Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) 10-Q2024 Q3 Quarterly report

RYAM is a global leader of specialty cellulose materials with a broad offering of high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer used in the production of a variety of specialty chemical products, including liquid crystal displays, filters, textiles and performance additives for pharmaceutical, food and other industrial applications. The Company’s specialized assets are also used to produce biofuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as bioethanol and tall oils. The Company also produces a unique, lightweight multi-ply paperboard product, which is used for production in the commercial printing, lottery ticket and high-end packaging sectors, and a bulky, high-yield pulp product that is used by paperboard producers, as well as in traditional printing, writing and specialty paper manufacturing.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements and notes reflect all adjustments, including all normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. These statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and supplementary data included in the Company’s 2023 Form 10-K.

As a result of the sale of its lumber and newsprint assets in August 2021, the Company presents the historical results for those operations, and any subsequent directly associated impacts, as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise stated, information in these notes to consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations. See Note 3—Discontinued Operations for further information on the sale.

On January 1, 2024, the Company changed the method of valuation of its finished goods, work-in-process and raw materials inventories from first-in first-out to average cost. The Company believes the average cost method is preferable because it provides better matching of revenue and expense trends and is a better reflection of periodic income from operations. This change was not retrospectively applied to prior periods presented, as the overall effect of the change is not deemed material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

The Company is involved with AGE, under a preliminary joint venture agreement with Beasley Green Power, LLC. AGE aims to construct a biomass boiler and turbine to produce and sell green electricity to Georgia Power Company. AGE is not engaged in any other operating activities and since formation it has only been focused on developing feasibility studies for this project and handling related administrative matters. AGE expenses to date have been shared evenly by RYAM and Beasley and have not been material for the Company for any of the periods presented. The amounts expensed by the Company have been recorded as general and administrative expenses. Once the project evolves from the development stage and the current joint venture agreement between the Company and Beasley is amended to reflect the appropriate terms, the Company will evaluate the accounting and disclosure implications.

There have been no new or recently adopted accounting pronouncements impacting the Company’s consolidated interim financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts of ASU 2023-05 “Business Combinations—Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement,” ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” and ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” as previously disclosed in its 2023 Form 10-K.

In October 2024, the Company raised $700 million in aggregate principal amount of secured term loan financing and received net proceeds of $683 million after original issue discount, which will be used in the fourth quarter, together with cash on hand, to redeem the respective $453 million and $246 million outstanding principal balances of the 2026 Notes and 2027 Term Loan and pay estimated fees and expenses related to the transaction of approximately $30 million.

The Company may voluntarily make prepayments at any time, subject to customary breakage costs and, if within the first three anniversaries of closing, an additional premium. For the first 18 months, prepayment of the loan is subject to a make-whole premium. For the following six months, prepayment is subject to a 2 percent premium. In the third year, prepayment is subject to a 1 percent premium. After 3 years, the loan is prepayable at par. The Company will also have the ability to make prepayment using the proceeds from the sale of its Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp businesses at a 2 percent premium during the first year, a 1 percent premium in year two, and par in year three.

The Company will be required to maintain a consolidated net secured leverage ratio, based on covenant EBITDA, as follows:

The agreement governing the 2029 Term Loan contains various other customary covenants that limit the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries, as defined by the term loan agreement, to take certain specified actions, subject to certain exceptions, including: incurring debt or liens, making investments, entering into mergers, consolidations, and acquisitions, paying dividends and making other restricted payments. Additionally, the 2029 Term Loan contains customary affirmative covenants and customary events of default (subject, in certain cases, to customary grace or cure periods), including, without limitation, late payment, breach of covenant, bankruptcy, judgment and defaults under certain other indebtedness and changes in control.

In conjunction with the above refinancing, the Company secured commitments for a five-year $175 million ABL credit facility. The facility is initially priced at Term SOFR plus a spread of 2 percent.

The Company expects to record a net loss on debt extinguishment in the fourth quarter of approximately $19 million related to these transactions, driven by the write off of deferred financing costs of the 2026 Notes, 2027 Term Loan and ABL Credit Facility.

As previously announced, the Company began its indefinite suspension of operations at its Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant in July 2024. The suspension does not affect the Temiscaming paperboard and high-yield pulp plants that support the Company’s High-Yield Pulp and Paperboard operating segments, which will continue to operate at full capacity while remaining part of an ongoing sales process. The suspension of operations timeline allows enough lead time for the Company to properly execute the shutdown prior to the arrival of winter in the region. The High Purity Cellulose plant will be idled in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The Company will assess on an annual basis the possibility of restarting the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant.

The suspension of operations began on July 16, 2024 and is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter. In connection with the suspension of operations, the Company has incurred total one-time operating charges of $14 million. Potential remaining one-time charges to be incurred in the fourth quarter are estimated at $2 million to $3 million. While most cash costs associated with the suspension of operations will be paid in the third and fourth quarters, severance and other suspension costs are expected to be paid over a period of time.

In the third quarter of 2024, in conjunction with the indefinite suspension of operations, the Company recognized a non-cash asset impairment of $25 million, as it was determined that the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant’s net carrying value exceeded its estimated fair value. Determining the fair value of an asset group is judgmental in nature and involves the use of significant estimates and assumptions. The Company determined the fair value of the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant asset group using discounted cash flows under the income approach, which required the use of key assumptions and significant estimates. See Note 10—Fair Value Measurements for further information on the fair value measurement of the Temiscaming plant asset group.

The following table presents the accrued liability balance activity related to the suspension during the nine months ended September 28, 2024:

The following table presents total suspension charges incurred by cost type:

In August 2021, the Company completed the sale of its lumber and newsprint facilities and certain related assets located in Canada. As part of the sale of the lumber assets, the Company retained all refund rights and obligations, including interest, to softwood duties generated or incurred through the closing date of the sale. In total, the Company paid $112 million in softwood lumber duties from 2017 through 2021, and as of December 31, 2023, the Company had a $40 million long-term receivable related to USDOC administrative reviews completed to date. In June 2024, the Company executed on the sale of these refund rights (inclusive of the receivable), including all accrued interest, for $39 million, with the opportunity for additional sale proceeds in the future contingent upon the timing and terms of the ultimate outcome of the trade dispute between the USDOC and Canada. The Company recorded a $1 million loss on the sale, included in pre-tax income from discontinued operations.

Also during the nine months ended September 28, 2024, the Company recognized $5 million in pre-tax income from discontinued operations related to CEWS benefit claims deferred since 2021. See Note 7—Accrued and Other Current Liabilities for further information.

During the quarter and nine months ended September 30, 2023, the USDOC completed its administrative review of duties applied to Canada softwood lumber exports to the U.S. during 2021 and reduced rates applicable to the Company, for which the Company recorded a pre-tax gain of $2 million. Also during the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company incurred a $2 million loss related to the settlement of a claim pursuant to the representations and warranties in the asset purchase agreement.

Income from discontinued operations was comprised of the following:

Accounts receivable, net included the following:

Inventory included the following:

The Company’s operating and finance leases are primarily for corporate offices, warehouse space, rail cars and equipment. As of September 28, 2024, the Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to 12.1 years with standard renewal and termination options available at the Company’s discretion. Certain equipment leases have purchase options at the end of the term of the lease, which are not included in the ROU assets, as it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such options. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments unless the lease provides an implicit or explicit interest rate.

Finance lease cash flows were immaterial during each of the nine months ended September 28, 2024 and September 30, 2023.

Operating lease maturities as of September 28, 2024 were as follows:

Accrued and other current liabilities included the following:

In January 2024, the Company amended the 2027 Term Loan to increase the maximum consolidated net secured leverage ratio that it must maintain in the fourth quarter of 2023 and through its 2024 fiscal year (see below). In addition, should the Company exceed the 4.50 to 1.00 maximum ratio established by the original agreement in any of these quarters, it will incur a fee of 0.25% of the principal balance outstanding at the end of the applicable quarter. The Company incurred total fees of $3 million related to this amendment, including $1 million in legal and advisory fees recorded to “selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of 2023, and $2 million in lender fees recorded as deferred financing costs in the first quarter of 2024 that will be amortized to “interest expense” over the remaining term of the loan.

The Company is required to maintain various financial covenants, including a consolidated net secured leverage ratio, based on covenant EBITDA, as follows:

In September 2024, the Company repurchased $12 million principal of its 2026 Notes through open-market transactions for $12 million cash and recorded an immaterial gain on extinguishment to “other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

In April 2023, the Company repurchased $10 million principal of its 2026 Notes through open-market transactions and recorded a gain on extinguishment of $1 million to “other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

In August 2023, the Company fully redeemed its 2024 Notes through open-market transactions and recorded a loss on extinguishment of $1 million to “other income (expense), net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of September 28, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its debt agreements.

As of September 28, 2024, the Company’s debt principal payments, excluding finance lease obligations, were due as follows:

In addition to these estimated liabilities, the Company is subject to the risk of reasonably possible additional liabilities in excess of the established liabilities due to potential changes in circumstances and future events, including, without limitation, changes to current laws and regulations; changes in governmental agency personnel, direction, philosophy or enforcement policies; developments in remediation technologies; increases in the cost of remediation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of its environmental liability sites; changes in the volume, nature or extent of contamination to be remediated or monitoring to be undertaken; the outcome of negotiations with governmental agencies or non-governmental parties; and changes in accounting rules or interpretations. Based on information available as of September 28, 2024, the Company estimates this exposure could range up to approximately $87 million, although no assurances can be given that this amount will not be exceeded given the factors described above. These potential additional costs are attributable to several sites and other applicable liabilities. This estimate excludes liabilities that would otherwise be considered reasonably possible but for the fact that they are not currently estimable, primarily due to the factors discussed above.

Subject to the previous paragraph, the Company believes its estimates of liabilities are sufficient for probable costs expected to be incurred over the next 20 years with respect to its environmental liabilities. However, no assurance is given that these estimates will be sufficient for the reasons described above and additional liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

In the third quarter of 2024, the Company recorded a $25 million non-cash impairment related to the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant asset group. The fair value of the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant assets was determined using discounted cash flows under the income approach from the perspective of a market participant assuming the highest and best use of the asset group. Discounted cash flows were estimated using key assumptions regarding production levels, price levels, profit margins, capital expenditures and discount rate, which are Level 3 measurements. See Note 2—Indefinite Suspension of Operations for further information on this impairment.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables and payables approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The carrying amount of borrowings outstanding under the ABL Credit Facility, 2027 Term Loan and short-term factoring facility approximate fair value due to their variable interest rates.

The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is estimated using quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities, which are Level 2 inputs, and was as follows:

The following table provides the inputs to the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share (share amounts not in thousands):

Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:

The Company made new grants of restricted stock units, performance-based stock units and performance-based cash awards during the first and second quarters of 2024. The 2024 restricted stock unit awards cliff vest after three years, except for director awards, which vest after one year. The 2024 performance-based awards cliff vest after three years and are based equally on TSR relative to peers and three-year cumulative adjusted EBITDA. Participants can earn between 0 percent and 200 percent of the target award for each of the TSR and adjusted EBITDA metrics. Performance below threshold for either metric would result in zero payout for that metric. The performance-based cash award is paid in cash and is classified as a liability and remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement.

In March 2024, the performance-based awards granted in 2021 vested without meeting the performance thresholds, resulting in no stock units or cash being awarded.

The following table summarizes the 2024 activity of the Company’s incentive stock awards:

The Company has defined benefit pension and other long-term and postretirement benefit plans covering certain union and non-union employees, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The defined benefit pension plans are closed to new participants. The liabilities for these plans are calculated using actuarial estimates and management assumptions. These estimates are based on historical information and certain assumptions about future events.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2023, the Company recorded a $2 million loss related to the final asset surplus distribution to the plan participants of certain wound-up Canadian pension plans. The settlement was recognized in “components of pension and OPEB, excluding service costs” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit costs of these plans:

Service cost is included in “cost of sales” or “selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations, as appropriate. Interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost (credit) and amortization of (gain) loss are included in “components of pension and OPEB, excluding service costs” in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company’s effective tax rates were as follows:

The effective tax rates for the quarter and nine months ended September 28, 2024 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to changes in the valuation allowance on disallowed interest deductions, the release of certain tax reserves, different statutory tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, U.S. tax credits, excess deficit on vested stock compensation and return-to-accrual adjustments.

As of September 28, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s net DTA included $14 million and $15 million, respectively, of disallowed U.S. interest deductions that the Company does not believe will be realized. The asset decreased $1 million as a result of a tax expense recognized in the current year. In strict compliance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Technical Questions and Answers 3300.01-02, which asserts that certain material evidence regarding the realizability of disallowed U.S. interest deductions should be ignored when assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company has not recognized a valuation allowance on this portion of the net DTA generated from disallowed interest.

The Company operates in the following business segments: High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp. Corporate consists primarily of senior management, accounting, information systems, human resources, treasury, tax and legal administrative functions that provide support services to the operating business units. The Company allocates a portion of the cost of maintaining these support functions to its operating units.

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income (loss). Intersegment sales consist primarily of High-Yield Pulp sales to Paperboard. Intersegment sales prices are at rates that approximate market for the respective operating area.

Net sales, disaggregated by product line, was comprised of the following:

The Company had no material changes to the purchase obligations presented in its 2023 Form 10-K during the nine months ended September 28, 2024. The Company’s purchase obligations primarily consist of commitments for the purchase of natural gas, electricity and wood chips.

The Company remains subject to purchase obligations under the 20-year wood chip and residual fiber supply agreement with GreenFirst, under which total required purchase volumes of wood chips and residual fiber are dependent on sawmill production. In connection with the indefinite suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant, GreenFirst and the Company have agreed that the Company will purchase the required volumes at market value and sell them to third parties at the same amount for an expected neutral impact.

The Company leases certain buildings, machinery and equipment under various operating and finance leases. See Note 6—Leases for further information.

In addition to the above, the Company is engaged in various legal and regulatory actions and proceedings and has been named as a defendant in various lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company has procured reasonable and customary insurance covering risks normally occurring in connection with its business, the Company has, in certain cases, retained some risk through the operation of self-insurance, primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation, property insurance, business interruption and general liability. These other lawsuits and claims, either individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company provides financial guarantees as required by creditors, insurance programs and various governmental agencies. As of September 28, 2024, the Company had net exposure of $37 million from various standby letters of credit, primarily for financial assurance relating to environmental remediation, credit support for natural gas and electricity purchases and guarantees related to foreign retirement plan obligations. These standby letters of credit represent a contingent liability; the Company would only be liable upon its default on the related payment obligations. The standby letters of credit have various expiration dates and are expected to be renewed as required.

The Company had surety bonds of $89 million as of September 28, 2024, primarily to comply with financial assurance requirements relating to environmental remediation and post-closure care, to provide collateral for the Company’s workers’ compensation program and to guarantee taxes and duties for products shipped internationally. These surety bonds expire at various dates and are expected to be renewed annually as required.

LTF is a venture in which the Company owns 45 percent and its partner, Borregaard ASA, owns 55 percent. The Company is a guarantor of LTF’s financing agreements and, in the event of default, expects it would only be liable for its proportional share of any repayment under the agreements. The Company’s proportion of the LTF financing agreement guarantee was $28 million at September 28, 2024.

The Company has not recorded any liabilities for these financial guarantees in its consolidated balance sheets, either because the Company has recorded the underlying liability associated with the guarantee or the guarantee is dependent on the Company’s own performance and, therefore, is not subject to the measurement requirements or because the Company has calculated the estimated fair value of the guarantee and determined it to be immaterial based upon the current facts and circumstances that would trigger a payment obligation.

It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under these potential obligations due to the unique set of facts and circumstances likely to be involved with each provision.

In April 2024, collective bargaining agreements covering approximately 225 unionized employees at the Fernandina plant expired. The employees continued to work under the terms of the expired contracts until negotiations concluded in the third quarter of 2024 and final agreements with the union were reached. As of September 28, 2024, all of the Company’s collective bargaining agreements covering its unionized employees were current.

The following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our 2023 Form 10-K and information contained in subsequent Forms 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we undertake no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised to review any disclosures that we have made or may make in our filings and other submissions to the SEC, including those on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports.

We are a global leader of specialty cellulose materials with a broad offering of high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer used in the production of a variety of specialty chemical products, including liquid crystal displays, filters, textiles and performance additives for pharmaceutical, food and other industrial applications. Building upon more than 95 years of experience in cellulose chemistry, we provide some of the highest quality high-purity cellulose pulp products that make up the essential building blocks for our customers’ products while providing exceptional service and value. Our specialized assets are also used to produce biofuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as bioethanol and tall oils. We also produce a unique, lightweight multi-ply paperboard product and a bulky, high-yield pulp product. Our paperboard is used for production in the commercial printing, lottery ticket and high-end packaging sectors. Our high-yield pulp is used by paperboard producers, as well as in traditional printing, writing and specialty paper manufacturing.

We operate in three business segments: High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp.

In October 2023, we announced that we are exploring the potential sale of our Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp assets located at our Temiscaming site. We remain committed to pursuing a sale of these assets at a fair price.

In July 2024, we indefinitely suspended operations at our Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant. This plan is expected to mitigate high capital needs and operating losses related to exposure to commodity viscose products and improve our consolidated free cash flow; however, future operational loss reductions will be partially offset by continuing custodial site expenses. In connection with the suspension of operations, we have incurred one-time operating charges, including mothballing and severance and other employee costs, of $14 million and a $25 million non-cash asset impairment. Potential remaining one-time charges to be incurred in the fourth quarter are estimated at $2 million to $3 million. For 2024, the suspension of the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant is expected to be positive to Adjusted EBITDA. Free cash flow is expected to increase by $30 million to $35 million in 2024 as lower capital expenditures and benefits from the monetization of working capital are expected to more than offset the one-time and other cash costs associated with the suspension of operations.

The following market assessment represents our current outlook of our business segments’ future performance.

Average sales prices for cellulose specialties in 2024 are expected to increase by a low single-digit percentage as compared to average sales prices in 2023 as we continue to prioritize value over volume. Sales volumes for cellulose specialties are expected to increase compared to 2023 driven by increased volumes from the closure of a competitor’s plant, a modest increase in ethers demand and additional volume sold to customers affected by the indefinite suspension of Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose operations, partially offset by a one-time favorable impact from a change in customer contract terms in the prior year first quarter, customer destocking in the acetate markets and reduced sales related to the fire in Jesup. Demand for RYAM’s commodity products remains steady. Sales prices for fluff products are expected to decline by a high single-digit percentage compared to 2023, while sales volumes are projected to increase by nearly 30 percent year over year. For non-fluff commodities, average sales prices are expected to rise by a mid-single-digit percentage over 2023 levels, though sales volumes are expected to decrease nearly 50 percent compared to 2023 levels, aligned with strategic initiatives to reduce exposure to non-fluff commodities. Pricing for all commodity High Purity Cellulose products is forecasted to soften slightly in Q4, with volumes seeing a modest increase sequentially. Costs are expected to be lower in 2024 driven by lower key input and logistics costs, improved productivity and the suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant, partially offset by increased costs due to the timing of maintenance projects, net custodial site expenses related to the suspension and recovery costs related to the Jesup fire. Our bioethanol facility in Tartas, France became operational in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to deliver approximately $3 million to $4 million of EBITDA in 2024, growing to $8 million to $10 million beginning in 2025. EBITDA in the fourth quarter of 2024 is expected to be lower than the third quarter of 2024 due to the anticipated net custodial site expenses at the Temiscaming site, Jesup fire repair costs and the impact of the fire on sales and costs.

Looking forward to 2025, we announced price increases of up to 10 percent for our cellulose specialties products, as contracts allow, and expect higher margins for cellulose specialties in the coming year. We expect to continue reducing our exposure to non-fluff commodities in 2025.

Paperboard prices are expected to decrease in the fourth quarter while sales volumes are expected to increase. Raw material prices are expected to increase compared to the third quarter. Overall, we expect a decline in EBITDA from this segment in the coming quarters as market pressure continues with new competitive supply coming online in 2025.

High-Yield Pulp prices are expected to decline in the fourth quarter, while sales volumes are expected to increase significantly due to timing of shipments. Overall, we expect to incur a loss in EBITDA from this segment in the coming quarter due to the decline in sales prices. Current pricing is expected to remain low in the coming quarters.

Corporate costs are expected to decrease in the fourth quarter subject to fluctuations in foreign exchange rates.

We continue to invest in new products to provide both increased end market diversity and incremental profitability. These new products will target the growing green energy and renewable product markets. Current projects include:

We are also advancing various other projects and expect to secure financing for many of these projects in the coming quarter.