Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Third Quarter 2021 Results

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (the “Company”) reported a net loss of $5 million or a net loss of $0.07 per diluted share, compared to net income of $29 million or $0.45 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The net loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 25, 2021 was $13 million or $0.21 per diluted share, compared to net income from continuing operations of $13 million or $0.20 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The decrease in the diluted earnings per share was primarily due to significant income tax benefits recorded in the prior year. Income from discontinued operations for the quarter ended September 25, 2021 was $9 million or $0.14 per diluted share, compared to income from discontinued operations of $16 million or $0.25 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The decrease in the diluted earnings per share was due to lower lumber sales volumes as only two months of activity are recorded in the current quarter along with a higher income tax expense. As a result of the sale of lumber and newsprint assets, the Company has reclassified certain prior year amounts to conform to the current year presentation for discontinued operations. Unless otherwise stated, information in this press release relates to continuing operations.

“We made great progress on our strategic initiatives in the quarter including completion of the portfolio optimization initiative,” said Paul Boynton, President and Chief Executive Officer. “Along with our sale of the lumber and newsprint assets, we repaid a significant amount of debt and built cash reserves, which will be used to make investments in lowering cost, improving reliability and growing our BioFuture over the coming years. As we experience significant cost inflation and strong demand for cellulose specialties products, which are expected to continue into 2022, it is imperative that we capture fair value for our products to maintain our capital-intensive assets and service our customers. As such, we expect significant price increases on our majority of cellulose specialties contracts in 2022.”

Third Quarter 2021 Operating Results from Continuing Operations

As a result of the sale of the Company’s lumber and newsprint assets, the Company operates in the following business segments: High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard, High-Yield Pulp and Corporate.

High Purity Cellulose

Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 declined $6 million and improved $9 million, respectively, when compared to the prior year. Sales prices increased 14 percent and 13 percent during the three-month and nine-month periods, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period, driven by higher commodity prices. Total volumes declined 2 percent and 9 percent during the current three-month and nine-month periods, respectively. Compared to the prior year periods, volumes declined driven by an improved mix of cellulose specialties due to strong demand and a kiln reliability disruption at the Jesup, GA facility that negatively impacted commodity production by approximately 10,000 metric tons. Additionally, segment sales volumes were negatively impacted by shipping constraints as well as the impact of extended planned outages in the current year. Costs increased compared to the prior year periods driven by inflation on key material inputs, the kiln disruption previously mentioned and higher maintenance and logistic expenses.

Compared to the second quarter of 2021, operating income declined by $9 million driven by higher operational costs and input costs partially offset by higher specialties sales volumes and higher commodity sales prices. Total sales prices increased 3 percent while total sales volumes increased 10 percent. However, sales volumes were negatively impacted compared to expectations by shipping constraints and the kiln disruption. Costs also increased compared to the prior quarter due to inflation on key input costs, the kiln disruption and higher logistic expenses.

Paperboard

Operating results for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 declined $1 million and $4 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year periods, primarily due to higher raw material pulp input costs partially offset by higher sales prices. Compared to the prior year, sales prices increased 13 percent and 6 percent during the current three-month and nine-month periods, respectively, driven by strong demand. Compared to the prior year, sales volumes decreased 2 percent and increased 5 percent during the current three-month and nine-month periods, respectively.

Compared to the second quarter of 2021, operating income remained flat. Compared to the prior quarter, sales prices increased 3 percent while sales volumes decreased 10 percent.

High-Yield Pulp

Operating income for the three months and nine months ended September 25, 2021 improved $7 million and $8 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. Higher sales prices and volumes driven by market improvements were offset by higher operational and logistics costs as well as logistics constraints.

Operating results improved by $7 million when compared to the second quarter of 2021, driven by higher sales prices.

Corporate

The operating loss for the three-month period ended September 25, 2021, improved by $4 million to $9 million, when compared to the same prior year period primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts. The operating loss for the nine-month period ended September 25, 2021, improved by $4 million to $33 million when compared to the same prior year period driven by lower variable compensation costs.

Compared to the second quarter of 2021, the operating loss improved by $4 million, to $9 million, during the third quarter ended September 25, 2021, driven primarily by favorable foreign currency impacts.

Non-Operating Expenses

Interest expense for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 increased $3 million and $8 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase was principally driven by the increased interest rate and higher amortization of debt issuance costs related to the December 23, 2020 refinancing of certain debt.

Interest expense during the three months ended September 25, 2021 increased $1 million to $17 million when compared to the second quarter of 2021.

Included in interest income and other, during the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 is a $8 million unrealized loss associated with shares of GreenFirst Forest Products, Inc. (“GreenFirst”) received in connection with the sale of lumber and newsprint assets (see further below for additional discussion on the sale), as well as a $2 million net gain associated with open-market purchases of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Unsecured Notes”).

Income Taxes

For continuing operations, the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September 25, 2021 was a benefit of 24 percent and 59 percent, respectively, compared to a benefit of 181 percent and 84 percent, respectively, in the same periods of the prior year. The 2021 effective tax rates differ from the statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to a tax benefit recognized by remeasuring the Company’s Canadian deferred tax assets at a higher blended statutory tax rate in Canada. The statutory tax rate is higher as a result of changing the allocation of income between the Canadian provinces due to the sale of lumber and newsprint assets. The 2020 effective tax rate benefit differs from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to the release of certain valuation allowances related to nondeductible interest expense, benefits from the CARES Act, tax return to accrual adjustments, and tax credits, partially offset by nondeductible interest expense in the U.S., taxable income generated from the 2020 credit agreement amendment, increases to uncertain tax position reserves, nondeductible executive compensation, and lower tax deductions on vested stock compensation.

Discontinued Operations

The Company presents businesses that represent components as discontinued operations when they meet the criteria for held for sale or are sold, and their disposal represents a strategic shift that has, or will have, a major effect on its operations and financial results. As a result of the sale of lumber and newsprint assets, the Company is presenting the operations for the Forest Products and Newsprint segments as discontinued operations.

Sale of lumber and newsprint assets

On August 28, 2021, the Company completed the previously announced sale of its lumber and newsprint facilities and certain related assets (the “Purchased Assets”) located in Ontario and Québec Canada to GreenFirst for $232 million. At closing, the Company received $193 million in cash, 28.7 million shares of GreenFirst’s common stock with a deemed fair value of $42 million and a credit note issued to the Company by GreenFirst in the amount of CDN $8 million (approximately $5 million after present value discount). The credit note may be offset against amounts owed to GreenFirst in the future for wood chip purchases, equally over the next 5 years. The GreenFirst shares will be held for a minimum of six months. The cash received at closing was preliminary and subject to final purchase price adjustments to be completed within 90 days following the close of the transaction. Driven primarily by lower inventory balances, the Company currently estimates the cash portion of the purchase price will be reduced by $8 million, to $185 million. However, concurrently with purchase price adjustments, the Company and GreenFirst will settle other adjustments resulting from events related to the sale, expected to result in a net cash outflow by the Company of approximately $2 to $3 million. In connection with the sale, the Company has recorded a preliminary gain on sale of $6 million, net of tax, inclusive of currently estimated purchase price adjustments. The preliminary net gain is included in the results of discontinued operations.

The Purchased Assets excluded accounts receivable, accounts payable, certain retained inventory and rights and obligations to softwood lumber duties, generated or incurred through the closing date. Since 2017, the Company has paid a total of $112 million in duties. As of August 28, 2021, the carrying value of the Purchased Assets was $215 million. The Company expects a cash tax impact of $1 million as a result of this transaction.

In connection with the transaction, the Company and GreenFirst entered into a 20-yr wood chip and residual fiber supply agreement as well as a transition services agreement.

The sale completes the strategic portfolio optimization plans for the Company.

Discontinued operations results

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, for the three months ended September 25, 2021 was $9 million compared to $16 million for the comparable prior period ended September 26, 2020. The decline was driven primarily by lower lumber sales volumes driven by only two months of activity in the current quarter, lower lumber prices and higher income tax expense.

Income from discontinued operations net of taxes, during the nine months ended September 25, 2021 was $112 million compared to $1 million for the same prior year period ended September 26, 2020. The improvement was driven by an increase in prices for lumber offset by the impact of Global Intangible Low Taxed Income (“GILTI”) on foreign earnings. The application of GILTI effectively results in double book taxation of the majority of the Company’s high Canadian earnings. The Company expects minimal cash taxes to be paid in 2021 or 2022 as a result of 2021 earnings associated with its discontinued operations.

Forest Products

The operating results for the three-month period ended September 25, 2021 declined $12 million, and operating results for the nine-month period ended September 25, 2021 improved $171 million, when compared to the same prior year periods. The improvement was primarily due to an increase in lumber prices of 20 percent for the three-month period and 111 percent for the nine-month period. Sales volumes for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 25, 2021 were lower by 31 percent and 8 percent, respectively, than in the prior year comparable periods primarily driven by only two months of activity in the current quarter. The improvement during the nine-month period was primarily due to higher lumber prices, partially offset by higher operational and residual stumpage costs.

Compared to the second quarter of 2021, the operating results declined by $104 million. The decline was driven by lower lumber volumes of 37 percent due to only two months of activity in the third quarter as well a significant decline in lumber prices of 42 percent.

Newsprint

Operating results for the three-month and nine-month periods ended September 25, 2021 improved by $2 million and $6 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year periods. Lower sales volumes were offset by improvements in sales prices and lower operational costs.

Compared to the second quarter of 2021, the operating results declined by $3 million primarily driven by only two months of activity during the current quarter.

Cash Flows & Liquidity

For the nine months ended September 25, 2021, the Company generated operating cash flows of $207 million, of which continuing operations provided operating cash flows of $45 million and discontinued operations provided operating cash flows of $162 million. Operating cash flows from continuing operations include the impact of working capital, which increased $17 million, including the receipt of $27 million of cash tax refunds and $20 million related to Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”). An additional $29 million of cash tax refunds are expected in the next six to twelve months.

For the nine months ended September 25, 2021, the Company invested $118 million, of which $61 million were capital expenditures for continuing operations, net of proceeds from the sale of assets, including approximately $10 million of strategic capital spending. Additionally, the Company invested $4 million in Anomera, Inc., one of the Company’s strategic growth initiatives. Related to discontinued operations, the Company received $193 million at the time of the closing of the sale of its lumber and newsprint assets and invested $8 million in capital expenditures related to these operations.

The Company ended the quarter with $378 million of liquidity globally, including $279 million of cash, borrowing capacity of $76 million under the ABL Credit Facility and $23 million of availability on the factoring facility in France. Liquidity for the third quarter improved by $19 million, due to an increase in cash offset by reduced availability under the ABL Credit Facility, both driven by the sale of lumber and newsprint assets.

Market Assessment

The market assessment represents the Company’s best current estimate of each business in this environment.

High Purity Cellulose

Pricing levels for the Company’s commodity products increased during the third quarter; however, prices are expected to moderate for the fourth quarter. Prices for cellulose specialties remain in line with expectations for the full year but are expected to increase for 2022. Demand for cellulose specialties volumes remains strong. Total segment volumes are expected to decline for the full year mainly due to logistics constraints, the kiln disruption in the third quarter at the Jesup, GA facility that negatively impacted production and the extended planned maintenance outages in 2021 and early 2022. Volumes for both cellulose specialties and commodity products are expected to remain strong in the fourth quarter and into 2022. However, logistic and shipping constraints may negatively impact sales volumes in the near term.

Key costs remain difficult to predict. Prices for energy, wood and chemicals as well as logistics costs, have increased significantly for the year and are expected to escalate further in the fourth quarter and into 2022.

With current market conditions, including strong demand in most cellulose specialties end markets, and elevated pricing for commodity viscose and fluff products along with cotton and petroleum-based substitute products, the Company announced significant prices increases for its cellulose specialties products, which positions it well to help offset inflationary pressures in 2022. The Company also remains committed to investing in its core business to reduce costs, improve reliability and provide new platforms for growth.

Paperboard

Paperboard prices continued to increase in the third quarter as expected, due to strong demand in both commercial printing and packaging segments, helping offset increases in raw material costs. Prices for the Company’s unique Kallima® brand paperboard are expected to increase further as demand for the Company’s products continues to strengthen, while industry supply remains constrained due to competitor production disruptions. Raw material costs are expected to decline as pulp prices moderate.

High-Yield Pulp

High-yield pulp markets experienced additional price increases during the third quarter due to the typical sales lag in the business. However, pulp market prices have recently declined and lower realized prices are expected for the remainder of the year. Logistics constraints and higher costs also may negatively impact operating results in the coming quarter.

Investing in the Future

With the completion of the sale of the lumber and newsprint assets, the Company is focused on its four high purity cellulose plants and capitalizing on the global demand for more sustainable products with its leading cellulose specialties offerings. These specialized biorefinery assets are capable of creating the world’s leading plant-based high purity cellulose and ideally suited for generating green fuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as lignin and tall oils. The Company will invest to improve reliability in 2022. Additionally, the Company is evaluating specific strategic capital projects similar to several recently completed high return projects to enhance the value of its assets. These strategic investments include expenditures in green energy in Tartas, France and in TemSilk™ pulp, a critical input in the production of Lyocell, a more sustainable textile, and in Anomera, Inc., a company that manufactures carboxylated cellulose nanocrystals (CNC), a patented, biodegradable product for use in cosmetics and a wide variety of industrial applications. The Tartas green energy project is fully operational and the Company anticipates realizing $10 million in annualized benefits from this investment. The Company will also leverage its world-class R&D facilities to work with new and existing customers to develop natural-based solutions. The investments in reliability, strategic growth and innovation are expected to drive significant incremental margins in the coming years.

Conclusion

“With the completion of portfolio optimization, the Company is well positioned to drive price increases for cellulose specialties, lower costs, improve reliability, drive returns on strategic investments and fund attractive R&D and innovation initiatives. With these investments, we expect to grow consolidated EBITDA margins significantly over the next three to five years,” concluded Mr. Boynton.

For the complete press release, click here.

About Rayonier Advanced Materials

Rayonier Advanced Materials is a global leader of cellulose-based technologies, including high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer commonly found in filters, food, pharmaceuticals and other industrial applications. The Company also manufactures products for lumber, paper and packaging markets. With manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada and France, Rayonier Advanced Materials employs approximately 4,000 people and generates approximately $1.7 billion of revenues. More information is available at www.rayonieram.com.

Contact:

Ryan Houck – Media Contact – (904) 357-9134

Source: Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.