FutureFuel Releases First Quarter 2025 Results

Published: 2025-05-13 11:05:12 ET FF

Published on 05/13/2025 at 11:05

CLAYTON - FutureFuel Corp. (NYSE: FF) ('FutureFuel'), a manufacturer of custom and performance chemicals and biofuels, announced financial results for the first quarter ended March 31, 2025.

First quarter 2025 Financial Highlights (all comparisons are with the first quarter of 2024)

Revenues were $17.5 million, a decrease of 70% or $40.7 million compared to $58.3 million.

Net loss was $17.6 million, or $0.40 per diluted share, down from a net income of $4.3 million, or $0.10 per diluted share.

Adjusted EBITDA(1) was ($16.1) million, down from $7.1 million.

'FutureFuel experienced lower biofuel volumes in the first quarter, primarily due to the turnaround of our main production facilities in Batesville, Arkansas. This strategic maintenance period-originally scheduled for later in the year-was advanced to align with anticipated weakness in biodiesel margins. The turnaround, which ran from December through March, was aimed at significantly enhancing plant reliability, quality capabilities, and usable capacity. Following the turnaround, chemical operations resumed in mid-March, and biodiesel production restarted at the end of March.

Unlike newer entrants to the market, FutureFuel has been producing renewable fuels since 2005. With two decades of experience, we have developed deep expertise in navigating the inherent cyclicality of the biodiesel business. Historically, periods of low biodiesel margins have proven temporary: economic pressures force less-efficient capacity offline, which improves both credit pricing and feedstock costs-ultimately restoring biodiesel profitability. Throughout these cycles, FutureFuel has remained focused on maintaining advantaged margins and emphasizing operational efficiency during downturns.

FutureFuel is actively engaging with Biodiesel industry groups like SABR (www.sabrcoalition.org) which advocates for clarity regarding IRA 45Z and the reinstatement of the blenders' tax credit 40 A. The biodiesel industry is a critical component of the nation's fuel supply and plays an integral role in achieving our national renewable fuel goals and obligations.

While we are not immune to the industry's headwinds, our plant's ability to process a wide range of feedstocks gives us a structural advantage over many peers. These flexible operating conditions-combined with the steady contribution from our chemicals segment-allow us to sustain through challenging markets and capture superior economics during recovery. As the industry and regulators engage to clarify elements of the Clean Fuel Producers Tax Credit (IRA 45Z), which replaced the Blenders Tax Credit (BTC 40A) as of January 1, 2025, we continue to invest in growth. Our new backward-integrated capacity project remains on track and is expected to come online in late summer 2025. We anticipate it will begin contributing revenue by the end of the third quarter.

We are also pleased to welcome Pam Butcher to the FutureFuel Board of Directors. Pam brings extensive leadership experience in the chemical industry and will play a key role in advancing our growth strategy. She joins Richard Rowe and Bruce Greer, both of whom joined the Board last year, as part of our continued commitment to strengthening our strategic leadership,' said Roeland Polet, Chief Executive Officer for FutureFuel Corp.

2025 Cash Dividends

In the first three months of 2025, FutureFuel paid a regular quarterly cash dividend in the amount of $0.06 per share on our common stock. The remaining 2025 quarterly dividends of $0.06 per share will be paid in June, September, and December.

Financial Results Q1 2025 versus Q1 2024

Consolidated sales revenue in the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased $40,743 compared to the three months ended March 31, 2024. This decline was from lower sales volumes in the biofuel segment of $29,856 driven by the extended plant turnaround to improve reliability and product quality. The turnaround which was further extended by severe weather conditions, also reduced the chemical segment sales volumes by $7,949. Sales revenue was also reduced $2,193 in the biofuel segment from lower prices. The renewable fuel market continues to be negatively impacted by the expiration of the BTC and lack of clarity on the clean fuel production credit (CFPC).

Income from operations in the three months ended March 31, 2025 decreased $21,036 as compared to the same period of 2024, due primarily to: (i) reduced throughput due to the issues noted above, (ii) increased spend on parts and contract labor for the turnaround, and (iii) a reduced benefit from the change in the adjustment in the carrying value of our inventory as determined utilizing the LIFO method of inventory accounting. This adjustment increased gross profit $625 in the current three-month period as compared to an increase of $3,028 in the same period of the prior year.

Capital Expenditures

Capital expenditures were $4,003 in 2025, compared with $2,273 in the same period in 2024. Capital expenditures in 2025 increased primarily from construction of a custom chemical plant that is expected to be completed in the middle of the year.

Cash and Cash Equivalents

Cash and cash equivalents totaled $97,071 as of March 31, 2025, compared with $109,541 as of December 31, 2024.

About FutureFuel

FutureFuel is a leading manufacturer of diversified chemical products and biofuels. FutureFuel's chemicals segment manufactures specialty chemicals for specific customers ('custom chemicals') as well as multi-customer specialty chemicals ('performance chemicals'). FutureFuel's custom manufacturing product portfolio includes proprietary agrochemicals, adhesion promoters, a biocide intermediate, and an antioxidant precursor. FutureFuel's performance chemicals products include a portfolio of proprietary nylon and polyester polymer modifiers and several small-volume specialty chemicals and solvents for diverse applications. FutureFuel's biofuels segment primarily produces and sells biodiesel to its customers.

Forward-Looking Statements

This document contains forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Forward-looking statements deal with FutureFuel's current plans, intentions, beliefs, and expectations, and statements of future economic performance. Statements containing such terms as 'believe,' 'do not believe,' 'plan,' 'expect,' 'intend,' 'estimate,' 'anticipate,' and other phrases of similar meaning are considered to contain uncertainty and are forward-looking statements. In addition, from time-to-time FutureFuel or its representatives have made or will make forward-looking statements orally or in writing. Furthermore, such forward-looking statements may be included in various filings that the company makes with United States Securities and Exchange Commission (the 'SEC'), in press releases, or in oral statements made by or with the approval of one of FutureFuel's authorized executive officers.

These forward-looking statements are subject to certain known and unknown risks and uncertainties, as well as assumptions that could cause actual results to differ materially from those reflected in these forward-looking statements. Factors that might cause actual results to differ include, but are not limited to, those set forth under the headings 'Risk Factors' and 'Management's Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations' in FutureFuel's Form 10-K Annual Report for the year ended December 31, 2024, and in its future filings made with the SEC. An investor should not place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements contained in this document, which reflect FutureFuel management's opinions only as of their respective dates. Except as required by law, the company undertakes no obligation to revise or publicly release the results of any revisions to forward-looking statements. The risks and uncertainties described in this document and in current and future filings with the SEC are not the only ones faced by FutureFuel. New factors emerge from time to time, and it is not possible for the company to predict which will arise. There may be additional risks not presently known to the company or that the company currently believes are immaterial to its business. In addition, FutureFuel cannot assess the impact of each factor on its business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual results to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements. If any such risks occur, FutureFuel's business, operating results, liquidity, and financial condition could be materially affected in an adverse manner. An investor should consult any additional disclosures FutureFuel has made or will make in its reports to the SEC on Forms 10-K, 10-Q, and 8-K, and any amendments thereto. All subsequent written and oral forward-looking statements attributable to FutureFuel or persons acting on its behalf are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this document.

Contact:

Roeland Polet

Tel: (314) 854-8352

Web: www.futurefuelcorporation.com