Chemtrade Logistics Income Fund Announces Results for the First Quarter of 2026; Reiterates 2026 Adjusted EBITDA Guidance of $485 to $525 Million
First Quarter 2026 Highlights
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Revenue of
$503.0 million , an increase of$36.7 million or 7.9% year-over-year driven by the Polytec acquisition in the WS segment as well as higher selling prices for merchant acid, sulphur products and Regen acid in the ASP segment. This more than offset lower selling prices and volumes of chlor-alkali products and sodium chlorate in the EC segment. -
Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$113.5 million , a decrease of$6.6 million or 5.5% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, Adjusted EBITDA was 0.5% lower than 2025 as EBITDA from the Polytec acquisition and higher EBITDA from merchant and Regen acid were more than offset by lower selling prices and volumes of chlor-alkali products and sodium chlorate. -
Net earnings of
$25.4 million , a decrease of$23.7 million year-over-year primarily due to higher finance costs, unfavourable unrealized foreign exchange losses and lower Adjusted EBITDA year-over-year. -
Cash flows from operating activities of
$42.4 million , an increase of$8.0 million or 23.3% year-over-year, mainly due to a decrease in working capital compared to 2025, partially offset by lower Adjusted EBITDA. -
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures(1) of
$40.1 million , a decrease of$22.0 million or 35.4% year-over-year reflecting lower Adjusted EBITDA and higher maintenance capital spending (1). Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit(1) decreased by 33.0% to$0.36 per unit year-over-year. -
During the first quarter of 2026, Chemtrade increased its monthly distribution by approximately 4% to
$0.06 per unit or$0.72 per unit per year. Chemtrade’s Payout ratio(1) for the first quarter of 2026 was 51% and for the last twelve months was 38%. -
During the first quarter of 2026, Chemtrade purchased approximately 2.3 million units as part of its normal course issuer bid (NCIB). Subsequent to quarter end, on
April 15, 2026 , Chemtrade announced the early renewal of the NCIB that would have expired onAugust 18, 2026 . Under the new NCIB, which terminates onApril 16, 2027 , Chemtrade is authorized to purchase approximately 5.8 million units. - Chemtrade continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, with a Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA(1) ratio of 2.5x at the end of the first quarter of 2026.
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Due to geopolitical events, several products that Chemtrade manufactures have seen significant price volatility in the last several weeks. While this volatility makes forecasting results for the remainder of 2026 challenging, Chemtrade is maintaining its 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance unchanged and reiterates a range of
$485.0 to$525.0 million . -
Subsequent to the end of the first quarter, on
April 14, 2026 , Chemtrade announced that the District ofNorth Vancouver Council rejected its rezoning application, which would have allowed significant safety upgrades and continued liquid chlorine production at itsNorth Vancouver chlor-alkali facility beyond 2030. OnMay 5, 2026 , the District ofNorth Vancouver issued a statement that the Mayor would be exercising his authority to bring forward a notice of reconsideration of Chemtrade’s rezoning application and will be asking the Council to reconsider the rezoning application in response to new conditions brought forth by Chemtrade. The proposed changes address concerns voiced by theMayor and Council regarding site security, quantitative risk assessments, and the permanent nature of the amendment that would allow liquid chlorine production. If Council agrees, the Mayor has indicated that he would recommend holding a new public hearing. Chemtrade continues to engage with the District ofNorth Vancouver , and multiple stakeholders and partners on the best path to secure continued liquid chlorine operations and uninterrupted municipal water safety inWestern Canada .
“Throughout the first quarter and into the second quarter, we continued the integration of Polytec, increased our reach with existing and new customers, started production at the new
“Despite the heightened volatility, we remain encouraged by the outlook for several key products and are focused on ensuring reliable production in the long term. We will continue to execute towards Vision 2030 targets while maintaining a strong balance sheet and robust cash flow generation which allows us to return capital to unitholders,” concluded
Consolidated Financial Summary of Q1 2026
The Canadian dollar strengthened by approximately
Revenue for the first quarter of 2026 was
Adjusted EBITDA(1) was
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures for the first quarter of 2026 was
Chemtrade maintained a strong balance sheet through the first quarter of 2026. As of
1) Adjusted EBITDA is a Total of Segments measure, Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures is a non-IFRS measure and Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA, Distributable cash after maintenance and capital expenditures per unit and Payout ratio are non-IFRS ratios. Maintenance capital expenditures is a Supplementary financial measure. Please see Non-IFRS and Other Financial Measures for more information.
Segmented Financial Summary of Q1 2026
As previously reported, Chemtrade has separated the former Sulphur and Water Chemicals (SWC) segment into two new segments, the Acid and Sulphur Products (ASP) segment and the Water Solutions (WS) segment. Chemtrade now reports its results in three segments:
- Acid and Sulphur Products, or ASP, segment markets, removes, and/or produces merchant, regen, and ultrapure acid, sodium nitrite, all other sulphur-related products, and provides other processing services.
- Water Solutions, or WS, segment manufactures and markets a variety of inorganic coagulants used in water treatment, including aluminum sulphate (alum), aluminum chlorohydrate (ACH), polyaluminum chloride (PACl), and ferric sulphate (ferric). WS also provides value-added water solutions.
- Electrochemicals, or EC, segment manufactures and markets sodium chlorate and chlor-alkali products including caustic soda, chlorine and hydrochloric acid, largely for the pulp and paper, oil and gas, and water treatment industries. These products are marketed primarily to North American and South American customers.
The ASP segment reported revenue of
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, as noted above, ASP revenue in the first quarter of 2026 increased by
The Water Solutions, or WS, segment reported revenue of
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, as noted above, WS revenue in the first quarter of 2026 increased by
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, as noted above, EC revenue in the first quarter of 2026 was
Corporate costs for the first quarter of 2026 were
2026 Guidance
Due to geopolitical events, several products that Chemtrade manufactures have seen significant price volatility in the last several weeks. While this volatility makes forecasting results for the remainder of 2026 challenging, Chemtrade is maintaining its 2026 Adjusted EBITDA guidance unchanged and reiterates a range of
Achieving the midpoint of this range would mark a near record Adjusted EBITDA in Chemtrade’s history, at a similar level to the record Adjusted EBITDA achieved in 2025, highlighting the significant step-change in Chemtrade’s Adjusted EBITDA and cashflow generation in the last five years.
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2026 Guidance |
2025 Actual |
Three Months ended Actual |
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($ million) |
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Adjusted EBITDA(1) |
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Maintenance capital expenditures (1) |
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Growth capital expenditures(1) |
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Lease payments |
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Cash interest (1) |
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Cash tax (1) |
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(1) Adjusted EBITDA is a Total of Segments measure. Maintenance capital expenditures, Cash interest and Cash tax are supplementary financial measures. Growth capital expenditures is a non-IFRS financial measure. See Non-IFRS And Other Financial Measures. |
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Key Assumptions |
2026
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2025 Actual |
2024 Actual |
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Approximate North American MECU sales volumes |
175,000 |
170,000 |
172,000 |
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2026 realized MECU netback being lower than 2025 (per MECU) |
CAD ( |
N/A |
N/A |
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Average CMA(1) |
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Approximate North American production volumes of sodium chlorate (MTs) |
260,000 |
273,000 |
270,000 |
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USD to CAD average foreign exchange rate |
1.375 |
1.397 |
1.370 |
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Long term incentive plan costs (in $ millions) |
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(1) Chemical Market Analytics (CMA) by OPIS, A |
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(2) The average CMA NE Asia caustic spot price for 2026, 2025 and 2024 is the average spot price of the four quarters ending with the third quarter of that year as the majority of Chemtrade’s pricing is based on a one quarter lag. |
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Chemtrade Vision 2030
In
Update on Organic Growth Projects
Chemtrade remains focused on its long-term objective of delivering sustained earnings growth and generating value for investors. To accomplish this, Chemtrade has identified various organic growth initiatives. In 2026, Chemtrade plans to invest between
In Ultrapure Acid, following quality improvement upgrades and plant start-ups at the
Rezoning Application Related to the North Vancouver Chlor-Alkali Facility
Subsequent to the end of the first quarter, on
On
Chemtrade continues to engage with the District of
Distributions and Capital Allocation Update
Distributions declared in the first quarter of 2026 totalled
During the first quarter of 2026, Chemtrade purchased approximately 2.3 million units as part of its normal course issuer bid (NCIB). Subsequent to quarter end, on
Chemtrade’s management and
Although much work was completed during 2025 to optimize our capital structure, we are flexible to further targeted improvements that remove potential sources of equity dilution, extend and/or stagger our debt maturity profile, or lower our debt capital cost,” concluded
About Chemtrade
Chemtrade operates a diversified business providing industrial chemicals and services to customers in
NON-IFRS AND OTHER FINANCIAL MEASURES
Non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios
Non-IFRS financial measures are financial measures disclosed by an entity that (a) depict historical or expected future financial performance, financial position or cash flow of an entity, (b) with respect to their composition, exclude amounts that are included in, or include amounts that are excluded from, the composition of the most directly comparable financial measure disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity, (c) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity and (d) are not a ratio, fraction, percentage or similar representation. Non-IFRS ratios are financial measures disclosed by an entity that are in the form of a ratio, fraction, percentage, or similar representation that has a non-IFRS financial measure as one or more of its components, and that are not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity.
These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are not standardized financial measures under IFRS and, therefore, are unlikely to be comparable to similar financial measures presented by other entities. Management believes these non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios provide transparent and useful supplemental information to help investors evaluate Chemtrade’s financial performance, financial condition and liquidity using the same measures as management. These non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios should not be considered as a substitute for, or superior to, measures of financial performance prepared in accordance with IFRS.
The following section outlines Chemtrade’s non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios, their compositions, and why management uses each measure. It includes reconciliations to the most directly comparable IFRS measures. Except as otherwise described herein, Chemtrade’s non-IFRS financial measures and non-IFRS ratios are calculated on a consistent basis from period to period and are adjusted for specific items in each period, as applicable.
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Cash flows from operating activities
Definition: Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures is calculated as cash flows from operating activities less lease payments net of sub-lease receipts, maintenance capital expenditures including unpaid amounts and adjusting for cash interest and current taxes, and before decreases or increases in working capital.
Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It provides useful information related to Chemtrade’s cash flows including the amount of cash available for distribution to Unitholders, repayment of debt and other investing activities.
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit
Definition: Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit is calculated as distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures divided by the weighted average number of units outstanding.
Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It provides useful information related to Chemtrade’s cash flows including the amount of cash available for distribution to Unitholders, repayment of debt and other investing activities.
Payout ratio
Definition: Payout ratio is calculated as Distributions declared per unit divided by Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit.
Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It provides useful information related to Chemtrade’s cash flows including Chemtrade’s ability to pay distributions to Unitholders.
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Three months ended |
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($ millions, except per unit metrics and ratios) |
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Cash flows from operating activities |
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Add (Less): |
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Lease payments net of sub-lease receipts |
(17.4) |
(17.8) |
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Increase in working capital |
41.5 |
57.1 |
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Changes in other items (1) |
2.2 |
5.5 |
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Maintenance capital expenditures (2) |
(28.6) |
(17.1) |
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Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures |
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Divided by: |
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Weighted average number of units outstanding |
112,806,676 |
116,919,311 |
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Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit |
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Distributions declared per unit |
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Payout ratio (%) |
51% |
32% |
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(1) Changes in other items relate to Cash interest and current taxes. |
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(2) Maintenance capital expenditures are a Supplementary financial measure. See “Supplementary financial measures” for more information. |
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Net debt
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Total long-term debt, Debentures, lease liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents.
Definition: Net debt is calculated as the total of long-term debt, the principal value of Debentures, lease liabilities and long-term lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents.
Why we use the measure and why is it useful to investors: It provides useful information related to Chemtrade’s aggregate debt balances.
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($ millions) |
As of |
As of |
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Long-term debt (1) |
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Add (Less): |
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Debentures (1) |
25.5 |
25.5 |
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Long-term lease liabilities |
121.4 |
132.4 |
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Lease liabilities (2) |
58.5 |
58.7 |
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Cash and cash equivalents |
(46.5) |
(27.4) |
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Net debt |
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(1) Principal amount outstanding. |
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(2) Presented as current liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. |
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Growth capital expenditures
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Capital expenditures
Definition: Growth capital expenditures are calculated as capital expenditures, adjusted for unpaid capital expenditures, less Maintenance capital expenditures, plus investments in a joint venture.
Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It provides useful information related to the capital spending and investments intended to grow earnings.
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Three months ended |
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($ millions) |
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Capital expenditures |
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Net change in accounts payable and accrued liabilities related to capital expenditures |
(11.6) |
(22.7) |
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Capital expenditures, including unpaid capital expenditures |
34.3 |
24.3 |
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Add (Less): |
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Maintenance capital expenditures |
(28.6) |
(17.1) |
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Non-maintenance capital expenditures (1) |
5.7 |
7.2 |
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Growth capital expenditures |
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| (1) Non-maintenance capital expenditures is a Supplementary financial measure. | ||
Total of segments measures
Total of segments measures are financial measures disclosed by an entity that (a) are a subtotal of two or more reportable segments, (b) are not a component of a line item disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity, (c) are disclosed in the notes of the financial statements of the entity, and (d) are not disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity.
The following section provides an explanation of the composition of the Total of segments measures.
Adjusted EBITDA
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss)
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Three months ended |
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($ millions, except per unit metrics and ratios) |
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Net earnings |
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Add (less): |
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Depreciation and amortization |
56.5 |
53.5 |
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Net finance costs |
22.6 |
10.5 |
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Income tax expense |
6.5 |
11.7 |
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Change in environmental and decommissioning liability |
(0.8) |
1.3 |
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Net loss (gain) on disposal and write-down of PPE |
0.1 |
- |
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Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) |
3.2 |
(6.0) |
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Adjusted EBITDA |
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Capital management measures
Capital management measures are financial measures disclosed by an entity that (a) are intended to enable an individual to evaluate an entity’s objectives, policies and processes for managing the entity’s capital, (b) are not a component of a line item disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity, (c) are disclosed in the notes of the financial statements of the entity, and (d) are not disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity.
Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA
Definition: Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA is calculated as Net debt divided by LTM Adjusted EBITDA. LTM Adjusted EBITDA represents the last twelve months’ Adjusted EBITDA
Why we use the measure and why it is useful to investors: It provides useful information related to Chemtrade’s debt leverage and Chemtrade’s ability to service debt. Chemtrade monitors Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA as a part of liquidity management to sustain future investment in the growth of the business and make decisions about capital.
Supplementary financial measures
Supplementary financial measures are financial measures disclosed by an entity that (a) are, or are intended to be, disclosed on a periodic basis to depict the historical or expected future financial performance, financial position, or cash flow of an entity, (b) are not disclosed in the financial statements of the entity, (c) are not non-IFRS financial measures, and (d) are not non-IFRS ratios.
The following section provides an explanation of the composition of those Supplementary financial measures.
Maintenance capital expenditures
Represents capital expenditures that are required to sustain operations at existing levels and include major repairs and maintenance and plant turnarounds, including unpaid amounts.
Non-maintenance capital expenditures
Represents capital expenditures that are (a) pre-identified or pre-funded, usually as part of a significant acquisition and related financing; (b) considered to expand the capacity of Chemtrade’s operations; (c) significant environmental capital expenditures that are considered to be non-recurring; or (d) capital expenditures to be reimbursed by a third party, including unpaid amounts.
Cash interest
Represents the interest expense on long-term debt, interest on Debentures, and pension plan interest expense and interest income.
Cash tax
Represents current income tax expense.
Caution Regarding Forward-Looking Statements
Certain statements contained in this news release constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the Securities Act (
Forward-looking statements in this news release describe the expectations of the Fund and its subsidiaries as of the date hereof. These statements are based on assumptions and involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons, including without limitation the risks and uncertainties detailed under the “RISK FACTORS” section of the Fund’s latest Annual Information Form and the “RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES” section of the Fund’s most recent Management’s Discussion & Analysis.
Although the Fund believes the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements and the assumptions upon which they are based are reasonable, no assurance can be given that actual results will be consistent with such forward-looking statements, and they should not be unduly relied upon. With respect to the forward-looking statements contained in this news release, the Fund has made assumptions regarding: 2026 guidance assumptions; there being no significant unplanned downtime nor labour disruptions affecting Chemtrade’s principal manufacturing facilities; the stated North American MECU sales volumes and sodium chlorate production volumes; the 2026 MECU netback being lower than 2025 by the stated amount; the stated average CMA NE Asia caustic spot price index; the stated
Except as required by law, the Fund does not undertake to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or for any other reason. The forward-looking statements contained herein are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement.
Further information can be found in the disclosure documents filed by
Chemtrade will provide pre-recorded management remarks and supporting slides on
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20260511058546/en/
Vice President, Investor Relations
Email: investor-relations@chemtradelogistics.com
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