Rayonier Advanced Materials and the State of Georgia Use Bioscience to Optimize the Value from a Tree

Rhea-AI Summary

Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) has partnered with the Georgia Center of Innovation and the University of Georgia to develop a sustainable method for producing prebiotics aimed at enhancing poultry gut health. This initiative, known as the Prebiotics for Poultry Project, utilizes coproducts from cellulose manufacturing to support Georgia's poultry and forestry industries. Initial studies indicate improved gut health in poultry fed with RYAM's prebiotics, aligning with the growing trend towards antibiotic-free poultry production.

Positive

• Partnership with the Georgia Center of Innovation and University of Georgia for sustainable production.
• Initial studies show improved gut health in poultry fed with RYAM's prebiotics.
• Supports the growing trend of antibiotic-free poultry production.

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• None.

The Prebiotics for Poultry project is a breakthrough for two of Georgia’s largest industries

JACKSONVILLE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc. (NYSE: RYAM) (the “Company”) and the Georgia Center of Innovation have partnered with scientists at the University of Georgia (UGA) to develop an innovative method to capture valued biomaterials from the process to manufacture cellulose and turn these coproducts into useful products. The new method supports sustainable poultry farming and provides a healthy alternative nutrient to enhance gut health. The breakthrough development will benefit two of Georgia’s largest industries, poultry and forestry.

“The Prebiotics for Poultry Project represents RYAM’s commitment to its bio-future by increasing efficiency and creating valuable new biomaterials from natural inputs,” said Paul Boynton, President and CEO of Rayonier Advanced Materials. “This achievement is a credit to our partnership with the State of Georgia and UGA, whose support and expertise made this project possible. Together, we will continue to innovate and find ways to turn the renewable into the remarkable to benefit all Georgians.”

Two poultry feeding studies were conducted by the University of Georgia using prebiotic recycled from the Jesup Mill’s production stream. The results of the studies showed an increase in gut health and levels of beneficial bacteria in poultry fed with RYAM’s prebiotics.

“In Georgia, we know that when business, government, and education work together, success follows. In this case, the Georgia Center of Innovation was excited to be able to support a well-established Georgia manufacturer by facilitating a partnership with UGA and connecting them to the resources needed to take the Prebiotics for Poultry project from concept to market,” said John Morehouse, Director of Manufacturing at the Georgia Center of Innovation. “The results of the feeding studies are very encouraging, and we are excited about the benefits this innovation will bring to Georgia’s agricultural and forestry economy.”

“Gut health is an essential component of growing healthy poultry for market,” said Dr. Woo Kim with the University of Georgia’s Poultry Science Department. “This project will support a growing trend of antibiotic-free poultry production to enhance the growth and productivity of birds.”

About Rayonier Advanced Materials

Rayonier Advanced Materials is a global leader of cellulose-based technologies, including high purity cellulose specialties, a natural polymer commonly found in filters, food, pharmaceuticals and other industrial applications. The Company also manufactures products for lumber, paper and packaging markets. With manufacturing operations in the U.S., Canada and France, Rayonier Advanced Materials employs just over 2,500 people and generates approximately $1.3 billion of revenues. More information is available at www.rayonieram.com.

Forward-Looking Statements

Certain statements in this document regarding anticipated financial, business, legal or other outcomes including business and market conditions, outlook and other similar statements relating to Rayonier Advanced Materials’ 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,” “expect,” “estimate,” “believe,” “intend,” “forecast,” “anticipate,” “guidance,” and other similar language. However, the absence of these or similar words or expressions does not mean a statement is not forward-looking. While we believe these forward-looking statements are reasonable when made, 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 these expectations will be attained and it is possible actual results may differ materially from those indicated by these forward-looking statements due to a variety of risks and uncertainties. All statements made in this earnings release are made only as of the date set forth at the beginning of this release. The Company undertakes no obligation to update the information made in this release in the event facts or circumstances subsequently change after the date of this release. The Company has not filed its Form 10-Q for the quarter ended September 25, 2021. As a result, all financial results described in this earnings release should be considered preliminary, and are subject to change to reflect any necessary adjustments or changes in accounting estimates, that are identified prior to the time the Company files its Form 10-Q.

Our operations are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties including, but not limited to, those listed below. When considering an investment in our securities, you should carefully read and consider these risks, together with all other information in our Annual Report on Form 10-K and our other filings and submissions to the SEC, which provide much more information and detail on the risks described below. If any of the events described in the following risk factors actually occur, our business, financial condition or operating results, as well as the market price of our securities, could be materially adversely affected. These risks and events include, without limitation: Epidemic and Pandemic Risks Our businesses are subject to risks associated with epidemics and pandemics, including the COVID-19 pandemic and related impacts. The nature and extent of ongoing and future impacts of the pandemic are highly uncertain and unpredictable. Macroeconomic and Industry Risks The businesses we operate are highly competitive and many of them are cyclical, which may result in fluctuations in pricing and volume that can adversely impact our business, financial condition and results of operations; Changes in raw material and energy availability and prices could affect our business, financial condition and results of operations; We are subject to risks associated with doing business outside of the United States; Currency fluctuations may have a negative impact on our business, financial condition and results of operations; Restrictions on trade through tariffs, countervailing and anti-dumping duties, quotas and other trade barriers, in the United States and internationally, could adversely affect our ability to access certain markets. Business and Operating Risks Taking into account the sale of the lumber and newsprint assets, our ten largest customers represent approximately 37 percent of our 2020 sales, and the loss of all or a substantial portion of our revenue from these large customers could have a material adverse effect on our business; A material disruption at one of our major manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting customer demand, reduce our sales and profitability, increase our cost of production and capital needs, or otherwise adversely affect our business, financial condition and results of operation; The availability of, and prices for, wood fiber could materially impact our business, results of operations and financial condition; Our operations require substantial capital; We depend on third parties for transportation services and increases in costs and the availability of transportation could adversely affect our business; Our failure to maintain satisfactory labor relations could have a material adverse effect on our business; We are dependent upon attracting and retaining key personnel, the loss of whom could adversely affect our business; Failure to develop new products or discover new applications for our existing products, or our inability to protect the intellectual property underlying such new products or applications, could have a negative impact on our business; The risk of loss of the Company’s intellectual property and sensitive business information, or disruption of its manufacturing operations, in each case due to cyberattacks or cybersecurity breaches, could adversely impact the Company. Regulatory Risks Our business is subject to extensive environmental laws, regulations and permits that may restrict or adversely affect our financial results and how we conduct business; The potential longer-term impacts of climate-related risks remain uncertain at this time. Financial Risks We may need to make significant additional cash contributions to our retirement benefit plans if investment returns on pension assets are lower than expected or interest rates decline, and/or due to changes to regulatory, accounting and actuarial requirements; We have significant debt obligations that could adversely affect our business and our ability to meet our obligations; The phase-out of LIBOR as an interest rate benchmark in 2023 may impact our borrowing costs; Challenges in the commercial and credit environments may materially adversely affect our future access to capital; We may need additional financing in the future to meet our capital needs or to make acquisitions, and such financing may not be available on favorable terms, if at all, and may be dilutive to existing stockholders. Company’s Common Stock and Certain Corporate Matters Risks Your percentage of ownership in the Company may be diluted in the future; Certain provisions in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and bylaws, and of Delaware law, could prevent or delay an acquisition of the Company, which could decrease the price of our common stock. Merger and Acquisition Risks Approximately fifteen percent (15%) of the purchase price for the GreenFirst transaction was received in the common shares of the capital of GreenFirst (to be held by the Company for a minimum of six (6) months following the transaction closing) and the Company’s ability to ultimately realize the benefit of this consideration is subject to market conditions and GreenFirst’s future performance.

Other important factors that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in forward-looking statements that may have been made in this document are described or will be described in our filings with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, including our Annual Report on Form 10-K and Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q. Rayonier Advanced Materials assumes no obligation to update these statements except as is required by law.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This earnings release and the accompanying schedules contain certain non-GAAP financial measures, including EBITDA, adjusted EBITDA, adjusted free cash flows, adjusted operating income, adjusted net income and adjusted net debt. These non-GAAP measures are reconciled to each of their respective most directly comparable GAAP financial measures beginning on Schedule D of this earnings release. We believe these non-GAAP measures provide useful information to our board of directors, management and investors regarding certain trends relating to our financial condition and results of operations. Our management uses these non-GAAP measures to compare our performance to that of prior periods for trend analyses, purposes of determining management incentive compensation and budgeting, forecasting and planning purposes.

We do not consider these non-GAAP measures an alternative to financial measures determined in accordance with GAAP. The principal limitations of these non-GAAP financial measures are that they may exclude significant expenses and income items that are required by GAAP to be recognized in our consolidated financial statements. In addition, they reflect the exercise of management’s judgment about which expenses and income items are excluded or included in determining these non-GAAP financial measures. In order to compensate for these limitations, management provides reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measures we use to their most directly comparable GAAP measures. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be relied upon, in whole or part, in evaluating the financial condition, results of operations or future prospects of the Company.

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Media Ryan Houck 904-357-9134

Investors Mickey Walsh 904-357-9162

Source: Rayonier Advanced Materials, Inc.

FAQ

What is the Prebiotics for Poultry Project by Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM)?

It is a project aimed at creating sustainable prebiotics to enhance poultry gut health, created in partnership with the Georgia Center of Innovation and the University of Georgia.

How does the Prebiotics for Poultry Project benefit the poultry industry?

The project provides a healthy alternative nutrient that improves gut health in poultry, supporting a shift towards antibiotic-free production.

What were the results of the poultry feeding studies conducted in Georgia?

The studies indicated that poultry fed with RYAM's prebiotics showed an increase in gut health and levels of beneficial bacteria.

How does Rayonier Advanced Materials (RYAM) plan to innovate in the poultry and forestry sectors?

RYAM aims to increase efficiency and create valuable new biomaterials from natural inputs, aligning with its commitment to sustainable practices.