Company Description
Westlake Corporation (NYSE: WLK) is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and products used across housing and construction, packaging, healthcare, automotive and consumer goods. According to its public disclosures, the company is headquartered in Houston and operates in Asia, Europe and North America. Westlake is classified in the manufacturing sector and is associated with all other basic organic chemical manufacturing through its production of chemicals, polymers and related materials.
Westlake states that it provides the building blocks for vital solutions in multiple end markets. Its activities include the manufacture of chemicals and polymers, such as polyethylene and other basic materials, and the production of building products through its Housing & Infrastructure Products (HIP) business. The company’s filings and press releases describe a business that connects upstream chemical production with downstream applications in building products and specialty compounds.
Business Segments and Operations
Based on the available information, Westlake operates through at least two major areas:
- Performance & Essential Materials / Chlorovinyls and Related Chemicals – Westlake has disclosed plans and capacity figures for polyvinyl chloride (PVC), vinyl chloride monomer (VCM), chlor-alkali products (chlorine and caustic soda), styrene and polyethylene. An 8-K dated December 12, 2025 describes a plan to cease operation of certain North American chlorovinyl production facilities, including a PVC plant in Aberdeen, Mississippi, a VCM plant at the Lake Charles, Louisiana North site, and a diaphragm chlor-alkali unit at the Lake Charles, Louisiana South site. The company indicates it will continue to supply PVC, VCM and chlor-alkali products from seven other North American chlorovinyl facilities.
- Housing & Infrastructure Products (HIP) – Westlake’s HIP business includes Westlake Royal Building Products and Westlake Global Compounds. Westlake Royal Building Products USA Inc., a Westlake company, is described as a leader throughout North America in the innovation, design and production of exterior and interior building products, including siding and accessories, trim and mouldings, roofing, stone, windows and outdoor living products. Westlake Global Compounds focuses on specialty compounding solutions, including materials for the wire and cable sectors.
Building Products and Roofing Solutions
Within building products, Westlake Royal Building Products and its divisions play a significant role. Public news releases describe Westlake Royal Building Products as manufacturing high quality, low maintenance exterior and interior building products to meet the specifications and needs of building professionals, homeowners, architects, engineers and distributors, with an emphasis on curb appeal and a wide array of colors, styles and accessories.
Westlake Royal Roofing Solutions LLC, a division of Westlake Royal Building Products, is identified as a national leader in durable and sustainable clay, composite, concrete and steel roof systems and components. Its offerings include:
- US Tile products – a legacy line of premium clay tile roofing solutions.
- DaVinci Roofscapes – composite slate and shake roofing tiles that capture the look of real cedar shake and natural slate.
- Newpoint Concrete Roof Tile – concrete tile roofing known for strength and a Class A fire rating.
- Unified Steel Stone Coated Roofing – an ultra-lightweight roofing system that uses the structural strength of steel.
- Westlake Royal Roofing Components – integrated roof components designed to support roof installation and performance.
News coverage also highlights Westlake Royal’s participation in industry events, such as the International Roofing Expo, where it showcases roofing brands, new colors and profiles, and system enhancements, and hosts installation clinics and product demonstrations. These activities illustrate how the building products segment connects with contractors, builders and other professionals.
Specialty Compounds and Global Footprint
Westlake has expanded its specialty materials and compounding capabilities through acquisitions. In a press release and related Form 8-K, the company announced that it entered into an agreement, and later completed, the acquisition of the global compounding solutions businesses of the ACI/Perplastic Group (collectively, ACI). ACI is described as a global manufacturer of specialty materials primarily serving the wire and cable sectors.
Westlake states that this acquisition strengthens its Housing & Infrastructure Products business and enhances the reach of Westlake Global Compounds. The transaction expands Westlake Global Compounds’ manufacturing footprint into Portugal, Romania and Tunisia, adding to existing operations in Mexico. This complements Westlake’s broader operations in Asia, Europe and North America, as described in its public “About Westlake” statements.
Polyethylene and Sustainability Initiatives
Within polymers, Westlake Polyethylene offers polyethylene solutions. A company announcement notes that Westlake Polyethylene’s low-density polyethylene (LDPE) site in Sulphur, Louisiana has achieved International Sustainability & Carbon Certification (ISCC) PLUS certification, including mass balance certification for alternative raw materials. This certification recognizes systems for tracing and managing alternative raw materials in the polymer production process.
Westlake Polyethylene describes its offerings as including LDPE, linear low-density polyethylene (LLDPE), ethylene vinyl acetate copolymers (EVA) and a portfolio of specialty polyethylene polymers. These products are designed to meet diverse needs in applications such as food and flexible packaging, agricultural films and other industrial uses. The ISCC PLUS certification supports Westlake’s stated goal of delivering more sustainable solutions and producing polymers with attributed bio or circular content and reduced carbon footprints.
Capital Markets Activity and Financial Structure
Westlake’s SEC filings and press releases provide insight into its capital markets activities. The company has issued senior notes and maintains securities listed on the New York Stock Exchange, including common stock under the symbol WLK and 1.625% senior notes due 2029 under the symbol WLK 29.
In November 2025, Westlake announced an underwritten public offering of senior unsecured notes due 2035 and 2055, and entered into an underwriting agreement with several investment banks. The company indicated its intention to use net proceeds to fund a cash tender offer for its 3.600% senior notes due 2026, support the purchase price of the ACI acquisition and for general corporate purposes. Related 8-K filings describe the indenture, supplemental indenture, covenants and events of default associated with these notes.
Westlake has also reported on a cash tender offer for its 3.600% senior notes due 2026, including the pricing, reference yield, consideration and results of the offer. These disclosures show how the company manages its debt profile and financing for acquisitions and other corporate purposes.
Operational Changes in Chlorovinyls and Styrene
In December 2025, Westlake filed an 8-K describing a plan to cease operation of certain North American chlorovinyl production facilities and its styrene production plant at Lake Charles, Louisiana. The filing details capacities for the affected PVC, VCM, chlor-alkali and styrene units and provides expected remaining aggregate production capacities after the closures. The company notes that it plans to continue supplying customers with PVC, VCM and chlor-alkali products from seven other North American chlorovinyl facilities.
The same filing outlines expected pre-tax costs associated with these closures, including noncash accelerated depreciation, amortization and asset write-offs, employee severance and separation costs, and other plant shutdown costs. Westlake indicates that it expects to recognize a substantial portion of these charges in the fourth quarter of 2025, with cash outflows over several years.
Dividends and Investor Communications
Westlake’s board has declared regular dividends on its common stock. A November 2025 press release notes a quarterly dividend and states that Westlake announced its first dividend in 2004 and has been paying and increasing its dividend for many years. The company regularly issues press releases and holds conference calls to discuss quarterly results, as reflected in multiple 8-K filings furnishing earnings releases and investor presentations.
Through these communications, Westlake provides updates on financial performance, operational plans such as facility rationalizations, and strategic initiatives like acquisitions and capital structure management.
Westlake Royal Building Products and DaVinci Roofscapes
Within the Westlake portfolio, DaVinci Roofscapes is a division of Westlake Royal Building Products. Public information describes DaVinci Roofscapes as producing composite roofing tiles that capture the look of real cedar shake and natural slate, made of virgin resins, UV and thermal stabilizers and a fire retardant. The tiles are designed to resist impact, fire, severe weather, insects, rotting, fading and splitting, and are available in numerous colors. They are backed by a Lifetime Limited Material Warranty.
Westlake Royal Building Products also promotes tools and accessories such as Tapco Tools trim brakes and saw tables for creating custom exterior trim, as well as educational offerings like installation clinics and roofing specification sessions at industry events. These activities support contractors and building professionals in using Westlake’s roofing and exterior products.
Stock and Exchange Listing
Westlake Corporation’s common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WLK. The company also has 1.625% senior notes due 2029 listed on the same exchange under the symbol WLK 29, as disclosed in its 8-K filings. These listings provide investors with access to both equity and certain debt securities of the company.
FAQs about Westlake Corporation (WLK)
- What does Westlake Corporation do?
Westlake is a global manufacturer and supplier of materials and products used in housing and construction, packaging, healthcare, automotive and consumer goods. It produces chemicals and polymers, including polyethylene and chlorovinyl products, and offers building products and specialty compounds through businesses such as Westlake Royal Building Products and Westlake Global Compounds. - Where is Westlake Corporation headquartered?
Westlake states that it is headquartered in Houston, with operations in Asia, Europe and North America. - On which exchange is WLK stock listed?
Westlake Corporation’s common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol WLK. Its 1.625% senior notes due 2029 are also listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol WLK 29. - What are Westlake’s main business areas?
Available disclosures highlight chemicals and polymers, including chlorovinyls and polyethylene, and housing and infrastructure products. The latter includes exterior and interior building products such as siding, trim, roofing, stone, windows and outdoor living products, as well as specialty compounding solutions. - What is Westlake Royal Building Products?
Westlake Royal Building Products USA Inc. is a Westlake company that designs and produces exterior and interior building products for the North American market. Its portfolio includes siding and accessories, trim and mouldings, roofing, stone, windows and outdoor living products, with a focus on high quality, low maintenance and a broad range of colors and styles. - What is DaVinci Roofscapes and how is it related to Westlake?
DaVinci Roofscapes is a division of Westlake Royal Building Products. It produces composite slate and shake roofing tiles that emulate the look of natural materials and are designed to resist impact, fire, severe weather, insects, rotting, fading and splitting. - How is Westlake expanding its specialty compounding business?
Westlake announced and then completed the acquisition of the global compounding solutions businesses of the ACI/Perplastic Group. ACI is described as a global manufacturer of specialty materials primarily serving the wire and cable sectors, and the acquisition expands Westlake Global Compounds’ manufacturing footprint into Portugal, Romania and Tunisia, complementing existing operations in Mexico. - What operational changes has Westlake announced for its chlorovinyl and styrene facilities?
In an 8-K dated December 12, 2025, Westlake reported a plan to cease operation of its PVC plant in Aberdeen, Mississippi, its VCM plant at the Lake Charles, Louisiana North site, a diaphragm chlor-alkali unit at the Lake Charles, Louisiana South site, and its styrene production plant at Lake Charles, Louisiana. The company plans to continue supplying PVC, VCM and chlor-alkali products from seven other North American chlorovinyl facilities. - Does Westlake pay dividends?
A November 2025 press release states that Westlake’s board declared a regular quarterly dividend and notes that the company announced its first dividend in 2004 and has been paying and increasing its dividend over many years. Future dividends are subject to board decisions and other factors. - How does Westlake address sustainability in its polymer business?
Westlake Polyethylene’s LDPE site in Sulphur, Louisiana has attained ISCC PLUS certification, including mass balance certification for alternative raw materials. Westlake indicates that this supports an expanding portfolio of polymers with recycled or renewable content and reduced carbon footprints, and enables polymer products with improved environmental profiles and greater transparency in material sourcing.