ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORP
10-Q, 1997-11-10
PLASTIC MATERIALS, SYNTH RESINS & NONVULCAN ELASTOMERS
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<PAGE>   1
                                 UNITED STATES
                       SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
                             Washington, D.C. 20549

                                   FORM 10-Q


(Mark One)
[X]      Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934 For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 1997

                                       OR
                                        
[  ]     Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities
         Exchange Act of 1934


                        Commission file number 333-17961

                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
             (Exact name of Registrant as specified in its charter)

       Delaware                                     25-1534498
(State of Incorporation)             (I.R.S. Employer Identification Number)


             600 Grant Street, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15219-2704
                    (Address of principal executive offices)

                            Tel. No. (412) 433-2747



Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports
required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of
1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the
registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such
filing requirements for the past 90 days. YES[X] NO [ ]


Indicate the number of shares outstanding in each of the issuer's classes of
common stock, as of the latest practicable date.

            Class                               Outstanding at November 10, 1997
            -----                               --------------------------------
Common shares, $.01 stated value                          14,908 shares





<PAGE>   2




                          ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
                                  SEC FORM 10-Q
                        QUARTER ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 1997


                                      INDEX


                                                                     PAGE
                                                                     ----

PART I - FINANCIAL INFORMATION

     Item 1.      Financial Statements:

                  Consolidated Statements of Income                    2

                  Consolidated Balance Sheets                          3

                  Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows                4

                  Selected Notes to Financial Statements               5


     Item 2.      Management's Discussion and Analysis of
                  Financial Condition and Results of
                  Operations                                           9


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

         Item 6.      Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K                12

         Signature                                                    12


<PAGE>   3



PART I.   FINANCIAL INFORMATION
          ITEM 1.  FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Income (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Millions)
- ---------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                   Three Months Ended                Nine Months Ended
                                                                     September 30,                      September 30,
                                                                     -------------                      -------------
                                                                 1997             1996              1997             1996
                                                                 ----             ----              ----             ----
<S>                                                            <C>              <C>              <C>               <C>
Sales                                                           $224.9           $231.9            $683.3            $691.6

Operating Costs:
   Cost of Sales                                                 182.0            181.7             565.0             536.0
   Selling, general and administrative expenses                   12.5             13.6              39.1              35.2
   Depreciation and amortization                                  12.3             12.0              36.5              35.6
                                                                ------           ------            ------            ------

         Total Operating Costs                                   206.8            207.3             640.6            606.8
                                                                ------           ------            ------            ------

Operating Income                                                  18.1             24.6              42.7             84.8

Loss on Disposal of Assets                                        (9.1)            (2.3)             (9.1)            (8.8)
Other Expense                                                     (0.2)            (0.2)             (1.2)            (0.7)
Interest Income                                                    0.2              -                 0.2              0.7
Interest Expense                                                  (6.1)           (10.2)            (17.8)           (32.3)
                                                                ------           ------            ------            ------

Income Before Provision for Taxes on Income                        2.9             11.9              14.8              43.7

Provision for Taxes on Income                                      2.4              7.4               7.8              19.7 
                                                                ------           ------            ------            ------

Net Income                                                      $  0.5           $  4.5            $  7.0            $ 24.0
                                                                ======           ======            ======            ======
</TABLE>





   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                        2

<PAGE>   4



ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Consolidated Balance Sheets
(Dollars in Millions)        
- -----------------------------

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                        September 30,    December 31,
                                                                            1997             1996
                                                                            ----             ----
                                                                        (Unaudited)
<S>                                                                     <C>              <C>
ASSETS
Current Assets:
     Cash and equivalents                                                $    4.6         $    1.9
     Receivables (less allowance for doubtful accounts
      of $.5 for September 30, 1997 and $.6 for December 31, 1996)          128.3            110.2
     Inventories                                                            121.3            113.1
     Other current assets                                                     1.2              2.1
                                                                        ---------        ---------
         Total Current Assets                                               255.4            227.3

Property, plant and equipment, net of accumulated
  depreciation                                                              614.2            598.0
Investments and long-term receivables                                         6.7              0.2
Excess cost over assets acquired                                            168.7            172.6
Deferred income taxes                                                         1.5              1.5
Other assets                                                                 15.9             14.2
                                                                        ---------        ---------
         Total Assets                                                   $ 1,062.4        $ 1,013.8
                                                                        =========        =========

LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY 
Current Liabilities:
     Accounts payable                                                   $    82.5        $    69.0
     Payroll and benefits payable                                            10.7             12.0
     Accrued taxes                                                            7.5             13.1
     Deferred income taxes                                                    0.7              0.7
     Short-term borrowings                                                   49.0             40.4
     Long-term debt due within one year                                       0.1              0.1
     Other current liabilities                                               21.6             17.2
                                                                        ---------        ---------
         Total Current Liabilities                                          172.1            152.5

Long-term debt-related parties                                              189.3            160.3
Long-term debt-other                                                        149.6            149.6
Deferred income taxes                                                       163.8            164.7
Other liabilities                                                            35.3             33.1
                                                                        ---------        ---------
         Total Liabilities                                                  710.1            660.2

Common stock ($.01 par value, 20,000 shares authorized,
  14,908 shares issued at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996)          ----             ----

Additional paid-in capital                                                  378.8            378.8
Retained deficit                                                            (26.5)           (25.2)
                                                                        ---------        ---------

         Total Stockholders' Equity                                         352.3            353.6
                                                                        ---------        ---------

         Total Liabilities and Stockholders' Equity                     $ 1,062.4        $ 1,013.8
                                                                        =========        =========
</TABLE>




   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.


                                        3

<PAGE>   5



ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows (Unaudited)
(Dollars in Millions)
- -------------------------------------------------
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                              Nine Months Ended
                                                                                 September,
                                                                                 ----------
                                                                            1997             1996
                                                                            ----             ----
<S>                                                                       <C>               <C>
Cash Flows from Operating Activities:
   Net Income                                                             $   7.0           $ 24.0
   Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash
     provided by operating activities:
       Depreciation                                                          32.6             31.7
       Amortization of excess cost over assets acquired                       3.9              3.9
       Deferred income taxes                                                 (0.9)             1.3
       Loss on disposal of assets                                             9.1              8.8
       Increase in accounts receivable                                      (18.1)            (2.9)
       Decrease (increase) in inventories                                    (8.2)             1.4
       Increase (decrease) in accounts payable
         and other current liabilities                                       11.0             (7.4)
       All other                                                              1.5              1.5
                                                                          -------           ------
   Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities                                 37.9             62.3

Cash Flows From Investing Activities:
   Capital expenditures                                                     (58.0)           (28.6)
   Cash received on disposal of assets                                       ----             39.0
   Long-term receivable                                                      (6.5)            ----
   Maturity of short-term investment                                         ----             17.0
   Cash acquired, purchase of Avonite                                        ----              0.7
                                                                          -------           ------
   Net Cash (Used in) Provided by Investing Activities                      (64.5)            28.1

Cash Flows From Financing Activities:
   Short-term debt increase (decrease)                                        8.6             (3.7)
   Repayment of long-term debt                                             (141.0)          (103.0)
   Proceeds from issuance of long-term debt                                 170.0             72.0
   Redemption of preferred stock                                             ----             (6.2)
   Redemption of PIK debentures                                              ----            (24.5)
   Dividends                                                                 (8.3)           (24.2)
                                                                          -------           ------
   Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities                       29.3            (89.6)

Net Increase in Cash and Equivalents                                          2.7              0.8
Cash and Equivalents, Beginning of Period                                     1.9              0.4
                                                                          -------           ------
Cash and Equivalents, End of Period                                       $   4.6           $  1.2
                                                                          =======           ======
</TABLE>





   The accompanying notes are an integral part of these financial statements.

                                        4

<PAGE>   6



                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
                     SELECTED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
                                  (UNAUDITED)

1. SUMMARY OF SIGNIFICANT ACCOUNTING POLICIES

         Basis of Presentation
         ---------------------
         
         The consolidated financial statements include the accounts of Aristech
         Chemical Corporation (the "Company") and its wholly and majority owned
         subsidiaries. Investments in other entities over which the Company
         exercises significant influence are carried on the equity basis. All
         intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated.

         In 1997 the Company adopted Statement of Position ("SOP") 96-1,
         "Environmental Remediation Liabilities". The adoption of SOP 96-1 did
         not have a material effect on the consolidated financial statements.

         In June 1997 Statement of Financial Accounting Standards ("SFAS") No.
         130 "Reporting Comprehensive Income" was issued. SFAS 130 is effective
         for financial statements issued for periods beginning after December
         15, 1997. The adoption of SFAS 130 will have no impact on the
         Company's financial position or results of operations.

         In June 1997 SFAS No. 131 "Disclosures about Segments of an Enterprise
         and Related Information" was issued. SFAS 131 is effective for
         financial statements issued for periods beginning after December 15,
         1997. The Company has not yet determined the effect of this standard.

         In the opinion of management, the unaudited financial information
         reflects all adjustments necessary to fairly state the results of
         operations and the changes in financial position for such interim
         period. Such adjustments are of a normal recurring nature.

         The preparation of consolidated financial statements in conformity
         with generally accepted accounting principles requires management to
         make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amount of
         assets and liabilities and contingent assets and liabilities at the
         date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of revenues
         and expenses during the reporting period. Actual results could differ
         from those estimates.

2.       NATURE OF OPERATIONS

         The Company's operations are conducted in one business segment, the
         production and marketing of chemical and polymer products. The major
         chemical products include phenol, acetone, bisphenol-A, aniline,
         phthalic anhydride, 2-ethylhexanol and plasticizer. Major polymer
         products include polypropylene and acrylic sheet. Approximately 85% of
         the total sales are of products which are considered commodity
         chemicals. The Company's products are generally sold for further
         processing by manufacturers of automotive components, construction
         materials and consumer products.

         The Company's product line provides it with a diverse revenue base.
         The Company does not derive significant revenue from any single
         customer.  International sales are made primarily to Japan, Canada and
         Taiwan.


                                       5

<PAGE>   7



                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
               SELECTED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)

3.       INVENTORIES

         Inventories at September 30, 1997 and December 31, 1996 consist of the
following categories:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                  1997             1996
                                                 ------           -----
         (In millions)
         <S>                                  <C>              <C>
         Raw materials                        $   35.3         $   24.8
         Finished products                        66.3             70.8
         Supplies and sundry items                19.7             17.5
                                              --------         --------
              Total Inventory                 $  121.3         $  113.1
                                              ========         ========
</TABLE>


4.       PROPERTY, PLANT AND EQUIPMENT

         Property, plant and equipment consists of the following at September
         30, 1997 and December 31, 1996:

<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
         (In millions)                                      1997           1996
                                                           ------         -----
             <S>                                        <C>            <C>
             Land                                       $   13.8       $   13.8
             Buildings                                      38.4           36.8
             Machinery and equipment                       834.7          793.0
                                                         -------       --------

                Total property, plant and equipment        886.9          843.6
                Less accumulated depreciation              272.7          245.6
                                                         -------       --------
                Net property, plant and equipment       $  614.2       $  598.0
                                                        ========       ========
</TABLE>


5.       DEBT
<TABLE>
<CAPTION>
                                                                         Interest      September 30,       December 31,
         (In millions)                                  Maturity          Rates             1997               1996
                                                        --------         ------            ------             -----
             <S>                                           <C>            <C>             <C>               <C>
             Term Loan - MC                                 2002          Variable        $   ----          $  100.0
             Revolving Loan - MIC                           2002          Variable           177.0              48.0
             6 7/8% Notes                                   2006            6.875%           148.9             148.9
             Note payable to Avonite
                stockholder                                 2006          Variable            11.2              11.2
             Priority Promissory Note                       2006          Variable             1.1               1.1
             Industrial Revenue Bond                        2008          Variable             0.6               0.6
             Capital lease obligations                     1997-1999                           0.2               0.2
                                                                                          --------          --------
                                                                                             339.0             310.0
             Less amount due within one year                                                   0.1              0 .1
                                                                                          --------          --------
             Total
                                                                                          $  338.9          $  309.9
                                                                                          ========          ========
</TABLE>





                                        6

<PAGE>   8



                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
               SELECTED NOTES TO FINANCIAL STATEMENTS (CONTINUED)
                                  (UNAUDITED)

5.       DEBT (CONTINUED)

         On March 3, 1997, the $100.0 million Mitsubishi Corporation (MC) Term
         Loan was prepaid in its entirety using proceeds from the Mitsubishi
         International Corporation (MIC) Revolving Loan by increasing the
         commitment amount of the facility to $250.0 million. The guarantee fee
         payable to MC has been reduced to .1875% per annum for guaranteed
         loans effective March 3, 1997, and thereafter.

6.       COMMITMENTS AND CONTINGENCIES

         Contract commitments for capital expenditures for property, plant and
         equipment totaled $143.5 million at September 30, 1997 and $16.8
         million at December 31, 1996.

         As of December 31, 1996, the Company had outstanding irrevocable
         standby letters of credit in the amount of $15.2 million, primarily in
         connection with environmental matters. The outstanding irrevocable
         standby letters of credit have been reduced to $5.6 million as of
         September 30, 1997.

         The Company is a defendant in a patent infringement suit filed by
         Phillips Petroleum Company ("Phillips") in 1987, in the United States
         District Court for the Southern District of Texas, captioned Phillips
         Petroleum Company v. Aristech Chemical Corporation, Civil Action No.
         H87-3445. The complaint alleges infringement of two patents related to
         the production of polypropylene, which have since expired. The Company
         and Phillips each filed motions for summary judgement which were
         referred to a Special Master. The Special Master issued a
         recommendation to find in the Company's favor, and Phillips filed a
         motion to reject the Special Master's recommendation. A hearing on
         this motion was held on October 21, 1996. On November 13, 1996, the
         District Court granted the Company's motion for summary judgement and
         entered an order to that effect on November 19, 1996. A final
         judgement was entered on December 23, 1996. Phillips appealed the
         judgement and the appellate process is ongoing.

         The Company is subject to pervasive environmental laws and regulations
         concerning the production, handling, storage, transportation, emission
         and disposal of waste materials and is also subject to other federal
         and state laws and regulations regarding environmental, health and
         safety matters. These laws and regulations are constantly evolving,
         and it is impossible to predict accurately the effect these laws and
         regulations will have on the Company in the future.

         The Company is also the subject of, or party to, a number of other
         pending or threatened legal actions involving a variety of matters. In
         the opinion of management, any ultimate liability arising from these
         contingencies, to the extent not otherwise provided for, should not
         have a material adverse effect on the consolidated financial position,
         results of operations, or cash flows of the Company.





                                       7

<PAGE>   9



7.       SUBSEQUENT EVENTS

         On October 1, 1997, the Company formed a joint venture with Mitsubishi
         Rayon Company, Ltd. to manufacture and sell acrylic sheet and
         decorative surface products. The Company's acrylic sheet division,
         headquarted in Florence, Kentucky, was reorganized as a limited
         liability company that will conduct business under the name of
         Aristech Acrylics LLC (the "LLC"). The Company holds a 90% interest in
         the LLC.

         On October 6, 1997, the Company entered into a contractual agreement
         with JE Merit Constructors, Inc. for the engineering, procurement, and
         construction of a 550 million pound per year polypropylene production
         line at the Company's LaPorte, Texas site.

         On October 31, 1997, the Company entered into a contractual agreement
         with Morrison Knudsen Corporation for certain procurement for and
         construction of a third phenol line at the Company's Haverhill, Ohio
         site (the "Third Line"). The agreement is effective as of August 4,
         1997.

         On October 31, 1997, the Company entered into a contractual agreement
         with The M.W. Kellogg Company for the engineering and certain
         procurement for the Third Line. The agreement is effective as of
         August 18,1997.





                                       8

<PAGE>   10




Item 2.
                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
                 FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS


This discussion should be read in connection with the information contained in
the Financial Statements and Selected Notes to Financial Statements. The
following discussion may contain forward-looking terms such as "believes,"
"expects," "may," "will," "should," "projected," or "anticipates," or the
negative of these terms. No assurance can be given that future results covered
by such forward-looking statements will be achieved.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Operating income for the three month period ending September 30, 1997 was $18.1
million on sales of $224.9 million compared with operating income of $24.6
million on sales of $231.9 million for the three month period ending September
30, 1996. Despite a favorable effect from slightly higher sales volumes,
operating income was lower primarily due to lower average net selling prices.
On average, selling prices for the Company's products decreased 3.5%. Selling
prices for chemical and polymers products were lower by 1.4% and 7.1%,
respectively. Sales volumes were higher by 0.3% in the three month period
ending September 30, 1997 as compared to the same period in 1996. Sales volumes
for chemical products were lower by 0.8% and sales volumes for polymer products
were higher by 2.4% in the three month period ending September 30, 1997 as
compared to the same period in 1996.

Selling, general and administrative expenses decreased $1.1 million or 8.1% in
the three month period ending September 30, 1997 compared to the same period in
1996 primarily due to the suspension of accruals relating to employee
compensation programs which are tied to the Company's profitability.

Loss on disposal of assets was $9.1 million in the three month period ending
September 30, 1997 compared to $2.3 million for the same period in 1996. The
increase is due to the writeoff of deferred engineering costs associated with
the Company's consideration of a cumene/phenol complex at Garyville, Louisiana.

Interest expense was $6.1 million for the three month period ending September
30, 1997 compared to $10.2 million for the same period in 1996. The $4.1
million decrease in interest expense resulted primarily from the conversion of
$179.6 million in principal amount of the Company's Payment-in-Kind Debentures
to Common Stock on September 30, 1996.

The provision for estimated taxes for the three month period ending September
30, 1997 was $2.4 million, compared with a provision for estimated taxes of
$7.4 million for the same period in 1996. The Company's effective tax rate has
increased to 83% in 1997 from 62% in 1996 as a result of the amortization of
non-deductible goodwill and lower pre-tax income.

The Company's net income was $0.5 million for the three month period ending
September 30, 1997, a decrease of $4.0 million compared with net income of $4.5
million in the same period in 1996.


                                       9

<PAGE>   11




                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
           FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


Operating income for the first nine months of 1997 was $42.7 million on sales
of $683.3 million compared with operating income of $84.8 million on sales of
$691.6 million in the first nine months of 1996. The reduction in operating
income reflects reduced margins in most of the Company's product lines as
compared to the same period in the prior year.

In addition, the Company's operating income was reduced due to the sale of the
Company's coal chemicals business in March 1996. This business contributed $2.6
million in operating income in the first nine months of 1996. While average net
selling prices for the Company's products increased 1.4%, feedstock costs and
conversion costs increased 8.2% and 4.8%, respectively. Sales volumes were
lower by 1.6% in the first nine months of 1997 as compared to the first nine
months of 1996. Sales volumes for chemical products were lower by 2.7%. Sales
volumes for polymers products were higher by 0.3%.

Selling, general and administrative expenses increased $3.9 million or 11.1% in
the first nine months of 1997 compared to the same period in 1996 primarily due
to the consolidation of expenses relating to Avonite, Inc. Selling, general and
administrative expenses for Avonite, Inc. were $4.3 million in the first nine
months of 1997 as compared to $1.3 million in the first nine months of 1996.
Avonite, Inc. became a consolidated subsidiary of the Company on July 1, 1996.

Interest expense was $17.8 million for the first nine months of 1997 compared
to $32.3 million for the first nine months of 1996. The $14.5 million decrease
in interest expense resulted primarily from the conversion of $179.6 million in
principal amount of the Company's Payment-in-Kind Debentures to Common Stock
on September 30, 1996.

The provision for estimated taxes in the first nine months of 1997 was $7.8
million, compared with a provision of $19.7 million in the first nine months of
1996. The Company's effective tax rate has increased to 53% in 1997 from 45% in
1996 as a result of the amortization of non-deductible goodwill and lower
pre-tax income.

The Company's net income was $7.0 million in the first nine months of 1997, a
decrease of $17.0 million compared with net income of $24.0 million in the same
period in 1996.





                                       10

<PAGE>   12



                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
           FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)


FINANCIAL CONDITION

Liquidity
- ---------

Total working capital was $83.3 million at the end of the third quarter of 1997
with a ratio of current assets to current liabilities of 1.5 to 1. Total
working capital was $74.8 million at the end of 1996 with a ratio of current
assets to current liabilities of 1.5 to 1. The increase in the Company's
working capital balance is principally due to an increase in trade accounts
receivable.

Cash from operations totaled $37.9 million in the nine month period ending
September 30, 1997 compared to $62.3 million in the nine month period ending
September 30, 1996. Cash generation during the first nine months of 1997 was
not sufficient to satisfy capital expenditure needs. In the first nine months
of 1997, the Company supplemented its cash from operations with cash available
under its short term and revolving credit agreements in order to meet its
current cash requirements.

A dividend was declared for $558 per share of common stock and was paid on
April 24, 1997 to holders of record as of February 26, 1997. The total amount
of dividends was $8.3 million.

On March 3, 1997, the $100.0 million MC Term Loan was prepaid in its entirety
using proceeds from the MIC Revolving Loan by increasing the commitment amount
of the facility to $250.0 million. The previous commitment amount of the MIC
Revolving Loan was $150.0 million. Concurrently, the guarantee fee payable to
MC was reduced .1125% to .1875% per annum for guaranteed loans effective March
3, 1997, and thereafter.

The Company believes that cash from operations, supplemented as necessary with
cash available under the Company's revolving credit agreement, working capital
facility, and other third-party financings, will provide it with sufficient
resources to meet present and foreseeable future working capital and cash
needs.

Capital Expenditures
- --------------------

Fixed asset expenditures during the three month period ending September 30,
1997 were $18.1 million resulting in year-to-date 1997 fixed asset expenditures
of $58.0 million. This compared to $8.9 million for the third quarter 1996 and
year-to-date 1996 expenditures of $28.6 million. The current year expenditures
primarily reflect spending for the incremental capacity expansion at Haverhill,
Ohio for phenol and related products, phthalic anhydride expansion and
equipment upgrades at Pasadena, Texas, and installation of bulk raw material
handling facilities for the acrylics unit at Florence, Kentucky.




                                       11

<PAGE>   13


                         ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORPORATION
                    MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF
           FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS (CONTINUED)

Contract commitments for property, plant and equipment as of September 30, 1997
and December 31, 1996 were $143.5 million and $16.8 million, respectively.
Projects at the Company's Haverhill, Ohio facility account for 91.9% of the
outstanding commitments including expansion and construction of facilities for
production of phenol and related products and related equipment upgrades. Large
commitments also exist for equipment upgrades at the Company's Pasadena, Texas
facility and for equipment to be installed at the Company's new polypropylene
technical center in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

On October 31, 1997, the Company entered into a contractual agreement with
Morrison Knudsen Corporation for certain procurement for and construction of a
third phenol line at the Company's Haverhill, Ohio site (the "Third Line"). The
agreement is effective as of August 4, 1997.

On October 31, 1997, the Company entered into a contractual agreement with The
M. W. Kellogg Company for the engineering and certain procurement for the Third
Line. The agreement is effective as of August 18, 1997.

The Company believes that cash from operations, supplemented as necessary with
cash available under the Company's revolving credit agreement, working capital
facility, and other third-party financings, will provide it with sufficient
resources to fund the Company's current and future years capital spending
program.


PART II - OTHER INFORMATION

     Item 6. Exhibits and Reports on Form 8-K

     No reports on Form 8-K were filed during the quarter ended September 30,
1997.


     Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this Report to be signed on its behalf by the
undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.


                         Aristech Chemical Corporation


                        By   /s/ Michael J. Prendergast
                           ----------------------------
                             Michael J. Prendergast
                             Acting Chief Financial Officer

November 10, 1997

                                       12


<TABLE> <S> <C>

<ARTICLE> 5
<CIK> 0000804104
<NAME> ARISTECH CHEMICAL CORP.
<MULTIPLIER> 1,000
       
<S>                             <C>
<PERIOD-TYPE>                   9-MOS
<FISCAL-YEAR-END>                          DEC-31-1997
<PERIOD-START>                             JAN-01-1997
<PERIOD-END>                               SEP-30-1997
<CASH>                                           4,600
<SECURITIES>                                         0
<RECEIVABLES>                                  128,800
<ALLOWANCES>                                     (500)
<INVENTORY>                                    121,300
<CURRENT-ASSETS>                               255,400
<PP&E>                                         886,900
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                                0
                                          0
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</TABLE>


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