Annual report pursuant to Section 13 and 15(d)

DEBT

v2.4.0.6
DEBT
12 Months Ended
Dec. 31, 2011
DEBT  
DEBT

14. DEBT

        Outstanding debt of consolidated entities consisted of the following (dollars in millions):

Huntsman Corporation

 
  December 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Senior Credit Facilities:

             

Term loans

  $ 1,696   $ 1,688  

Amounts outstanding under A/R programs

    237     238  

Senior notes

    472     452  

Senior Subordinated notes

    976     1,279  

HPS (China) debt

    167     188  

Variable interest entities

    281     200  

Other

    113     101  
           

Total debt—excluding debt to affiliates

  $ 3,942   $ 4,146  
           

Total current portion of debt

  $ 212   $ 519  

Long-term portion

    3,730     3,627  
           

Total debt—excluding debt to affiliates

  $ 3,942   $ 4,146  
           

Total debt—excluding debt to affiliates

  $ 3,942   $ 4,146  

Notes payable to affiliates-noncurrent

    4     4  
           

Total debt

  $ 3,946   $ 4,150  
           

Huntsman International

 
  December 31,  
 
  2011   2010  

Senior Credit Facilities:

             

Term loans

  $ 1,696   $ 1,688  

Amounts outstanding under A/R programs

    237     238  

Senior notes

    472     452  

Subordinated notes

    976     1,279  

HPS (China) debt

    167     188  

Variable interest entities

    281     200  

Other

    113     101  
           

Total debt—excluding debt to affiliates

  $ 3,942   $ 4,146  
           

Total current portion of debt

  $ 212   $ 519  

Long-term portion

    3,730     3,627  
           

Total debt—excluding debt to affiliates

  $ 3,942   $ 4,146  
           

Total debt—excluding debt to affiliates

  $ 3,942   $ 4,146  

Notes payable to affiliates-current

    100     100  

Notes payable to affiliates-noncurrent

    439     439  
           

Total debt

  $ 4,481   $ 4,685  
           

DIRECT AND SUBSIDIARY DEBT

        Huntsman Corporation's direct debt and guarantee obligations consist of the following: guarantees of certain debt of HPS (our Chinese MDI joint venture); a guarantee of certain debt and other obligations of certain of our Australian subsidiaries; and certain indebtedness incurred from time to time to finance certain insurance premiums.

        Substantially all of our other debt, including the facilities described below, has been incurred by our subsidiaries (primarily Huntsman International); such subsidiary debt is nonrecourse to us and we have no contractual obligation to fund our subsidiaries' respective operations.

Senior Credit Facilities

        As of December 31, 2011, our Senior Credit Facilities consisted of our Revolving Facility, our Term Loan B, our Term Loan C and our Extended Term Loan B as follows (dollars in millions):

Facility
  Committed
Amount
  Principal
Outstanding
  Carrying
Value
  Interest Rate(2)   Maturity  

Revolving Facility

  $ 300   $   $ (1) USD LIBOR plus 3.00%     2014 (3)

Term Loan B

    NA   $ 652   $ 652   USD LIBOR plus 1.50%     2014 (3)

Term Loan C

    NA   $ 427   $ 394   USD LIBOR plus 2.25%     2016 (3)

Extended Term Loan B

    NA   $ 650   $ 650   USD LIBOR plus 2.50%     2017 (3)

(1)
We had no borrowings outstanding under our Revolving Facility; we had approximately $20 million (U.S. dollar equivalents) of letters of credit and bank guarantees issued and outstanding under our Revolving Facility.

(2)
The applicable interest rate of the Senior Credit Facilities is subject to certain secured leverage ratio thresholds. As of December 31, 2011, the weighted average interest rate on our outstanding balances under the Senior Credit Facilities was approximately 2%.

(3)
The maturity of the Extended Term Loan B will accelerate if we do not repay, refinance or have a minimum level of liquidity available to enable us to refinance or repay our outstanding 5.50% senior notes due 2016 at least three months prior to the maturity date of such notes.

        Our obligations under the Senior Credit Facilities are guaranteed by our guarantor subsidiaries, which consist of substantially all of our domestic subsidiaries and certain of our foreign subsidiaries, and are secured by a first priority lien on substantially all of our domestic property, plant and equipment, the stock of all of our material domestic subsidiaries and certain foreign subsidiaries and pledges of intercompany notes between certain of our subsidiaries.

        On March 7, 2011, Huntsman International entered into a sixth amendment to its credit agreement. The amendment, among other things, extended $650 million of aggregate principal of Term Loan B to a stated maturity of April 2017. As noted in the table above, after the amendment, as of December 31, 2011, we have $652 million outstanding on Term Loan B with maturity of April 2014 and $650 million outstanding on Extended Term Loan B with a maturity of April 2017. The amendment increased the interest rate margin with respect to Extended Term Loan B by 1.0%. Extended Term Loan B will amortize in an amount equal to 1.0% of the principal amount, payable annually commencing on March 31, 2012. The amendment also grants Huntsman International the right to request an extension of the remaining principal balance of Term Loan B to the stated maturity date of Extended Term Loan B.

        During 2010, we took the following actions with respect to our Senior Credit Facilities:

  • On March 9, Huntsman International entered into the Fifth Amendment to the Credit Agreement which replaced certain agent banks, extended the stated maturity of the Revolving Facility and amended certain other terms.
  • On April 26, we prepaid $124 million on Term Loan B and $40 million on Term Loan C with cash accumulated in prior periods. We incurred a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $5 million.

    On June 22, we prepaid $83 million on Term Loan B and $27 million on Term Loan C with proceeds from the final settlement of insurance claims. We incurred a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $2 million.

    We paid the annual scheduled repayment of $16 million on Term Loan B and $5 million on Term Loan C.

A/R Programs

        Our A/R Programs are structured so that we grant a participating undivided interest in certain of our trade receivables to the U.S. SPE and the EU SPE. We retain the servicing rights and a retained interest in the securitized receivables. Information regarding the A/R Programs was as follows (monetary amounts in millions):

December 31, 2011
Facility
  Maturity   Maximum Funding
Availability(1)
  Amount
Outstanding
  Interest Rate(2)(3)

U.S. A/R Program

  April 2014   $250   $90(4)   Applicable Rate plus 1.50% - 1.65%

EU A/R Program

  April 2014   €225 (approximately $291)   €114 (approximately $147)   Applicable Rate plus 2.0%

 

December 31, 2010
Facility
  Maturity   Maximum Funding
Availability(1)
  Amount
Outstanding
  Interest Rate(2)(3)

U.S. A/R Program

  October 2012   $125   $27.5   USD LIBOR rate plus 3.75%

U.S. A/R Program

  October 2011   $125   $27.5   CP rate plus 3.50%

EU A/R Program

  October 2011   €225 (approximately $297)   €139 (approximately $183)   GBP LIBOR rate, USD LIBOR rate or EURIBOR rate plus 3.75%

(1)
The amount of actual availability under the A/R Programs may be lower based on the level of eligible receivables sold, changes in the credit ratings of our customers, customer concentration levels, and certain characteristics of the accounts receivable being transferred, as defined in the applicable agreements.

(2)
Each interest rate is defined in the applicable agreements. In addition, the U.S. SPE and the EU SPE are obligated to pay unused commitment fees to the lenders based on the amount of each lender's commitment.

(3)
Applicable rate for the U.S. A/R Program is defined by the lender as either USD LIBOR or CP rate. Applicable rate for the EU A/R Program is either GBP LIBOR, USD LIBOR or EURIBOR.

(4)
As of December 31, 2011 we had approximately $4 million (U.S. dollar equivalents) of letters of credit issued and outstanding under our U.S. A/R Program.

        On April 15, 2011, Huntsman International entered into an amendment to the EU A/R Program. This amendment, among other things, extended the scheduled commitment termination date of the program to April 2014, added an additional lender to the program and reduced the applicable margin on borrowings to 2.0%.

        On April 18, 2011, Huntsman International entered into an amendment to the U.S. A/R Program. This amendment, among other things, extended the scheduled commitment termination date of the program to April 2014, added an additional lender to the program and reduced the applicable margin on borrowings to a range of 1.50% to 1.65%.

        Receivables transferred under the A/R Programs qualified as sales through December 31, 2009. Upon adoption of new accounting guidance in 2010, transfers of accounts receivable under our A/R Programs no longer met the criteria for derecognition. Accordingly, the amounts outstanding under our A/R Programs are accounted for as secured borrowings as of January 1, 2010. During 2009, we recorded a loss on the off-balance sheet accounts receivable securitization program of $23 million.

        As of December 31, 2011 and December 31, 2010, $633 million and $552 million respectively, of accounts receivable were pledged as collateral under the A/R Programs.

Notes

        As of December 31, 2011, we had outstanding the following notes (monetary amounts in millions):

Notes
  Maturity   Interest Rate   Amount Outstanding

Senior Notes

  June 2016     5.500 %(1) $600 ($472 carrying value)

Senior Subordinated Notes

  March 2021     8.625 % $530 ($543 carrying value)

Senior Subordinated Notes

  March 2020     8.625 % $350

Senior Subordinated Notes

  January 2015     7.500 % €64 (approximately $83)

(1)
The effective interest rate at issuance was 11.73%.

        Our notes are governed by indentures which impose certain limitations on Huntsman International, including among other things limitations on the incurrence of debt, distributions, certain restricted payments, asset sales, and affiliate transactions. The notes are unsecured obligations and are guaranteed by certain subsidiaries named as guarantors.

Redemption of Notes and Loss on Early Extinguishment of Debt

        During the years ended December 31, 2011 and 2010, we redeemed or repurchased the following notes (monetary amounts in millions):

Date of Redemption
  Notes   Principal Amount of
Notes Redeemed
  Amount Paid
(Excluding Accrued
Interest)
  Loss on Early
Extinguishment
of Debt
 

Three months ended December 31, 2011

  6.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013   €70
(approximately $94)
  €71
(approximately $96)
  $ 2  

Three months ended September 30, 2011

 

6.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013

 

€14
(approximately $19)

 

€14
(approximately $19)

 
$

 

Three months ended September 30, 2011

 

7.5% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

 

€12
(approximately $17)

 

€12
(approximately $17)

 
$

 

July 25, 2011

 

7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

 

$75

 

$77

 
$

2
 

January 18, 2011

 

7.375% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

 

$100

 

$102

 
$

3
 

November 29, 2010

 

7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

$88

 

$92

 
$

3
 

November 26, 2010

 

7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

$100

 

$104

 
$

4
 

October 12, 2010

 

7.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2014

 

$159

 

$165

 
$

7
 

September 27, 2010

 

6.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013

 

€132
(approximately $177)

 

€137
(approximately $183)

 
$

7
 

March 17, 2010

 

6.875% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2013

 

€184
(approximately $253)

 

€189
(approximately $259)

 
$

7
 

March 17, 2010

 

7.50% Senior Subordinated Notes due 2015

 

€59
(approximately $81)

 

€59
(approximately $81)

 
$

2
 

January 11, 2010(1)

 

7.00% Convertible Notes due 2018

 

$250

 

$382

 
$

146
 

(1)
The convertible notes due 2018 were issued to Apollo in December 2008 as part of a settlement agreement with Apollo. These convertible notes, which would have matured on December 23, 2018, bore interest at the rate of 7% per year and were convertible into approximately 31.8 million shares of our common stock at any time by the holders.

        For the year ended December 31, 2011, we and Huntsman International recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $7 million. For the year ended December 31, 2010, in connection with redemptions described in the table above, we recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $176 million, and Huntsman International recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $30 million. As noted in "—Senior Credit Facilities" above, we and Huntsman International also recognized a $7 million loss on early extinguishment of debt in 2010 on the prepayment of $274 million of Term Loans. For the year ended December 31, 2009, we and Huntsman International recorded a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $21 million each.

Variable Interest Entity Debt

        On April 1, 2011, we began consolidating Sasol-Huntsman which was previously accounted for under the equity method. See "Note 7. Variable Interest Entities." Sasol-Huntsman has a facility agreement for a €77 million (approximately $100 million) term loan facility and a €5 million (approximately $6 million) revolving facility. As of December 31, 2011, Sasol-Huntsman had no borrowings under the revolving facility and had €73 million (approximately $95 million) outstanding under the term loan facility. The facility will be repaid over semiannual installments, with the final repayment scheduled for December 2018. Obligations under the facility agreement are secured by, among other things, first priority right on the property, plant and equipment of Sasol-Huntsman.

        As of December 31, 2011, Arabian Amines Company had $186 million outstanding under its loan commitments and debt financing arrangements which consisted of the following:

  • An SIDF Facility with SAR 482 million (approximately $129 million) outstanding. Repayment of the loan is to be made in semiannual installments that are scheduled to begin in 2012, with final maturity in 2018. The loan is secured by a mortgage over the fixed assets of the project and is 100% guaranteed by the Zamil Group, our 50% joint venture partner.

    A multipurpose Islamic term facility with $57 million outstanding. This facility is scheduled to be repaid in semiannual installments, with final maturity in 2022.

Other Debt

        During the year ended December 31, 2011, HPS repaid $4 million and RMB 151 million (approximately $24 million) of term loans and working capital loans under its secured facilities. In addition, during the year ended December 31, 2011, HPS refinanced RMB 38 million (approximately $6 million) in working capital loans and borrowed an additional RMB 145 million (approximately $23 million) in working capital loans with maturity in 2014. The interest rate on these facilities is LIBOR plus 0.48% for U.S. dollar borrowings and approximately 90% of the Peoples Bank of China rate for RMB borrowings. As of December 31, 2011, HPS had $12 million and RMB 474 million (approximately $75 million) term loan and working capital borrowings under these secured facilities. As of December 31, 2011, the interest rate was approximately 1% for U.S. dollar borrowings and 6% for RMB borrowings. We have guaranteed certain of these loans.

        As of December 31, 2011, HPS also had RMB 499 million (approximately $79 million) outstanding under a loan facility for working capital loans and discounting commercial drafts with recourse, which is classified as current portion of debt on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. Interest is calculated using a Peoples Bank of China rate plus the applicable margin. The all-in rate as of December 31, 2011 was approximately 6%.

        As of December 31, 2011, our Australian subsidiary has A$26 million (approximately $26 million) outstanding under its credit facility. The credit facility is comprised of a revolving facility with A$14 million (approximately $14 million) outstanding and a term facility with A$12 million (approximately $12 million) outstanding. On September 1, 2011, our Australian subsidiary entered into an amendment with the lender to modify certain terms of the credit facility.

        During the third quarter of 2011, we incurred other debt related to the financing of our insurance premiums in connection with our annual renewal in July 2011. As of December 31, 2011, the outstanding amount of financed insurance premiums was $15 million, all of which was classified as current portion of debt on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets.

Note Payable from Huntsman International to Huntsman Corporation

        As of December 31, 2011, we had a loan of $535 million to our subsidiary, Huntsman International. The Intercompany Note is unsecured and $100 million of the outstanding amount is classified as current as of December 31, 2011 on the accompanying consolidated balance sheets. As of December 31, 2011, under the terms of the Intercompany Note, Huntsman International promises to pay us interest on the unpaid principal amount at a rate per annum based on the previous monthly average borrowing rate obtained under our U.S. A/R Program, less 10 basis points (provided that the rate shall not exceed an amount that is 25 basis points less than the monthly average borrowing rate obtained for the U.S. LIBOR-based borrowings under our Revolving Facility).

COMPLIANCE WITH COVENANTS

        We believe that we are in compliance with the covenants contained in the agreements governing our material debt instruments, including our Senior Credit Facilities, our A/R Programs and our notes.

        Our material financing arrangements contain certain covenants with which we must comply. A failure to comply with a covenant could result in a default under a financing arrangement if not waived or amended. A default under these material financing arrangements generally allows debt holders the option to declare the underlying debt obligations immediately due and payable.

        Furthermore, certain of our material financing arrangements contain cross default and cross acceleration provisions under which a failure to comply with the covenants in one financing arrangement may result in an event of default under another financing arrangement.

        Our Senior Credit Facilities are subject to the Leverage Covenant which applies only to the Revolving Facility and is tested at the Huntsman International level. The Leverage Covenant is applicable only if borrowings, letters of credit or guarantees are outstanding under the Revolving Facility (cash collateralized letters of credit or guarantees are not deemed outstanding). The Leverage Covenant is a net senior secured leverage ratio covenant which requires that Huntsman International's ratio of senior secured debt to EBITDA (as defined in the applicable agreement) is not more than 3.75 to 1.

        If in the future Huntsman International failed to comply with the Leverage Covenant, then we may not have access to liquidity under our Revolving Facility. If Huntsman International failed to comply with the Leverage Covenant at a time when we had uncollateralized loans or letters of credit outstanding under the Revolving Facility, Huntsman International would be in default under the Senior Credit Facilities, and, unless Huntsman International obtained a waiver or forbearance with respect to such default (as to which we can provide no assurance), Huntsman International could be required to pay off the balance of the Senior Credit Facilities in full, and we may not have further access to such facilities.

        The agreements governing our A/R Programs also contain certain receivable performance metrics. Any material failure to meet the applicable A/R Programs' metrics in the future could lead to an early termination event under the A/R Programs, which could require us to cease our use of such facilities, prohibiting us from additional borrowings against our receivables or, at the discretion of the lenders, requiring that we repay the A/R Programs in full. An early termination event under the A/R Programs would also constitute an event of default under our Senior Credit Facilities, which could require us to pay off the balance of the Senior Credit Facilities in full and could result in the loss of our Senior Credit Facilities.

MATURITIES

        The scheduled maturities of our debt (excluding debt to affiliates) by year as of December 31, 2011 are as follows (dollars in millions):

Year ending December 31
   
 

2012

  $ 212  

2013

    86  

2014

    973  

2015

    135  

2016

    897  

Thereafter

    1,639  
       

 

  $ 3,942