Nasdaq: ARQ Q3 2025 Earnings Call November 6, 2025 Disclaimer This presentation contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which provides a "safe harbor" for such statements in certain circumstances. When used in this presentation, the words "anticipates," "may," "believes," "expects," "intends," "plans," "estimates," "predicts," the negative expressions of such words, or similar ...

Core Insights - Arq, Inc. reported a revenue of $35.1 million for Q3 2025, marking a 1% increase year-over-year, primarily driven by a 7% increase in average sales price (ASP) despite slightly lower sales volumes [5][8] - The company achieved an Adjusted EBITDA of $5.2 million, representing the sixth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, although it faced non-recurring costs impacting this figure [5][15] - The initial commercial phase of Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) production and sales was successfully launched, contributing to revenue generation [5][6] Financial Highlights - Revenue for Q3 2025 totaled $35.1 million, up from $34.8 million in the prior year [8] - Gross margin decreased to 28.8% from 38.6% year-over-year, primarily due to lower GAC production volumes and higher fixed production costs [10] - The company reported a net loss of $0.7 million in Q3 2025, compared to a net income of $1.6 million in the same period last year [14] Operational Highlights - The company successfully commenced its first commercial GAC production and sales at the Red River facility, which is expected to enhance revenue streams [5][6] - GAC market dynamics remain strong, with increased demand for spot purchases and anticipated growth in contracted volumes [6] - The ramp-up of GAC Phase I production has faced challenges due to design issues, with nameplate capacity expected to be achieved around mid-2026 [6][7] Cost and Expense Management - Costs of revenue increased by approximately 17% to $25.0 million in Q3 2025, driven by higher direct labor, utilities, and equipment rental costs [9] - Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by 43% to $4.6 million, attributed to lower payroll and benefit costs [11] - Research and development costs rose to $2.6 million, reflecting expenses related to pre-commencement testing of the GAC facility [12] Capital Expenditures and Balance Sheet - Capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are projected to remain between $8 million and $12 million, with Q3 2025 capex totaling $2.2 million [17] - As of September 30, 2025, the company had cash and restricted cash totaling $15.5 million, down from $22.2 million at the end of 2024 [17] - Total debt increased to $25.9 million as of September 30, 2025, compared to $24.8 million at the end of 2024, primarily due to the revolving credit facility [18]

Core Viewpoint - Arq, Inc. has published its 2024 Sustainability Report, highlighting its strong financial performance and commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) excellence while advancing its mission of enabling a cleaner planet [1][2]. Financial Performance - In 2024, Arq achieved approximately $109 million in revenue and demonstrated consecutive quarters of positive adjusted EBITDA growth, indicating a successful year financially [2]. Environmental Leadership - The report emphasizes Arq's unique market position to capitalize on opportunities arising from new environmental regulations, particularly the EPA's 2024 PFAS drinking water standards, which require a reduction from 70 parts per trillion to 4 parts per trillion by the end of the decade [4]. - Arq anticipates a potential supply gap of 370 million pounds by 2030, positioning the company for sustained growth in activated carbon solutions [4]. Social Responsibility and People Excellence - The company maintains industry-leading safety performance with zero fatalities across all facilities and has 202 dedicated employees [5]. - Arq has implemented comprehensive wellness and professional development programs to support employee growth and expanded community engagement through volunteer initiatives and educational partnerships [5]. Governance and Transparency - The report reflects Arq's commitment to transparency and stakeholder engagement, providing detailed performance metrics and progress updates across ESG dimensions [6]. - Enhanced Board oversight of ESG initiatives is facilitated through the Nominating and Governance Committee, and the company has achieved a 100% completion rate for comprehensive ethics training among employees [5][6]. Innovation and Technology Leadership - Arq holds over 140 granted patents and patent applications in activated carbon and adjacent technologies, showcasing its strong R&D capabilities [5]. - The company has established a world-class R&D environment with comprehensive product testing across more than 100 potential applications [5]. Strategic Market Position and Outlook - Arq's diversified customer base spans municipal water treatment, industrial air purification, and renewable natural gas applications, validating its strategic approach [5]. - The company is nearing mechanical completion and has commenced initial equipment commissioning at its Red River facility, which is crucial for addressing PFAS contamination challenges [5].

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Revenue for Q2 2025 was $29 million, representing a 13% year-over-year increase, driven by enhanced contract terms and a 9% growth in average selling price (ASP) [22][6][5] - Adjusted EBITDA was approximately $3.7 million, compared to $1.1 million in the prior year, marking a more than 3x increase [23][6] - Gross margin for the quarter was approximately 33%, slightly higher than in 2024 [22] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The PAC (Powdered Activated Carbon) business has shown a successful turnaround, with all sales contracts now being net contributors in 2025, a significant improvement from 24% of volumes being loss-making as of December 2022 [24][6] - The GAC (Granular Activated Carbon) line has been successfully commissioned, with a nameplate capacity of 25 million pounds expected to be reached within six months [5][12] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company has reduced its exposure to the mercury emissions market to under 40% of volumes, diversifying into new markets for both PAC and GAC, which improves margins and overall financial performance [8][9] - The granular activated carbon market is experiencing persistent supply shortages, with demand expected to grow significantly due to regulatory changes related to PFAS [10][11] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to enhance profitability through operational optimization and cost reduction initiatives while expanding into higher growth, higher margin GAC business [7][29] - Plans for a second GAC line are underway, with a final investment decision expected by the end of 2025 [14][29] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management views the current regulatory environment as favorable, with the EPA's pragmatic approach to PFAS regulation seen as beneficial for the business [18][19] - The company is confident in its ability to finance future growth through cash flow generation and existing debt facilities, without the need for further equity issuance [66][68] Other Important Information - The company is engaged in testing programs for asphalt emulsion, which could represent a significant future revenue source [20][78] - The company has reiterated its 2025 capital expenditure forecast of between $8 million and $12 million [26] Q&A Session Summary Question: Can you elaborate on the key milestones in the commissioning process at Red River? - Management confirmed that the operations team is focused on reaching full nameplate capacity of 25 million pounds as quickly as possible, with ongoing tweaks to improve production rates [35][36] Question: What is the expected cost for the second GAC line? - Management indicated that costs are being evaluated and enhancements from the first line will likely reduce expenses for the second line [39][40] Question: What is the timeline for moving from initial sales to contracts in the RNG market? - The timeline varies from one to eight months depending on customer testing requirements, with a focus on maintaining a balanced customer mix across different industries [41][43] Question: What impact did commissioning have on gross margins? - Approximately $1.9 million in costs associated with preproduction inventory were reclassified to R&D expenses, with gross margins expected to remain above 33% going forward [46][47] Question: How confident is the company in financing the second line without issuing equity? - Management expressed confidence in financing through cash flow generation and debt availability, emphasizing a gradual investment approach [66][68]

Financial Performance - Total revenue reached $28.6 million, a 13% year-over-year increase driven by improved Average Selling Price (ASP) and end-market diversification[6] - Gross margin was 33.3%, reflecting sustainable improvement in PAC performance[6] - Adjusted EBITDA was $3.7 million, compared to $1.1 million in the prior year period, marking 5 consecutive quarters of positive Adjusted EBITDA[7, 11] - PAC pricing grew by 9% year-over-year in Q2 2025, with an average quarterly growth of approximately 16% in PAC ASP since Q2 2023[6, 16] GAC Commissioning and Expansion - The company completed the commissioning of its transformational GAC facility at Red River, with ramp-up to nameplate capacity underway[6, 24] - The company is targeting a Final Investment Decision (FID) for a 2nd GAC line prior to year-end 2025[8, 27] - The Red River plant is expected to add production of GAC and expand the plant to deliver an incremental 25 million pounds of GAC product[32] Market and Regulatory Landscape - EPA regulations could boost municipal water market demand by 3 to 5 times from approximately 170 million pounds per year[37] - The company is benefiting from U S tariffs due to its fully integrated domestic supply chain[38] Strategic Initiatives - The company is developing new markets, including the Arq-Enabled Great Lakes Restoration Project, which is the largest PAC sediment remediation in U S history[41, 42] - The company is exploring growth beyond activated carbon, with multiple initiatives focused on developing additional product opportunities and revenue streams from Corbin feedstock[43]

Core Insights - Company reported a 13% year-over-year increase in revenue, reaching $28.6 million in Q2 2025, driven by higher average sales prices and increased volumes sold [6][9] - Achieved a significant milestone with the commissioning of the first Granular Activated Carbon (GAC) line at Red River, contributing to a positive financial outlook [5][7] - Company has maintained five consecutive quarters of positive Adjusted EBITDA, which reached $3.7 million in Q2 2025, compared to $1.1 million in the prior year [14][39] Financial Highlights - Revenue for Q2 2025 was $28.6 million, up from $25.4 million in Q2 2024, primarily due to a 9% increase in average sales price [6][9] - Gross margin improved to 33.3% in Q2 2025 from 32.2% in the prior year, attributed to better pricing and higher volume, despite start-up costs for the GAC line [11][14] - Total debt increased to $28.7 million as of June 30, 2025, compared to $24.8 million at the end of 2024, mainly due to a rise in the revolving credit facility balance [18] Operational Highlights - The successful commissioning of the GAC line at Red River marks a pivotal point in the company's transition to higher growth and margin businesses [5][7] - The company plans to make a final investment decision for a second GAC line by the end of 2025, targeting a production capacity of 25 million pounds [7][8] - Company is exploring additional growth opportunities in renewable natural gas, having already sold initial GAC products to RNG customers [8] Cost Management - Selling, general, and administrative expenses decreased by 16% to $5.9 million in Q2 2025, down from $7.0 million in the prior year, due to lower payroll and benefits [12] - Research and development costs rose to $2.7 million in Q2 2025, up from $0.9 million in the prior year, primarily due to non-recurring expenses related to GAC facility testing [13] Cash Flow and Capital Expenditures - Cash and restricted cash totaled $15.4 million as of June 30, 2025, down from $22.2 million at the end of 2024, largely due to capital expenditures for the GAC facility [17] - Capital expenditures for the full year 2025 are expected to remain between $8 million and $12 million [16]

Financial Performance - Total revenue reached $27.2 million, a 25% year-over-year increase, driven by improved Average Selling Price (ASP) and end-market diversification[6, 10] - Adjusted EBITDA was $4.1 million, compared to a loss of $0.4 million in the prior year period, marking four consecutive quarters of positive Adjusted EBITDA[7, 10] - The company achieved net profitability during Q1 2025, with a net income of $0.2 million compared to a net loss of $3.4 million in Q1 2024[10] - Gross margin remained strong at 36.4% in Q1 2025[6, 20] PAC Business - The company achieved its 8th consecutive quarter of double-digit year-over-year growth in PAC ASP, with an approximately 13% ASP increase year-over-year[6, 11, 18] - 100% of PAC contracts are now net cash producers, as loss-making contracts have been eliminated[6, 7, 18] GAC Business & Red River Project - The Red River project is expected to add 25 million pounds of incremental GAC product capacity[27, 31] - The company has entered into supply contracts for approximately 16 million pounds of the Red River plant's nameplate capacity[31] - First commercial-scale production of on-specification GAC product is anticipated by the end of Q2 or early Q3 2025[31, 35] PFAS Regulations & Market Impact - EPA regulations potentially increase municipal water market demand by 3-5x vs the existing approximately 170 million pounds per year[39] - The company estimates that the annual GAC market could grow approximately 75% to over 700 million pounds[108]

Core Insights - Arq, Inc. achieved 8 consecutive quarters of double-digit year-over-year average sales price (ASP) growth, with a strong gross margin of 36.4% and positive adjusted EBITDA for four consecutive quarters, indicating a solid financial performance [1][5][14] - The company signed the second largest PAC contract in its history, showcasing the sustainability and value of its foundational business [1][6] - The timeline for the first commercial GAC production at the Red River facility has been updated to the end of Q2 or early Q3 2025 [1][6] - Jay Voncannon has been appointed as Chief Financial Officer, bringing 35 years of finance experience to oversee the company's transformation and growth [1][6] Financial Highlights - Revenue for Q1 2025 was $27.2 million, a 25% increase from $21.7 million in the prior year, driven by higher ASP, positive product mix changes, and increased volumes sold [5][8] - ASP increased by approximately 13% in Q1 2025 compared to the prior year, marking the eighth consecutive quarter of double-digit year-over-year growth [5][8] - Gross margin was 36.4% in Q1 2025, slightly down from 36.9% in the prior year, influenced by improved pricing and customer mix, offset by start-up costs related to the GAC line [10][13] - Net income for Q1 2025 was $0.2 million, a significant improvement from a net loss of $3.4 million in the prior year [13][14] - Adjusted EBITDA for Q1 2025 was $4.1 million, compared to an adjusted EBITDA loss of $0.4 million in the prior year, reflecting four consecutive quarters of positive adjusted EBITDA [14][15] Operational Highlights - All powder activated carbon (PAC) contracts are now net cash producers following the resolution of negative margin agreements as of December 31, 2024 [5] - The company completed mechanical construction of the GAC facility in January 2025, with small non-commercial scale volumes produced, but not yet at the consistency required for commercial production [6][7] - The company maintains a guidance of a 3-6 month ramp-up phase to reach a 25-million-pound nameplate capacity at Red River after the first commercial production [6] Capital Expenditures and Balance Sheet - Capital expenditures for 2025 are forecasted to remain between $8 million and $12 million, with $3.7 million spent in Q1 2025 [16] - As of March 31, 2025, cash and restricted cash totaled $14.8 million, down from $22.2 million as of December 31, 2024, primarily due to capital expenditures and inventory buildup [16] - Total debt, including financing leases, was $26.8 million as of March 31, 2025, an increase from $24.8 million as of December 31, 2024, driven by the revolving credit facility [17]