Chemtrade Announces Strong Results for Q2 2025, Raises Guidance for 2025 to $475M - $500M; Implementing New NCIB & Redeeming Convertible Debentures
Acquisition of
Chemtrade also announced today that it has entered into an agreement to acquire
Second Quarter 2025 Highlights
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Revenue of
$496.7 million , an increase of$48.6 million or 10.8% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange and the maintenance turnaround atNorth Vancouver in the second quarter of 2024, revenue was$32.3 million higher than in the prior year period, driven by higher selling prices for several key products, which more than offset the impact of lower volumes of sodium chlorate and lower selling prices for chlorine. -
Adjusted EBITDA(1) of
$138.0 million , an increase of$22.9 million or 19.9% year-over-year. Excluding the impact of foreign exchange and the maintenance turnaround atNorth Vancouver in the second quarter of 2024, Adjusted EBITDA was$2.4 million higher than in the prior year period, primarily owing to higher selling prices for several products, partially offset by lower volumes for some products and higher input costs. -
Net earnings of
$9.7 million , a decrease of$4.9 million or 33.6% year-over-year, primarily due to non-cash impairments of thePrince George sodium chlorate plant and the sodium nitrite Cash Generating Unit (“CGU”) of$28.4 million and 15.1 million, respectively. -
Cash flows from operating activities of
$83.4 million , a decrease of$18.8 million or 18.4% year-over-year, mainly due to an increase in working capital and higher income tax payments which more than offset the higher Adjusted EBITDA. -
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures(1) of
$71.5 million , an increase of$23.7 million or 49.6% year-over-year, reflecting higher Adjusted EBITDA. Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit(1) increased by 54.2% year-over-year to$0.63 per unit. Chemtrade’s Payout ratio(1) for the last twelve months was 33%. -
Purchased 2.2 million units in the second quarter, totalling 11.2 million units acquired out of 11.7 million authorized under the under the normal course issuer bid (NCIB), which expired in
June 2025 . Chemtrade has filed a notice of intention to commence a new NCIB, subject to approval from regulatory authorities. - Continues to maintain a strong balance sheet, with a Net debt to LTM Adjusted EBITDA(1) ratio of 2.0x at the end of the second quarter of 2025.
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Although global trade tensions persist, the anticipated weakness in our business has not materialized; consequently, Chemtrade is raising the Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025. Assuming the current market conditions for our key products remain unchanged for the remainder of 2025, Chemtrade now expects 2025 Adjusted EBITDA to range between
$475.0 million and$500.0 million . -
In
May 2025 , Chemtrade introduced Chemtrade Vision 2030, a strategic framework targeting strong total unitholder returns, supported by 5-10% annual growth in Chemtrade’s mid-cycle Adjusted EBITDA and Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures, disciplined capital allocation, and a continued focus on high-return growth investments. Under this framework, Chemtrade is targeting to grow its mid-cycle annual Adjusted EBITDA to between$550 million and$600 million by 2030.
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 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. |
“Our strategy continues to centre on driving profitable growth, backed by disciplined capital allocation and operational excellence. We remain encouraged by the momentum across several business lines, including water chemicals and ultrapure acid where we continue to advance high-return organic investments. These efforts are complemented by our evaluation and execution of strategic and accretive acquisitions, such as Polytec, that align with our long-term vision. Together, these actions support the growth ambitions that we laid out in our Chemtrade Vision 2030 framework. Combined with the stability of our broader portfolio, we believe Chemtrade is well-positioned to grow its mid-cycle Adjusted EBITDA and distributable cash by 5-10% annually.”
“Even amid a dynamic environment, our business continues to demonstrate consistency. With a strong balance sheet, significant cash flow generation, and a focused strategy, we remain confident in our ability to execute and to continue generating long-term value for our unitholders,”
Consolidated Financial Summary of Q2 2025
The weaker Canadian dollar relative to the
Revenue for the second quarter of 2025 was
Adjusted EBITDA for the second quarter of 2025 was
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures for the second quarter of 2025 was
Chemtrade maintained a strong balance sheet through the second quarter of 2025. As of
Segmented Financial Summary of Q2 2025
The SWC segment reported revenue of
Excluding the impact of foreign exchange, as noted above, SWC revenue in the second quarter of 2025 increased by
Excluding the impacts of foreign exchange and the maintenance turnaround at
Excluding the impacts of foreign exchange and the maintenance turnaround at
Corporate costs for the second quarter of 2025 were
2025 Guidance
Although global trade tensions persist, the anticipated weakness in our business has not materialized; consequently, Chemtrade has raised the Adjusted EBITDA guidance for 2025 as outlined below. Assuming the current market conditions for key products remain unchanged for the remainder of 2025, Chemtrade now expects 2025 Adjusted EBITDA to range between
Chemtrade’s Adjusted EBITDA for 2024 was
($ million) |
2025 Guidance |
2024 Actual |
Six Months ended Actual |
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Current |
Previous |
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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. |
Key Assumptions |
2025 Assumptions |
2024 Actual |
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Current |
Previous |
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Approximate North American MECU sales volumes |
177,000 |
168,500 |
172,000 |
2025 realized MECU netback being higher than 2024 (per MECU) |
CAD |
CAD |
N/A |
Average CMA(1) |
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Approximate North American production volumes of sodium chlorate (MTs) |
270,000 |
254,500 |
270,000 |
USD to CAD average foreign exchange rate |
1.380 |
1.380 |
1.370 |
Long term incentive plan costs (in $ millions) |
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(1) Chemical Market Analytics (CMA) by OPIS, A (2) The average CMA NE Asia caustic spot price for 2025 and 2024 is the average spot price of the four quarters ending with the third quarter of that year as the majority of our pricing is based on a one quarter lag. |
Chemtrade Vision 2030
In
This improvement in Adjusted EBITDA, along with Chemtrade’s commitment to returning capital to unitholders while maintaining a prudent balance sheet, is expected to deliver compelling unitholder value.
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 2025, Chemtrade plans to invest between
Construction of the
Acquisition of
Chemtrade also announced today, that it has entered into an agreement to acquire
Distributions and Capital Allocation Update
During the second quarter of 2025, Chemtrade purchased approximately 2.2 million units as part of its normal course issuer bid (NCIB). Chemtrade was authorized to purchase approximately 11.7 million units under its NCIB that expired in
Distributions declared in the second quarter of 2025 totalled
Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB) For Units
Chemtrade has filed with the
Redemption of all of the 6.50% Convertible Debentures Due
Chemtrade will redeem on
On the Redemption Date, holders of the 2026 Debentures will receive approximately
Chemtrade will use cash on hand, or a combination of cash on hand and draws on its credit facilities, to fund the Redemption.
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 flow from operating activities less lease payments net of sub-lease receipts, maintenance capital expenditures incurred, 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 |
Twelve months ended |
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($'000, except per unit metrics and ratios) |
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Cash flows from operating activities |
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Add (Less): |
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Lease payments net of sub-lease receipts |
(17,079) |
(17,164) |
(68,464) |
Increase in working capital |
29,182 |
(5,949) |
61,825 |
Changes in other items (1) |
2,745 |
(4,685) |
13,786 |
Maintenance capital expenditures (2) |
(26,756) |
(26,581) |
(106,393) |
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures |
|
|
238,998 |
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Divided by: |
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Weighted average number of units outstanding |
113,683,855 |
117,172,181 |
117,504,271 |
Distributable cash after maintenance capital expenditures per unit |
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Distributions declared per unit |
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Payout ratio (%) |
27% |
40% |
33% |
(1) Changes in other items relate to Cash interest and current taxes. (2) Maintenance capital expenditures are a Supplementary financial measure. See “Supplementary financial measures” for more information. |
Net debt
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Total long-term debt, Debentures, lease liabilities, and long-term lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents.
Definition: Net debt is calculated as the total of long-term debt, the principal value of Debentures, lease liabilities and long-term lease liabilities, less cash and cash equivalents.
Why we use the measure and why is it useful to investors: It provides useful information related to Chemtrade’s aggregate debt balances.
($'000) |
As of |
As of |
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Long-term debt (1) |
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Add (Less): |
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Debentures (1) |
340,000 |
425,507 |
Long-term lease liabilities |
129,370 |
133,410 |
Lease liabilities (2) |
54,755 |
52,262 |
Cash and cash equivalents |
(20,077) |
(35,273) |
Net debt |
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(1) Principal amount outstanding. (2) Presented as current liabilities in the Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. |
Growth capital expenditures
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Capital expenditures
Definition: Growth capital expenditures are calculated as capital expenditures less Maintenance capital expenditures, plus investments in joint ventures. These include unpaid amounts at each reporting period.
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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Six months ended |
Twelve months ended |
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($'000) |
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Capital expenditures` |
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Add (Less): |
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Maintenance capital expenditures |
(26,756) |
(26,581) |
(43,861) |
(41,942) |
(104,474) |
Non-maintenance capital expenditures (1) |
11,000 |
17,667 |
18,232 |
37,533 |
81,329 |
Growth capital expenditures |
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(1) Non-maintenance capital expenditures is a Supplementary financial measure. |
Total of segments measures
Total of segments measures are financial measures disclosed by an entity that (a) are a subtotal of two or more reportable segments, (b) are not a component of a line item disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity, (c) are disclosed in the notes of the financial statements of the entity, and (d) are not disclosed in the primary financial statements of the entity.
The following section provides an explanation of the composition of the Total of segments measures.
Adjusted EBITDA
Most directly comparable IFRS financial measure: Net earnings (loss)
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Three months ended |
Six months ended |
Twelve months ended |
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($'000, 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 |
54,004 |
48,223 |
107,487 |
93,113 |
202,919 |
188,545 |
Net finance costs |
35,596 |
39,268 |
46,122 |
44,910 |
73,772 |
72,560 |
Income tax expense |
5,353 |
10,619 |
17,027 |
22,863 |
38,086 |
43,922 |
Impairment in PPE |
43,484 |
- |
43,484 |
- |
43,484 |
- |
Impairment of joint venture |
- |
- |
- |
- |
3,834 |
3,834 |
Change in environmental and decommissioning liability |
(1,686) |
(1,494) |
(383) |
(2,224) |
911 |
(930) |
Net loss (gain) on disposal and write-down of PPE |
(827) |
1,782 |
(842) |
2,493 |
5,167 |
8,502 |
Unrealized foreign exchange loss (gain) |
(7,639) |
2,115 |
(13,622) |
7,337 |
6,492 |
27,451 |
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. These include unpaid amounts at each reporting period.
Non-maintenance capital expenditures
Represents capital expenditures, including unpaid amounts, 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.
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 (
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: the stated North American MECU sales volumes and sodium chlorate production volumes; the 2025 MECU netback differing from 2024 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
A conference call to review the second quarter 2025 results will be webcast live on
View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250814686837/en/
For further information:
Vice President, Investor Relations
Tel: (437) 229-4019
Source: