Financial Performance & Targets - Clearwater reported Net Sales from continuing operations of $391.8 million in Q2 2025[10, 21] - Net income from continuing operations was $4 million[10] - Adjusted EBITDA from continuing operations reached $40 million with a 10% margin[10] - The company is targeting Adjusted EBITDA margins of 13% to 14% across the cycle, with a 40-50% Adjusted EBITDA to free cash flow conversion rate, or $100M+ per year[5] - Q3 2025 Adjusted EBITDA is projected to be $10 to $20 million[14] Market Trends & Outlook - Industry SBS shipments decreased by 3% in Q2 2025 compared to Q1 2025, while unmade SBS orders increased by 14%[8] - Demand growth of approximately 3% is projected for 2026[8] - Imports are forecasted to decrease by approximately 4% in 2025 compared to 2024, and exports are forecasted to decrease by approximately 2%[8] - Industry operating rates were at 83% in Q2 2025, down from 84% in Q2 2024[9] - The company assumes capacity utilization at approximately 85% for FY 2025, with revenue between $1.5 to $1.6 billion[14] Strategic Initiatives & Capital Allocation - Clearwater is focused on reducing its fixed cost structure by $30-40 million in 2025, with 10% reductions in positions[5] - The company repurchased $4 million of shares in Q2 2025, and $18 million since the new $100 million authorization in November 2024[11] - Capital expenditures are expected to be $80-90 million, including large project carryover spend[14] - The target leverage ratio is 1-2x[16]

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]

First Quarter 2025 Financial Presentation Materials May 7, 2025 Safe Harbor Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements in this document regarding anticipated financial, business, legal or other outcomes, including business and market conditions, outlook and other similar statements relating to future events, developments or financial or operational performance or results, are "forward-looking statements" made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 a ...