Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Second Quarter 2021 Results

-Sale of the lumber and newsprint assets on track to close on August 28, 2021; positions the Company to pursue disciplined investments in its core High Purity Cellulose business and improve the balance sheet through debt repayment

-Second quarter net income was $122 million, of which net income from continuing operations was $8 million, $12 million favorable to the comparable period in 2020, and net income from discontinued operations was $114 million, $123 million favorable to the comparable period in 2020

-Second quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $149 million, of which Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $33 million, up $8 million from the comparable quarter in 2020 primarily driven by higher prices for High Purity Cellulose. Adjusted EBITDA from discontinued operations was $116 million, up $121 million from the comparable quarter in 2020, driven by higher lumber prices

-Generated $186 million in cash flow from operations, of which $46 million was generated by continuing operations and $140 million was generated by discontinued operations

-Generated $141 million of Free Cash Flow, of which $3 million was generated by continuing operations and $138 million was generated by discontinued operations

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (the “Company”) reported net income of $122 million or $1.89 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $13 million or $0.20 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. Income from continuing operations for the quarter ended June 26, 2021 was $8 million or $0.13 per diluted share, compared to a loss from continuing operations of $4 million or $0.05 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The improvement in the diluted earnings per share was due to higher commodity High Purity Cellulose product sales prices along with stronger cellulose specialties volumes. Income from discontinued operations for the quarter ended June 26, 2021 was $114 million or $1.76 per diluted share, compared to a loss from discontinued operations of $9 million or $0.15 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The improvement in the diluted earnings per share was due to higher lumber sales prices. As a result of the announced 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.

“As expected, second quarter operating results were significantly favorable to both the prior year and sequential quarter,” said Paul Boynton, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With strong cash flows generated by the record lumber prices in the second quarter, the pending sale of assets to GreenFirst Forest Products and the market recovery in commodity prices, the Company expects to capture significant Free Cash Flow for the year that will enable it to undertake prudent capital allocation initiatives, including debt paydown and investment in high-return projects in its core business.”

Second Quarter 2021 Operating Results from Continuing Operations

As a result of the announced 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 six months ended June 26, 2021 improved $4 million and $15 million, respectively, when compared to the prior year. Sales prices for the segment increased 17 percent and 13 percent during the current three-month and six-month periods, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period, led by higher commodity prices. Volumes declined 17 percent and 12 percent during the current three-month and six-month periods, respectively. Compared to the prior year periods, volumes were impacted by a more favorable mix of cellulose specialties, shipping constraints and the extended planned maintenance outage at the Jesup, Georgia facility. Costs increased during the current year compared to the prior year periods driven by inflation on key input costs and higher maintenance and logistic expenses.

Compared to the first quarter of 2021, operating income improved by $5 million driven by higher commodity sales prices and lower operational costs partly offset by lower sales volumes. Sales volumes were impacted by a more favorable mix of cellulose specialties, shipping constraints and the extended planned maintenance outage at the Jesup, Georgia facility.

Paperboard

Operating results for the three and six months ended June 26, 2021 declined $4 million and $3 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year periods, primarily due to higher raw material pulp input costs and higher operational costs partially offset by higher sales prices and volumes. Compared to the prior year, sales prices increased 5 percent and 3 percent during the current three-month and six-month periods, respectively, driven by strong demand. Compared to the prior year, sales volumes increased 23 percent and 8 percent during the current three-month and six-month periods, respectively.

Compared to the first quarter of 2021, operating income declined $4 million due to higher raw material input costs and higher operations costs partly offset by higher sales prices and sales volumes. Compared to the prior quarter, sales prices increased 4 percent while sales volumes increased 14 percent.

High-Yield Pulp

Operating income for the three months ended June 26, 2021 was flat when compared to the same prior year period at $1 million. Operating results for the six months ended June 26, 2021 improved $1 million when compared to the same prior year period. Higher sales prices and volumes driven by market improvements were offset by higher operational costs and logistics constraints.

Operating results improved by $2 million when compared to the first quarter of 2021, driven by higher sales prices and volumes.

Corporate

The operating loss for the three-month period ended June 26, 2021, improved by $7 million to $13 million, when compared to the same prior year period primarily due to favorable foreign currency impacts and lower variable compensation costs. The operating loss for the six-month period ended June 26, 2021, remained unchanged at $25 million when compared to the same prior year period as unfavorable foreign currency impacts were offset by lower variable compensation costs.

Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the operating loss increased by $2 million, to $13 million, during the second quarter ended June 26, 2021, driven primarily by unfavorable foreign currency impacts.

Non-Operating Expenses

Interest expense for the three and six months ended June 26, 2021 increased $2 million and $5 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. The increase was principally driven by 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 June 26, 2021 was flat at $16 million when compared to the first quarter of 2021.

Income Taxes

For continuing operations, the effective tax rate for the three and six months ended June 26, 2021 was a benefit of 153 percent and 77 percent, respectively, compared to a benefit of 83 percent and 47 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 once the sale of Forest Products and Newsprint is completed.

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 announced 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 April 12, 2021, the Company announced the sale of its lumber and newsprint facilities and certain related assets (the “Purchased Assets”) located in Ontario and Québec Canada to GreenFirst Forest Products, Inc. (“GreenFirst”), for approximately $214 million, including an assumption of $74 million associated with finished goods, work-in-process and raw materials inventory value, which is subject to dollar-for-dollar fluctuation until closing. The final purchase price will be paid 85 percent in cash and the remainder in common shares of GreenFirst, to be held for a minimum of six months. In addition, a credit note will be issued to the Company by GreenFirst in the amount of CDN $8 million, which may be offset against amounts owed to GreenFirst in the future for wood chip purchases, equally over the next 5 years. The closing of the transaction is expected to occur on August 28, 2021. The sale completes the strategic portfolio optimization plans for the Company.

The Purchased Assets exclude 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 $108 million in duties. As of June 26, 2021, the carrying value of the net assets included in the transaction was $232 million, including the carrying value of inventory which was $93 million. The Company expects a cash tax impact in 2021 and 2022 totaling less than $5 million as a result of this transaction, although the full extent of tax impacts are still being evaluated.

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

Discontinued operations results

Income from discontinued operations, net of taxes, for the three months ended June 26, 2021 was $114 million compared to a loss of $9 million for the comparable prior period ended June 27, 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.

Income from discontinued operations net of taxes, during the six months ended June 26, 2021 was $103 million compared to a loss of $16 million for the same prior year period ended June 27, 2020. The improvement was driven by an increase in prices for lumber offset by the impact of GILTI on foreign earnings.

The Company currently 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 and six-month periods ended June 26, 2021 improved $121 million and $183 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. The improvement was primarily due to an increase in lumber prices of 213 percent for the three-month period and 166 percent for the six-month period, partially offset by higher operational and residual stumpage costs. Sales volumes for the three-month and six-month periods ended June 26, 2021 were higher by 10 percent and 3 percent, respectively, than in the prior year comparable periods resulting primarily from the timing of shipments. The Company deposited $10 million and $5 million of softwood lumber duties in the quarters ended June 26, 2021 and 2020, respectively. While the Company benefits from the December 2020 rate reduction from 20 percent to 9 percent, the increase in lumber prices has resulted in an increase to the value of the duties paid. Since 2017, the Company has deposited $108 million of softwood lumber duties, the rights to which will be retained by the Company after the sale of the lumber assets.

Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the operating results improved by $56 million. The improvement was driven by a 38 percent increase in lumber price and a 8 percent increase in sales volumes primarily due to the timing of shipments.

Newsprint

Operating results for both the three and six months ended June 26, 2021 improved by $4 million when compared to the same prior year periods. Lower sales volumes were offset by improvements in sales prices and lower operational costs. Declines in newsprint volumes were due to continued weak demand while lower operational costs were driven by management’s decision to operate only one of its two operating lines.

Compared to the first quarter of 2021, the operating results improved by $3 million. The improvement was driven by improvements in sales price and lower costs.

Cash Flows & Liquidity

For the six months ended June 26, 2021, the Company generated operating cash flows of $186 million, of which continuing operations provided operating cash flows of $46 million and discontinued operations provided operating cash flows of $140 million. Operating cash flows from continuing operations include the impact of working capital, which increased $8 million, and the receipt of $21 million of cash tax refunds. An additional $30 million of cash tax refunds are expected in the next six to twelve months.

For the six months ended June 26, 2021, the Company invested $57 million, of which $47 million were capital expenditures for continuing operations, net of proceeds from the sale of assets, including approximately $4 million of strategic capital spending. Additionally, the Company invested $4 million in Anomera, Inc., one of the Company’s strategic growth initiatives. The Company also invested $6 million in capital expenditures for discontinued operations.

The Company ended the quarter with $359 million of liquidity globally, including $215 million of cash, borrowing capacity of $124 million under the ABL Credit Facility and $20 million of availability on the factoring facility in France. Liquidity for the second quarter improved by $91 million, due to an increase in cash driven by positive operational results and $21 million of cash tax refunds received during the period. Subsequent to the sale of the lumber and newsprint assets, the Company expects availability under its ABL Credit Facility will decrease by $30 million to $40 million.

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 significantly during the second quarter and the Company expects this upward trend to continue into the third quarter. Prices for cellulose specialties are in line with expectations for the full year. Cellulose specialties volumes are expected to be well above prior year due to strong demand while total segment volumes will decline slightly for the full year mainly due to the length of extended planned maintenance outages. Volumes for both cellulose specialties and commodity products are expected to increase significantly in the second half of 2021 from first half levels.

Key costs are difficult to predict. Prices for energy, wood and commodity chemicals as well as logistics costs, have continued to increase during the second quarter and are expected to escalate in the back half of the year. Further, logistic and shipping constraints may negatively impact operating and sales results through the end of the year.

With current market conditions, including strong demand for cellulose specialties products, specifically in construction, automotive and plastics end markets, and elevated pricing for commodity viscose and fluff products, the Company believes it is well positioned to maintain or improve cellulose specialties margins in 2022 in spite of inflationary pressures. The Company also remains committed to investing in its core business to reduce costs, improve reliability, optimize performance and provide new platforms for growth.

Paperboard

Paperboard prices continued to increase in the second quarter as expected, due to strong demand in both commercial printing and packaging segments, helping offset increases in raw material costs. Paperboard prices are expected to increase further as demand for the Company’s products continues to strengthen, and additionally supported by industry supply disruptions.

High-Yield Pulp

High-yield pulp markets experienced additional price increases during the second quarter that the Company will recognize in the third quarter due to the typical sales lag. However, pulp market prices are forecasted to decrease later in the year. Logistics constraints and higher costs may negatively impact operating results through the end of the year.

Growing RYAM’s BioFuture

Upon the completion of the sale of the lumber and newsprint assets, the Company will focus on and invest in leveraging its four high purity cellulose plants to capitalize on the global demand for more sustainable products with its leading cellulose specialties offerings as alternatives for petroleum-based incumbents. Not only are these specialized assets capable of creating the world’s leading plant-based high purity cellulose, they are also ideally suited for generating green fuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as lignins and tall oils. The Company has executed on several high return projects to enhance the value of these assets, including investments in green energy in Tartas, France, 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 in the second quarter 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 Company will seek further opportunities to leverage its core knowledge of creating the remarkable from the renewable to drive incremental value in its BioFuture.

Conclusion

“The second quarter provided strong cash flow for the Company, which combined with the pending sale of our sawmill and newsprint assets, leaves us in a good position to reduce debt and invest in our BioFuture. Further, with rapidly escalating inflation, we will aggressively use all tools available to us to maintain or improve cellulose specialties margins in 2022. With strong demand for cellulose specialties, robust viscose and fluff markets and market supply constraints, we believe this goal is achievable,” concluded Mr. Boynton.

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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.