (NYSE:PPG) (Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania). The approximately $2.5 billion deal was completed on January 28, 2013, creating Axiall Corporation (NYSE:AXLL) (Atlanta, Georgia).

Axiall will encompass at least 13 chemical plants in the U.S. and Canada. These include all of Georgia Gulf's former plant assets and PPG's plants in the commodity chemical business, which produce such chemicals as chlorine and caustic soda. PPG's paints and coatings, glass and fiberglass, and specialty materials businesses were not affected by this deal and remain under full ownership of PPG. Axiall, now based in Georgia Gulf's former headquarters in Atlanta, is expected to be the third-largest chlor-alkali producer and second-largest vinyl chloride monomer producer in North America. Industrial Info is currently tracking $85 million in active projects for Axiall.

The plant in Lake Charles, Louisiana, is one of the largest plants to make the change to Axiall. The majority of the chlor-alkali plant has made the switch to Axiall; however, the silica unit, with approximately 150 employees, will remain under PPG ownership.

PPG announced that its plans to acquire Akzo Nobel's (Strongsville, Ohio) North American architectural coatings business within the larger decorative paints segment that was acquired from ICI in 2008. PPG hopes to close the deal in the second quarter of this year for more than $1 billion. This acquisition is expected to affect 579 employees at five of Akzo Nobel's decorative paints plants in Delta, British Columbia; Oakwood, Georgia; Huron, Ohio; Carrolton, Texas; and Temple Texas.

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