JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. ("RYAM†or the "Company†) today announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Scott M. Sutton as Chief Executive Officer, and President, effective January 5, 2026. Mr. Sutton will also join the Company's Board of Directors. Mr. Sutton, former President and Chief Executive Officer of Olin Corporation, brings more than three decades of global leadership experience in the chemicals and materials sectors, including a proven track recor ...

Rayonier Advanced Materials (NYSE:RYAM) FY Conference Summary Company Overview - Rayonier Advanced Materials has been in operation for nearly a century, specializing in natural cellulose fibers used globally in various products [2][3] - The company operates four facilities located in Florida, Georgia, France, and Canada [2] Business Segments - The company operates in five segments: 1. **Cellulose Specialties**: Core business segment 2. **Cellulose Commodities**: Includes fluff used in baby diapers and personal hygiene products 3. **Biomaterials**: Future growth area focusing on energy, ethanol, and lignin [3][6] 4. **Non-core Paperboard**: Includes packaging products like lottery tickets and gum wrappers 5. **High Yield Pulp**: Facing challenges this year, particularly in printing and writing [6][7] Financial Performance and Guidance - Initial guidance for the year was $215-$235 million, but current guidance has been revised to $135-$140 million due to various challenges [9] - The company aims for a baseline EBITDA of $195 million, with a target to double EBITDA to $315 million by the end of 2027 [11][12] - Price increases in cellulose specialties are expected to grow at 4%-6% annually, with potential for higher increases in 2026 [12][13] Market Dynamics - The cellulose specialties market is dominated by three players holding about 80% market share, operating at 90% utilization [12][14] - No new capacity is expected in the market until at least 2029, supporting pricing power [14] Tariffs and Currency Impact - The company has seen a shift in tariffs, with zero tariffs on sales to China and Europe, and a 10% tariff on fluff sales to China [10][11] - The strengthening U.S. dollar is expected to provide a competitive advantage [11] Biomaterials Growth Opportunities - The company is focusing on leveraging existing assets to develop new products, including: - A bioethanol plant in France expected to generate $8-$10 million annually [17] - A biomass facility in Georgia projected to generate $100 million of EBITDA [18] - Additional projects in prebiotics and crude tall oil with minimal capital investment [20][19] Balance Sheet and Debt Management - The company maintains adequate liquidity with $140 million globally, despite a challenging year [23] - A target of reducing net leverage to 2-2.5 times is set, with plans to refinance high-cost debt [24][26] - The company aims to generate over $140 million of free cash flow annually, prioritizing debt reduction and reinvestment [27] Future Outlook - The company believes that short-term challenges are behind them, with a positive outlook for core cellulose specialties and biomaterials growth [28] - Current trading multiples suggest a compelling investment opportunity, with potential for significant stock price appreciation [28][29] Conclusion - Rayonier Advanced Materials is positioned for growth with a focus on cellulose specialties and biomaterials, while managing financial challenges and leveraging market dynamics to enhance profitability and shareholder value [28][30]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Q2 2025, revenue was $340 million, down $79 million year-over-year. Operating loss was $1 million, a decline of $29 million compared to the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA was $28 million, a decrease of $40 million year-over-year [35][36][37] - Full year 2025 adjusted EBITDA guidance was revised to a range of $150 million to $160 million, implying second half EBITDA of approximately $105 million to $115 million [37] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - In the cellulose specialties segment, net sales decreased by $33 million to $208 million, with a 3% increase in sales prices offset by a 15% decline in sales volumes. Operating income declined by $21 million year-over-year to $29 million [38] - The biomaterials segment saw net sales decline by $2 million year-over-year to $6 million, with adjusted EBITDA margin dropping to 17% from 25% in the prior year [39] - The paperboard segment's net sales decreased by $13 million year-over-year to $47 million, reflecting a 23% decline in sales volumes and a 3% decrease in prices [40] - The high yield pulp segment experienced a net sales decrease of $4 million year-over-year to $29 million, driven by an 11% decline in sales prices [41] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company faced approximately $59 million in EBITDA headwinds in 2025, primarily from tariff-related uncertainty, foreign exchange losses, operational disruptions, and noncash environmental charges [6][7][8] - The cellulose specialty market is expected to grow, with industry analysts forecasting sustained annual price increases of approximately 4% to 6% [19] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company plans to nearly double its EBITDA over the next two years, focusing on accelerating revenue growth, expanding margins, and achieving exceptional returns on strategic growth investments [5][6] - A divestiture of non-core paperboard and high yield pulp businesses is anticipated, transforming the company into a more focused entity on core businesses [17][18] - The company aims to capture market share growth opportunities in the cellulose specialties market, leveraging its excess capacity [18][19] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence that the extraordinary challenges faced in 2025 are largely behind them, with expectations for accelerating growth and profitability in subsequent quarters [6][8] - The company highlighted a strong liquidity position of approximately $202 million, including $71 million in cash, which supports its strategic initiatives without shareholder dilution [31] Other Important Information - The company is targeting around $10 million in corporate expense reductions and anticipates $20 million in operational savings from various initiatives [21] - The biomaterials initiative is expected to generate significant cash flows from high-value products, with a projected annual EBITDA contribution of $8 million to $10 million from the Tardis bioethanol project [25][26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Timeline for dissolving wood pulp fluff product approval for sale in China - Management indicated that trials are ongoing, and if successful, commercialization is expected as they approach 2026 [43][44] Question: Structural cost reduction initiatives and timing of execution at Temiscaming - Most of the $24 million capital for cost savings will be spent in 2025, with expected realization of $30 million in savings in 2026 [47][49] Question: Incremental EBITDA within cellulose specialties and capital deployment in 2027 - The $30 million growth is tied to the substitution of cellulose specialties for commodities, with a focus on high-return projects for capital deployment [56][64] Question: Confidence in ramping up biomaterials business and market share - Management expressed high confidence in ramping up construction and commercialization of biomaterials projects, with commercial agreements in place to support market entry [83][84]

Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) Update Summary Company Overview - Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) is undergoing a transformation to separate its high-margin cellulose specialties (CS) business from lower-margin commodity exposure, while also highlighting its emerging biomaterials platform [1][2] Key Points and Arguments - **New Segment Reporting**: The company has updated its reporting structure to better reflect its current operations and to provide clearer visibility into its high-margin segments [1][2][10] - **Long-term Strategy**: Confidence in the long-term strategy and value creation plan remains unchanged despite recent operational challenges and market noise [2][4] - **Operational Challenges**: The recent quarter faced challenges including higher input costs, operational difficulties, and weather-related disruptions, but these do not alter the company's long-term fundamentals [3][4] - **Price Increases**: The CS business outlook is strong, with a mid-single-digit price increase secured for 2025 while maintaining market share [5][16] - **Market Position**: RYAM holds approximately 40% market share in cellulose specialties, producing both hardwoods and softwoods, which provides a competitive advantage [6] - **Maintenance and Efficiency**: Major maintenance shutdowns have been completed, and the company is focusing on efficiency gains and strategic capital deployment to enhance margins [6][8] - **Biomaterials Growth**: The biomaterials platform is positioned to benefit from growing demand for renewable materials, with investments supported by secured green financing [7][8][23] - **EBITDA Targets**: The company aims for an annual EBITDA target of $325 million, with a focus on execution of its strategy [8] Financial Performance - **EBITDA Margins**: The CS segment reported a 23% EBITDA margin, while the emerging biomaterials segment achieved a 29% EBITDA margin, indicating strong profitability in these areas [11][23] - **Sales and Guidance**: For 2025, guidance for the CS business is set between $237 million to $245 million, with earnings expected to be back-end loaded due to operational recovery [18][25] - **Overall Guidance**: The overall EBITDA guidance has been adjusted to $175 million to $185 million, reflecting challenges in non-core segments and tariff impacts [25] Competitive Landscape - **Cellulose Specialties**: This segment is crucial, accounting for 56% of sales volumes, and competes on performance with a long qualification process for products [16][17] - **Commodity Products**: The company is minimizing exposure to lower-margin commodity products, focusing instead on higher-value offerings [20][21] Strategic Initiatives - **Joint Venture with BioNova**: The creation of BioNova aims to accelerate growth in biomaterials while avoiding shareholder dilution, leveraging project-specific funding [29][30] - **Capital Allocation**: RYAM plans to generate $5 million to $15 million in free cash flow for strategic investments, with a focus on maintaining a healthy balance sheet [37][40] Macro Trends and Risks - **Tailwinds**: Strong demand for sustainable materials and favorable green funding environments are expected to benefit RYAM's operations [47] - **Risks**: Trade policy uncertainty, inflation in raw materials, and logistics challenges are potential risks that could impact performance [48][49] Conclusion - RYAM is positioned for growth through strategic focus on high-margin segments and investments in biomaterials, while navigating operational challenges and market dynamics. The company remains committed to executing its long-term strategy and achieving its financial targets [8][51]

Financial Performance - In Q1 2025, the company reported an 8% decline in revenue and a 67% reduction in adjusted EBITDA compared to Q1 2024, which was below expectations [6][10] - The financial foundation remains solid with liquidity of $272 million and a net secured debt reduction to $624 million, resulting in a net secured leverage ratio of 2.9 times covenant EBITDA [10][16] Business Segment Performance - In the Cellular Specialty segment, quarterly net sales decreased by $5 million to $201 million, with operating income down $7 million to $31 million due to higher input costs and operational challenges [11][12] - The cellulose commodities segment saw net sales decline by $19 million to $75 million, with operating results improving by $6 million year-over-year to a loss of $13 million [12][13] - The new biomaterials segment maintained steady net sales at $7 million, with operating income flat at $2 million [13] - Paperboard segment net sales decreased by $4 million to $49 million, resulting in an operating loss of $2 million, down $10 million [14] - High yield pulp segment net sales declined by $3 million to $31 million, with operating losses increasing to $7 million due to lower market pricing and reduced volumes [15][29] Market Dynamics - The company faces significant challenges from tariffs, particularly a 25% tariff imposed by China on US-sourced cellulose commodities, affecting approximately $85 million of annual revenue [9][10] - The company is actively mitigating tariff risks through customer advocacy, market diversification, and operational adjustments [18][21] Strategic Direction - The company plans to focus on tariff mitigation actions, increase production of non-fluff commodities, and pursue high-return, low-risk strategic investments [19][30] - The biomaterials growth strategy remains intact, with key projects expected to advance and final investment decisions anticipated in the second half of the year [20][30] Management Commentary - Management acknowledged the challenging start to the year and ongoing uncertainties in the global market but expressed confidence in the resilience of the core business [81][82] - The company has lowered its full-year guidance for adjusted EBITDA to a range of $175 million to $185 million, reflecting the impact of tariffs and production issues [10][22] Other Important Information - The company expects unfavorable foreign exchange adjustments of $5 million due to a weakened US dollar against the Canadian dollar and euro [23] - Maintenance capital expenditure remains at $85 million, primarily driven by extended planned maintenance outages [24] Q&A Session Question: Conditions in the fluff pulp market with China's retaliatory tariffs - Management indicated that some Chinese customers continue to place orders but do not expect this to last long due to tariff costs, leading to a pivot towards non-tariff markets like India and Africa [35][36] Question: Evolution of volumes following Liberation Day - Management noted that volumes were lower than expected due to pre-orders and concerns about tariffs, with a significant drop in orders during April, but a resumption of orders was expected in May [40][44] Question: Evolution of paperboard guidance for 2025 - Management confirmed that the risk of tariffs on paperboard did not materialize, and pricing is expected to decrease by approximately 5% due to increased supply from new capacity [47][50]

Financial Performance and Key Metrics - In Q1 2025, the company reported an 8% decline in revenue and a 67% reduction in adjusted EBITDA compared to Q1 2024, which was described as disappointing [5][9] - The company ended the quarter with liquidity of $272 million and a net secured debt reduction of $624 million, resulting in a net secured leverage ratio of 2.9 times covenant EBITDA [8][14] Business Segment Performance - In the Cellular Specialty segment, quarterly net sales decreased by $5 million to $201 million, with a 2% sales price increase offset by a 2% decline in sales volume [9][10] - The cellulose commodities segment saw net sales decline by $19 million to $75 million, with operating results improving by $6 million year over year to a loss of $13 million [10][11] - The new biomaterials segment maintained steady net sales at $7 million, with operating income flat at $2 million [11] - Paperboard segment net sales decreased by $4 million to $49 million, reflecting a 4% decrease in sales prices and a 3% decline in sales volumes [12] - High yield pulp segment net sales declined by $3 million to $31 million, with operating losses increasing to $7 million [12][13] Market Dynamics - The company faces significant challenges from tariffs, particularly a 25% tariff imposed by China on US-sourced cellulose commodities, affecting approximately $85 million of annual revenue [7][9] - The company is actively mitigating tariff risks through customer advocacy, market diversification, and operational adjustments [17][20] Strategic Direction and Industry Competition - The company plans to focus on tariff mitigation actions and will likely pause some strategic initiatives, including debt reduction, due to cash flow uncertainties [18][29] - The biomaterials growth strategy remains intact, with expectations for continued investment in US-centric projects [18][29] Management Commentary on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management acknowledged the challenging start to 2025 and ongoing uncertainties in the global market but expressed confidence in the resilience of the core business [74][75] - Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025 has been lowered to a range of $175 million to $185 million, reflecting various challenges including tariff impacts and production issues [21][22] Other Important Information - The company expects to see a modest improvement in paperboard volumes due to better market access within North America, although prices remain under pressure [27][50] - Corporate costs are projected to increase year over year, primarily due to a non-cash environmental reserve charge and foreign exchange headwinds [28] Q&A Session Summary Question: Conditions in the fluff pulp market with China's retaliatory tariffs - Management indicated that some Chinese customers continue to place orders but do not expect to absorb tariffs long-term, leading to a pivot towards non-tariff markets like India and Africa [31][34] Question: Evolution of volumes following Liberation Day - Management noted that volumes were lower than expected due to pre-orders and that orders resumed in May after a pause in April, with expectations for normalization by Q3 [39][43] Question: Evolution of paperboard guidance for 2025 - Management confirmed that the risk of tariffs on paperboard has reversed, and pricing is expected to decrease by approximately 5% due to increased supply [45][50]