Kraton Corp (KRA) Q1 2021 Earnings Call Transcript

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Kraton Corp (KRA)
Q1 2021 Earnings Call
Apr 29, 2021, 9:00 a.m. ET

Contents:

• Prepared Remarks
• Questions and Answers
• Call Participants

Prepared Remarks:

Operator

Good morning, and welcome to the Kraton Corporation's First Quarter 2021 Earnings Conference Call. My name is Dale, and I will be your conference facilitator. [Operator Instructions]

I will now turn the call over to Mr. Gene Shiels, Director of Investor Relations. Sir, you may now begin.

H. Gene Shiels -- Director Of Investor Relations

Thank you, Dale. Good morning, and welcome to the Kraton Corporation First Quarter 2021 Earnings Call. With me on the call this morning are Kevin Fogarty, Kraton's President and Chief Executive Officer; and Atanas Atanasov, Kraton's Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer. A copy of the first quarter news release and the related presentation material that we'll review this morning is available in the Investor Relations section of our website. Before we review results for the first quarter, I'd like to draw your attention to the disclaimers on forward-looking information and the use of non-GAAP measures, which is included in the presentation this morning as well as in yesterday's earnings release. During the call, we may make certain comments that are not statements of historical fact and thus constitute forward-looking statements.

Investors are cautioned there are risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause Kraton's actual performance to be significantly different from the expectations stated or implied in any forward-looking statements we make today.

Our forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they're made, and we have no obligation to update such statements in the future. Our business outlook is subject to a number of risk factors. As the format of this morning's presentation does not permit a full discussion of these risk factors, please refer to our forms 10-K, 10-Q and other regulatory filings that are available in the Investor Relations section of our website. Finally, with regard to the use of non-GAAP financial measures, a reconciliation of each non-GAAP financial measure we use to its most comparable GAAP financial measure was provided in yesterday's earnings release and also in the appendix of the presentation material this morning. Following our prepared comments, we'll open the line for your questions.

I'll now turn the call over to Kevin Fogarty. Kevin?

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

Thanks, Gene, and good morning, everyone. Over the course of the first quarter, we saw continued improvement in global demand trends, and this contributed to solid results we posted for the first quarter of 2021. These favorable demand trends translated into strong volume growth for our Polymer segment. Specialty Polymers volume was up 24.5% compared to the first quarter of 2020, driven by demand recovery in China and broader Asia, and we also saw demand improvement in North America and Europe. In addition, sales volume for Performance Products was up 6.5% compared to the first quarter of 2020 on higher sales into paving and roofing applications in Europe in anticipation of an upcoming strong paving season. The favorable brand fundamentals in the first quarter also contributed to improved results in our Chemical segment with overall sales volume for the Chemical segment up 1.3%. Now versus the first quarter of 2020, core sales volume was up almost 3% on higher demand for rosin esters, TOFA and TOFA derivatives. As a result, we had a more favorable sales mix with lower sales of raw materials than the year ago quarter.

Strong demand for rosin esters, TOFA and TOFA upgrades drove higher operating rates in our refineries during the first quarter, which, in conjunction with favorable price trends, led to improved profitability for the segment despite pressures associated with rising energy and raw material costs. Overall, we are very pleased with the financial results we delivered in the first quarter, given costs associated with our turnaround at Berre and particularly in light of some specific and challenging structural market conditions during the quarter. As you are no doubt aware, thus far in 2020, we have seen significant increases in raw material and energy costs, and this impacts both our Polymer and Chemical segments. In response, we have implemented price increases in both segments to address these inflationary pressures. However, as we've experienced in the past, the magnitude and trend of raw material price increases, particularly in our Polymer segment, resulted in some timing-related margin pressure during the first quarter, which we expect will be recovered over the course of the second and third quarters.

In other words, we remain confident in our ability to manage these raw material cost trends and preserve target margins through our price right strategies. Of course, the significant constraints in global transportation and logistics channels was also a factor in the first quarter, both in terms of cost inflation and because of the limited availability of ocean vessels and coupled with the imbalance in shipping containers and ice containers, put further pressure on supply chains to further complicate our customer fulfillment processes. While we were able to mitigate the impact of transportation and logistics constraints to a larger extent, it was not without significant effort on the part of our teams. We expect demand for our products to continue the positive trend. We also recognize that logistics are likely to remain tight in the near term, and this reality will require more focus on advanced lead times and the need for further creativity as we move forward.

In addition, as you all well know, during the first quarter, Winter Storm Uri impacted the petrochemical and refining infrastructure in the Gulf Coast region and disrupted activity at a number of mills from which we source CTO and CST and plants from which we source raw materials such as styrene and isoprene. As a result, there were limitations on availability of key raw materials with many suppliers declaring force majeure. And this limited sales in the quarter, particularly for CST products in our Chemical segment and for SIS product grades in our Polymer segment. On a more positive front, during the quarter, we continued to work through the approval process for BiaXam. And as you have hopefully seen by now, on April 21, the Environmental Protection Agency approved an emergency exemption for the states of Utah, Minnesota and Georgia to allow Delta Air Lines to utilize BiaXam for specific applications in those states. We believe this is an important step in validation of BiaXam's efficacy, safety and durability, and we intend to pursue broader regulatory approvals that may provide for further deployment of this unique technology. Lastly, during the quarter, we remain focused on sustainability and our numerous ESG-related objectives.

We continue to see positive demand and market response for the REvolution and CirKular+ platforms we have discussed in previous quarters. We also continue to position Kraton for further opportunities in the growing biofuel space. I'll talk more about these later in the call. But for now, I'll turn the call over to our Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Atanas Atanasov, who'll provide more specifics on our financial results for the second quarter of 2021. Atanas?

Atanas H. Atanasov -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer And Treasurer

Thanks, Kevin, and good morning, everyone. As we turn to Slide five, I'll review the first quarter 2021 financial highlights. Overall, it was a solid quarter and a great start to the year. On a consolidated basis, revenue increased $10 million compared to the first quarter of 2020, with higher sales volumes in both segments and the positive impact of changes in currency rates more than offsetting the revenue decline associated with the disposition of our Cariflex business. Despite the first quarter market conditions that Kevin mentioned, adjusted EBITDA -- we booked adjusted EBITDA of $67.7 million. While this was down $10.2 million compared to the first quarter of 2020, you'll recall that in the first quarter of 2020, we had a $10.3 million adjusted EBITDA contribution from our Cariflex business. While we did have higher costs in the quarter associated with the Berre turnaround, excluding the effect of the Cariflex sale alone, adjusted EBITDA would have been up modestly versus the year ago quarter.

With regard to raw material inflation in the first quarter, while we have actively implemented price increases in response to increased raw material costs, the trajectory of raw material price trends result in a lag effect in realization of price increases, particularly in our Polymer segment and, to a lesser extent, in our Chemical segment. As a result, there was some inherent, but we expect transitory margin pressure in the first quarter. And we expect this dynamic to normalize in the second quarter with further realization of price increases already announced and implemented. In addition, and as previously disclosed, during the first quarter, we began a significant statutory turnaround at our Berre, France location, which is required approximately every six years. We estimate the total cost of this turnaround to be approximately $15 million.

During the first quarter, we incurred approximately $3 million of costs related to the turnaround, which were reflected in our first quarter 2021 adjusted EBITDA of $67.7 million. We expect the majority of the remaining turnaround cost for Berre to be incurred in the second quarter. Given these factors, our consolidated adjusted EBITDA margin for the first quarter of 2021 was 15.5%, a level that, in our view, is not representative of more normalized business performance, certainly excluding the impact of major turnarounds and in a more benign raw materials environment. In terms of debt reduction, liquidity and overall capital structure, during the first quarter of 2021, consolidated net debt increased by $18.1 million or $38.3 million, excluding the favorable impact of foreign exchange. This increase is largely associated with working capital and funding the seasonal inventory build in advance of the paving and roofing season. Debt reduction remains a key priority. And as the year progresses, we expect further reduction in outstanding debt.

We believe we have significant financial flexibility, as evidenced by strong cash position at quarter end and $200 million of available borrowing base under the ABL facility. I'll now move to Slide six for a review of our segment results, starting with our Polymer segment. First quarter 2021 revenue for the Polymer segment was $241.2 million, essentially flat versus revenue of $240.4 million in the first quarter of 2020, with the benefit of a 5.6% increase in segment sales volumes largely offset by a $36.9 million period-over-period revenue decline associated with the Cariflex divestiture. The positive impact from changes in currency between the periods was $10.9 million. The significant improvement in global demand fundamentals compared to the first quarter of 2020 contributed to sales volume growth of 5.6% for the Polymer segment and adjusting for the sale of Cariflex, sales volume for our core Specialty Polymers and Performance Products businesses would have been up 13.1% compared to the first quarter of 2020.

The Specialty Polymers improved demand in China and broader Asia, particularly in consumer durable applications and in North American and European automotive applications contributed to 24.5% growth in sales volume. Sales volume for Performance Products increased 6.5% compared to the first quarter of 2020, largely due to higher sales into European paving and roofing markets, which we believe reflects positive customer sentiment and positive expectation for the 2021 paving season. Polymer segment adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter of 2021 was $37.5 million, a decrease of $13.7 million compared to $51.2 million reported for the first quarter of 2020. Of this decrease, $10.3 million relates to the adjusted EBITDA contribution from Cariflex prior to its sale and $3 million relates to the first quarter 2021 costs associated with the turnaround at our Berre, France location. In addition, as mentioned earlier, given the sharp increase in raw material and energy costs in the first quarter of this year, we expect some margin pressure in the Polymer segment associated with the inherent lag in the price increase realization.

These factors had an impact on adjusted EBITDA margin of 15.5% for the first quarter and as -- they also were a factor in the adjusted gross profit per ton of $819 for the first quarter of 2021. In terms of the decrease in adjusted gross profit per ton from the $1,070 reported in the first quarter of 2020, roughly half relates to the sale of Cariflex, with the balance largely associated with the impact of turnaround costs and the impact of raw materials inflation. We continue to believe an appropriate expectation for the Polymer segment's adjusted gross profit per ton is in the $900 range, excluding factors such as fixed costs associated with a significant turnaround of Berre, the majority of which will be realized in the second quarter. Now turning to Slide seven for a look at our Chemical segment results. Improved global demand fundamentals in the first quarter of 2021 also benefited our Chemical segment. Revenue for the Chemical segment was $196.1 million in the first quarter of 2021, and this was up $9.2 million versus the first quarter of 2020. Adjusted EBITDA for the Chemical segment was $30.3 million, and this was up 13.3% versus the first quarter of 2020, with high core volumes associated with improved demand fundamentals, particularly in rosin esters, TOFA and TOFA derivatives. Sales volume for the Chemical segment was up 1.3% compared to the first quarter of 2020.

Sales volume for adhesives was up 10.8% compared to the first quarter of 2020 on strong overall global demand fundamentals, aided by rosin supply limitations, which drove improved rosin ester sales. In addition, volume in our tires business was up approximately 15% on improved demand and higher innovation based sales. Although sales volume for Performance Chemical was down 3.5% versus Q1 2020, we had higher sales of TOFA and TOFA derivatives, offset by lower sales of raw materials and CST product upgrades due to supply limitations and logistic constraints mentioned earlier, all of which taken together ultimately resulted in positive sales mix. Higher sales volume -- higher sales of core volumes in our first quarter also increased refinery operating rates and lowered overall fixed costs compared to the year ago quarter. These factors were partially offset by higher raw material and energy costs. We continue to address cost inflation through proactive pricing strategies. The adjusted EBITDA margin for the Chemical segment was 15.4%, up 110 basis points versus the first quarter of 2020, reflecting improved sales mix from stronger demand and lower fixed costs.

Turning to Slide eight for a summary of our consolidated results for the first quarter of 2021. Q1 2021 adjusted EBITDA of $67.7 million compares to $77.9 million for the first quarter of 2020, with the decrease largely associated with the sale of our Cariflex business. As previously noted, sales volume was up in both segments in the first quarter of 2021 with improved profitability in the Chemical segment. However, first quarter 2021 adjusted EBITDA was burdened by the costs associated with the Berre turnaround as well as the timing related margin pressure associated with raw material cost inflation. These factors, along with the disposition of Cariflex in Q1 of 2020, largely account for the 270 basis point decrease in adjusted EBITDA margin from 18.2% in the first quarter of 2020 to 15.5% in the first quarter of 2021. First quarter 2021 adjusted earnings was $1.02 per share, and this compares to $6.47 per share in the first quarter of 2020, which reflects the gain on sale of the Cariflex business.

Adjusted diluted earnings were $0.53 per share in the first quarter of 2021, and this compares to $0.27 per share in the first quarter of 2020. Now turning to Slide nine. A few comments about our balance sheet and capital structure. As noted earlier, during the first quarter, our consolidated net debt increased 18.1% -- $18.1 million, forgive me, or $38.3 million, excluding the favorable impact of FX. This increase reflects the normal seasonal inventory build associated with the paving and roofing season. Overall, we anticipate further debt reduction through cash generation this year, which will also benefit from the interest savings associated with the refinancing of our 7% senior unsecured notes with 4.25% senior unsecured notes completed in December of 2020. The continued improvement in our capital structure and credit profile has been reflected in the recent improved credit outlook of Kraton by Standard & Poor's to positive.

I'll now turn the call back to Kevin. Kevin?

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

Thanks, Atanas. As we turn to Slide 10, a few comments on our near-term market outlook. In our view, global demand trends have continued to improve through the first quarter of 2021 and into the second quarter. The demand improvement in the first quarter was broad-based, benefiting all major regions. Demand trends in China and broader Asia continued to strengthen in the first quarter, and this benefited sales volume for Specialty Polymers, particularly in consumer durable applications. Demand in North America and Europe also continues to improve. The first quarter was also a relatively strong quarter for Performance Products, with sales up 6.5% on higher sales into paving and roofing markets in Europe in anticipation of a strong paving season. As noted earlier, although adhesive demand is currently strong, our sales of SIS into adhesive applications were somewhat limited in the first quarter by the raw material constraints imposed by Winter Storm Uri. We are anticipating a good paving season this summer with weather always being a conditional factor.

And we believe the longer-term outlook for our paving and roofing business remains favorable. Passage of a U.S. infrastructure bill could be a positive factor in paving sales. However, given timing associated with appropriations and project planning at the state level, it would likely be more of a benefit in 2022 than in 2021. Regarding our Chemical segment specifically, as I noted in late February, our Chemical segment portfolio continues to benefit from positive market trends. In the first quarter, demand for adhesives drove higher sales of rosin esters as we had higher sales into road marking applications. Strong global market demand in conjunction with tighter supplies of gum rosin is contributing to our positive results and favorable pricing trends for rosin esters. Furthermore, the favorable TOFA market conditions are expected to continue into the second quarter, benefiting from strong demand as well as increasing prices for alternative vegetable oils.

Turning now to Slide 11. A few comments related to our ongoing focus on sustainability. As we have shared with you over recent quarters, we believe we are seeing the benefits of our efforts in directing our innovation focus toward megatrends to address key societal needs. Our REvolution low-color rosin ester formulations and our CirKular+ polymer technology are examples of recently commercialized innovation successes that we believe will serve as growth platforms for the future. We also believe our BiaXam polymer technology has broad-based application, particularly in the medical arena that can be a great benefit to society. However, our focus on sustainability extends well beyond product development portfolio offerings. We have continued to drive sustainable business practices throughout our manufacturing organization, achieving reductions in air emissions and improving water quality. In parallel, we've been adopting practices to improve efficiency through our supply chains. Regarding human capital, we have also been intently focused on advancing diversity and inclusion at Kraton.

Our second core value, integrity, underscores our D&I commitment with a fundamental expectation that we treat each other with dignity and respect always. But saying this is not enough. Like everything we do at Kraton, we know we must continually improve. Thus far, in 2021, we have taken steps to promote diversity and inclusion at Kraton, and this includes specific training programs for employees globally. In addition, we have recently organized various open discussion forums, and we have announced a new commitment to support two full scholarship programs for minorities attending historically black colleges and universities, studying within the all-important STEM field. Needless to say, sustainability is a journey, not a destination. And given the relevance of sustainable actions and products to Kraton's future and to further promote a sustainable culture at Kraton, we have recently appointed Marcello Boldrini, our Senior Vice President and Chemical segment President to the additional role of Chief Sustainability Officer.

This appointment underscores the importance of a dynamic approach to sustainability in shaping Kraton's future. Through the creation of this important role, we expect to ensure further alignment of our portfolio offerings and our R&D focus with the evolving needs of our customers and the markets we serve. In particular, we will continue to leverage the opportunities that exist in our bio-based Chemical segment for key platforms such as REvolution and in capturing opportunities associated with the expected growth in the market for biofuels. As we continue on this journey to a more sustainable future, we intend to maintain an open dialogue with all of our stakeholders, and we recognize the importance of transparency with our customers, our suppliers, our employees, our shareholders and the communities that we serve in. Transparency is important. And for us, 2020 sustainability report, we expect our reporting to be aligned with SASB. While we await clarity on other frameworks, such as with the SEC or TS -- or TCFD, we will continue to manage available resources to address relevant market issues -- excuse me, relevant material issues and the information needs of all stakeholders.

Turning to our expectations for the year as a whole, the favorable demand trends of the first quarter thus far have continued into the second quarter. We have positive momentum in the Chemical segment, with solid demand across the portfolio in terms of pricing and margins. Likewise, in our Polymer segment, the demand outlook remains favorable. And while the first quarter results for the segment reflect some margin pressure associated with the pass-through of raw material costs, we expect our second quarter results to benefit from further realization of the price increases. Our more recently introduced innovation platforms, such as REvolution and CirKular+ continue to receive positive market reaction and are performing very much in line with our expectations. We're also extremely pleased, as you know, about the emergency exemptions granted by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency on April 21 that will facilitate the deployment of our BiaXam polymer technology in specific applications in the fight against COVID-19.

While these particular approvals will not have a material impact on our near-term financial results, we view the approval as validation of the efficacy, safety and durability of our BiaXam technology. We believe the unique characteristics of BiaXam could be beneficial in a number of potential applications. And we, therefore, will continue to pursue broader regulatory approvals, which would allow for commercial deployment as an antimicrobial in the U.S. and abroad. In summary, our first quarter results are encouraging and a solid start to the year. Based upon our current outlook, we now expect adjusted EBITDA for 2021 to exceed $260 million, which represents at least 10% growth versus 2020, excluding the Cariflex contribution in 2020 and adjusted for 2021 costs associated with the significant turnaround at our Berre, France facility. And this expected growth is up from the comparable 5% to 7% growth target we shared just in late February. We look forward to updating you on our progress as the year unfolds.

And with that, we're happy to open the call up for questions.

Questions and Answers:

Operator

Thank you for that we will now begin the question and answer session.[Operator Instructions] Our first question comes from the line of Chris Kapsch from Loop Capital Markets. Your line is now open you may proceed.

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

Hi, Good morning and thank you for taking my question. I had an overlapping conference call, so I apologize if you addressed this in your formal remarks. But one question about the margins in the Pine Chemical segment. It looks like you benefited a little bit from mix and maybe fixed cost absorption. But it doesn't appear that there was much net benefit from pricing over raws despite the fact that you've had some price increase announcements and the updraft in some of the alternative products and competitive products. So could you just comment on what your expectations are for net pricing, maybe on a go-forward basis as the rest of 2021 ensues?

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

So thanks, Chris. And the answer is that through these pricing actions, just like I said, again, in the remarks, there's always a delay effect in terms of the impact of pricing and the timing through which they flow through relative to the timing in which we get to enjoy the cost increases coming from our raw material suppliers. So there's a little bit of a lag effect there. But certainly, we do expect that given the market conditions and the alternative value of substitute materials that, that pricing backdrop will lend itself to margin expansion over time in our Chemical segment.

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

Okay. And then given -- it does seem like there's an inflection in the overall complex. When you acquired the business, gosh, was it four years ago now, maybe more, there's been some...

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

More, longer.

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

Yes, maybe five. Okay. There's been, obviously, margin compression that's been more pronounced, I guess, on the TOR side. What are your thoughts about normalized margins for this business and the ability to get there over time, if that's still something that's achievable? And what would be the drivers to restore margins?

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

Well, I mean, it starts with, are we feeling the right trends? And we talked, as you recall, last year, about feeling like we were reaching a bottom, particularly on the TOR side of our Pine Chemical business, as you well described, which is where most of the margin pressure has been, let's face it. And the trend now is positive indeed. And look, I think that the combination of the fact that the marketplace recognizes, in Kraton's offering of pine chemistry, we're talking about a true sustainable offering. That, coupled with the economic backdrop of our substitute materials, particularly gum rosin, and then of demand overall in the space has created an impetus for margin recovery. And so to the extent -- if your question is really directed toward will we get back to where we were at the pre-acquisition levels, I mean, it's too soon to talk about that type of recovery. But certainly, the direction is the right one right now.

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

Okay. And then if I could, just one on the Polymer segment and focused on margin also. As you pointed out on Slide six in your presentation, the gross profit per ton of $819 versus over $1,000, not really a fair comp given apples and oranges and a lag in raw material cost recovery. So what might, I guess, in the second quarter that you'll still have -- you'll have incremental costs associated with the Berre turnaround. But if you exclude that, what might be a more normalized sort of year-over-year comparison for the gross profit in that business, assuming you're recovering some of the recent volatility in raw material costs?

Atanas H. Atanasov -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer And Treasurer

This is Atanas. As we indicated in our prepared remarks, we think more normalized adjusted gross profit per ton is in the ZIP code of $900. I think you correctly noticed the difference year-over-year, but the factors that we outlined explained that. So $900 million is what I'd be looking at.

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

There was the over $1,000 a year ago, that was, if not for Cariflex, would that have been more like $900?

Atanas H. Atanasov -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer And Treasurer

Yes. Yes, good observation. Yes, the -- with the disposition of Cariflex, overall margin slightly declined as we've always been indicating that. So that's why that $1,000-plus is more like in the ZIP code of $900 now.

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

Okay. Thank you.

Operator

Thank you for that. The next question comes from the line of John Roberts from UBS. Your line is now open you may proceed.

Matt Skowronski -- UBS -- Analyst

Good morning. This is Matt Skowronski in for John. How should we think about the polymers volume sequentially, given it looks like the majority of the turnaround will fall into the second quarter?

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

Right. Yes, that's turnaround in terms of manufacturing, it's not going to affect our sales volume.

Matt Skowronski -- UBS -- Analyst

Okay. All right. That's helpful. And with regard to the comments on the timing of the price versus raws in the Polymer segment, should we think about pricing catching up by the end of second quarter? Or will this be more of a third quarter type of timing?

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

Well, it's an interesting question because it just depends on what happens with raw materials because we're obviously in the rears in terms of raw material costs that get implemented instantly when they're announced versus our timing and our price increases. So I guess you could say, if raw material costs were to continue through the second quarter into the third quarter, then we would be continuing to look at a kind of a circa two- to three-month lag.

Matt Skowronski -- UBS -- Analyst

Thank you.

Operator

At this time, we don't have any questions in queue. Speakers, you may proceed.

H. Gene Shiels -- Director Of Investor Relations

All right. Well, thank you, Dale. We appreciate everyone's interest in Kraton and the questions this morning. I'll just note that there's a replay of the call available later this morning. And that replay may be accessed by dialing one (800) 518-0083. That concludes our comments. Thank you very much.

Operator

[Operator Closing Remarks]

Duration: 32 minutes

Call participants:

H. Gene Shiels -- Director Of Investor Relations

Kevin M. Fogarty -- President And Chief Executive Officer

Atanas H. Atanasov -- Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer And Treasurer

Chris Kapsch -- Loop Capital Markets -- Analyst

Matt Skowronski -- UBS -- Analyst

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