Kronos Worldwide Acquires 50% Joint Venture Interest In Louisiana Pigment Company For An Upfront Cash Payment Of $185M; Amends $225M Revolving Credit Facility; Decreases Quarterly Dividend From $0.19 To $0.05 Per Share

        Effective July 16, 2024, Kronos Worldwide, Inc. ("Kronos") has acquired the 50% joint venture interest in Louisiana Pigment Company, L.P. ("LPC") previously held by Venator Investments, Ltd. Prior to the acquisition, Kronos, through a wholly-owned subsidiary, held a 50% joint venture interest in LPC. Following the acquisition, LPC is an indirect, wholly-owned subsidiary of Kronos. Kronos acquired the 50% joint venture interest that it did not already own for an upfront cash payment of $185 million (subject to working capital adjustments) and a potential earn-out payment of up to $15 million based on Kronos' aggregate consolidated net income before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense, or EBITDA, during a two-year period comprising calendar years 2025 and 2026.

In connection with its acquisition of the 50% joint venture interest and to support Kronos' general liquidity needs, Kronos has also completed an amendment to its $225 million global revolving credit facility with Wells Fargo. Among other things, the amendment increases the maximum borrowing amount from $225 million to $300 million, extends the maturity date to 2029 and expands the facility to include LPC and LPC's receivables and certain of its inventories in the borrowing base.  

Kronos' board of directors has declared a quarterly dividend of five cents ($0.05) per share on its common stock, a decrease of fourteen cents ($0.14) per share as compared to the second quarter of 2024, payable on September 19, 2024, to stockholders of record at the close of business on September 6, 2024.   Commenting on the dividend Mr. Buch said, "The reduced dividend rate will allow Kronos to focus on maintaining a strong balance sheet while continuing to evaluate strategic investment opportunities. In addition to strengthening liquidity and providing the flexibility to absorb increased debt service costs, working capital needs and capital improvements from the acquisition of the 50% interest in the LPC joint venture, the new dividend rate will give Kronos an opportunity to focus on reducing leverage. Going forward we will continue to evaluate the appropriateness of the dividend based on progress towards these priorities, results of operations and other relevant factors."