Benzinga | Mar 2, 2021 09:01AM EST

Neenah To Acquire Global Release Liners For 205M In Cash

Neenah, Inc. (NYSE:NP) today announced the signing of a definitive agreement to acquire Global Release Liners, S.L., the parent company of Industrias de Transformacion de Andoain, S.A. ("ITASA"), from Magnum Capital and other minority shareholders for (euro)205 million in cash. Closing is expected to occur in early April and is subject to customary conditions.

ITASA is a leading global coater and converter of release liners used in fast-growing hygiene, tapes, industrial, labels, composites and various other end markets. With COVID-impacted sales of $120 million in 2020, Neenah expects sales of approximately $140 million in 2021 and consistent, pre-synergy mid-teen EBITDA margins. ITASA has historically grown sales by more than 8 percent annually and serves global markets from its operations in Spain, Mexico and Malaysia.

"Neenah's strategy is to drive long-term value creation by accelerating performance in our four targeted growth platforms. The acquisition of ITASA, with its advanced coating capabilities and strong market reputation for technical expertise, new product development and premium performance, provides us with an opportunity to meaningfully accelerate our presence in specialty coatings," said Julie Schertell, Chief Executive Officer. "The release liner market is a large, growing market and ITASA gives us a strong foundation to build upon, while complementing our organic initiatives with overlapping paths to market and customers."

"With a double-digit rate of return, earnings accretion and up to $4 million per year of synergies, this acquisition is an attractive use of capital and allows us to maintain our strong balance sheet and financial position. ITASA's impressive long-term record of profitable, capital-efficient growth is a testament to their talented management team, and I'm excited about their potential to create additional value as part of Neenah."

The acquisition will be financed by enlarging Neenah's existing Term Loan B from $200 million to an expected $450 million, with a more favorable interest rate. Following the transaction, Neenah will continue to maintain a strong liquidity position, with no borrowings against its $175 million revolving credit facility and projected debt to EBITDA of approximately three times.

Perella Weinberg Partners LP served as Neenah's exclusive financial adviser in the transaction and JPMorgan Chase Bank, N.A. is leading Neenah's financing efforts.