Skip to main content

RAYONIER ADVANCED MATERIALS INC

For the period ended Jun 29, 2024. Filed Aug 7, 2024.

View on SEC.gov

About this filing

A company's report for each of its first three quarters. The financial statements are not audited. It shows how the business has moved since the last annual report, and what management says changed.

Jun 29, 2024 · Filed Aug 7, 2024

RYAM$5.69-3.6%Stored close · as of Nov 9, 2026

Extracted filing text, with the paragraph anchors used by the comparison.

See the whole filing, with its images and exhibits

Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements

  1. Basis of Presentation

RYAM is a global leader of specialty cellulose materials with a broad offering of high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer used in the production of a variety of specialty chemical products, including liquid crystal displays, filters, textiles and performance additives for pharmaceutical, food and other industrial applications. The Company’s specialized assets are also used to produce biofuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as bioethanol and tall oils. The Company also produces a unique, lightweight multi-ply paperboard product, which is used for production in the commercial printing, lottery ticket and high-end packaging sectors, and a bulky, high-yield pulp product that is used by paperboard producers, as well as in traditional printing, writing and specialty paper manufacturing.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements and notes reflect all adjustments, including all normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. These statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and supplementary data included in the Company’s 2023 Form 10-K.

As a result of the sale of its lumber and newsprint assets in August 2021, the Company presents the historical results for those operations, and any subsequent directly associated impacts, as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise stated, information in these notes to consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations. See Note 3—Discontinued Operations for further information on the sale.

Recent Accounting Developments

Change in Accounting Policy

On January 1, 2024, the Company changed the method of valuation of its finished goods, work-in-process and raw materials inventories from first-in first-out to average cost. The Company believes the average cost method is preferable because it provides better matching of revenue and expense trends and is a better reflection of periodic income from operations. This change was not retrospectively applied to prior periods presented, as the overall effect of the change is not deemed material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

Accounting Pronouncements

There have been no new or recently adopted accounting pronouncements impacting the Company’s consolidated interim financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts of ASU 2023-05 “Business Combinations—Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement,” ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” and ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” as previously disclosed in its 2023 Form 10-K.

Subsequent Events

Events and transactions subsequent to the consolidated balance sheets date have been evaluated for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. No subsequent events were identified.

  1. Indefinite Suspension of Operations

As previously announced, the Company began its indefinite suspension of operations at its Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant in July 2024. The suspension does not affect the Temiscaming paperboard and high-yield pulp plants that support the Company’s High-Yield Pulp and Paperboard operating segments, which will continue to operate at full capacity while remaining part of an ongoing sales process. The suspension of operations timeline allows enough lead time for the Company to properly execute the shutdown prior to the arrival of winter in the region. The High Purity Cellulose plant will be idled in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The Company will assess on an annual basis the possibility of restarting the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant.

In connection with the suspension of operations, the Company expects to incur, all in 2024, total charges in the range of $25 million to $30 million, including mothballing costs of $5 million to $10 million and severance and other employee costs of $15 million to $20 million. While most 2024 cash costs associated with the suspension of operations will be incurred and paid in the third and fourth quarters, severance and other suspension costs are expected to be paid over a period of time. Non-cash asset impairment charges are expected in the third quarter of 2024, the amounts of which are currently being assessed.

The suspension of operations began on July 16, 2024 and is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The following table presents the accrued liability balance activity related to the suspension during the six months ended June 29, 2024:

Mothballing CostsSeverance and Other Employee CostsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2023$—$—$—
Charges incurred(a)4205,4765,896
Payments(420)—(420)
Balance at June 29, 2024$—$5,476$5,476

(a)Excludes non-cash items, including a $1 million loss on pension curtailment charges associated with early retirements driven by the indefinite suspension of operations. See Note 14—Employee Benefit Plans for further information.

The following table presents total suspension charges incurred by cost type:

Three and Six Months Ended June 29, 2024
Severance and other employee costs$6,206
Mothballing costs420
Indefinite suspension charges$6,626

The mothballingand severance and other employee costs incurred were charged to the High Purity Cellulose segment in “indefinite suspension charges” in the consolidated statements of operations.

  1. Discontinued Operations

In August 2021, the Company completed the sale of its lumber and newsprint facilities and certain related assets located in Canada. As part of the sale of the lumber assets, the Company retained all refund rights and obligations, including interest, to softwood duties generated or incurred through the closing date of the sale. In total, the Company paid $112 million in softwood lumber duties from 2017 through 2021, and as of December 31, 2023, the Company had a $40 million long-term receivable related to USDOC administrative reviews completed to date. In June 2024, the Company executed on the sale of these rights (inclusive of the receivable), including all accrued interest, for $39 million, with the opportunity for additional sale proceeds in the future contingent upon the timing and terms of the ultimate outcome of the trade dispute between the USDOC and Canada. The Company recorded a $1 million loss on the sale, included in pre-tax income from discontinued operations.

During the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024, the Company recognized $5 million in pre-tax income from discontinued operations related to CEWS benefit claims deferred since 2021. See Note 7—Accrued and Other Current Liabilities for further information.

During the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2023, the Company incurred $2 million related to the settlement of a claim pursuant to the representations and warranties in the asset purchase agreement.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations was comprised of the following:

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Loss on sale of duty refund rights$(890)$—$(890)$—
Selling, general and administrative and other operating income (expense)5,267(1,533)5,267(1,533)
Operating income (loss)4,377(1,533)4,377(1,533)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations before income taxes4,377(1,533)4,377(1,533)
Income tax (expense) benefit(1,160)405(1,160)405
Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes$3,217$(1,128)$3,217$(1,128)
  1. Accounts Receivable, Net

Accounts receivable, net included the following:

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
Accounts receivable, trade$182,525$166,137
Accounts receivable, other(a)21,73331,973
Allowance for credit loss(717)(653)
Accounts receivable, net$203,541$197,457

(a)Consists primarily of value-added/consumption taxes, grants receivable and accrued billings due from government agencies.

  1. Inventory

Inventory included the following:

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
Finished goods$167,039$147,930
Work-in-progress6,3716,987
Raw materials46,35146,120
Manufacturing and maintenance supplies5,7136,437
Inventory$225,474$207,474
  1. Leases

The Company’s operating and finance leases are primarily for corporate offices, warehouse space, rail cars and equipment. As of June 29, 2024, the Company’s leases have remaining lease terms ofless thanone year to 12.3 years with standard renewal and termination options available at the Company’s discretion. Certain equipment leases have purchase options at the end of the term of the lease, which are not included in the ROU assets, as it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such options. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments unless the lease provides an implicit or explicit interest rate.

Financial and other information related to the Company’s operating and finance leases follow:

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Operating lease cost$2,136$1,791$3,802$3,485
Finance lease cost
Amortization of ROU assets107100213199
Interest22294559
Total lease cost$2,265$1,920$4,060$3,743
Balance Sheet LocationJune 29, 2024December 31, 2023
Operating leases(a)
ROU assetsOther assets$32,634$17,475
Lease liabilities, currentAccrued and other current liabilities7,0894,499
Lease liabilities, non-currentOther liabilities27,08914,666
Finance leases
ROU assetsProperty, plant and equipment, net8931,078
Lease liabilitiesLong-term debt1,1421,355

(a)During the second quarter of 2024, the Company recorded an ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $14 million related to a new warehouse lease agreement in Canada.

Six Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Operating cash flows - cash paid for amounts included in the measurement of operating lease liabilities$3,799$1,701
Operating lease ROU assets obtained in exchange for lease liabilities18,0921,946

Finance lease cash flows were immaterial during each of the six months ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023.

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
Operating leases
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)5.15.5
Weighted average discount rate8.2%8.3%
Finance leases
Weighted average remaining lease term (in years)2.32.8
Weighted average discount rate7.0%7.0%

Operating lease maturities as of June 29, 2024 were as follows:

Remainder of 2024$4,795
20259,415
20268,643
20277,488
20286,262
Thereafter5,756
Total minimum lease payments42,359
Less: imputed interest(8,181)
Present value of future minimum lease payments$34,178
  1. Accrued and Other Current Liabilities

Accrued and other current liabilities included the following:

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
Accrued customer incentives$39,667$30,036
Accrued payroll and benefits20,21613,552
Accrued interest25,20732,256
Accrued income taxes4,1684,605
Accrued property and other taxes6,2502,547
Deferred revenue(a)9,08924,061
Other current liabilities(b)51,16747,431
Accrued and other current liabilities$155,764$154,488

(a)Included at June 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was CAD $5 million and $25 million, respectively (USD $4 million and $19 million, respectively), associated with funds received in 2021 for CEWS. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company recognized in income $15 million of this amount, including $10 million in “other operating income (expense), net” and $5 million in “income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes.” The remaining amount will be recognized at the earlier of the conclusion of the final outstanding audit and the expiration of the statute of limitations in July 2025.

(b)Included at June 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $17 million and $13 million, respectively, of energy-related payables associated with Tartas facility operations.

  1. Debt and Finance Leases

Debt and finance leases included the following:

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
ABL Credit Facility due December 2025: $135 million net availability, bearing interest of 7.44% (5.44% adjusted SOFR plus 2.00% margin) at June 29, 2024$—$—
Term Loan due July 2027: bearing interest of 13.32% (5.32% three-month Term SOFR plus 8.00% margin) at June 29, 2024247,500250,000
7.625% Senior Secured Notes due January 2026464,640464,640
5.50% CAD-based term loan due April 202826,13530,479
Other loans(a)51,28744,754
Short-term factoring facility4,6365,292
Finance lease obligations1,1421,355
Total principal payments due795,340796,520
Less: unamortized premium, discount and issuance costs(17,587)(19,063)
Total debt777,753777,457
Less: debt due within one year(25,002)(25,283)
Long-term debt$752,751$752,174

(a)Consist of low-interest green loans for energy projects and other loans intended for use in biomaterials projects in France.

Term Loan

In January 2024, the Company amended the 2027 Term Loan to increase the maximum consolidated secured net leverage ratio that it must maintain in the fourth quarter of 2023 and through its 2024 fiscal year (see below). In addition, should the Company exceed the 4.50 to 1.00 maximum ratio established by the original agreement in any of these quarters, it will incur a fee of 0.25% of the principal balance outstanding at the end of the applicable quarter. The Company incurred total fees of $3 million related to this amendment, including $1 million in legal and advisory fees recorded to “selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of 2023, and $2 million in lender fees recorded as deferred financing costs in the first quarter of 2024 that will be amortized to “interest expense” over the remaining term of the loan.

The Company is required to maintain various financial covenants, including a consolidated secured net leverage ratio, based on covenant EBITDA, as follows:

5.25 to 1.00 for the fourth quarter of 2023 through the second quarter of 2024;

5.00 to 1.00 for the third fiscal quarter of 2024;

4.75 to 1.00 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024; and

4.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

Senior Notes

In April 2023, the Company repurchased $10 million of its 2026 Notes through open-market transactions and recorded a gain on extinguishment of $1 million to “other income, net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

Covenants and Debt Maturity

As of June 29, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its debt agreements.

As of June 29, 2024, the Company’s debt principal payments, excluding finance lease obligations, were due as follows:

Remainder of 2024$15,905
202519,014
2026483,720
2027245,734
202810,076
Thereafter19,749
Total debt principal payments$794,198
  1. Environmental Liabilities

The Company’s environmental liabilities balance changed as follows during the six months ended June 29, 2024:

Balance at December 31, 2023$170,291
Increase in liabilities1,784
Payments(2,072)
Foreign currency adjustments(207)
Balance at June 29, 2024169,796
Less: current portion(9,825)
Non-current environmental liabilities$159,971

In addition to these estimated liabilities, the Company is subject to the risk of reasonably possible additional liabilities in excess of the established liabilities due to potential changes in circumstances and future events, including, without limitation, changes to current laws and regulations; changes in governmental agency personnel, direction, philosophy or enforcement policies; developments in remediation technologies; increases in the cost of remediation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of its environmental liability sites; changes in the volume, nature or extent of contamination to be remediated or monitoring to be undertaken; the outcome of negotiations with governmental agencies or non-governmental parties; and changes in accounting rules or interpretations. Based on information available as of June 29, 2024, the Company estimates this exposure could range up to approximately $85 million, although no assurances can be given that this amount will not be exceeded given the factors described above. These potential additional costs are attributable to several sites and other applicable liabilities. This estimate excludes liabilities that would otherwise be considered reasonably possible but for the fact that they are not currently estimable, primarily due to the factors discussed above.

Subject to the previous paragraph, the Company believes its estimates of liabilities are sufficient for probable costs expected to be incurred over the next 20 years with respect to its environmental liabilities. However, no assurance is given that these estimates will be sufficient for the reasons described above and additional liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

  1. Fair Value Measurements

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables and payables approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The carrying amount of borrowings outstanding under the ABL Credit Facility, 2027 Term Loan and short-term factoring facility approximate fair value due to their variable interest rates.

The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is estimated using quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities, which are Level 2 inputs, and was as follows:

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
Carrying amount of fixed rate debt(a)$539,467$536,393
Fair value of fixed rate debt511,254497,563

(a)Excludes finance lease obligations.

  1. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Loss
Six Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Unrecognized components of employee benefit plans, net of tax
Balance, beginning of period$(33,537)$(43,694)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications3,371(3,034)
Income tax on other comprehensive gain (loss)(901)804
Reclassifications to earnings(a)
Amortization of gain(391)(354)
Amortization of prior service cost359172
Income tax on reclassifications1045
Net comprehensive income (loss) on employee benefit plans, net of tax2,448(2,367)
Balance, end of period(31,089)(46,061)
Unrealized loss on derivative instruments, net of tax
Balance, beginning of period(373)(567)
Reclassifications to earnings - foreign currency exchange contracts(b)92119
Income tax on reclassifications(12)(16)
Net comprehensive gain on derivative instruments, net of tax80103
Balance, end of period(293)(464)
Foreign currency translation
Balance, beginning of period(12,007)(19,537)
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax(c)(6,488)4,103
Balance, end of period(18,495)(15,434)
Accumulated other comprehensive loss, end of period$(49,877)$(61,959)

(a)The AOCI components for defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 14—Employee Benefit Plans for further information.

(b)Reclassifications of foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded in “cost of sales,” “other operating income (expense), net” or “other income, net,” as appropriate.

(c)Foreign currency translation is net of tax effects of $0 for all periods presented, as the French operations are taxed on the foreign functional currency, not the translated reporting currency.

  1. Earnings Per Common Share

The following table provides the inputs to the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share (share amounts not in thousands):

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Income (loss) from continuing operations$8,173$(15,622)$6,603$(14,015)
Income (loss) from discontinued operations3,217(1,128)3,217(1,128)
Net income (loss) available for common stockholders$11,390$(16,750)$9,820$(15,143)
Weighted average shares used for determining basic earnings per share of common stock65,716,36265,226,34465,582,65164,865,272
Dilutive effect of:
Stock options——3—
Performance and restricted stock3,073,949—2,423,674—
Weighted average shares used for determining diluted earnings per share of common stock68,790,31165,226,34468,006,32864,865,272

Anti-dilutive instruments excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share included (not in thousands):

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Stock options—46,8821,49746,882
Performance and restricted stock4213,302,3326,3763,302,332
Total anti-dilutive instruments4213,349,2147,8733,349,214
  1. Incentive Stock Plans

Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Stock-based compensation expense$1,690$1,893$3,470$3,371

The Company made new grants of restricted stock units, performance-based stock units and performance-based cash awards during the first and second quarters of 2024. The 2024 restricted stock unit awards cliff vest after three years, except for director awards, which vest afterone year. The 2024 performance-based awards cliff vest after three years and are based equally on TSR relative to peers and three-year cumulative adjusted EBITDA. Participants can earn between 0 percent and 200 percent of the target award for each of the TSR and adjusted EBITDA metrics. Performance below threshold for each metric would result inzero payout. The performance-based cash award is paid in cash and is classified as a liability and remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement.

In March 2024, the performance-based awards granted in 2021 vested without meeting the performance thresholds, resulting inno stock units or cash being awarded.

The following table summarizes the 2024 activity of the Company’s incentive stock awards:

Stock Options · Restricted Stock Units · Performance-Based Stock Units
OptionsWeighted Average Exercise PriceAwardsWeighted Average Grant Date Fair ValueAwardsWeighted Average Grant Date Fair Value
Outstanding at December 31, 202346,798$37.771,886,694$6.011,370,601$7.83
Granted——622,9574.05582,4424.52
Forfeited——(58,241)5.27(316,467)11.12
Exercised or settled——(616,485)6.81(5,000)2.41
Expired or cancelled(46,798)29.52————
Outstanding at June 29, 2024—$—1,834,925$5.101,631,576$6.11
  1. Employee Benefit Plans

Defined Benefit Plans

The Company has defined benefit pension and other long-term and postretirement benefit plans covering certain union and non-union employees, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The defined benefit pension plans are closed to new participants. The liabilities for these plans are calculated using actuarial estimates and management assumptions. These estimates are based on historical information and certain assumptions about future events.

During the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024, the Company recorded a $1 million loss on pension curtailment charges associated with early retirements driven by the indefinite suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant. The loss on curtailment was recognized in “indefinite suspension charges” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company decreased its pension liability by $3 million. See Note 2—Indefinite Suspension of Operations for further information.

During the six months ended July 1, 2023, the Company recorded a $2 million loss related to the final asset surplus distribution to the plan participants of certain wound-up Canadian pension plans. The settlement was recognized in “components of pension and OPEB, excluding service costs” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit costs of these plans:

Pension · Postretirement
Three Months EndedThree Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Service cost$1,527$1,224$138$299
Interest cost6,8897,237247348
Expected return on plan assets(8,052)(7,965)——
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)203184(25)(25)
Amortization of gain(11)(124)(184)(54)
Curtailment736———
Net periodic benefit cost$1,292$556$176$568
Pension · Postretirement
Six Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Service cost$3,064$2,441$276$586
Interest cost13,81214,382495705
Expected return on plan assets(16,128)(15,887)——
Amortization of prior service cost (credit)408221(49)(49)
Amortization of gain(22)(246)(369)(108)
Pension settlement loss—2,317——
Curtailment736———
Net periodic benefit cost$1,870$3,228$353$1,134

Service cost is included in “cost of sales” or “selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations, as appropriate. Interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost (credit) and amortization of (gain) loss are included in “components of pension and OPEB, excluding service costs” in the consolidated statements of operations.

  1. Income Taxes

Effective Tax Rate

The Company’s effective tax rates were as follows:

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
Income (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes$7,775$(18,188)$6,185$(18,518)
Effective tax rate(10.9)%17.9%(21.4)%31.5%

The effective tax rates for the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to the release of certain tax reserves, return-to-accrual adjustments, excess deficit on vested stock compensation and changes in the valuation allowance on disallowed interest deductions.

The effective tax rates for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2023 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to disallowed interest deductions in the U.S. and nondeductible executive compensation, offset by U.S. tax credits, return-to-accrual adjustments related to previously filed tax returns and an excess tax benefit on vested stock compensation.

Deferred Taxes

As of both June 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s net DTA included $15 million of disallowed U.S. interest deductions that the Company does not believe will be realized. In strict compliance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Technical Questions and Answers 3300.01-02, which asserts that certain material evidence regarding the realizability of disallowed U.S. interest deductions should be ignored when assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company hasnot recognized a valuation allowance on this portion of the net DTA generated from disallowed interest.

  1. Segments

The Company operates in the following business segments: High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp. Corporate consists primarily of senior management, accounting, information systems, human resources, treasury, tax and legal administrative functions that provide support services to the operating business units. The Company allocates a portion of the cost of maintaining these support functions to its operating units.

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income (loss). Intersegment sales consist primarily of High-Yield Pulp sales to Paperboard. Intersegment sales prices are at rates that approximate market for the respective operating area.

Net sales, disaggregated by product line, was comprised of the following:

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
High Purity Cellulose
Cellulose Specialties$223,139$179,265$417,562$405,930
Commodity Products85,55398,674175,554222,714
Other sales(a)23,86021,43046,24444,919
Total High Purity Cellulose332,552299,369639,360673,563
Paperboard60,29948,094113,259107,088
High-Yield Pulp32,83344,14467,15986,004
Eliminations(6,639)(6,194)(13,077)(14,481)
Net sales$419,045$385,413$806,701$852,174

Operating income (loss) by segment was comprised of the following:

Three Months EndedSix Months Ended
June 29, 2024July 1, 2023June 29, 2024July 1, 2023
High Purity Cellulose$30,162$(422)$50,903$12,512
Paperboard12,2005,85820,10915,592
High-Yield Pulp8138361428,092
Corporate(14,978)(12,728)(25,882)(26,058)
Operating income (loss)$28,197$(6,456)$45,272$10,138

Identifiable assets by segment were as follows:

June 29, 2024December 31, 2023
High Purity Cellulose$1,535,111$1,510,076
Paperboard103,094105,804
High-Yield Pulp48,31043,811
Corporate(a)510,457523,009
Total assets$2,196,972$2,182,700

(a)Includes ERP and certain lease assets shared across segments.

  1. Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments

The Company had no material changes to the purchase obligations presented in its 2023 Form 10-K during the six months ended June 29, 2024. The Company’s purchase obligations primarily consist of commitments for the purchase of natural gas, electricity and wood chips.

The Company remains subject to purchase obligations under the 20-year wood chip and residual fiber supply agreement with GreenFirst, under which total required purchase volumes of wood chips and residual fiber are dependent on sawmill production. In connection with the indefinite suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant, GreenFirst and the Company have agreed that the Company will purchase the required volumes at market value and sell them to third parties at the same amount for an expected neutral impact.

The Company leases certain buildings, machinery and equipment under various operating and finance leases. See Note 6—Leases for further information.

Litigation and Contingencies

Duties on Canadian Softwood Lumber Sold to the U.S.

The Company previously operatedsix softwood lumber mills in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, and exported softwood lumber into the U.S. from Canada. In connection with these exports, the Company paid approximately $112 million of softwood lumber duties between 2017 and August 2021, including $1 million of ancillary fees, which were recorded as expense in the periods incurred. As part of the sale of its lumber assets in 2021, the Company retained all refund rights and obligations to softwood duties generated or incurred through the closing date of the sale. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a$40 million long-term receivable associated with USDOC determinations of the revised duty rates for 2017 through 2021. In June 2024, the Company executed on the sale of these rights (inclusive of the receivable), including all accrued interest, for $39 million, with the opportunity for additional sale proceeds in the future contingent upon the timing and terms of the ultimate outcome of the trade dispute between the USDOC and Canada.

Other

In addition to the above, the Company is engaged in various legal and regulatory actions and proceedings and has been named as a defendant in various lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company has procured reasonable and customary insurance covering risks normally occurring in connection with its business, the Company has, in certain cases, retained some risk through the operation of self-insurance, primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation, property insurance, business interruption and general liability. These other lawsuits and claims, either individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

Guarantees and Other

The Company provides financial guarantees as required by creditors, insurance programs and various governmental agencies. As of June 29, 2024, the Company had net exposure of $33 million from various standby letters of credit, primarily for financial assurance relating to environmental remediation, credit support for natural gas and electricity purchases and guarantees related to foreign retirement plan obligations. These standby letters of credit represent a contingent liability; the Company would only be liable upon its default on the related payment obligations. The standby letters of credit have various expiration dates and are expected to be renewed as required.

The Company had surety bonds of $89 million as of June 29, 2024, primarily to comply with financial assurance requirements relating to environmental remediation and post-closure care, to provide collateral for the Company’s workers’ compensation program and to guarantee taxes and duties for products shipped internationally. These surety bonds expire at various dates and are expected to be renewed annually as required.

LTF is a venture in which the Company owns 45 percent and its partner, Borregaard ASA, owns 55 percent. The Company is a guarantor of LTF’s financing agreements and, in the event of default, expects it would only be liable for its proportional share of any repayment under the agreements. The Company’s proportion of the LTF financing agreement guarantee was $29 million at June 29, 2024.

The Company has not recorded any liabilities for these financial guarantees in its consolidated balance sheets, either because the Company has recorded the underlying liability associated with the guarantee or the guarantee is dependent on the Company’s own performance and, therefore, is not subject to the measurement requirements or because the Company has calculated the estimated fair value of the guarantee and determined it to be immaterial based upon the current facts and circumstances that would trigger a payment obligation.

It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under these potential obligations due to the unique set of facts and circumstances likely to be involved with each provision.

As of June 29, 2024, collective bargaining agreements covering approximately 225 unionized employees were expired at the Fernandina plant. The employees have continued to work under the terms of the expired contracts while negotiations continue. While there can be no assurances, the Company expects to reach agreement with the unions. However, a work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

ContentsView on SEC.gov

The text of this filing, as the company filed it with the SEC, without its images or exhibits. This is not investment advice.