If finalized, the loan will have a 15-year tenor and an annual interest rate at the U.S. Treasury rate plus 3/8% when issued (currently approximately 4 3/8%). Servicing of principal and interest will be deferred until MaxSAFTM is commissioned.
A $150 million equity investment will be made at the initial closing. Retained earnings from MRL will supplement DOE funds to maintain a 55/45 debt to equity ratio during the MaxSAFTM construction sequence.
While this conditional commitment represents a significant milestone and demonstrates DOE’s intent to finance the project, certain technical, legal, environmental and financial conditions, including negotiation of definitive financing documents, must be satisfied before funding of the loan guarantee.
“Through our collaboration with the U.S. Department of Energy, we are thrilled to continue forward on the leading edge of our nation’s Sustainable Aviation Fuel transition,” said Calumet’s CEO Todd Borgmann. “This investment will allow us to leverage our first-mover advantage and unique renewable hydrogen and pretreatment technologies to transform Montana Renewables into a world scale SAF producer. Through this conditional commitment, the U.S. is leading the world in renewable aviation, the hardest to abate sector in transportation, while demonstrating our country’s innovation and technical leadership. Innovation is at the heart of what we do at Calumet and we are honored that Montana Renewables can help solidify our nation’s position as a global leader in the one of energy’s fastest growing niches.”
About SAF
Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) is a combination of synthetic paraffinic kerosene (SPK) and conventional jet fuel meeting ASTM D7566 and ASTM D1655 specifications. Designed to reduce the aviation industry’s carbon footprint, SAF is drop-in compatible with existing aviation fueling infrastructure and aircraft engine technology. SAF volumes in this press release refer to 100% renewable SPK.
About Montana Renewables
Montana Renewables is a leading renewable fuel company located in Great Falls, Montana. MRL produces Sustainable Aviation Fuel, Renewable Diesel, Renewable Hydrogen and Renewable Naphtha. As the largest SAF producer in North America (2024), MRL is dedicated to meeting the increasing demand for sustainable fuels and to supporting a greener future. As a Great Falls business leader, MRL offers high-paying jobs and career opportunities while supporting the local economy and contributing to the community’s overall well-being. Pacific Northwest farm and ranch operations ultimately provide MRL with sustainable, renewable, low-carbon feedstocks and agricultural byproducts including tallow, distillers corn oil, canola oil, used cooking oil and camelina oil. These feedstocks are converted to renewable transportation fuels which have lower emissions compared to conventional fossil fuels. MRL is an unrestricted subsidiary of Calumet, Inc.
About Calumet
Calumet, Inc. (NASDAQ: CLMT) manufactures, formulates, and markets a diversified slate of specialty branded products and renewable fuels to customers across a broad range of consumer-facing and industrial markets. Calumet is headquartered in Indianapolis, Indiana and operates twelve facilities throughout North America.
Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements and information in this press release may constitute “forward-looking statements.” The words “will,” “may,” “intend,” “believe,” “expect,” “outlook,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “estimate,” “continue,” “plan,” “should,” “could,” “would,” or other similar expressions are intended to identify forward-looking statements, which are generally not historical in nature. The statements discussed in this press release that are not purely historical data are forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, the statements regarding (i) our expectations regarding the loan facility (the “DOE Facility”) that MRL expects to receive from the DOE LPO, including the timing, size and intended use of borrowings under such facility, (ii) our expectation that the DOE Facility will enable MRL to complete the MaxSAFTM construction and that such project will be completed on time and on budget, (iii) whether and when the DOE Facility will be funded, including whether and when certain conditions such as negotiation of definitive financing documents will be satisfied, (iv) our expectation regarding our business outlook and cash flows, including with respect to the Montana Renewables
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