JACKSONVILLE, Fla. (News release) -- Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (NYSE:RYAM) (the "Company") reported results for its third quarter ended September 27, 2025.

"Our third quarter reflects the strength of our core business and the resilience of our teams executing through a dynamic backdrop," said De Lyle Bloomquist, President and CEO of RYAM. "The core Cellulose Specialties business performed as expected, approaching normalized levels. The transitory pressures we faced earlier in the year continue to ease, and we're seeing clear signs of stabilization across demand, operational performance and costs. The momentum we've built exiting the third quarter reinforces the durability of our platform and the progress we're making in positioning RYAM for sustainable growth.

"As we kick off 2026 Cellulose Specialties pricing discussions, we are targeting a significant reset beyond prior year increases, reflecting the value of our products and recapturing value lost in prior years' inflation.

"We remain firmly committed to our roadmap to deliver over $300 million in run-rate EBITDA by the end of 2027. That conviction is grounded in tangible progress across our strategic pillars -- strengthening our Cellulose Specialties franchise, advancing Biomaterials execution and driving structural cost and mix improvements across our operations. While certain areas remain in turnaround, the trajectory is positive: our core is performing, and the catalysts we've put in place are beginning to show through in results.

"As we continue to normalize performance, we're maintaining a disciplined focus on cash management and liquidity. Our priorities remain clear -- maximize cash generation, manage working capital efficiently and preserve financial flexibility to support our long-term goals. We do not anticipate any issues with our covenants or liquidity and remain committed to prudent financial stewardship as we execute on our strategy and build durable value for our shareholders," concluded Mr. Bloomquist.

Third Quarter 2025 Financial Results

The Company reported a loss from continuing operations and net loss each of $4 million, or $(0.07) per diluted share, for the quarter ended September 27, 2025 compared to a loss from continuing operations and net loss each of $33 million, or $(0.49) per diluted share, for the prior year quarter.

Beginning in January 2025, the Company reorganized its former High Purity Cellulose operating segment into three separate businesses: Cellulose Specialties, Biomaterials and Cellulose Commodities. No changes were made to the composition of the Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp operating segments. Prior period segment results have been recast to align with this new segment reporting structure.

Net sales were comprised of the following for the periods presented:

Operating income (loss) was comprised of the following for the periods presented:

Following the indefinite suspension of Temiscaming cellulose operations in the third quarter of 2024, certain infrastructure assets of the site's cellulose plant continue to run in support of the ongoing energy needs of the Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp operations. As such, beginning in the fourth quarter of 2024, the net impact of the custodial site costs being incurred and the sales of any electricity generated by the running of the cellulose plant assets are reflected within the operating results of the Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp businesses.

Cellulose Specialties

Net sales for the third quarter decreased $28 million, or 12 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter driven by a 17 percent decrease in sales volumes that was driven by larger customer orders in the prior year quarter in advance of the indefinite suspension of Temiscaming cellulose operations as well as weaker demand in the current quarter due to continued customer destocking in the acetate market that was further accelerated by ongoing global tariff impacts. Partially offsetting the sales volume decrease was a 7 percent increase in average sales price driven by negotiated price increases and sales mix.

Operating income for the third quarter increased $3 million, or 7 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter driven by the higher average sales price, lower fixed costs due to the indefinite suspension of Temiscaming cellulose operations and a $7 million energy cost benefit from sales of excess emission allowances in the current quarter, the prior year sales of which occurred in the fourth quarter. Partially offsetting these improvements were the lower sales volumes, higher operating costs due to operational challenges, primarily at the Tartas cellulose plant, and French national labor strikes also impacting Tartas production in the current quarter.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, net sales decreased $4 million, or 2 percent, driven by a 5 percent decrease in sales volumes, partially offset by a 4 percent increase in average sales price. Sales volumes declined due to more aggressive customer destocking in acetate that was partially offset by higher ethers and other cellulose specialties volumes due to timing. Average sales price increased due to mix as well as a mid-year price increase where contracts allowed. Operating income increased $20 million, or 69 percent, primarily due to the higher average sales price, lower energy costs from the $7 million energy cost benefit realized in the current quarter, improved operational efficiency and lower wood costs. These improvements were partially offset by the lower sales volumes.

Biomaterials

Net sales for the third quarter were flat compared to the same prior year quarter driven by higher turpentine sales that were offset by lower bioethanol sales volumes due to operational challenges and French national labor strikes at the Tartas cellulose plant in the current quarter, which limited raw material supply due to the bioethanol facility's reliance on the plant for feedstock.

Operating income for the third quarter decreased $2 million, or 67 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter primarily driven by higher shared and ancillary service costs under the business's newly established cost structure.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, net sales increased $2 million, or 33 percent, driven by higher sales volumes in the third quarter following the second-quarter labor strike at the Tartas cellulose plant, which had a greater impact to production than the labor strikes in the third quarter. Operating income was flat as the higher sales volumes were offset by higher shared and ancillary service costs under the business's newly established cost structure.

Cellulose Commodities

Net sales for the third quarter decreased $1 million, or 1 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter driven by a 2 percent decrease in sales volumes due to lower production levels and resulting prioritization of available production to Cellulose Specialties, and the absence of Temiscaming sales in the current quarter due to the indefinite suspension of operations in the previous year, which were largely offset by increased viscose sales volumes for inventory management. The decrease in sales volumes was largely offset by an 8 percent increase in average sales price driven by higher fluff pricing and sales mix.

Operating loss for the third quarter improved $42 million, or 76 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter primarily driven by a $25 million non-cash asset impairment and $7 million in one-time indefinite suspension costs in the prior year quarter, the higher average sales price and lower fixed costs due to the indefinite suspension of Temiscaming cellulose operations.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, net sales increased $26 million, or 44 percent, as sales volumes increased 45 percent driven by improved production reliability, the absence of annual planned maintenance outages in the current quarter and increased viscose sales volumes for inventory management. These increases were partially offset by a 2 percent decrease in average sales price that was driven by lower pricing from weakening markets, China tariffs on fluff products and sales mix. Operating loss increased $4 million, or 44 percent, driven by the lower average sales price and increased volumes of negative margin sales.

Paperboard

Net sales for the third quarter decreased $16 million, or 29 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter. Average sales price and sales volumes decreased 10 percent and 21 percent, respectively, driven by mix, shifting customer dynamics associated with tariff uncertainty and increased competitive activity due to increased European Union imports and the start-up of new U.S. capacity.

Operating results for the third quarter declined $11 million, or 157 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter driven by the lower sales, higher fixed costs due to the current quarter market-driven downtime and the impact of Temiscaming net custodial site costs, partially offset by lower purchased pulp costs.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, net sales decreased $8 million, or 17 percent, driven by 7 percent and 9 percent decreases in average sales price and sales volumes, respectively, driven by increased competitive activity due to the start-up of new U.S. capacity late in the second quarter. Operating results declined $4 million driven primarily by the lower average sales price and sales volumes and higher fixed costs due to the current quarter market-driven downtime.

High-Yield Pulp

Net sales for the third quarter decreased $4 million, or 14 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter. Average sales price and sales volumes decreased 10 percent and 8 percent, respectively, driven by lower demand, including in China where demand for all grades of market pulp were down, continued oversupply of domestic high-yield pulp in China and the timing of shipments, primarily related to shipping challenges to customers in India.

Operating results for the third quarter declined $10 million, or 100 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter driven by the lower sales, higher fixed costs due to the current quarter market-driven downtime and the impact of Temiscaming net custodial site costs.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, net sales decreased $5 million and operating loss increased $3 million driven by 2 percent and 17 percent decreases in average sales price and sales volumes, respectively. Also negatively impacting operating results were higher fixed costs due to the current quarter market-driven downtime.

Corporate

Operating loss for the third quarter improved $4 million, or 22 percent, compared to the same prior year quarter primarily driven by lower variable compensation costs and favorable foreign exchange rates in the current quarter compared to unfavorable rates in the prior year quarter.

Compared to the second quarter of 2025, operating loss improved $1 million, or 7 percent, primarily driven by favorable foreign exchange rates in the current quarter compared to unfavorable rates in the second quarter, partially offset by higher variable compensation costs.

Non-Operating Income & Expense

Interest expense for the quarter ended September 27, 2025 increased $5 million compared to the same prior year quarter primarily driven by an increase in the average effective interest rate on debt.

Income Taxes

The effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 27, 2025 was a benefit of 72 percent, which differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to valuation allowances on nondeductible U.S. interest expense, state taxes, return-to-accrual adjustments and different statutory tax rates in foreign jurisdictions.

The effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the quarter ended September 28, 2024 was a benefit of 13 percent, which differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to changes in the valuation allowance on disallowed interest deductions, the release of certain tax reserves, different statutory tax rates in foreign jurisdictions, U.S. tax credits, excess deficit on vested stock compensation and return-to-accrual adjustments.

Cash Flows & Liquidity

The Company's operating cash outflows were $(8) million during the nine months ended September 27, 2025 driven by the decline in operating results and a net outflow of working capital.

The Company used $97 million in investing activities during the nine months ended September 27, 2025 primarily related to net capital expenditures, which included $20 million of strategic capital spending.

The Company had $47 million of net cash inflows from financing activities during the nine months ended September 27, 2025 primarily from net borrowings of long-term debt, partially offset by repurchases of common stock to satisfy tax withholding requirements related to stock-based compensation.

The Company ended the third quarter with $140 million of global liquidity, including $77 million of cash, $53 million of borrowing capacity under the ABL Credit Facility and $10 million of availability under the France factoring facility.

As of September 27, 2025, the Company's consolidated net secured leverage ratio was 4.1 times covenant EBITDA.

Business Outlook

The Company continues to expect a strong finish to 2025, with annual Adjusted EBITDA projected to approximate $135 million to $140 million, inclusive of the $12 million non-cash environmental charge taken in the first quarter, supported by stable Cellulose Specialties operations, improved order trends and continued cost discipline. Adjusted Free Cash Flow is expected to approximate $25 million to $30 million in the fourth quarter, reflecting improved working capital conversion and stronger financial performance as orders continue to normalize.

Looking ahead, the Company expects to more than double EBITDA over the next two years. This growth will be driven by multi-year Cellulose Specialties price actions, continued efficiency gains and structural cost reductions targeting approximately $30 million in annual savings by 2026. Beyond 2026, the Company is also evaluating incremental cost saving opportunities, with initiatives under review that could deliver up to $20 million of additional annual savings in 2027. In addition, Biomaterials projects are expected to add approximately $31 million of run-rate proportional EBITDA exiting 2027. Collectively, these actions reinforce RYAM's long-term strategy and its path to achieve over $300 million in run-rate EBITDA by the end of 2027, with further upside as the AGE project comes online in late 2028.

In August 2025, RYAM and the United Steelworkers (USW) jointly filed petitions with the U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) and the U.S. Department of Commerce (USDOC) alleging that Brazilian and Norwegian producers of high-purity dissolving pulp (HPDP) are selling into the U.S. market at unfairly low prices or with the benefit of government subsidies, causing material injury to the U.S. HPDP industry and its workers. In September 2025, the USITC issued an affirmative injury determination, advancing the case to the USDOC, where preliminary determinations are expected in the first half of 2026. The Commission's decision represents an important step toward restoring fair competition in the U.S. market and promoting greater pricing stability going forward.

The Company remains committed to disciplined capital allocation and cash management. The previously announced process to explore a potential sale of the Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp businesses remains in flux given current market dynamics, evolving trade conditions and ongoing discussions related to the renewal of the USMCA in July 2026. The Company continues to engage opportunistically with interested parties as inbound inquiries arise, while evaluating options that best support long-term value creation and balance sheet deleveraging.

The following segment outlooks reflect RYAM's current performance expectations for its operating businesses for the remainder of 2025.

Cellulose Specialties

Sales prices in the fourth quarter are expected to bring the full year 2025 average price to a mid single-digit percentage above the prior year average. Sales volumes are anticipated to decline approximately 10 percent, reflecting tariff impacts, accelerated destocking of acetate and the absence of 2024 bridge volumes following the indefinite suspension of production at the Temiscaming plant. Acetate demand remains soft due to tariff-driven impacts, accelerated customer destocking and weaker global cigarette market trends. Ethers volumes are anticipated to improve, while demand for other cellulose specialties grades is mixed--strong in food and pharma end use applications but weak in automotive sectors. Raw material input and logistics costs are expected to increase moderately year-over-year.

Overall, EBITDA is expected to approximate $227 million to $230 million for the full year 2025, subject to additional impacts from tariffs.

Biomaterials

The Company continues to evaluate investments in new green energy and renewable products to provide both increased end-market diversity and incremental profitability. The Company intends to proceed only with those projects that are expected to meet its investment hurdles: a minimum 30 percent return on equity and a less than two-year payback period for RYAM equity. In the fourth quarter of 2024, the Company secured green capital of €67 million, which allows it to advance the biomaterials strategy and further progress towards its goal of generating over $80 million of proportional EBITDA from RYAM's Biomaterials business, inclusive of the projects summarized below:

• The Company's bioethanol facility in France is operational since the first quarter of 2024.

• The Company re-started its lignosulfonate powder plant in France in the first quarter of 2025.

• The Company continues to advance engineering and commercial planning for a potential bioethanol facility in Fernandina Beach, Florida, similar to its bioethanol operation in France. Although the City of Fernandina Beach denied the site plan application earlier in 2025, the Company believes the decision was made in error and is pursuing available administrative and legal avenues. The Company remains confident in the project's merits and continues preparatory work to position for timely execution once approvals are secured.

• The Company is evaluating investments in crude tall oil (CTO) facilities in Jesup, Georgia and Tartas, France, and is currently working on permitting, engineering and commercial agreements for these new facilities. In September 2025, the Company purchased high-quality CTO plant equipment that will be used for the Jesup CTO project.

• The Company is evaluating a prebiotics facility at its Jesup plant. In July 2025, the Company received GRAS (generally recognized as safe) status for its prebiotics product with a letter of no objection from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration. A Memorandum of Understanding has been signed with a feed additive manufacturer for the U.S. poultry and swine feed segments. Live animal tests of the prebiotics products showed over 2X greater efficacy versus an existing prebiotics additive.

• The Company is a partner in AGE (Altamaha Green Energy, LLC), a start-up entity that aims to utilize renewable forestry waste and other biomass generally discarded as waste to generate green electricity for the State of Georgia from a new facility to be constructed adjacent to the Company's Jesup plant. Although the project remains in the development phase, construction planning is complete, the air permit has been obtained and an Engineering, Procurement and Construction agreement has been executed. AGE is actively evaluating financing options to advance the project toward a final investment decision.

• The Company recently signed Memoranda of Understanding with Verso Energy to explore electrofuel Sustainable Aviation Fuel (eSAF) opportunities at both its Jesup and Tartas facilities, and with GranBio to develop a pilot-scale ethanol-to-jet plant at the Jesup site to be fully funded by a U.S. Department of Energy grant. GranBio and the Company are currently conducting due diligence on the feasibility of this project.

The Company expects to make final investment decisions on these projects in 2025 and early 2026.

Overall, EBITDA is expected to approximate $7 million for the full year 2025.

Cellulose Commodities

Chinese retaliatory tariffs continue to disrupt global fluff market dynamics, creating a mismatch between supply and demand. As a result, RYAM's production is being actively shifted toward non-fluff commodities. While demand remains uncertain, RYAM will continue to adjust production mix to mitigate the impact of direct tariffs and related second-order effects. Raw material input and logistics costs are expected to increase moderately.

Overall, EBITDA is expected to approximate a loss of $13 million to $15 million for the full year 2025, subject to additional impacts from tariffs.

Paperboard

Paperboard sales volumes are expected to remain soft due to continued economic uncertainty and weaker customer demand. The North American shipment to capacity ratio is below analysts' projections for 2025. Additionally, average sales price is expected to decline year-over-year, reflecting increased competitive activity from European Union imports and new U.S. competitor capacity. Input costs are projected to rise due to higher purchased pulp prices and increased allocation of Temiscaming net custodial site costs. In response to ongoing market weakness and a softer sales outlook, the Company is idling Paperboard production for three weeks during the fourth quarter as a proactive measure to align inventory levels with demand and preserve cash flow.

Overall, EBITDA is expected to approximate $13 million for the full year 2025.

High-Yield Pulp

High-Yield Pulp average sales price and sales volumes are expected to remain low in the fourth quarter of 2025, driven primarily by continued oversupply in the Chinese market. Input costs are also projected to rise due to a higher allocation of net custodial site costs at the Temiscaming facility. Given the ongoing market weakness, the Company continues to take proactive steps to manage production and costs. In response to ongoing market weakness and a softer sales outlook, the Company is idling one of its two High-Yield Pulp production lines for three weeks during the fourth quarter to proactively manage inventory levels and preserve cash flow.

Overall, EBITDA is expected to approximate a loss of $27 million for the full year 2025.

Corporate

Corporate costs for full year 2025 are expected to be higher compared to the prior year primarily due to the $12 million of non-cash environmental reserve charges recorded in the first quarter and potential continued foreign exchange headwinds from a weaker U.S. dollar. These impacts are expected to be partially offset by lower corporate spending in the second half of the year following the completion of the Company's ERP implementation.

Overall, Corporate costs are expected to approximate $70 million for the full year 2025.