Rayonier Advanced Materials Announces Fourth Quarter And Full Year 2021 Results

Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (the “Company”) reported a net loss of $24 million or $0.38 per diluted share for the quarter ended December 31, 2021, compared to net income of $9 million or $0.14 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The net loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was $28 million or $0.45 per diluted share, compared to net loss from continuing operations of $29 million or $0.46 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The improvement in the diluted loss per share was driven primarily by higher High Purity Cellulose prices. Income from discontinued operations for the quarter ended December 31, 2021 was $4 million or $0.07 per diluted share, driven by income tax benefit, compared to income from discontinued operations of $38 million or $0.60 per diluted share for the same prior year quarter. The Company sold its lumber and newsprint assets in the third quarter of 2021, and as a result, 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.

• Net loss from continuing operations for the fourth quarter was $28 million, $1 million favorable to the comparable period in 2020
• Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations was $26 million, up $12 million from the comparable quarter in 2020, driven primarily by higher High Purity Cellulose prices
• Amidst strong demand, secured double-digit percent price increases along with volume improvements for cellulose specialties contracts in 2022
• Expect to drive EBITDA growth in 2022 focused on higher pricing, managing costs and improved reliability; expect a stronger back half with extensive maintenance outages heavily weighted to the first half of 2022
• Enhanced sustainability disclosures in updated Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) Report, including a Greenhouse Gas reduction target of 40% by 2030 from 2020 levels

“I am excited to be joining Rayonier Advanced Materials at such an important inflection point in our history. The actions taken by the team to streamline the portfolio, negotiate higher contract prices and volumes for cellulose specialties and highlight our sustainability objectives set the Company on a path to achieve significant improvements in 2022 and beyond,” said Vito J. Consiglio, President and Chief Executive Officer. “We are enacting key strategic initiatives in the coming year to drive improved reliability and grow EBITDA, including investments in extensive maintenance outages at three of our four facilities in the first half of 2022. Further, as we face an extraordinary inflationary environment, we are engaging in on-going dialogues with our customers and focusing on self-help measures to maintain the strength of our business.”

Fourth 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-month and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 improved $4 million and $13 million, respectively, when compared to the prior year. Sales prices increased 13 percent for both the three-month and full year periods, compared to the prior year, driven by higher commodity prices. Total volumes declined 11 percent and 9 percent during the current three-month and full year periods, respectively, driven by supply-chain constraints and production disruptions. Compared to the prior year, total volumes declined for the full year period driven by lower commodity volumes in favor of an improved mix of cellulose specialties as well as shipping constraints. Additionally, a kiln reliability disruption at the Jesup, GA facility negatively impacted commodity production by approximately 10,000 metric tons in the third quarter of 2021. Costs increased compared to the prior year periods driven by inflation on key material inputs, and higher maintenance and supply-chain expenses. Offsetting energy costs in 2021 is a $12 million favorable impact related to sales of emission allowances in the fourth quarter of 2021 associated with the operations in Tartas, France.

Compared to the third quarter of 2021, operating income declined slightly driven by higher input and other costs partially offset by higher commodities sales volumes. However, sales volumes continued to be negatively impacted compared to expectations due to shipping constraints.

Paperboard

Operating results for the three-month and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 declined $1 million and $5 million, respectively, when compared to the same periods in the prior year, primarily due to higher raw material pulp input costs partially offset by higher sales prices. Compared to the prior year, sales prices increased 15 percent and 8 percent during the current three-month and full year periods, respectively, driven by strong demand. Compared to the prior year, sales volumes decreased 11 percent and increased 2 percent during the current three-month and full year periods, respectively.

Compared to the third quarter of 2021, operating income improved by $1 million. Compared to the prior quarter, sales prices increased 3 percent while sales volumes decreased 5 percent.

High-Yield Pulp

Operating income for the three-month and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 remained flat and improved by $7 million, respectively, when compared to the same periods in the prior year. Higher sales prices were offset by lower sales volumes, driven by supply-chain constraints, as well as higher operational costs.

Operating results declined by $9 million when compared to the third quarter of 2021, driven by lower sales prices and lower sales volumes.

Corporate

The operating loss for the three-month period ended December 31, 2021, remained flat at $17 million, when compared to the same prior year period. The operating loss for the full year period ended December 31, 2021, improved by $5 million to $50 million when compared to the same prior year period driven primarily by favorable foreign currency impacts.

Compared to the third quarter of 2021, the operating loss increased by $8 million, to $17 million, driven primarily by unfavorable foreign currency impacts.

Non-Operating Expenses

Interest expense for the three-months and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 increased $2 million and $10 million, respectively, when compared to the same prior year period. The increases were principally driven by higher interest rates and amortization of debt issuance costs related to the December 23, 2020 refinancing of certain debt. Interest expense during the three months ended December 31, 2021 remained flat at $17 million when compared to the third quarter of 2021.

Included in interest income and other, for the three months and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 is a $4 million unrealized gain and $4 million unrealized loss, respectively, 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).

Additionally, included in interest income and other, for the three months and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 is a non-cash loss of $7 million and $8 million, respectively, primarily related to the purchase of annuity contracts from a third-party insurance company who assumed responsibility for future pension benefits for certain participants in the Company’s U.S. defined benefit plans. With the purchase of the annuity contracts, the Company de-risked its balance sheet and transferred $40 million of liability to the third-party insurance company.

Lastly, the three months and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 include a $1 million loss and $1 million net gain, respectively, associated with open-market purchases of the Company’s 5.50% Senior Notes due 2024 (the “Unsecured Notes”) and 7.625% Senior Secured Notes due 2026 (the “Secured Notes”).

Income Taxes

For continuing operations, the effective tax rate for the three-month and full year periods ended December 31, 2021 was a benefit of 18 percent and 42 percent, respectively, compared to a benefit of 33 percent and 62 percent, respectively, in the same periods of the prior year. The 2021 full year effective tax rate differs 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 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 are required to be held for a minimum period of six months, which is set to expire on March 1. The cash received at closing was preliminary and subject to final purchase price adjustments. Driven primarily by lower inventory balances, the Company previously estimated the cash portion of the purchase price to be reduced by $8 million, to $185 million. Further, after inclusion of other adjustments resulting from events related to the sale, the Company estimated to ultimately incur a total net cash outflow of approximately $3 to $4 million. Pursuant to the terms of the asset purchase agreement, together with GreenFirst, we have engaged a third party to assist in finalizing certain adjustments related to the inventory valuation, in the amount of $6 million, which remain unresolved. In connection with the sale, the Company has recorded a preliminary gain on sale of $4 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. 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 year wood chip and residual fiber supply agreement as well as a transition services agreement. The transition services agreement is expected to end in the second quarter of 2022.

Cash Flows & Liquidity

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company generated operating cash flows of $232 million, of which continuing operations provided operating cash flows of $73 million and discontinued operations provided operating cash flows of $159 million. Operating cash flows from continuing operations include the impact of working capital, which increased $6 million, including the receipt of $35 million of cash tax refunds and $20 million related to Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy (“CEWS”) offset by an increase in inventory.

For the year ended December 31, 2021, the Company generated investing cash flows of $86 million, of which continuing operations used $97 million and discontinued operations provided investing cash flows of $183 million. Investing cash flows from continuing operations include $95 million of capital expenditures, net of proceeds from the sale of assets, including approximately $16 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 $9 million in capital expenditures related to these operations.

The Company ended the quarter with $370 million of liquidity globally, including $253 million of cash, borrowing capacity of $103 million under the ABL Credit Facility and $14 million of availability on the factoring facility in France.

Market Assessment

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

High Purity Cellulose

Amid strong demand for cellulose specialties, sales prices are expected to increase double digit percent for 2022, while sales volumes are also expected to increase. Demand for commodity products also remains solid. Commodity prices in the first quarter of 2022 are expected to be slightly higher than fourth quarter levels as fluff price increases are expected to offset slight declines in viscose pulp prices. Total sales volumes will be dependent on managing ongoing supply-chain constraints and production reliability, including extensive planned outages in all four facilities in 2022. The Company also remains committed to investing in its core business to improve reliability and foster innovation for growth. Overall, the Company expects to drive incremental Adjusted EBITDA for the segment compared to 2021. However, the Company expects a slow start to the year as it executes extensive maintenance outages in its Jesup, Fernandina Beach and Temiscaming facilities to addresses reliability on major pieces of equipment within the production process in the first half of 2022. The Company is also managing production reliability ahead of the outages, along with supply chain disruptions and higher raw material and energy costs.

Paperboard

Paperboard prices continue to increase driven by strong demand in both commercial printing and packaging segments. Demand for renewable packaging continues to grow as consumers and governments drive more sustainable solutions. The Company’s unique Kallima® brand paperboard provides a solution with its greater surface area to weight properties and the Company continues to look for opportunities to expand the product offerings to meet the rising demand for sustainable packaging. Raw material costs are expected to rise in the first quarter as North American pulp prices remain high driven by industry capacity reductions.

High-Yield Pulp

While High-yield pulp markets have rebounded recently, the Company expects to realize lower prices in the first quarter of 2022 driven by lower selling prices contracted in the fourth quarter. Supply-chain constraints may also continue to impact sales volumes, while the costs are expected to increase driven by chemical and transportation costs.

A Sustainable Future

For over 95 years, the Company has invested in forestry and renewable product offerings. As governments and consumers demand sustainable products, the Company’s biorefinery model provides a platform to grow existing and new products to address needs of the changing economy. The Company has a long history of investing in innovative projects and bringing them to market. Through its investment in Anomera, the Company will launch a carboxylated nano cellulose product initially aimed at replacing silica and plastic microbeads in the cosmetics market in 2022. The Company also recently announced the development of a second generation (2G) bioethanol facility for Europe’s fast-growing biofuels market, capturing residual sugars from its existing pulp process and improving the sustainability of its operating model. Commercial sales are targeted to begin in mid-2023, under a long-term off take agreement with a large international petrochemicals company. The Company’s commitment to sustainability extends beyond just new products. The Fernandina facility recently achieved a ISCC certification demonstrating its commitment to sustainable operations. The Company also published a new ESG Report highlighting its efforts to improve our environment, including a 40% reduction in Greenhouse Gas emissions from 2020 to 2030.

Conclusion

“The Company is in a unique position to capture value from growing demand for its sustainable products. For over 95 years our biorefineries have cultivated a natural and renewable feedstock to develop products across a wide variety of end markets. As both governments and consumers recognize these natural based products as viable alternatives, we expect to capture significant value from these growing trends. We recently published an ESG Report highlighting the benefits of our products and processes along with the incremental benefits that we plan to deliver for our environment,” concluded Mr. Consiglio.

For the full fourth quarter results, 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 paper and packaging markets. With manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada and France, Rayonier Advanced Materials employs just over 2,500 people and generates approximately $1.4 billion of revenues. More information is available at www.rayonieram.com.

Contact:

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

Source: Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.