Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Fourth quarter sales grew 6% over the prior quarter to $329 million, while adjusted EBITDA declined 20% to $15 million [12][18] - Adjusted EBITDA margin decreased to 4%, driven by lower prices and elevated costs [18] - For the full year, adjusted EBITDA was $28 million, down from $154 million in 2024, with a significant impact from price decline and reduced volumes [21][22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Silicon metal revenue declined 3% sequentially to $96 million, with shipments down to 33,000 tons [19] - Silicon-based alloys revenue grew 12% to $104 million, driven by a 19% increase in volumes to 51,000 tons [19] - Manganese-based alloys revenue increased 10% to $93 million, with a 16% volume increase to 81,000 tons [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Europe, ferrosilicon index prices jumped approximately 20% after the EU safeguard announcement, while U.S. prices retreated modestly [7][15] - The European Commission's safeguards target a 25% reduction in imports, creating opportunities for domestic producers [4][5] - U.S. ferrosilicon market outlook improved due to antidumping duties on imports from Brazil, Kazakhstan, and Malaysia [5] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on optimizing production by converting furnaces from silicon metal to ferrosilicon in response to market dynamics [6][9] - A new competitive 10-year energy agreement in France is expected to enhance operational flexibility and earnings potential [9] - Continued investment in Coreshell for advanced silicon-rich EV batteries reflects the company's commitment to long-term growth opportunities [10] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed optimism for 2026, expecting revenue to improve to a range of $1.5 billion to $1.7 billion, a 20% increase at the midpoint over 2025 [11] - The company anticipates considerable growth in most segments, driven by strong volume growth in silicon-based and manganese-based alloys [12] - Management highlighted the importance of demand recovery in Europe and the U.S. for future pricing and volume expectations [37][38] Other Important Information - The company increased its dividend by 7% to $0.015 per share starting in Q1 2026, reflecting confidence in business performance [11][24] - The company executed selective share repurchases, acquiring 1.3 million shares at an average price of $3.55 per share [11][24] - The balance sheet remains strong, with a net debt position of $30 million, supporting growth initiatives [24] Q&A Session Summary Question: Volume expectations across the three businesses for 2026 - Management indicated that safeguards in Europe will free up 25% of imports, creating opportunities for local producers [33] - Expectations for gains in ferrosilicon volumes in the U.S. are based on improving customer demand [34] Question: EU's appetite to revisit silicon metal safeguards - Management noted that the exclusion of silicon metal from safeguards was due to its higher energy footprint and relative import levels [50][52] - The company is actively working on new measures for silicon metal in Europe and has submitted data to the European Commission [53] Question: Context on EU carbon credits - Management explained that the CBAM currently impacts only high carbon ferromanganese and discussed the complexities of CO2 emissions calculations [40][41] Question: Working capital and CapEx expectations - Management expects to continue releasing working capital while maintaining a similar level of CapEx as in 2025 [62][66]

Trade & Tariffs - Italian pasta exporters face 107% import and antidumping duties on pasta brands in the US [1] - The duties may make doing business in the US too costly for Italy's biggest pasta exporters [1]

Trade & Tariffs - Italian pasta exporters face 107% import and antidumping duties on their pasta brands in the U S [1] - The duties may make doing business in the U S too costly for Italy's biggest pasta exporters [1]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company generated revenue of $738 million, an increase of 9% sequentially, primarily driven by higher TiO2 sales volumes [10] - The loss from operations was $61 million, with a net loss of $111 million, which included $87 million of restructuring and other charges [11] - Adjusted EBITDA was $112 million, representing a 15% decline year on year, with an adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.2% [11][14] - Free cash flow was a use of $142 million, including $110 million of capital expenditures [11] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - TiO2 revenues decreased 3% year over year, driven by a 1% decrease in sales volumes and unfavorable exchange rates, but increased 10% sequentially due to higher seasonal demand [12] - Zircon revenues decreased 22% compared to the prior year, driven by a 15% decrease in sales volume and a 7% decrease due to price [12] - Revenue from other products increased 5% year over year and 25% sequentially due to higher sales of pig iron and opportunistic sales of ilmenite [12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Europe experienced a stronger than normal seasonal demand uplift in TiO2 volumes, with a 12% increase from Q4 2024 [6] - North America also saw stronger seasonal trends, while competitive activity in Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia exerted pressure on sales [7] - Zircon sales were lower both year over year and sequentially due to a slower start in China [7] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on strategic actions to manage costs and improve operational efficiency, including the idling of the Batlik pigment plant in the Netherlands [8][17] - A cost improvement program was introduced, targeting sustainable run rate cost improvements of $125 million to $175 million by the end of 2026 [19] - The company aims to maintain its position as a leading vertically integrated titanium mining and upgrading producer [20] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management highlighted ongoing macroeconomic challenges, including inflation and high interest rates, impacting housing markets and consumer sentiment [17] - The company maintains its guidance for 2025, expecting revenue in the range of $3 billion to $3.4 billion and adjusted EBITDA between $525 million and $625 million [22] - The management anticipates stronger performance in the second half of 2025, driven by expected improvements in pigment and zircon volumes [22] Other Important Information - The company ended the quarter with total debt of $3 billion and net debt of $2.8 billion, with a net leverage ratio of 5.2 times [14] - Capital expenditures totaled $110 million in the quarter, with approximately 49% allocated to maintenance and safety and 51% to strategic projects [16] - The company declared a dividend of $0.0125 per share in the first quarter [16] Q&A Session Summary Question: Update on TiO2 volume growth expectations - Management expects a lift in TiO2 demand driven by antidumping duties in Europe and anticipated duties in India and Brazil [29][30] Question: Average utilization rate for TiO2 production - Historically, operating rates were above 80%, and management expects to maintain or exceed those rates [32] Question: European growth size in the quarter - European growth was double the normal rate, significantly influenced by reduced Chinese exports [37] Question: Outlook for zircon markets - Management anticipates only about 5% growth in zircon year over year, with a more balanced growth expected [42] Question: Impact of Batlik closure on inventory and cash flow - The closure is expected to generate significant cash flow and help reduce inventory levels over time [48] Question: Production costs and improvements - Management expects improved production costs in the second half of the year due to better fixed cost absorption and the impact of the Batlik closure [56] Question: Antidumping measures in India and Brazil - Management sees significant opportunities in India and Brazil, with expectations of increased market share as duties are finalized [62][63] Question: Rare earth extraction project status - The project to extract rare earths from tailings is still in progress, with prefeasibility studies ongoing in Australia [110]