Kraton Corporation Announces Fourth Quarter and Full Year 2020 Results

HOUSTON, Feb. 24, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- Kraton Corporation (NYSE: KRA), a leading global sustainable producer of  specialty polymers and high-value biobased products derived from pine wood pulping co-products, announces financial results for the quarter and year ended December 31, 2020.

2020 FOURTH QUARTER AND FULL YEAR SUMMARY

• Fourth quarter consolidated net loss of $21.0 million compared to consolidated net loss of $22.1 million in the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Fourth quarter Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $54.4 million, up 11.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Polymer segment operating income of $27.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to operating loss of $5.2 million in the fourth quarter of 2019 and Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $30.6 million, up 3.5%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Chemical segment operating income of $6.9 million in the fourth quarter of 2020, compared to operating loss of $4.8 million in the fourth quarter of 2019, and Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $23.9 million, up 22.3%, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019.
• Full year 2020 consolidated net loss⁽²⁾ of $221.7 million compared to net income of $55.8 million in 2019.
• Full year 2020 Adjusted EBITDA⁽¹⁾ of $262.1 million, compared to $320.6 million in 2019.
• The net impact from the divestiture of our Cariflex business was $44.3 million.
• During the year ended December 31, 2020, consolidated debt was reduced by $440.6 million and consolidated net debt⁽¹⁾ was reduced by $541.4 million, excluding the effect of foreign currency.
• During the fourth quarter we refinanced our 7.0% senior unsecured notes with 4.25% senior unsecured notes, resulting in annualized cash interest savings of approximately $11.0 million. We also refinanced our ABL facility, extending maturity to December 2025 and improving pricing.

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"We are very pleased with our results for the fourth quarter and full year 2020, especially in light of the unprecedented challenges posed by the global COVID-19 pandemic. The safety of our employees, customers and communities where we operate have remained our top priority, while we maintained operational integrity and implemented enhanced safety protocols throughout our global footprint. Our broad portfolio of product offerings and end market diversification make our business resilient, and 2020 was a good year to prove that, as both our Polymer and our Chemical segments grew sales volume year-over-year," said Kevin M. Fogarty, Kraton's President and Chief Executive Officer. "Moreover, during the year we are equally proud that Kraton polymer and pine chemical technologies contributed to providing key tools in the fight against the spread of COVID-19. For example, one of our Chinese customers utilized a new hydrogenated SBC development grade, manufactured at our Mailao, Taiwan JV, in the production of facemask strips with higher elasticity to significantly improve wear comfort. More recently, as the vaccine roll-out began, our hydrogenated SBCs were used to manufacture gels used to insulate essential refrigerated vaccine transportation and distribution equipment. Similarly, Kraton pine chemicals were utilized in increased demand for many types of packaging adhesives, and as a key ingredient in surfactant manufacturing. Lastly, in 2020 we made meaningful progress in advancing our innovation objectives to drive future growth, by launching several new product offerings such as our REvolution™ family of low-color rosin esters and our CirKular+™ polymer grades; both of which address the ever-increasing market need for biobased and sustainable alternatives, further demonstrating Kraton's commitment to advance our sustainable business model by creating 'value in an otherwise resource constrained world'. Most recently, our Polymer segment announced the first commercial application of IMSS™ technology in an automotive application. SAIC-GM (a joint venture between General Motors Company and SAIC Motor Corporation Limited) officially released the 2021 Buick GL6 model's newly engineered interior in late November 2020 into the fast growth Chinese auto market," added Fogarty.

Polymer segment Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $30.6 million, up 3.5% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Fourth quarter 2020 sales volume was up 6.0% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, with higher sales volume in Specialty Polymers associated with demand recovery across multiple regions, and higher volume in Performance Products primarily driven by higher sales into paving and roofing and adhesive applications.

Chemical segment Adjusted EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2020 was $23.9 million, up 22.3% compared to the fourth quarter of 2019. Chemical segment results for the quarter reflect the benefit of a 20.3% increase in sales volume, compared to the fourth quarter of 2019, partially offset by lower average sales prices and higher costs, including costs of planned maintenance.

"During 2020, we delivered the $20 million of annualized cost savings that we had outlined at the beginning of the year. We also strengthened our capital structure by significantly reducing outstanding debt, while improving liquidity through the refinancing of our ABL facility and senior unsecured notes and meaningfully reducing borrowing cost by delivering approximately $11 million of annual cash interest savings. In 2021, while we expect to continue to reduce debt and maintain a disciplined approach to cost and capital allocation, we will be focused on investing in accretive organic growth projects and our innovation pipeline," added Fogarty. "Looking ahead to 2021, we are encouraged by the demand trends experienced in both our Polymer and Chemical segments in the second half of 2020, and the start of this year. Of course, we must remain mindful of the disruptive potential of COVID-19 as well as  constrained availability and increasing costs of global logistics associated with improving demand and trade flows. Nevertheless, in our Polymer segment, China continues to present an excellent economic backdrop after two plus years of geopolitical and trade challenges. As is always the case this time of the year, we have high expectations for a robust North American and European paving and roofing summer season, and our consumer durable markets continue to indicate attractive growth. In our pine chemical segment, we are seeing evidence of positivity across all three major product categories, including TOFA, TOR and CST, indicative, we believe, of both improved fundamentals, and increasing preference for our sustainable, 'from the trees,' pine chemical offerings. We therefore currently are planning to grow our core business by 5%-7% in 2021 and expect 2021 Adjusted EBITDA to be at least on par with 2020, after adjusting for the Cariflex stub period that contributed approximately $10 million in 2020, or approximately $252 million. It is important to note that this outlook for 2021 is burdened with approximately $15 million of expenses associated with the significant statutory turnaround in our Berre, France, plant, which occurs approximately every six years," said Fogarty.

Polymer Segment

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Q4 2020 VERSUS Q4 2019 RESULTS
Revenue for the Polymer segment was $214.8 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $232.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to the divestiture of our Cariflex business in March 2020 and lower average sales prices resulting from lower raw material costs across all product lines, partially offset by the increase in sales volumes discussed below. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $6.6 million.

Sales volume of 70.2 kilotons for the three months ended December 31, 2020 increased 6.0% compared to the three months ended December 31, 2019. The increase in sales volumes is largely attributable to increases in Specialty Polymers volumes of 15.6%, primarily driven by the demand recovery across all regions particularly into durables and automotive applications, a 7.4% increase in Performance Products sales volumes, driven by higher sales into paving and roofing and adhesives applications, and sales attributable to the Isoprene Rubber Supply Agreement ("IRSA") entered into in connection with the sale of our Cariflex business. These increases were partially offset by the divestiture of our Cariflex business.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Polymer segment generated $30.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) compared to $29.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019, an increase of $1.0 million, or 3.5%. This increase is largely due to higher sales volumes, lower overall fixed costs and higher production rates, and the factors described above. However, on a comparative basis, excluding the net impact of $15.9 million attributable to the disposition of our Cariflex business, Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) would have been $17.0 million higher for the three months ended December 31, 2020. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $1.2 million. See a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP operating income to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA below.

FY 2020 VERSUS FY 2019 RESULTS
Revenue for the Polymer segment was $857.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $1,053.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was due to lower sales volumes driven by the divestiture of our Cariflex business in March 2020 and lower average sales prices resulting from lower raw material costs across all product lines. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $2.5 million.

Sales volumes were 291.8 kilotons for the year ended December 31, 2020, a decrease of 4.2 kilotons, or 1.4%. The decrease is largely attributable to the divestiture of our Cariflex business, partially offset by the commencement of the IRSA during the first quarter of 2020. While we experienced the impacts of COVID-19 during the first half 2020, the demand recovered during the second half of the year. Specialty Polymers volumes increased 5.2% primarily driven by demand recovery in Asia. The 2.2% increase in Performance Products sales volumes was driven by higher sales into adhesives applications, as well as improved paving and roofing demand within North America.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Polymer segment generated Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) of $167.5 million compared to $188.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease in Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) is mainly attributed to the divestiture of our Cariflex business in March 2020, in addition to the factors described above. However, on a comparative basis, excluding the net impact of $44.3 million attributable to the disposition of our Cariflex business, Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) would have been approximately 18.0% higher for the year ended December 31, 2020. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $5.1 million. See a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP operating income to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA below.

Chemical Segment

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Q4 2020 VERSUS Q4 2019 RESULTS
Revenue for the Chemical segment was $192.0 million for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to $176.1 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. The Chemical segment experienced higher sales volumes across all product lines, including opportunistic raw material sales. These volume increases were partially offset by lower average sales prices, including the impact of raw material sales. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $7.8 million.

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Sales volume was 117.9 kilotons for the three months ended December 31, 2020 compared to 98.0 kilotons for the three months ended December 31, 2019. Performance Chemicals volumes increased 25.6% driven by opportunistic raw material sales, Adhesives volumes increased 9.0% due to improved market conditions globally for rosin esters, and Tires volumes increased 27.2% with the growth of innovation applications.

For the three months ended December 31, 2020, the Chemical segment generated Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) of $23.9 million compared to $19.5 million for the three months ended December 31, 2019. This increase is largely due to the increased volumes, in addition to the factors described above. These benefits were partially offset by the timing of higher costs, including costs associated with planned maintenance and turnaround activity. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $0.3 million. See a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP operating income to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA below.

FY 2020 VERSUS FY 2019 RESULTS
Revenue for the Chemical segment was $705.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2020 compared to $751.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The decrease was primarily attributable to lower average sales prices in the crude sulfate turpentine ("CST") chain driven by a decrease in gum turpentine price and lower average sales prices for rosin esters associated with excess hydrocarbon tackifier supply. The decline was also due to lower average sales prices in tall oil fatty acids ("TOFA") upgrades associated with the adverse impact of COVID-19. These impacts were partially offset by higher sales volumes of rosin ester adhesives and opportunistic raw material sales. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $8.5 million.

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Sales volumes were 425.7 kilotons for the year ended December 31, 2020, an increase of 27.1 kilotons, or 6.8%, with higher opportunistic raw material sales within Performance Chemicals and increased rosin ester sales volumes, partially offset by lower sales volumes for TOFA and TOFA derivatives related to COVID-19 demand pressures.

For the year ended December 31, 2020, the Chemical segment generated $94.6 million of Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) compared to $132.4 million for the year ended December 31, 2019. The 28.6% decrease in Adjusted EBITDA (non-GAAP) was primarily driven by lower margins as a result of a decline in average sales prices impacting the CST refinery and rosin ester products. The decrease was also driven by the decline in TOFA and TOFA derivative sales volumes impacted by market fundamentals, primarily due to COVID-19 and higher fixed costs, partially offset by higher opportunistic raw material sales. The positive effect from changes in currency exchange rates between the periods was $1.0 million. See a reconciliation of U.S. GAAP operating income to non-GAAP Adjusted EBITDA below.

CASH FLOW AND CAPITAL STRUCTURE
During the year ended December 31, 2020, we reduced consolidated debt by approximately $440.6 million, and consolidated net debt (non-GAAP) by $491.4 million. Consolidated net debt excluding effect of foreign currency was reduced by $541.4 million during the year ended December 31, 2020.

Summary of principal amounts for indebtedness and a reconciliation of consolidated debt to consolidated net debt and consolidated net debt excluding effect of foreign currency (non-GAAP):

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OUTLOOK
Following a significant demand contraction in the first half of 2020 associated with the adverse impact of COVID-19, we experienced demand recovery in the second half of the year. In 2020, we delivered approximately $20.0 million of run rate cost savings which will largely offset 2021 cost inflation, and we expect to deliver additional cost savings in 2021.

Based upon our current market view, we expect growth in our core business of 5% to 7%. However, we expect to incur approximately $15.0 million of costs in 2021 largely associated with a significant statutory turnaround at our Berre, France, plant, which occurs approximately every six years. We expect to incur the majority of the costs for the Berre turnaround in the first half of 2021.

On a full-year basis, we currently expect 2021 Adjusted EBITDA to be at least on par with our 2020 Adjusted EBITDA, after adjusting for the Cariflex stub period that contributed approximately $10.0 million in 2020, or approximately $252.0 million.

USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This press release includes the use of both GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures. The non-GAAP financial measures are EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA margin, Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share, Consolidated Net Debt (including as adjusted to exclude the effect of foreign currency), Adjusted Gross Profit, and Adjusted Gross Profit Per Ton. Tables included in this earnings release reconcile each of these non-GAAP financial measures with the most directly comparable U.S. GAAP financial measure. For additional information on the impact of the spread between the first-in, first-out ("FIFO") basis of accounting and estimated current replacement cost ("ECRC"), see Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020, when filed.

We consider these non-GAAP financial measures to be important supplemental measures of our performance and believe they are frequently used by investors, securities analysts, and other interested parties in the evaluation of our performance including period-to-period comparisons and/or that of other companies in our industry. Further, management uses these measures to evaluate operating performance, and our incentive compensation plan based incentive compensation payments on our Adjusted EBITDA performance and attainment of net debt reduction, along with other factors. These non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and in some cases can vary substantially from other measures of our performance. You should not consider them in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results under U.S. GAAP in the United States.

EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA, and Adjusted EBITDA Margin: For our consolidated results, EBITDA represents net income (loss) before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization. For each reporting segment, EBITDA represents operating income (loss) before depreciation and amortization, and earnings of unconsolidated joint ventures. Among other limitations EBITDA does not: reflect the significant interest expense on our debt or reflect the significant depreciation and amortization expense associated with our long-lived assets; and EBITDA included herein should not be used for purposes of assessing compliance or non-compliance with financial covenants under our debt agreements, which can vary from the terms used herein. The calculation of EBITDA in our debt agreements includes adjustments, such as extraordinary, non-recurring or one-time charges, proforma cost savings, certain non-cash items, turnaround costs, and other items included in the definition of EBITDA in the debt agreements. Other companies in our industry may calculate EBITDA differently than we do, limiting its usefulness as a comparative measure. As an analytical tool, Adjusted EBITDA is subject to all the limitations applicable to EBITDA. We prepare Adjusted EBITDA by eliminating from EBITDA the impact of a number of items we do not consider indicative of our on-going performance, including the spread between FIFO and ECRC and the material impairment charge, but you should be aware that in the future we may incur expenses similar to the adjustments in this presentation. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or non-recurring items. In addition, due to volatility in raw material prices, Adjusted EBITDA may, and often does, vary substantially from EBITDA and other performance measures, including net income calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP. We define Adjusted EBITDA Margin as Adjusted EBITDA as a percentage of revenue (for each reporting segment or on a consolidated basis, if applicable). Because of these and other limitations, EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as a measure of discretionary cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business.

Adjusted Gross Profit and Adjusted Gross Profit Per Ton: We define Adjusted Gross Profit Per Ton as Adjusted Gross Profit divided by total sales volume (for each reporting segment or on a consolidated basis, as applicable). We define Adjusted Gross Profit as gross profit excluding certain charges and expenses. Adjusted Gross Profit is limited because it often varies substantially from gross profit calculated in accordance with U.S. GAAP due to volatility in raw material prices.

Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share: We prepare Adjusted Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share by eliminating from Diluted Earnings (Loss) per Share the impact of a number of non-recurring items we do not consider indicative of our on-going performance, including the spread between FIFO and ECRC and the material goodwill impairment charge.

Consolidated Net Debt and Consolidated Net Debt excluding the effect of foreign currency: We define consolidated net debt as total consolidated debt (including debt of KFPC) less consolidated cash and cash equivalents. Management uses consolidated net debt to determine our outstanding debt obligations that would not readily be satisfied by its cash and cash equivalents on hand. Management believes that using consolidated net debt is useful to investors in determining our leverage since we could choose to use cash and cash equivalents to retire debt.  We also present Consolidated Net Debt, as adjusted for foreign exchange impact accounts for the foreign exchange effect on our foreign currency denominated debt agreements.

CONFERENCE CALL AND WEBCAST INFORMATION
Kraton has scheduled a conference call on Thursday, February 25, 2021 at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) to discuss fourth quarter and full year 2020 financial results. Kraton invites you to listen to the conference call, which will be broadcast live over the internet at www.kraton.com, by selecting the "Investor Relations" link at the top of the home page and then selecting "Events" from the Investor Relations menu on the Investor Relations page.

You may also listen to the conference call by telephone by contacting the conference call operator 5 to 10 minutes prior to the scheduled start time and asking for the "Kraton Conference Call – Passcode: 8680118." U.S./Canada dial-in 800-857-6511. International dial-in: 210-839-8886.

For those unable to listen to the live call, a replay will be available beginning at approximately 11:00 a.m. (Eastern Time) on February 25, 2021 through 1:59 a.m. (Eastern Time) on March 11, 2021. To hear a replay of the call over the Internet, access Kraton's Website at www.kraton.com by selecting the "Investor Relations" link at the top of the home page and then selecting "Events" from the Investor Relations menu on the Investor Relations page. To hear a telephonic replay of the call, dial 8866-358-4515 and International callers dial 203-369-0131.

ABOUT KRATON
Kraton Corporation (NYSE: KRA) is a leading global sustainable producer of specialty polymers and high-value biobased products derived from pine wood pulping co-products. Kraton's polymers are used in a wide range of applications, including adhesives, coatings, consumer and personal care products, sealants and lubricants, and medical, packaging, automotive, paving and roofing applications. As the largest global provider in the pine chemicals industry, the company's pine-based specialty products are sold into adhesives, roads and construction and tire markets, and it produces and sells a broad range of performance chemicals into markets that include fuel additives, oilfield chemicals, coatings, metalworking fluids and lubricants, inks, flavors and fragrances and mining. Kraton offers its products to a diverse customer base in numerous countries worldwide.

Kraton, the Kraton logo and design, IMSS, REvolution, and CirKular+ are all trademarks of Kraton Polymers LLC.

FORWARD LOOKING STATEMENTS
Some of the statements in this press release contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. This press release includes forward-looking statements that reflect our plans, beliefs, expectations, and current views with respect to, among other things, future events and financial performance. Forward-looking statements are often characterized by the use of words such as "outlook," "believes," "target," "estimates," "expects," "projects," "may," "intends," "plans", "on track", "forsees," "future," or "anticipates," or by discussions of strategy, plans or intentions. The statement in this press release that are not historical statements, including, but not limited to, all matters described on the section titled "Outlook", statements regarding our expectations as to the continued impact of the COVID-19 pandemic (including governmental and regulatory actions) on demand for our products, on the national and global economy and on our customers, suppliers, employees, business and results of operations, and our expectations for our business demand and growth in 2021, our debt reduction, our investments in accretive organic growth projects and our innovation pipeline, demand of our sustainable offerings, our 2021 Adjusted EBITDA, annual cash interest savings as a result of our December 2020 refinancing, timing regarding the incurrence of costs associated with our Berre turnaround, and capital spending and cost savings for 2021.

All forward-looking statements in this press release are made based on management's current expectations and estimates, which involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions, and other important factors that could cause the actual results, performance or our achievements, or industry results, to differ materially from historical results, any future results, or performance or achievements expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Important factors that could cause our actual results to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements are more fully described in our latest Annual Report on Form 10-K, including but not limited to "Part I, Item 1A. Risk Factors" and "Part II, Item 7. Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations" therein, and in our other filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission, and include, but are not limited to, risks related to: our ability to repay or re-finance indebtedness and risk associated with incurring additional indebtedness; our reliance on third parties for the provision of significant operating and other services; the impact of extraordinary events, including health epidemics or pandemics such as COVID-19 (including governmental and regulatory actions relating thereto), natural disasters and other weather conditions and terrorist attacks; conditions in the national and global economy and capital markets; fluctuations in raw material costs; limitations in the availability of raw materials; competition in our end-use markets; fluctuations in global tariffs and logistics costs; the potential for charges related to our goodwill or other assets; and other factors of which we are currently unaware or deem immaterial that may cause our actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements. In addition, to the extent any inconsistency or conflict exists between the information included in this report and the information included in our prior reports and other filings with the SEC, the information contained in this report updates and supersedes such information. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on our forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they are made, and we assume no obligation to update such information in light of new information or future events.

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We reconcile Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings Per Share (non-GAAP) as follows:

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For Further Information:
H. Gene Shiels 281 540-4886

SOURCE Kraton Corporation