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(Mark One)

For the quarterly period ended June 29, 2024

For the transition period from to

Incorporated in the State of Delaware

I.R.S. Employer Identification No.: 46-4559529

Principal Executive Office:

Telephone Number: (904) 357-4600

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§ 232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit such files).

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes ☐       No x

The registrant had 65,892,698 shares of common stock outstanding as of August 5, 2024.

The following terms and abbreviations appearing in the text of this report have the meanings indicated below.

(in thousands, except per share amounts)

(in thousands, except share and par value amounts)

(in thousands, except share data)

(a)Repurchased to satisfy tax withholding requirements related to the issuance of stock under the Company’s incentive stock plans.

RYAM is a global leader of specialty cellulose materials with a broad offering of high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer used in the production of a variety of specialty chemical products, including liquid crystal displays, filters, textiles and performance additives for pharmaceutical, food and other industrial applications. The Company’s specialized assets are also used to produce biofuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as bioethanol and tall oils. The Company also produces a unique, lightweight multi-ply paperboard product, which is used for production in the commercial printing, lottery ticket and high-end packaging sectors, and a bulky, high-yield pulp product that is used by paperboard producers, as well as in traditional printing, writing and specialty paper manufacturing.

The unaudited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto of the Company have been prepared in accordance with GAAP for interim financial information and in accordance with the rules and regulations of the SEC. In the opinion of management, these consolidated financial statements and notes reflect all adjustments, including all normal recurring adjustments, necessary for a fair presentation of the results of operations, financial position and cash flows for the periods presented. These statements and notes should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and supplementary data included in the Company’s 2023 Form 10-K.

As a result of the sale of its lumber and newsprint assets in August 2021, the Company presents the historical results for those operations, and any subsequent directly associated impacts, as discontinued operations. Unless otherwise stated, information in these notes to consolidated financial statements relates to continuing operations. See Note 3—Discontinued Operations for further information on the sale.

On January 1, 2024, the Company changed the method of valuation of its finished goods, work-in-process and raw materials inventories from first-in first-out to average cost. The Company believes the average cost method is preferable because it provides better matching of revenue and expense trends and is a better reflection of periodic income from operations. This change was not retrospectively applied to prior periods presented, as the overall effect of the change is not deemed material to the Company’s consolidated financial statements.

There have been no new or recently adopted accounting pronouncements impacting the Company’s consolidated interim financial statements. The Company continues to evaluate the impacts of ASU 2023-05 “Business Combinations—Joint Venture Formations (Subtopic 805-60): Recognition and Initial Measurement,” ASU 2023-07 “Segment Reporting (Topic 280): Improvements to Reportable Segment Disclosures” and ASU 2023-09 “Income Taxes (Topic 740): Improvements to Income Tax Disclosures” as previously disclosed in its 2023 Form 10-K.

Events and transactions subsequent to the consolidated balance sheets date have been evaluated for potential recognition and disclosure through the date of issuance of these consolidated financial statements. No subsequent events were identified.

As previously announced, the Company began its indefinite suspension of operations at its Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant in July 2024. The suspension does not affect the Temiscaming paperboard and high-yield pulp plants that support the Company’s High-Yield Pulp and Paperboard operating segments, which will continue to operate at full capacity while remaining part of an ongoing sales process. The suspension of operations timeline allows enough lead time for the Company to properly execute the shutdown prior to the arrival of winter in the region. The High Purity Cellulose plant will be idled in a safe and environmentally sound manner. The Company will assess on an annual basis the possibility of restarting the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant.

In connection with the suspension of operations, the Company expects to incur, all in 2024, total charges in the range of $25 million to $30 million, including mothballing costs of $5 million to $10 million and severance and other employee costs of $15 million to $20 million. While most 2024 cash costs associated with the suspension of operations will be incurred and paid in the third and fourth quarters, severance and other suspension costs are expected to be paid over a period of time. Non-cash asset impairment charges are expected in the third quarter of 2024, the amounts of which are currently being assessed.

The suspension of operations began on July 16, 2024 and is expected to conclude in the fourth quarter of 2024.

The following table presents the accrued liability balance activity related to the suspension during the six months ended June 29, 2024:

(a)Excludes non-cash items, including a $1 million loss on pension curtailment charges associated with early retirements driven by the indefinite suspension of operations. See Note 14—Employee Benefit Plans for further information.

The following table presents total suspension charges incurred by cost type:

The mothballing and severance and other employee costs incurred were charged to the High Purity Cellulose segment in “indefinite suspension charges” in the consolidated statements of operations.

In August 2021, the Company completed the sale of its lumber and newsprint facilities and certain related assets located in Canada. As part of the sale of the lumber assets, the Company retained all refund rights and obligations, including interest, to softwood duties generated or incurred through the closing date of the sale. In total, the Company paid $112 million in softwood lumber duties from 2017 through 2021, and as of December 31, 2023, the Company had a $40 million long-term receivable related to USDOC administrative reviews completed to date. In June 2024, the Company executed on the sale of these rights (inclusive of the receivable), including all accrued interest, for $39 million, with the opportunity for additional sale proceeds in the future contingent upon the timing and terms of the ultimate outcome of the trade dispute between the USDOC and Canada. The Company recorded a $1 million loss on the sale, included in pre-tax income from discontinued operations.

During the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024, the Company recognized $5 million in pre-tax income from discontinued operations related to CEWS benefit claims deferred since 2021. See Note 7—Accrued and Other Current Liabilities for further information.

During the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2023, the Company incurred $2 million related to the settlement of a claim pursuant to the representations and warranties in the asset purchase agreement.

Income (loss) from discontinued operations was comprised of the following:

Accounts receivable, net included the following:

(a)Consists primarily of value-added/consumption taxes, grants receivable and accrued billings due from government agencies.

Inventory included the following:

The Company’s operating and finance leases are primarily for corporate offices, warehouse space, rail cars and equipment. As of June 29, 2024, the Company’s leases have remaining lease terms of less than one year to 12.3 years with standard renewal and termination options available at the Company’s discretion. Certain equipment leases have purchase options at the end of the term of the lease, which are not included in the ROU assets, as it is not reasonably certain that the Company will exercise such options. The Company’s lease agreements do not contain any material residual value guarantees or restrictive covenants. The Company uses its incremental borrowing rate in determining the present value of lease payments unless the lease provides an implicit or explicit interest rate.

Financial and other information related to the Company’s operating and finance leases follow:

(a)During the second quarter of 2024, the Company recorded an ROU asset and corresponding lease liability of $14 million related to a new warehouse lease agreement in Canada.

Finance lease cash flows were immaterial during each of the six months ended June 29, 2024 and July 1, 2023.

Operating lease maturities as of June 29, 2024 were as follows:

Accrued and other current liabilities included the following:

(a)Included at June 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023 was CAD $5 million and $25 million, respectively (USD $4 million and $19 million, respectively), associated with funds received in 2021 for CEWS. In the second quarter of 2024, the Company recognized in income $15 million of this amount, including $10 million in “other operating income (expense), net” and $5 million in “income (loss) from discontinued operations, net of taxes.” The remaining amount will be recognized at the earlier of the conclusion of the final outstanding audit and the expiration of the statute of limitations in July 2025.

(b)Included at June 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023 were $17 million and $13 million, respectively, of energy-related payables associated with Tartas facility operations.

Debt and finance leases included the following:

(a)Consist of low-interest green loans for energy projects and other loans intended for use in biomaterials projects in France.

In January 2024, the Company amended the 2027 Term Loan to increase the maximum consolidated secured net leverage ratio that it must maintain in the fourth quarter of 2023 and through its 2024 fiscal year (see below). In addition, should the Company exceed the 4.50 to 1.00 maximum ratio established by the original agreement in any of these quarters, it will incur a fee of 0.25% of the principal balance outstanding at the end of the applicable quarter. The Company incurred total fees of $3 million related to this amendment, including $1 million in legal and advisory fees recorded to “selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations in the fourth quarter of 2023, and $2 million in lender fees recorded as deferred financing costs in the first quarter of 2024 that will be amortized to “interest expense” over the remaining term of the loan.

The Company is required to maintain various financial covenants, including a consolidated secured net leverage ratio, based on covenant EBITDA, as follows:

•5.25 to 1.00 for the fourth quarter of 2023 through the second quarter of 2024;

•5.00 to 1.00 for the third fiscal quarter of 2024;

•4.75 to 1.00 for the fourth fiscal quarter of 2024; and

•4.50 to 1.00 for each fiscal quarter thereafter.

In April 2023, the Company repurchased $10 million of its 2026 Notes through open-market transactions and recorded a gain on extinguishment of $1 million to “other income, net” in the consolidated statements of operations.

As of June 29, 2024, the Company was in compliance with all covenants under its debt agreements.

As of June 29, 2024, the Company’s debt principal payments, excluding finance lease obligations, were due as follows:

The Company’s environmental liabilities balance changed as follows during the six months ended June 29, 2024:

In addition to these estimated liabilities, the Company is subject to the risk of reasonably possible additional liabilities in excess of the established liabilities due to potential changes in circumstances and future events, including, without limitation, changes to current laws and regulations; changes in governmental agency personnel, direction, philosophy or enforcement policies; developments in remediation technologies; increases in the cost of remediation, operation, maintenance and monitoring of its environmental liability sites; changes in the volume, nature or extent of contamination to be remediated or monitoring to be undertaken; the outcome of negotiations with governmental agencies or non-governmental parties; and changes in accounting rules or interpretations. Based on information available as of June 29, 2024, the Company estimates this exposure could range up to approximately $85 million, although no assurances can be given that this amount will not be exceeded given the factors described above. These potential additional costs are attributable to several sites and other applicable liabilities. This estimate excludes liabilities that would otherwise be considered reasonably possible but for the fact that they are not currently estimable, primarily due to the factors discussed above.

Subject to the previous paragraph, the Company believes its estimates of liabilities are sufficient for probable costs expected to be incurred over the next 20 years with respect to its environmental liabilities. However, no assurance is given that these estimates will be sufficient for the reasons described above and additional liabilities could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations and cash flows.

The carrying amounts of the Company’s cash, receivables and payables approximate fair value due to the short-term nature of those instruments. The carrying amount of borrowings outstanding under the ABL Credit Facility, 2027 Term Loan and short-term factoring facility approximate fair value due to their variable interest rates.

The fair value of the Company’s fixed rate debt is estimated using quoted market prices for debt with similar terms and maturities, which are Level 2 inputs, and was as follows:

(a)Excludes finance lease obligations.

(a)The AOCI components for defined benefit pension and post-retirement plans are included in the computation of net periodic benefit cost. See Note 14—Employee Benefit Plans for further information.

(b)Reclassifications of foreign currency exchange contracts are recorded in “cost of sales,” “other operating income (expense), net” or “other income, net,” as appropriate.

(c)Foreign currency translation is net of tax effects of $0 for all periods presented, as the French operations are taxed on the foreign functional currency, not the translated reporting currency.

The following table provides the inputs to the calculations of basic and diluted earnings per common share (share amounts not in thousands):

Anti-dilutive instruments excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share included (not in thousands):

Stock-based compensation expense was as follows:

The Company made new grants of restricted stock units, performance-based stock units and performance-based cash awards during the first and second quarters of 2024. The 2024 restricted stock unit awards cliff vest after three years, except for director awards, which vest after one year. The 2024 performance-based awards cliff vest after three years and are based equally on TSR relative to peers and three-year cumulative adjusted EBITDA. Participants can earn between 0 percent and 200 percent of the target award for each of the TSR and adjusted EBITDA metrics. Performance below threshold for each metric would result in zero payout. The performance-based cash award is paid in cash and is classified as a liability and remeasured to fair value at the end of each reporting period until settlement.

In March 2024, the performance-based awards granted in 2021 vested without meeting the performance thresholds, resulting in no stock units or cash being awarded.

The following table summarizes the 2024 activity of the Company’s incentive stock awards:

The Company has defined benefit pension and other long-term and postretirement benefit plans covering certain union and non-union employees, primarily in the U.S. and Canada. The defined benefit pension plans are closed to new participants. The liabilities for these plans are calculated using actuarial estimates and management assumptions. These estimates are based on historical information and certain assumptions about future events.

During the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024, the Company recorded a $1 million loss on pension curtailment charges associated with early retirements driven by the indefinite suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant. The loss on curtailment was recognized in “indefinite suspension charges” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations. Additionally, the Company decreased its pension liability by $3 million. See Note 2—Indefinite Suspension of Operations for further information.

During the six months ended July 1, 2023, the Company recorded a $2 million loss related to the final asset surplus distribution to the plan participants of certain wound-up Canadian pension plans. The settlement was recognized in “components of pension and OPEB, excluding service costs” in the Company’s consolidated statements of operations.

The following tables present the components of net periodic benefit costs of these plans:

Service cost is included in “cost of sales” or “selling, general and administrative expense” in the consolidated statements of operations, as appropriate. Interest cost, expected return on plan assets, amortization of prior service cost (credit) and amortization of (gain) loss are included in “components of pension and OPEB, excluding service costs” in the consolidated statements of operations.

The Company’s effective tax rates were as follows:

The effective tax rates for the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to the release of certain tax reserves, return-to-accrual adjustments, excess deficit on vested stock compensation and changes in the valuation allowance on disallowed interest deductions.

The effective tax rates for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2023 differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to disallowed interest deductions in the U.S. and nondeductible executive compensation, offset by U.S. tax credits, return-to-accrual adjustments related to previously filed tax returns and an excess tax benefit on vested stock compensation.

As of both June 29, 2024 and December 31, 2023, the Company’s net DTA included $15 million of disallowed U.S. interest deductions that the Company does not believe will be realized. In strict compliance with the American Institute of Certified Public Accountants’ Technical Questions and Answers 3300.01-02, which asserts that certain material evidence regarding the realizability of disallowed U.S. interest deductions should be ignored when assessing the need for a valuation allowance, the Company has not recognized a valuation allowance on this portion of the net DTA generated from disallowed interest.

The Company operates in the following business segments: High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp. Corporate consists primarily of senior management, accounting, information systems, human resources, treasury, tax and legal administrative functions that provide support services to the operating business units. The Company allocates a portion of the cost of maintaining these support functions to its operating units.

The Company evaluates the performance of its segments based on operating income (loss). Intersegment sales consist primarily of High-Yield Pulp sales to Paperboard. Intersegment sales prices are at rates that approximate market for the respective operating area.

Net sales, disaggregated by product line, was comprised of the following:

(a)Included sales of bioelectricity, lignosulfonates and other by-products to third parties.

Operating income (loss) by segment was comprised of the following:

Identifiable assets by segment were as follows:

(a)Includes ERP and certain lease assets shared across segments.

The Company had no material changes to the purchase obligations presented in its 2023 Form 10-K during the six months ended June 29, 2024. The Company’s purchase obligations primarily consist of commitments for the purchase of natural gas, electricity and wood chips.

The Company remains subject to purchase obligations under the 20-year wood chip and residual fiber supply agreement with GreenFirst, under which total required purchase volumes of wood chips and residual fiber are dependent on sawmill production. In connection with the indefinite suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant, GreenFirst and the Company have agreed that the Company will purchase the required volumes at market value and sell them to third parties at the same amount for an expected neutral impact.

The Company leases certain buildings, machinery and equipment under various operating and finance leases. See Note 6—Leases for further information.

The Company previously operated six softwood lumber mills in Ontario and Quebec, Canada, and exported softwood lumber into the U.S. from Canada. In connection with these exports, the Company paid approximately $112 million of softwood lumber duties between 2017 and August 2021, including $1 million of ancillary fees, which were recorded as expense in the periods incurred. As part of the sale of its lumber assets in 2021, the Company retained all refund rights and obligations to softwood duties generated or incurred through the closing date of the sale. As of December 31, 2023, the Company had a $40 million long-term receivable associated with USDOC determinations of the revised duty rates for 2017 through 2021. In June 2024, the Company executed on the sale of these rights (inclusive of the receivable), including all accrued interest, for $39 million, with the opportunity for additional sale proceeds in the future contingent upon the timing and terms of the ultimate outcome of the trade dispute between the USDOC and Canada.

In addition to the above, the Company is engaged in various legal and regulatory actions and proceedings and has been named as a defendant in various lawsuits and claims arising in the ordinary course of business. While the Company has procured reasonable and customary insurance covering risks normally occurring in connection with its business, the Company has, in certain cases, retained some risk through the operation of self-insurance, primarily in the areas of workers’ compensation, property insurance, business interruption and general liability. These other lawsuits and claims, either individually or in the aggregate, are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s financial position, results of operations or cash flows.

The Company provides financial guarantees as required by creditors, insurance programs and various governmental agencies. As of June 29, 2024, the Company had net exposure of $33 million from various standby letters of credit, primarily for financial assurance relating to environmental remediation, credit support for natural gas and electricity purchases and guarantees related to foreign retirement plan obligations. These standby letters of credit represent a contingent liability; the Company would only be liable upon its default on the related payment obligations. The standby letters of credit have various expiration dates and are expected to be renewed as required.

The Company had surety bonds of $89 million as of June 29, 2024, primarily to comply with financial assurance requirements relating to environmental remediation and post-closure care, to provide collateral for the Company’s workers’ compensation program and to guarantee taxes and duties for products shipped internationally. These surety bonds expire at various dates and are expected to be renewed annually as required.

LTF is a venture in which the Company owns 45 percent and its partner, Borregaard ASA, owns 55 percent. The Company is a guarantor of LTF’s financing agreements and, in the event of default, expects it would only be liable for its proportional share of any repayment under the agreements. The Company’s proportion of the LTF financing agreement guarantee was $29 million at June 29, 2024.

The Company has not recorded any liabilities for these financial guarantees in its consolidated balance sheets, either because the Company has recorded the underlying liability associated with the guarantee or the guarantee is dependent on the Company’s own performance and, therefore, is not subject to the measurement requirements or because the Company has calculated the estimated fair value of the guarantee and determined it to be immaterial based upon the current facts and circumstances that would trigger a payment obligation.

It is not possible to determine the maximum potential amount of liability under these potential obligations due to the unique set of facts and circumstances likely to be involved with each provision.

As of June 29, 2024, collective bargaining agreements covering approximately 225 unionized employees were expired at the Fernandina plant. The employees have continued to work under the terms of the expired contracts while negotiations continue. While there can be no assurances, the Company expects to reach agreement with the unions. However, a work stoppage could have a material adverse effect on the Company’s business, results of operations and financial condition.

The following analysis of our financial condition and results of operations should be read in conjunction with our Financial Statements and the notes thereto included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and with our 2023 Form 10-K and information contained in subsequent Forms 8-K and other reports filed with the SEC.

Certain statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q regarding anticipated financial, business, legal or other outcomes, including business and market conditions, outlook and other similar statements relating to future events, developments or financial or operational performance or results, are “forward-looking statements” made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and other federal securities laws. These forward-looking statements are identified by the use of words such as “may,” “will,” “should,” “could,” “expect,” “estimate,” “target,” “believe,” “intend,” “plan,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “project,” “guidance” and other similar language. However, the absence of these or similar words or expressions does not mean that a statement is not forward-looking.

Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance or events and undue reliance should not be placed on these statements. Although we believe the expectations reflected in any forward-looking statements are based on reasonable assumptions, we can give no assurance that these expectations will be attained, and it is possible that actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. The risk factors contained in Item 1A—Risk Factors of our 2023 Form 10-K, among others, could cause actual results or events to differ materially from our historical experience and those expressed in forward-looking statements made in this report.

Forward-looking statements are only as of the date of the filing of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and we undertake no duty to update its forward-looking statements except as required by law. You are advised to review any disclosures that we have made or may make in our filings and other submissions to the SEC, including those on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, 8-K and other reports.

We are a global leader of specialty cellulose materials with a broad offering of high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer used in the production of a variety of specialty chemical products, including liquid crystal displays, filters, textiles and performance additives for pharmaceutical, food and other industrial applications. Building upon more than 95 years of experience in cellulose chemistry, we provide some of the highest quality high-purity cellulose pulp products that make up the essential building blocks for our customers’ products while providing exceptional service and value. Our specialized assets are also used to produce biofuels, bioelectricity and other biomaterials such as bioethanol and tall oils. We also produce a unique, lightweight multi-ply paperboard product and a bulky, high-yield pulp product. Our paperboard is used for production in the commercial printing, lottery ticket and high-end packaging sectors. Our high-yield pulp is used by paperboard producers, as well as in traditional printing, writing and specialty paper manufacturing.

We operate in three business segments: High Purity Cellulose, Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp.

•In July 2024, we suspended operations at our Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant for an indefinite period. See Note 2—Indefinite Suspension of Operations to our Financial Statements for further information.

•In June 2024, we recognized $15 million in pre-tax income related to CEWS benefit claims deferred since 2021. See Note 3—Discontinued Operations and Note 7—Accrued and Other Current Liabilities to our Financial Statements for further information.

•In June 2024, we sold our refund rights, including interest, related to softwood lumber duties paid from 2017 through 2021 for $39 million. See Note 3—Discontinued Operations to our Financial Statements for further information.

•In January 2024, we amended our 2027 Term Loan agreement to increase the maximum consolidated secured net leverage ratio that we must maintain in the fourth quarter of 2023 and through fiscal year 2024. In addition, should we exceed the maximum ratio established by the original agreement during this period, we will incur a fee of 0.25% of the principal balance outstanding at the end of the applicable quarter. See Note 8—Debt and Finance Leases to our Financial Statements for further information.

We are actively pursuing the refinancing of our 2026 Senior Notes before they go current in January 2025 and strongly believe that, due to improving business performance and credit metrics, we will secure refinancing at satisfactory terms. We have engaged Houlihan Lokey to explore refinancing options.

In October 2023, we announced that we are exploring the potential sale of our Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp assets located at our Temiscaming site. We continue to run a thorough process involving multiple suitors. While this process has been slowed due to complexities relating to the recently announced indefinite suspension of operations of the site’s High Purity Cellulose line, we remain highly committed to completing a near-term sale of these assets at a fair price.

In July 2024, we indefinitely suspended operations at our Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant. This plan is expected to mitigate high capital needs and operating losses related to exposure to commodity viscose products and improve our consolidated free cash flow, however, future operational loss reductions will be partially offset by custodial site expenses. In connection with the suspension of operations, we expect to incur one-time operating charges in 2024 of approximately $25 million to $30 million, including mothballing and severance and other employee costs. Further, we also expect to incur non-cash charges in the third quarter of 2024 related to asset impairments. We continue to expect that for 2024, the suspension of the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant will be positive to Adjusted EBITDA and will increase free cash flow by $25 million to $30 million as lower capital expenditures and benefits from the monetization of working capital are expected to more than offset the one-time and other cash costs associated with the suspension of operations.

The following market assessment represents our current outlook of our business segments’ future performance.

Average sales prices for cellulose specialties in 2024 are expected to increase by a low single-digit percentage as compared to average sales prices in 2023 as we continue to prioritize value over volume. Sales volumes for cellulose specialties are expected to increase compared to 2023 driven by increased volumes from the closure of a competitor’s plant, a modest increase in ethers sales and additional volume sold to customers ahead of the suspension of Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose operations, partially offset by a one-time favorable impact from a change in customer contract terms in the prior year first quarter and customer destocking in the acetate markets. Demand for RYAM commodity products remains stable. Commodity average sales prices are expected to be in line with 2023 prices. Commodity sales volumes are expected to increase slightly in the second half of 2024 due to increased fluff sales. Costs are expected to be lower in 2024 driven by lower key input and logistics costs, improved productivity and the suspension of operations at the Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose plant, partially offset by increased maintenance costs due to the timing of projects and net custodial site expenses related to the suspension. Our bioethanol facility in Tartas, France became operational in the first quarter of 2024 and is expected to deliver $3 million to $4 million of EBITDA in 2024, growing to $8 million to $10 million beginning in 2025. EBITDA in the third quarter of 2024 is expected to be lower than the second quarter of 2024 due to the anticipated net custodial site expenses at the Temiscaming site, no additional CEWS benefits to be recognized and lower cellulose specialties volumes to be sold ahead of the suspension of operations; however, EBITDA in the third quarter of 2024 is expected to be significantly stronger than the third quarter of 2023.

Paperboard prices in the second half of 2024 are expected to decrease slightly compared to the first half of 2024, while sales volumes are expected to increase slightly as inventories reduce, despite higher planned maintenance downtime for our distributed control system upgrade. Raw material prices are expected to increase compared to the first half of the year. Overall, we expect a decline in EBITDA from this segment in the coming quarter.

High-Yield Pulp prices are expected to decline in the second half of 2024, while sales volumes are expected to increase due to improved productivity. Overall, we expect to generate moderately higher EBITDA from this segment in the coming quarter.

Corporate costs are expected to increase in the second half of 2024 as we continue our ERP transformation project and considering the favorable foreign exchange rates in the first half of the year. The ERP transformation project will enhance our operating and reporting systems and is expected to drive additional improvements and efficiencies beginning in 2025.

We continue to invest in new products to provide both increased end market diversity and incremental profitability. These new products will target the growing green energy and renewable product markets. Our bioethanol facility in Tartas, France is operating as expected and represents a significant milestone towards our goal of generating $42 million of annual EBITDA from these biomaterial products in 2027. We have submitted notice of our GRAS self-certification for a prebiotics product to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and continue to move forward with plans for a bioethanol facility in Fernandina. We are also advancing various other projects and are in the final stages of securing green capital to support these efforts.

Net sales for the quarter ended June 29, 2024 increased $34 million, or 9 percent, compared to the prior year quarter driven by higher sales prices in High Purity Cellulose and higher sales volumes in cellulose specialties and Paperboard, partially offset by lower sales prices in Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp and lower sales volumes in commodity products and High-Yield Pulp.

Net sales for the six months ended June 29, 2024 decreased $45 million, or 5 percent, compared to the same prior year period driven by lower sales prices in commodity products, Paperboard and High-Yield Pulp and lower sales volumes in commodity products and High-Yield Pulp, partially offset by higher sales prices in cellulose specialties and higher sales volumes in cellulose specialties and Paperboard. See Operating Results by Segment below for further discussion.

Operating results for the quarter ended June 29, 2024 improved $35 million, or 500 percent compared to the prior year quarter driven by the higher net sales in High Purity Cellulose and Paperboard, lower key input and logistics costs and higher productivity, partially offset by the lower net sales in High-Yield Pulp and the impact of the timing of planned maintenance outages compared to the prior year.

Operating income for the six months ended June 29, 2024 increased $35 million, or 350 percent compared to the prior year period driven by higher Paperboard net sales, lower key input and logistics costs and higher productivity, partially offset by the net sales decreases in High Purity Cellulose and High-Yield Pulp and the impact of the timing of planned maintenance outages compared to the prior year.

Also included in operating income in the current quarter and six-month periods was the recognition of $10 million in CEWS benefit claims deferred since 2021 and $7 million in costs incurred related to the suspension of Temiscaming High Purity Cellulose operations. Included in operating results in the prior year quarter and six-month periods was the recognition of a $3 million benefit from payroll tax credit carryforwards and $4 million and $11 million, respectively, of energy cost benefits from sales of excess emission allowances that did not repeat in the current year. See Operating Results by Segment below for further discussion.

Interest expense for the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024 increased $5 million and $11 million, respectively, compared to the same prior year periods driven by an increase in the average effective interest rate on debt, partially offset by a decrease in the average outstanding balance of debt. Total debt decreased $56 million from July 1, 2023 to June 29, 2024.

Included in “other income, net” in the six months ended June 29, 2024 was a $1 million impact from favorable foreign exchange rates.

Included in “other income, net” in the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2023 was a $2 million gain on a passive land sale and a $1 million net gain on debt extinguishment, which were partially offset by a $1 million impact from unfavorable foreign exchange rates. Also included in the prior six-month period was a pension settlement loss of $2 million.

The effective tax rate on the income from continuing operations for the quarter and six months ended June 29, 2024 was a benefit of 11 percent and 21 percent, respectively. The 2024 effective tax rate differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to the release of certain tax reserves, return-to-accrual adjustments, excess deficit on vested stock compensation and changes in the valuation allowance on disallowed interest deductions.

The effective tax rate on the loss from continuing operations for the quarter and six months ended July 1, 2023 was a benefit of 18 percent and 32 percent, respectively. The 2023 effective tax rates differed from the federal statutory rate of 21 percent primarily due to disallowed interest deductions in the U.S. and nondeductible executive compensation, offset by U.S. tax credits, return-to-accrual adjustments related to previously filed tax returns and an excess tax benefit on vested stock compensation.

During the quarter ended June 29, 2024, we recorded pre-tax income from discontinued operations of $5 million related to CEWS benefit claims deferred since 2021 and a loss of $1 million on the sale of our softwood lumber duty refund rights.