RTK Rentech, Inc.

Rentech, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTK) today announced results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2017.

Summary of Results

The consolidated results consist of Fulghum Fibres (Fulghum), New England Wood Pellet (NEWP), Industrial Wood Pellets and unallocated corporate expenses. The former Rentech Nitrogen Pasadena and East Dubuque facilities are classified as discontinued operations. The Pasadena and East Dubuque facilities were sold on March 14, 2016 and April 1, 2016, respectively. Rentech’s energy technologies business is also classified as discontinued operations.

Consolidated revenues from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2017 were $24.7 million, as compared to $31.8 million in the prior year period. Consolidated revenues from continuing operations for the first six months of 2017 were $57.0 million, as compared to $71.7 million in the prior year period.

Gross loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2017 was $(0.7) million, as compared to $(1.7) million in the prior year period. Gross loss from continuing operations for the first six months of 2017 was $(1.4) million, as compared $(1.5) million in the prior year period.

Operating loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2017 was $(7.6) million, as compared to $(11.8) million in the prior year period. Operating loss from continuing operations for the first six months of 2017 was $(38.6) million, as compared to $(21.9) million in the prior year period. Rentech recorded asset and goodwill impairment charges of $7.8 million and $13.1 million, respectively, during the first six months of 2017 which negatively impacted operating loss for the period.

Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations for the second quarter of 2017 was $(4.6) million, as compared to $(5.3) million in the prior year period. Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA loss from continuing operations for the first six months of 2017 was $(10.7) million, as compared to $(9.3) million in the prior year period. Further explanation of Adjusted EBITDA, a non-GAAP financial measure, as used here and throughout this press release, appears below.

Rentech’s net income for the second quarter and first six months of 2017 was negatively impacted by a $26.7 million impairment of its investment in CVR Partners, L.P. The impairment resulted from the Company’s conclusion that the decline in value of the common units it owns in CVR Partners, L.P. is other than temporary from an accounting perspective.

The results for discontinued operations for the three and six months ended June 30, 2016 include Rentech’s share of book gain on the sale of Rentech Nitrogen, which was $358.6 million.

Net loss attributable to Rentech common shareholders for the second quarter of 2017 was $(37.1) million, or net loss of $(1.60) per basic share, of which $(1.60) per basic share was contributed by continuing operations and $0.00 per basic share was generated by discontinued operations. This compared to net income attributable to Rentech common shareholders of $285.0 million, or net income of $12.05 per basic share, of which $(0.87) per basic share was generated by continuing operations and $12.89 per basic share was contributed by discontinued operations, for the same period last year.

Net loss attributable to Rentech common shareholders for the first six months of 2017 was $(71.3) million, or net loss of $(3.07) per basic share, of which $(3.08) per basic share was contributed by continuing operations and $0.00 per basic share was generated by discontinued operations. This compared to net income attributable to Rentech common shareholders of $274.8 million, or net income of $11.61 per basic share, of which $(1.41) per basic share was generated by continuing operations and $12.99 per basic share was contributed by discontinued operations, for the same period last year.

Fulghum Fibres

Revenues were $17.6 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $20.8 million for the same period last year. Revenues from operations in the United States were $11.0 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $12.4 million in the prior year period. Revenues from operations in South America were $6.6 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $8.4 million in the prior year period. The decrease in revenues from the United States operations is primarily due to the sale of two mills in May 2017 and lower processing volumes at existing mills. The decrease in South America revenues was primarily due to fewer chip sales to Asia in 2017 as compared to 2016. Fewer vessels shipped during the second quarter of 2017 than during the second quarter of 2016; however, we expect export chip sales to pick up throughout the remainder of 2017 but to be lower than in 2016. Lower biomass product sales also contributed to the decrease in South America revenues.

For the second quarter of 2017, our mills in the United States processed 2.3 million green metric tons, or GMT, of logs into wood chips and residual fuels; our mills in South America processed 0.6 million GMT of logs. For the second quarter of 2016, our mills in the United States processed 2.6 million GMT of logs into wood chips and residual fuels; our mills in South America processed 0.8 million GMT of logs.

Gross profit was $1.3 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $2.9 million for the same period last year. Gross profit margin for the second quarter of 2017 was 8%, as compared to 14% for the same period in the prior year. The decreases in gross profit and gross margin were due primarily to lower revenues as a result of a decrease in biomass product sales in South America, a decrease in chip sales to Asia, the sale of two U.S. mills in May 2017, lower processing volumes at existing domestic mills, and an increase in repairs and maintenance expenses for the mills in South America.

Operating loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(0.6) million, as compared to operating income of $1.2 million in the second quarter of 2016.

Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2017 was $1.3 million. This compares to Adjusted EBITDA of $3.5 million for the same period in 2016.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(0.8) million. This compares to net income of $0.5 million for the same period in 2016.

In August 2017, Fulghum was notified by a customer of the exercise of its purchase option for six of Fulghum’s chip mills. The parties are in discussions to enter into new operating agreements for Fulghum to continue to operate the mills on terms similar to operating agreements at other Fulghum mills when Fulghum transfers the asset ownership to the customer. When the sale of the mills is consummated, the Company expects to receive a one-time cash payment of approximately $5 million. The sales proceeds will be used to pay off the underlying debt on the mills with any remaining proceeds to be offered to GSO Capital Partners LP as a prepayment of its debt.

New England Wood Pellet

Revenues were $4.0 million for the second quarter of 2017, earned by delivering approximately 22,000 tons of wood pellets. Revenues were $4.4 million for the second quarter of 2016, earned by delivering approximately 24,000 tons of wood pellets. Demand continued to be negatively impacted by relatively warm weather, continuing depressed prices for competing heating fuels such as heating oil and propane, and changes in consumer buying patterns where the consumer now makes purchases on an as-needed basis. Sales prices for the second quarter of 2017 were also lower than in the prior year period.

Gross loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(0.4) million, as compared to gross profit of $0.6 million for the same period in the prior year. Gross loss margin was (11)% for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to gross profit margin of 13% for the same period in the prior year. Gross profit and gross profit margin were lower because of lower sales volumes and prices, higher depreciation expense and charges relating to scaling back production at the facilities during the second quarter of 2017.

Operating loss was ($1.1) million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $(0.2) for the same period last year.

Adjusted EBITDA loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(0.0) million. This compares to Adjusted EBITDA of $0.4 million for the same period in 2016.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(1.2) million. This compares to net loss of $(0.3) million for the same period in 2016.

Wood Pellets: Industrial

Revenues were $3.2 million for the second quarter of 2017, earned by delivering approximately 23,000 metric tons of wood pellets. Revenues were $6.5 million for the second quarter of 2016, earned by delivering approximately 56,000 metric tons of wood pellets. Revenues were lower due to the idling of the Wawa facility and lower operating rates at the Atikokan facility.

Gross loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(1.6) million, as compared to $(5.2) million for the same period in the prior year. Gross loss margin was (50)% for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to (80)% for the same period in the prior year. The decrease in gross loss was primarily due to the idling of the Wawa facility, restructuring of operations at the Atikokan facility, and a related $4.3 million reduction in inventory write-downs.

Operating loss was $(2.7) million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $(6.6) million for the same period last year. The decrease in operating loss was due to the idling of the Wawa facility, lower operating rates at the Atikokan facility, decreases in inventory write-downs and the absence of allocations of corporate overhead to the wood pellets industrial segment. These reductions were partially offset by estimated contractual penalties under the Canadian National contract of $0.8 million recorded in selling, general and administrative expenses.

Adjusted EBITDA loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(2.7) million. This compares to Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(4.4) million for the same period last year.

Net loss for the second quarter of 2017 was $(3.2) million. This compares to net loss of $(7.0) million for the same period in 2016.

Prior to our decision to idle the Wawa facility in February 2017, we agreed to deliver approximately 336,000 metric tons of pellets to Drax in 2017. In January 2017, we shipped approximately 48,000 metric tons to Drax. In March 2017, Drax agreed to cancel the next two shipments for 2017 without any penalties, leaving us with an obligation to deliver approximately 193,000 metric tons for this year. In April 2017, we shipped most of Wawa’s remaining inventory of approximately 12,000 metric tons of pellets to Drax pursuant to an amendment to the Drax contract; this shipment does not affect our delivery obligations for 2017. We are currently negotiating with Drax to cancel the remaining shipments in 2017. At this time, we cannot make a determination if any penalties will be associated with future changes to the contract. Rentech, Inc. has guaranteed the payment obligations of the Drax contract up to a maximum amount of CAD$20 million.

Corporate and Unallocated Expenses

Selling, general and administrative expenses were $3.1 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $4.7 million for the same period last year. The decrease was a result of the Company’s cost saving efforts, including a decrease in personnel costs of $0.9 million, professional fees of $0.5 million, non-cash equity-based compensation expense of $0.4 million and rent expense of $0.2 million. These savings were partially offset by the absence of allocating a portion of corporate overhead to the wood pellets industrial segment. Non-cash equity-based compensation expense was $0.3 million for the second quarter of 2017, as compared to $0.7 million for the same period in the prior year. Corporate allocations to the Wood Pellets: Industrial segment totaled $0.9 million for the second quarter of 2016.

Conference Call with Management

Rentech will hold a conference call today, August 10, 2017, at 10:00 a.m. ET to discuss its results for the second quarter of 2017. Callers may listen to the live presentation, which will be followed by a question and answer segment, by dialing (888) 517-2513 or (847) 619-6533 and the passcode 8819662#. An audio webcast of the call will be available at www.rentechinc.com within the Investor Relations portion of the site under the Presentations section. A replay will be available by audio webcast and teleconference from 12:30 p.m. ET on August 10 through 11:59 p.m. ET on August 18. The replay teleconference will be available by dialing (888) 843-7419 or (630) 652-3042 and the passcode 8819662#.

 

Rentech, Inc.

 

Consolidated Financial Results

 

(Stated in Thousands)

     

For the Three Months Ended

June 30,

    For the Six Months Ended

June 30,

2017     2016 2017     2016 (Unaudited) Revenues $ 24,738 $ 31,793 $ 56,959 $ 71,730 Cost of sales   25,415   33,472   58,381   73,278 Gross loss   (677 )   (1,679 )   (1,422 )   (1,548 ) Operating expenses Selling, general and administrative expense 6,146 7,742 14,830 16,856 Depreciation and amortization 453 775 1,077 1,783 Asset impairment — — 7,759 — Goodwill impairment — — 13,125 — Other expense, net   348   1,651   361   1,664 Total operating expenses   6,947   10,168   37,152   20,303 Operating loss   (7,624 )   (11,847 )   (38,574 )   (21,851 ) Other expense, net Interest expense (2,520 ) (2,511 ) (4,917 ) (6,083 ) Loss on debt repayment — (3,295 ) — (3,295 ) Other income (expense)   207   367   (1,137 )   513 Total other expenses, net   (2,313 )   (5,439 )   (6,054 )   (8,865 ) Loss from continuing operations before income taxes

and equity in loss of investee

(9,937 ) (17,286 ) (44,628 ) (30,716 ) Income tax benefit   (26 )   (9,705 )   (1,250 )   (12,107 ) Loss from continuing operations before equity in

loss of investee

(9,911 ) (7,581 ) (43,378 ) (18,609 ) Equity in loss of investee   27,212   1,360   28,130   1,360 Loss from continuing operations (37,123 ) (8,941 ) (71,508 ) (19,969 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   —   305,100   96   310,674 Net income (loss) (37,123 ) 296,159 (71,412 ) 290,705 Net (income) loss attributable to noncontrolling interests 66 (157 ) 77 (3,563 ) Loss on redemption of preferred stock — (11,049 ) — (11,049 ) Preferred stock dividends   —   —   —   (1,320 ) Net income (loss) attributable to Rentech

common shareholders

$ (37,057 ) $ 284,953 $ (71,335 ) $ 274,773 Net income (loss) per common share allocated to Rentech

common shareholders:

Basic: Continuing operations $ (1.60 ) $ (0.87 ) $ (3.08 ) $ (1.41 ) Discontinued operations $ 0.00 $ 12.89 $ 0.00 $ 12.99 Net income (loss) $ (1.60 ) $ 12.05 $ (3.07 ) $ 11.61 Diluted: Continuing operations $ (1.60 ) $ (0.87 ) $ (3.08 ) $ (1.41 ) Discontinued operations $ 0.00 $ 12.89 $ 0.00 $ 12.99 Net income (loss) $ (1.60 ) $ 12.05 $ (3.07 ) $ 11.61 Weighted-average shares used to compute net income (loss)

per common share:

Basic   23,211   23,067   23,206   23,051 Diluted   23,211   23,067   23,206   23,051    

Rentech, Inc.

 

Financial Results by Business Segment

 

(Stated in Thousands)

       

For the Three Months

Ended June 30,

For the Six Months

Ended June 30,

2017     2016 2017     2016 (in thousands) Revenues Fulghum Fibres $ 17,553 $ 20,829 $ 37,488 $ 48,265 Wood Pellets: Industrial 3,167 6,538 11,314 16,399 Wood Pellets: NEWP   4,018   4,426   8,157   7,066 Total revenues $ 24,738 $ 31,793 $ 56,959 $ 71,730 Gross profit (loss) Fulghum Fibres $ 1,336 $ 2,939 $ 3,621 $ 7,605 Wood Pellets: Industrial (1,574 ) (5,198 ) (4,961 ) (10,167 ) Wood Pellets: NEWP   (439 )   580   (82 )   1,014 Total gross loss $ (677 ) $ (1,679 ) $ (1,422 ) $ (1,548 ) Selling, general and administrative expenses Fulghum Fibres $ 1,423 $ 1,175 $ 2,880 $ 2,376 Wood Pellets: Industrial 1,166 1,346 3,670 2,654 Wood Pellets: NEWP   413   499   913   1,060 Total segment selling, general and administrative expenses $ 3,002 $ 3,020 $ 7,463 $ 6,090 Depreciation and amortization Fulghum Fibres $ 133 $ 289 $ 426 $ 830 Wood Pellets: Industrial 1 53 13 100 Wood Pellets: NEWP   241   302   482   597

Total segment depreciation and amortization recorded inoperating expenses

$

375

$ 644 $ 921 $ 1,527 Net income (loss) Fulghum Fibres $ (819 ) $ 521 $ (21,681 ) $ 2,174 Wood Pellets: Industrial (3,230 ) (7,015 ) (9,584 ) (13,753 ) Wood Pellets: NEWP   (1,204 )   (313 )   (1,704 )   (868 ) Total segment net loss $ (5,253 ) $ (6,807 ) $ (32,969 ) $ (12,447 ) Reconciliation of segment net loss to consolidated net loss: Segment net loss $ (5,253 ) $ (6,807 ) $ (32,969 ) $ (12,447 ) Corporate and unallocated expenses recorded as selling,

general and administrative expenses

(3,145 ) (4,720 ) (7,367 ) (10,765 )

Corporate and unallocated depreciation and

amortization expense

(78 ) (131 ) (156 ) (256 )

Corporate and unallocated income (expenses) recordedas other income (expense)

2

(4,727 ) 4 (4,723 ) Corporate and unallocated interest expense (1,366 ) (1,375 ) (2,679 ) (3,798 ) Corporate income tax benefit (expense) (71 ) 10,148 (211 ) 13,349 Equity in loss of CVR (27,212 ) (1,329 ) (28,130 ) (1,329 ) Income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of tax   —   305,100   96   310,674 Consolidated net loss $ (37,123 ) $ 296,159 $ (71,412 ) $ 290,705    

Rentech, Inc.

 

Selected Balance Sheet as of June 30, 2017

 

(Stated in Thousands)

        Cash(1) $ 19,048 Accounts receivable 6,759 Inventories 24,075 Other current assets   6,728 Total current assets $ 56,610 Accounts payable $ 11,468 Accrued liabilities 12,319 Debt 15,879 Other current liabilities   7,781 Total current liabilities $ 47,447  

GSO Credit Agreement

$

47,176

Fulghum debt (2)

38,467

NEWP debt (3)

14,223

QS Construction Facility

 

13,609

Total debt

$

113,475

 

(1) Amount includes cash of $8.7 million and $0.1 million at Fulghum and NEWP, respectively.

(2) Fulghum debt consists primarily of 15 term loans and four short term lines of credit with various financial institutions with each loan secured by specific property and equipment.

(3) The NEWP debt consists primarily of four term loans and one short term line of credit with each term loan secured by specific property and equipment.

Disclosure Regarding Non-GAAP Financial Measures

Adjusted EBITDA, which is a non-GAAP financial measure, is defined as net income (loss) from continuing operations plus net interest expense and other financing costs, income tax (benefit) expense, depreciation and amortization and unusual items, like impairment and debt extinguishment charges, fair value adjustments to earn-out consideration and equity investment in CVR. Adjusted EBITDA is used as a supplemental financial measure by management and by external users of our consolidated financial statements, such as investors and commercial banks, to assess:

• the financial performance of our assets without regard to financing methods, capital structure or historical cost basis; and
• our operating performance and return on invested capital compared to those of other public companies, without regard to financing methods and capital structure.

Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered an alternative to net income, operating income, net cash provided by operating activities or any other measure of financial performance or liquidity presented in accordance with GAAP. Adjusted EBITDA may have material limitations as a performance measure because it excludes items that are necessary elements of our costs and operations. In addition, Adjusted EBITDA presented by other companies may not be comparable to our presentation, since each company may define these terms differently.

The table below reconciles Rentech’s consolidated Adjusted EBITDA (excluding equity in loss of CVR and discontinued operations) to loss from continuing operations for the second quarters and first six months of 2017 and 2016.

        For the Three Months

Ended June 30,

For the Six Months

Ended June 30,

2017     2016 2017     2016 (in thousands) Loss from continuing operations $ (37,123 ) $ (8,941 ) $ (71,508 ) $ (19,969 ) Add items: Net interest expense 2,518 2,480 5,039 6,051 Asset impairment — — 7,759 — Goodwill impairment — — 13,125 — Loss on debt repayment — 3,295 — 3,295 Income tax benefit (28 ) (9,705 ) (1,252 ) (12,107 ) Depreciation and amortization 2,980 5,117 6,987 11,173 Equity in loss of investee 27,212 1,329 28,130 1,329 Other(1)   (204 )   1,118   1,017   974 Consolidated Adjusted EBITDA $ (4,645 ) $ (5,307 ) $ (10,703 ) $ (9,254 )  

(1) Includes an expense of $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 that represents the release of certain tax indemnifications from the previous owners of Fulghum. The amounts for 2016 include the write-offs for the computer software, leasehold improvements, furniture and office equipment totaling $1.4 million.

The table below reconciles Fulghum’s Adjusted EBITDA to segment net income (loss) for Fulghum for the second quarters and first six months of 2017 and 2016.

        For the Three Months

Ended June 30,

For the Six Months

Ended June 30,

2017     2016 2017     2016 (in thousands) Fulghum net income $ (819 ) $ 521 $ (21,681 ) $ 2,174 Add Fulghum items: Net interest expense 514 575 1,010 1,144 Asset impairment — — 7,759 — Goodwill impairment — — 13,125 — Income tax (benefit) expense (99 ) 428 (1,482 ) 1,207 Depreciation and amortization 1,856 2,225 4,117 4,652 Other(1)   (161 )   (278 )   1,236   (356 ) Fulghum's Adjusted EBITDA $ 1,291 $ 3,471 $ 4,084 $ 8,821  

(1) Includes an expense of $1.4 million for the six months ended June 30, 2017 that represents the release of certain tax indemnifications from the previous owners of Fulghum.

The table below reconciles NEWP’s Adjusted EBITDA to segment net loss for NEWP for the second quarters and first six months of 2017 and 2016.

        For the Three Months

Ended June 30,

For the Six Months

Ended June 30,

2017     2016 2017     2016 (in thousands) NEWP net income (loss) $ (1,204 ) $ (313 ) $ (1,704 ) $ (868 ) Add NEWP items: Net interest expense 147 150 283 291 Income tax expense — 15 19 35 Depreciation and amortization 1,045 592 1,768 1,055 Other   (38 )   (74 )   (88 )   (114 ) NEWP's Adjusted EBITDA $ (50 ) $ 370 $ 278 $ 399  

The table below reconciles Wood Pellets: Industrial’s Adjusted EBITDA to segment net loss for Wood Pellets: Industrial for the second quarters and first six months of 2017 and 2016.

        For the Three Months

Ended June 30,

For the Six Months

Ended June 30,

2017     2016 2017     2016 (in thousands) Wood Pellets: Industrial net loss $ (3,230 ) $ (7,015 ) $ (9,584 ) $ (13,753 ) Add Wood Pellets: Industrial items: Net interest expense 491 380 1,067 818 Income tax expense — — — - Depreciation and amortization 1 2,169 946 5,210 Other   (3 )   39   (127 )   16 Wood Pellets: Industrial Adjusted EBITDA $ (2,741 ) $ (4,427 ) $ (7,698 ) $ (7,709 )  

About Rentech, Inc.

Rentech, Inc. (NASDAQ: RTK) owns and operates wood fibre processing and wood pellet production businesses. Rentech offers a full range of integrated wood fibre services for commercial and industrial customers around the world, including wood chipping services, operations, marketing, trading and vessel loading, through its subsidiary, Fulghum Fibres. The Company’s New England Wood Pellet subsidiary is a leading producer of bagged wood pellets for the U.S. heating market. Rentech’s industrial wood pellet facilities are designed to produce wood pellets used as fuel for power generation. Please visit www.rentechinc.com for more information.

Safe Harbor Statement

This press release contains forward-looking statements as defined in the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 about matters such as expectations for the operations, results and contractual obligations of the Fulghum Fibres, NEWP, and Industrial Wood Pellets businesses. These statements are based on management’s current expectations and actual results may differ materially as a result of various risks and uncertainties. Other factors that could cause actual results to differ from those reflected in the forward-looking statements are set forth in the Company’s prior press releases and periodic public filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, which are available via Rentech’s website at www.rentechinc.com. The forward-looking statements in this press release are made as of the date of this press release and Rentech does not undertake to revise or update these forward-looking statements, except to the extent that it is required to do so under applicable law

Source: Rentech, Inc.

View source version on businesswire.com: http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170810005160/en/

Rentech, Inc.Julie Dawoodjee CafarellaVice president of Investor Relations and Communications(310) 307-4772ir@rentk.com