EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1333274
Filing Year: 2022
Filename: 1333274_10-K_2022_0001564590-22-005582.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1.
BUSINESS
In this document, please note the following:
•
references to “we”, “our”, “us”, the “Company” or “Mercer” mean Mercer International Inc. and its subsidiaries, unless the context clearly suggests otherwise, and references to “Mercer Inc.” mean Mercer International Inc. excluding its subsidiaries;
•
references to “$” or “dollars” shall mean U.S. dollars, which is our reporting currency, unless otherwise stated; “€” refers to euros; and “C$” refers to Canadian dollars;
•
references to “NBHK” mean northern bleached hardwood kraft;
•
references to “NBSK” mean northern bleached softwood kraft;
•
references to “ADMTs” mean air-dried metric tonnes;
•
references to “MW” mean megawatts and “MWh” mean megawatt hours;
•
references to “Mfbm” mean thousand board feet;
•
references to “MMfbm” mean million board feet; and
•
our lumber metrics are converted from cubic meters to Mfbm using a conversion ratio of 1.6 cubic meters of lumber equaling one Mfbm, which is the ratio commonly used in the industry.
Due to rounding, numbers presented throughout this report may not add up precisely to totals we provide and percentages may not precisely reflect the absolute figures.
Mercer
General
We are a global forest products company with two reportable operating segments being pulp and wood products.
We have consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 2.3 million ADMTs of kraft pulp, 550 MMfbm of lumber and approximately 416.5 MW of electrical generation.
Pulp Segment
Our pulp segment consists of the manufacture, sale and distribution of pulp, electricity and other by-products at our pulp mills.
We are one of the world’s largest producers of “market” NBSK pulp, which is pulp that is sold on the open market. Our size provides us increased presence, better industry information in our markets and close customer relationships with many large pulp consumers.
We operate two modern and highly efficient NBSK mills in Eastern Germany and one NBSK mill and a “swing” kraft mill in Western Canada which produces both NBSK and NBHK.
(3)
We are the sole NBSK producer, and the only significant market pulp producer in Germany, which is the largest pulp import market in Europe. We supply the growing pulp demand in China both through our Canadian mills’ ready access to the Port of Vancouver and through our Stendal mill’s existing logistics arrangements.
In addition, as a result of the significant investments made in cogeneration equipment, all of our mills generate and sell a significant amount of surplus “green” energy. We also produce and sell tall oil, a by-product of our production process, which is used as both a chemical additive and as a green energy source.
Of our consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 2.3 million ADMTs of kraft pulp, approximately 2.1 million ADMTs or 91% is NBSK and the balance is NBHK.
Key operating details for each of our pulp mills are as follows:
•
Rosenthal mill. Our Rosenthal mill is a modern, efficient ISO 9001, 14001 and 50001 certified NBSK pulp mill that has an annual production capacity of approximately 360,000 ADMTs and 57 MW of electrical generation. The Rosenthal mill is located in the town of Rosenthal am Rennsteig, Germany, approximately 300 kilometers south of Berlin.
•
Stendal mill. Our Stendal mill is a state-of-the-art, single line, ISO 9001, 14001 and 50001 certified NBSK pulp mill that has an annual production capacity of approximately 740,000 ADMTs and 148 MW of electrical generation. The Stendal mill is located near the town of Stendal, Germany, approximately 130 kilometers west of Berlin.
•
Celgar mill. Our Celgar mill is a modern, efficient ISO 9001 and 14001 certified NBSK pulp mill that has an annual production capacity of approximately 520,000 ADMTs and 100 MW of electrical generation. The Celgar mill is located near the city of Castlegar, British Columbia, Canada, approximately 600 kilometers east of Vancouver.
•
Peace River mill. Our Peace River mill is a modern ISO 9001 and 14001 certified mill that produces both NBSK and NBHK pulp and has an annual production capacity of approximately 475,000 ADMTs and 70 MW of electrical generation. The Peace River mill is located near the town of Peace River, Alberta, Canada, approximately 490 kilometers north of Edmonton. Peace River also holds two 20-year renewable governmental forest management agreements and three deciduous timber allocations in Alberta with an aggregate allowable annual cut of approximately 2.4 million cubic meters of hardwood and softwood allocations totaling 400,000 cubic meters. Through our Peace River mill, we have a 50% proportionate share of the annual production capacity of the Cariboo mill, which is approximately 170,000 ADMTs and 28.5 MW of electrical generation. The Cariboo mill is located in Quesnel, British Columbia, Canada, approximately 660 kilometers north of Vancouver.
Our pulp mills are some of the newer and more modern pulp mills in Europe and North America. We believe the relative age, production capacity and electrical generation capacity of our mills provide us with certain manufacturing cost and other advantages over many of our competitors. We believe our competitors’ older mills do not have the equipment or capacity to produce or sell surplus power or chemicals in a meaningful amount. In addition, as a result of the relative age of our mills, they benefit from lower maintenance capital requirements and higher efficiency relative to many of our competitors’ mills.
The following table sets out our pulp production and pulp revenues for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)
1,863.9
2,051.1
2,040.6
Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)
1,812.7
2,029.4
2,098.8
Pulp revenues (in thousands)
$
1,389,439
$
1,130,302
$
1,370,742
We serve pulp customers in Europe, Asia and North America. We primarily work directly with customers to capitalize on our geographic diversity, coordinate sales and enhance customer relationships. We believe our ability to deliver high-quality pulp on a timely basis and our customer service makes us a preferred supplier for many customers.
(4)
Our pulp mills generate and sell surplus electricity, providing us with a stable revenue source unrelated to pulp prices. Our German pulp mills also generate tall oil from black liquor, which is sold to third parties for use in numerous applications, including bio-fuels. Since our energy and chemical production are by-products of our pulp production process, there are minimal incremental costs and our surplus energy and chemical sales are highly profitable. All of our mills generate and sell surplus energy to regional utilities or the regional electrical market. Our Stendal and Friesau mills benefit from special tariffs under Germany’s Renewable Energy Sources Act, or the “Renewable Energy Act” and sell their surplus energy under such tariffs until 2024 and 2029, respectively. Our Rosenthal mill sells its surplus power at market rates which fluctuate over time. Our Peace River mill sells surplus energy to its regional electrical market. Our Celgar mill is party to a fixed electricity purchase agreement with the regional public utility provider for the sale of surplus power which runs until October 2030.
The following table sets out the amount of surplus energy we produced and sold and revenues from the sale of such surplus energy and chemicals in our pulp segment for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(MWh)
($)
(MWh)
($)
(MWh)
($)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
Surplus electricity(1)
701,971
86,311
894,534
83,420
822,841
75,018
Chemicals
7,343
6,922
11,363
Total
93,654
90,342
86,381
(1)
Does not include our 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill, which is accounted for using the equity method.
Wood Products Segment
Our wood products segment consists of the manufacture, sale and distribution of lumber, electricity and other wood residuals at our Friesau mill. It is one of Germany's largest sawmills.
Our Friesau mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 550 MMfbm of lumber and 13 MW of electrical generation from a modern biomass fueled cogeneration power plant built in 2009. The Friesau mill is located approximately 16 kilometers west of our Rosenthal mill and has historically been one of the Rosenthal mill’s largest fiber suppliers.
The mill produces lumber for European, U.S. and other lumber export markets.
The European and U.S. lumber markets are very different. In the European market, lumber is generally customized in terms of dimensions and finishing. The U.S. market is driven primarily by demand from new housing starts and home renovation activities and dimensions and finishing are generally standardized.
Additionally, lumber production and sales in Europe are commonly measured in cubic meters, whereas in the U.S. they are measured in thousand board feet or Mfbm.
The following table sets out our lumber production and lumber revenues for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
Lumber production (MMfbm)
447.9
438.0
414.7
Lumber sales (MMfbm)
419.7
449.2
408.8
Lumber revenues (in thousands)
$
293,166
$
180,769
$
142,243
(5)
The Friesau mill generates electricity for minimal incremental costs, all of which is sold, providing a stable revenue source unrelated to lumber prices. The Friesau mill’s modern biomass fueled cogeneration power plant sells electricity pursuant to a long-term fixed price green power tariff that runs to 2029.
The following table sets out the amount of surplus energy we produced and sold and revenues from the sale of surplus energy by our Friesau mill for the periods indicated.
Year Ended December 31,
(MWh)
($)
(MWh)
($)
(MWh)
($)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
(in thousands)
Surplus electricity
74,648
11,547
88,985
10,619
83,490
9,721
Corporate Structure, History and Development of Business
Mercer Inc. is a corporation organized under the laws of the State of Washington whose common stock is quoted and listed for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market (MERC).
The following simplified chart sets out our principal operating subsidiaries, their jurisdictions of organization, their principal activities and their annual pulp or lumber production and electrical generation capacity:
(1)
Includes 170,000 ADMTs and 28.5 MW based on Peace River’s 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill.
We entered into the pulp business in 1994 by acquiring our Rosenthal mill and in 1999 converted it to the production of kraft pulp. In September 2004, we expanded our pulp operations by constructing the Stendal mill at a cost of approximately $1.1 billion. We further expanded our pulp operations by acquiring the Celgar mill in 2005 and the Peace River mill in 2018.
In April 2017, we entered into the wood products segment when we acquired the Friesau mill.
In October 2018, we acquired the Santanol Group, which operates Indian sandalwood plantations and an oil extractives plant in Australia.
In August 2021, we acquired a cross-laminated timber facility referred to as the “CLT Facility” located near Spokane, Washington, for approximately $51.3 million. The facility is a state-of-the-art, near-new facility that produces cross-laminated timber, or “CLT”, for use in construction and home building. It has a capacity of approximately 140,000 cubic meters of CLT. We believe it is one of the largest CLT facilities in North America and that it currently represents approximately 30% of North American manufacturing capacity. CLT is a wood panel product, made from adhering layers of solid-sawn lumber and is used as a more sustainable alternative to steel and concrete in building projects. We are currently ramping up the operations of the CLT Facility. Currently, its results are reflected in our financial results in “Corporate and Other Revenues”.
(6)
Corporate Strategy
Our corporate strategy is to grow in businesses where we have clear competencies while maintaining modern facilities and managing the integrity of our balance sheet and liquidity, with a high standard of environmental, social and governance performance. Key elements of our strategy include:
•
Operate World Class Assets. The maintenance of modern, reliable and energy efficient operations is key to our ability to produce stable returns through the economic cycle. The markets for our principal products are cyclical and subject to global economic influences. Further, our manufacturing operations are capital intensive and complex. Maintaining a high standard of maintenance and strategic capital expenditure programs differentiates us from older, higher cost, lower efficiency competitors. We believe that over time this will reduce our exposure to product price volatility, unexpected downtime and changes in environmental and regulatory conditions. We operate four modern pulp mills and one of the most modern sawmills in the world. In 2021, the majority of our capital expenditures focused on projects to increase production and operational efficiency and reduce costs. Additionally, we continuously strive to enhance our maintenance systems to improve and increase production by improving reliability. We also seek to reduce operating costs by better managing our fiber procurement, sales, marketing and logistics activities. We believe this continued focus on operational excellence enhances our profitability and cash flows.
•
Growth and Diversification Where We Have Core Competencies. We are focused on growth in areas where we have a clear leadership position or high degree of competence to ensure that we can add value for shareholders. We believe that a larger company will benefit shareholders in terms of improved equity trading, liquidity and reduced variability of earnings. Our core competencies lend themselves to growth in one or more of the following areas:
o
Pulp. The core of our business is NBSK pulp. We are one of the largest producers of market NBSK in the world and have deep expertise and a market reputation as a reliable, efficient and high quality producer. We believe that the global demand for kraft pulp will continue to grow and that the supply of fiber to meet that demand is limited.
o
Wood Products. We have significant expertise in forestry and wood procurement services and have utilized that expertise and our logistics networks in support of our pulp operations. In 2017, we began leveraging this foundation into the solid wood products business with the acquisition of the Friesau sawmill which is one of the world’s largest and most flexible sawmills. The mill created synergies with our wood procurement and pulp businesses. In 2021, we completed a three-year upgrade to the Friesau mill that we believe has made it one of the most technologically advanced and largest sawmills in the world. Further expansion into the wood products business is a key focus for us and we believe it will create more value for shareholders over time. In furtherance of this strategy, in 2021 we acquired the CLT Facility.
o
Green Energy. Our modern, highly efficient mills allow us to produce green, cogenerated electricity. Our mills are all self-sufficient in power and net exporters of electricity and our power is sold to regional utilities or the regional market. We are very experienced at building and operating cogeneration facilities and we have increased our electricity production by 12% since 2012.
o
Wood Extractives. We believe that we are very well positioned to fully extract all of the value from wood including those elements that were traditionally wasted or burned. We have applied considerable resources to manufacturing products such as tall oil, which is upgraded by our customers and used in adhesives and bio-fuels that are displacing fossil fuel based alternatives. We are also expanding our production of turpentine for use in aromatics and fragrances. We also acquired sandalwood plantations and an essential sandalwood oil extraction and sales business to further develop such operations and move closer to the end customer. We are also focused on researching and commercializing other complex and novel products based on wood and have established various partnerships and working relationships to advance these products.
(7)
•
Sustainable Operations. We seek to meet best in class standards in environmental performance, social conditions and governance (often referred to as “ESG” standards). We believe that sustainably-focused businesses can flourish if they align themselves with societal objectives, and that the diminishing tolerance of stakeholders for under-performing companies in regards to sustainability will lead to their decline. Further, we believe that our products, which are renewable wood-based fiber, carbon sequestering solid wood products, green energy and naturally sourced wood extractives, are becoming more important for a world seeking to limit its reliance on fossil fuel-based products. We will continue to grow these products, enhance our environmental performance and stakeholder engagement and maintain strong governance and ethical business practices.
•
Managing the Integrity of our Balance Sheet and Liquidity. We focus on maintaining a balance sheet that allows us to advance our objectives through the full economic cycle, while at the same time, giving us some flexibility to take advantage of strategic growth opportunities as they arise. We maintain a foundation of long term, unsecured, senior notes with maturity dates in 2026 and beyond. In addition to cash on hand, we have a series of revolving credit facilities intended to provide liquidity and flexibility in times of opportunity or economic slowdown. We commenced a dividend in 2015 and remain committed to returning capital to our shareholders through the economic cycle.
The Pulp Industry
General
Pulp is used in the production of paper, tissues and paper-related products. Pulp is generally classified according to fiber type, the process used in its production and the degree to which it is bleached. Kraft pulp, a type of chemical pulp, is produced through a sulphate chemical process in which lignin, the component of wood which binds individual fibers, is dissolved in a chemical reaction. Chemically prepared pulp allows the wood’s fiber to retain its length and flexibility, resulting in stronger paper products. Kraft pulp can be bleached to increase its brightness. Softwood kraft pulp is noted for its strength, brightness and absorption properties and is used to produce a variety of products, including lightweight publication grades of paper, tissues and other paper-related products.
There are two main types of bleached kraft pulp, being softwood kraft made from coniferous trees and hardwood kraft made from deciduous trees. Softwood species generally have long, flexible fibers which add strength to paper while fibers from species of hardwood contain shorter fibers which lend bulk and opacity.
We primarily produce and sell NBSK pulp, which is a bleached kraft pulp manufactured using northern softwood and is considered a premium grade because of its strength. It generally obtains the highest price relative to other kraft pulps. Our Peace River mill produces both NBSK and NBHK pulp.
Most paper users of market kraft pulp use a mix of softwood and hardwood grades to optimize production and product qualities. In 2021, market kraft pulp consumption was approximately 57% hardwood bleached kraft and 39% softwood bleached kraft, with the remainder comprised of unbleached pulp. Over the last several years, production of hardwood pulp, based on fast growing plantation fiber primarily from Asia and South America, has increased much more rapidly than that of softwood grades, because of longer growth cycles. Hardwood kraft generally has a cost advantage over softwood kraft as a result of lower fiber costs, higher wood yields and, for newer hardwood mills, economies of scale. As a result of this growth in supply and lower costs, kraft pulp customers have substituted some of the pulp content in their products to hardwood pulp.
However, the requirement for strength and formation characteristics in finished goods counters customers’ ability to substitute cheaper hardwood pulp for NBSK. Paper and tissue makers focus on larger paper machines with higher speeds and lower basis weights for certain papers which require the strength characteristics of softwood pulp. Additionally, where paper products are lightweight or specialized, like direct mail, magazine paper or premium tissue, or where strength or absorbency are important, softwood kraft forms a significant proportion of the fiber used. As a result, we believe that the ability of kraft pulp users to further substitute hardwood for softwood pulp is limited by such requirements.
(8)
Kraft pulp can be made in different grades, with varying technical specifications, for different end uses. Softwood kraft pulp is an important ingredient for tissue manufacturing and tissue demand tends to increase with living standards in developing countries. Softwood kraft pulp is also valued for its reinforcing role in mechanical printing papers and is sought after by producers of paper for the publishing industry, primarily for magazines and advertising materials.
Markets
We believe that over 145 million ADMTs of chemical pulp are converted annually into tissues, printing and writing papers, carton boards and other specialty grades of paper and paperboard around the world. We also believe that approximately 45% of this pulp is sold on the open market as market pulp, while the remainder is produced for internal purposes by integrated paper and paperboard manufacturers.
The pulp business is highly cyclical in nature and markets are characterized by periods of supply and demand imbalance, which in turn affect prices. Pulp markets are highly competitive and are sensitive to cyclical changes in the global economy, industry capacity and foreign exchange rates, all of which can have a significant influence on selling prices and our operating results. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time but generally reflect changes in macro-economic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Pulp is a commodity that is generally available from other producers. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition is generally based upon price, which is generally determined by supply relative to demand.
Between 2012 and 2021, worldwide demand for chemical market pulp overall for such period grew at an average rate of approximately 2% annually, with worldwide demand for bleached softwood kraft market pulp having grown at an average of approximately 1% per annum.
The following chart illustrates the global demand for chemical market pulp for the periods indicated:
Estimated Global Chemical Market Pulp Demand
(9)
NBSK pulp demand is significantly impacted by global macro-economic trends.
Over the last several years there have been several key macro trends that have had a material effect on global pulp demand. Some of the trends have had a positive effect while others have had a negative effect on pulp demand.
A major positive macro trend has been a marked increase in demand from emerging markets, and in particular China. In China alone, tissue production capacity has increased by approximately 7.7 million ADMTs over the last five years. In China, imports of chemical softwood market pulp grew overall by approximately 6% per annum for the period from 2012 to 2021 and it is a key driver of pulp demand and consumption. We believe the emerging markets now account for approximately 58% of total global demand for bleached softwood kraft market pulp and China itself now accounts for approximately 33% of global bleached softwood kraft market pulp demand compared to approximately 28% in 2012.
Another positive macro trend affecting pulp demand has been the increase in usage and demand for tissue and hygiene products, particularly in China and emerging markets generally. This trend was further accelerated by the COVID-19 pandemic. A further positive trend affecting pulp demand was an increase in the global reliance on online delivery of products which has increased demand for packaging and specialty products.
An important negative in pulp demand has been the material decline in graphic and printing and writing paper demand. We believe a material portion of this decline will not return.
Further, paper demand in mature markets of North America, Europe and Japan has been declining or stagnating, which negatively impacts pulp demand in those markets. Western Europe currently accounts for approximately 22% of global bleached softwood kraft market pulp demand compared to approximately 28% in 2012.
The following chart reflects NBSK pulp deliveries to China for the periods indicated:
12 Month Rolling Bleached Softwood Kraft Pulp Deliveries to China
(10)
The trends and changes in NBSK pulp demand by end use are reflected in the following chart which compares worldwide NBSK pulp demand by end use for the periods indicated:
NBSK Pulp Demand by End Use
We believe 2021 NBSK demand by end use was generally consistent with the trend in the chart above.
In 2021, there was an increase in pulp capacity of 2.8 million ADMTs, primarily of hardwood kraft pulp. Currently, we are aware of 2.9 million ADMTs of announced capacity increases primarily of hardwood kraft pulp in 2022.
NBSK Pulp Pricing
Kraft pulp is a globally traded commodity and prices are highly cyclical. Kraft pulp prices are generally quoted in dollars. Pricing is primarily influenced by the balance between supply and demand, as affected by global macro-economic conditions, changes in consumption and capacity, the level of customer and producer inventories and fluctuations in exchange rates. Generally, we and other producers consider global NBSK pulp supply and demand to be evenly balanced when world inventory levels are at about 32 days’ supply.
As the majority of market NBSK pulp is produced and sold by Canadian and Northern European producers, while the price of NBSK pulp is generally quoted in dollars, pricing is often affected by fluctuations in the currency exchange rates for the dollar versus the euro and the Canadian dollar. As NBSK pulp producers generally incur costs in their local currency, while pulp is quoted in dollars, a dollar strengthening generally benefits producers’ businesses and operating margins. Conversely, a weakening of the dollar versus the local currency of producers generally adversely affects producers’ businesses and operating margins.
As a corollary to changes in exchange rates between the dollar and the euro and Canadian dollar, a stronger dollar generally increases costs to customers of NBSK pulp producers and results in downward pressure on prices. Conversely, a weakening dollar generally supports higher pulp pricing. However, there is invariably a time lag between changes in currency exchange rates and pulp prices. This lag can vary and is not predictable with any certainty.
Although China is now the largest market globally for pulp, Northern Europe has also historically been a significant market. As NBSK pulp is a premium grade of pulp, the European market NBSK list price is at times used by the industry as a benchmark reference price. The third party industry quoted average European list prices for NBSK pulp since 2012 have fluctuated between a low of approximately $760 per ADMT in 2012 and a high of $1,345 per ADMT in 2021.
(11)
The following chart sets out the changes in third party industry quoted list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe, as stated in dollars, Canadian dollars and euros for the periods indicated:
NBSK Pulp Price History (European Delivery)
Our pulp sales realizations in Europe and North America are third party industry quoted list prices, net of customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Our sales to China and Asia generally are closer to a net price with significantly lower or little discounts and rebates. As a result, our net sales realizations in China are generally similar to other markets.
The following table sets out third party industry quoted list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe and North America and net prices for NBSK pulp in China as of the dates indicated:
December 31,
($/ADMT)
Europe (List Price)
1,260
North America (List Price)
1,450
1,155
China (Net Price)
(12)
The following chart sets forth changes in FOEX PIX Pulp Index prices for NBSK pulp in Europe and global bleached softwood kraft inventory levels for the periods indicated:
Pulp Price and Global Inventory History
Seasonality
We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These factors are common in the kraft pulp industry. We generally have weaker pulp demand in China in the period relating to the lunar new year and in Europe during the summer holiday months. We typically have a seasonal build-up in raw material inventories in the early winter months as our mills build up their fiber supply for the winter when there is reduced availability.
Competition
The pulp market is highly fragmented and competitive with many producers competing globally. Producers ranging from small independent manufacturers to large integrated companies produce pulp worldwide. Pulp is generally a commodity product and our pulp competes with similar products manufactured and distributed by many other producers. While many factors influence our competitive position, particularly in weak economic times, a primary factor is price. Other factors include quality, service, access to reasonably priced fiber and convenience of location. Some of our competitors are larger than we are in certain markets and have substantially greater financial resources. These resources may afford those competitors more purchasing power, increased financial flexibility, more capital resources for expansion and improvement and enable them to compete more effectively.
Our key NBSK pulp competitors are principally located in Northern Europe and Canada and include Metsä Fibre, Södra Cell, Ilim, Paper Excellence, Canfor Pulp, and SCA.
Pulp Production
The following table sets out our pulp production capacity and actual production for the periods indicated:
Annual Production
Year Ended December 31,
Capacity(1)
(ADMTs)
Total pulp production
2,265,000
1,863,893
2,051,084
(1)
Capacity is the rated capacity of the plants as of December 31, 2021.
(13)
Generation and Sales of Green Energy and Chemicals
General
Our pulp mills are large scale bio-refineries that, in addition to pulp, also produce surplus “carbon neutral” or green energy. As part of the pulp production process, our mills generate green energy using carbon neutral bio-fuels such as black liquor and wood waste. Through the incineration of bio-fuels in the recovery and power boilers, our mills produce sufficient steam to cover all of our steam requirements and allow us to produce surplus electricity which we sell to third-party utilities or into the regional electricity market. As a result, we have benefited from green energy legislation, incentives and commercialization that have developed over the last decades in Europe and Canada. In addition, in recent years we have applied considerable resources to increasing our capacity to produce and sell chemicals, primarily tall oil for use in numerous applications including bio-fuels.
Our Friesau mill also generates and sells green energy produced from its biomass cogeneration power plant.
Our surplus energy and chemical sales provide us with a stable revenue source unrelated to pulp or lumber prices. Since our energy and chemical production are by-products of our production processes, there are minimal incremental costs and our surplus energy and chemical sales are highly profitable. We believe that this revenue source gives our mills a competitive advantage over other older mills which do not have the equipment or capacity to produce and/or sell surplus power and/or chemicals in a meaningful amount.
The following chart sets out our electricity generation and surplus electricity sales for the periods indicated:
Electricity Generation and Exports
(1)
Does not include electricity generation and exports of our 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill, which is accounted for using the equity method.
(2)
Includes results of Peace River from December 10, 2018.
(14)
The following chart sets out our consolidated revenues from electricity and chemical sales for the periods indicated:
Energy and Chemical Revenue
(1)
Does not include energy revenues of our 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill, which is accounted for using the equity method.
(2)
Includes results of Peace River from December 10, 2018.
Germany
Until December 31, 2020, all of our German mills participated in a program established pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act, which provides for stable pricing on green energy. As of January 1, 2021, the prior special tariff in respect of our Rosenthal mill expired and it has since sold its surplus power at market rates which fluctuate over time. The special tariff for our Stendal mill is in effect until December 31, 2024 and for our Friesau mill until 2029.
In 2021, energy sales for our German pulp mills and the Friesau mill were approximately $82.4 million or 616,033 MWh.
In connection with our focus on the growing bio-energy market, we sell tall oil, a by-product of our pulp production process which is used as both a chemical additive and as a green energy source. In 2021, we generated approximately $7.3 million from the sale of tall oil and other chemicals from our pulp segment.
Canada
Our Celgar mill is party to an electricity sales agreement with the provincial energy utility for a ten-year term that expires in October 2030. Pursuant to the agreement, the mill agreed to supply a maximum of approximately 127,000 MWh of surplus electrical energy annually to the utility. We are pursuing “market” sales and other strategic initiatives with respect to the remainder of the mill’s surplus power.
The Peace River mill sells its surplus electricity into the Alberta market.
In 2021, our Canadian mills sold approximately 160,586 MWh of renewable electricity for proceeds of approximately $15.5 million.
(15)
Production Costs
Our major costs of pulp production are fiber, labor, chemicals and energy.
Fiber
General
Fiber, comprised of wood chips and pulp logs, is our most significant operating expense for our pulp segment, representing about 45% of our pulp cash production costs in 2021. Further, fiber, in the form of sawlogs, represents about 75% of lumber cash production costs in 2021.
Given the significance of fiber to our total operating expenses and our limited ability to control its cost compared with our other operating costs, volatility in fiber costs can materially affect our margins and results of operations.
Our mills are situated in regions which generally provide a relatively stable supply of fiber. The fiber consumed by our pulp mills consists of wood chips produced by sawmills as a by-product of the sawmilling process and pulp logs. Wood chips are small pieces of wood used to make pulp and are either wood residuals from the sawmilling process or pulp logs chipped especially for this purpose. Pulp logs consist of lower quality logs not used in the production of lumber. The Friesau mill consumes sawlogs and waste wood, which are cyclical in both price and supply.
Generally, the cost of wood chips, pulp logs and sawlogs is primarily affected by the supply and demand for lumber. Additionally, regional factors including harvesting levels, weather conditions and insect infestations can also have a material effect on the supply, demand and price for fiber.
While fiber costs and supply are subject to cyclical changes, we expect that we will be able to continue to obtain an adequate supply of fiber on reasonably satisfactory terms for our mills due to their locations and our long-term relationships with suppliers. We have not historically experienced any significant fiber supply interruptions for our operations.
During the past few years, certain customers have endeavored to purchase pulp that is produced using fiber that meets certain recognized wood certification requirements from forest certification agencies like the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC), the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) and the Canadian Standards Association (CSA). If the fiber we purchase does not meet certain wood certifications required by customers, it may make it more difficult to, or prevent us from, selling our pulp to such customers. The chain of custody wood certification process is a voluntary process which allows a company to demonstrate that they use forest resources in accordance with strict principles and standards in the areas of sustainable forest management practices and environmental management. In an effort to procure wood only from sustainably managed sources, we employ an FSC Chain of Custody protocol and PEFC certification, which requires tracking of fiber origins and preparing risk based assessments regarding the region and operator. In the areas where we operate, we are actively engaged in the further development of certification processes. However, there is competition among private certification systems along with efforts by supporters to further these systems by having customers of forest products require products to be certified to their preferred system. Such wood certification standards continue to evolve and are not consistent from jurisdiction to jurisdiction or how they are interpreted and applied. We currently do not expect certification requirements to have a material adverse impact on our fiber procurement and sales. However, if sufficient marketplace demand requires wood raw materials to be sourced from standards that are inconsistent with those in our fiber supply regions, it could increase our operating costs and available harvest levels.
Germany
We believe we are the largest consumer of wood chips and pulp logs in Germany and often provide the best long-term economic outlet for the sale of wood chips in Eastern Germany. We coordinate the wood procurement activities for our German mills to reduce overall personnel and administrative costs, provide greater purchasing power and coordinate buying and trading activities. This coordination and integration of fiber flows also allows us to optimize transportation costs, and the species and fiber mix for our mills. We are also party to a joint wood purchasing arrangement with one of the largest wood consumers in Europe.
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In 2021 our German pulp mills consumed an aggregate of approximately 4.9 million cubic meters of fiber. Approximately 58% was in the form of pulp logs and approximately 42% was in the form of sawmill wood chips.
In 2021, our per unit pulp fiber costs in Germany decreased compared to 2020, primarily as a result of the availability of beetle damaged wood and strong sawmill production.
Our Rosenthal mill sources wood chips from approximately 27 sawmills located primarily in the German states of Bavaria, Baden-Württemberg and Thuringia and primarily within a 300 kilometer radius of the Rosenthal mill. Within this radius, the Rosenthal mill is the largest consumer of wood chips. Given its location and size, the Rosenthal mill is often the best economic outlet for the sale of wood chips in the area. In 2021, approximately 90% of the fiber consumed by the Rosenthal mill was spruce and the remainder was pine. Wood chips for the Rosenthal mill are normally sourced from sawmills under one-year contracts with quarterly adjustments for market pricing. Substantially all of our chip supply is sourced from suppliers with which we have long-standing relationships. Pulp logs are sourced from the state forest agencies in Thuringia, Saxony and Bavaria and from private and municipal forest owners. In addition, the Rosenthal mill buys relevant volumes via imports from the Czech Republic.
The core wood supply region for the Stendal mill includes most of the Northeastern and Western part of Germany, primarily within an approximate 400 kilometer radius of the mill. We also purchase wood chips from Southwestern and Southern Germany as well as the Baltic Sea region. The fiber consumed by the Stendal mill consisted of approximately 63% spruce, 35% pine and 2% other species in 2021. The Stendal mill has sufficient chipping capacity to almost fully operate solely using pulp logs, if required. We source pulp logs from private and municipal forest owners and from state forest agencies. Our Stendal mill has historically also imported fiber from Poland and the Baltic Sea region.
Our Friesau mill is dependent on the consistent supply of sawlog fiber. Wood fiber is the single largest input cost and accounts for about 75% of its cash costs of producing lumber in 2021. Our Friesau mill is located in an area where there is a significant amount of high-quality fiber within economic reach. The wood fiber requirements of the Friesau mill are met primarily through open market purchases and contract purchases from state forestry agencies and private and municipal forest owners.
In Germany, over the last several years, the price and supply of wood chips has been affected from time to time by increasing demand from alternative or renewable energy producers and government initiatives for carbon neutral energy. In 2021, increasing energy prices and a stronger economy increased the demand for wood chips resulting from initiatives by European governments to promote the use of wood as a carbon neutral energy.
Offsetting some of the increases in demand for wood fiber have been initiatives to increase harvest levels in Germany, particularly from small private forest owners whose forests have been harvested at rates much lower than their rate of growth.
Additionally, over the last three years, there has been a material increase in the availability of harvestable wood as a result of beetle infestation of German forests. Generally, beetle-infested wood is harvested more rapidly so as to be useable before deterioration makes the wood unsuitable for its intended purposes. Most of such beetle-infested wood has now been harvested and processed. While such beetle-infested wood can increase fiber supply and lead to lower prices in the short-term, such increased harvest levels can lead to challenges in maintaining a sustainable harvest level over the long-term and can lead to periods of reduced harvest levels in the future.
We believe that Germany has the highest availability of softwood forests in Europe suitable for harvesting and manufacturing.
Canada
In 2021, our Celgar and Peace River mills consumed approximately 4.1 million cubic meters of fiber. Approximately 66% of such fiber was in the form of sawmill wood chips and the remaining 34% came from pulp logs processed through their woodrooms or chipped by a third-party. Our Canadian mills’ woodrooms are able to process about 24% of their fiber needs. The source of fiber at the mill is characterized by a mixture of species (aspen, spruce, pine, hemlock, douglas fir and cedar) and the mill sources fiber from a number of Canadian and U.S. suppliers.
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In 2021, our Canadian pulp mills’ per unit fiber costs modestly increased compared to 2020, due to the negative impact of a weaker dollar on our Canadian dollar denominated fiber costs.
The availability of fiber for our mills is in large part influenced by the strength of the lumber market. Lumber markets are primarily driven by U.S. housing starts, home renovation activities and, to a lesser degree, demand from China.
In 2021, our Canadian mills had access to over 30 different chip suppliers, most of whom are in Canada and, in the case of the Celgar mill, are also in the United States. Chips are purchased in Canada and the United States in accordance with chip purchase agreements. Generally, pricing is reviewed and adjusted periodically to reflect market conditions. The contracts for the Celgar mill are generally for one year with quarterly adjustments or on three-month terms. The chip contracts for Peace River are generally for three to five years with monthly adjustments indexed to the average pulp price.
To secure the volume of pulp logs required by its woodroom and field chippers, the Celgar mill has entered into pulp log supply agreements. Such agreements can range from three-month to one-year terms, with a number of different suppliers, many of whom are also contract chip suppliers for the mill. All of the pulp log agreements can be terminated by either party for any reason, upon seven days’ written notice. The Celgar mill also bids on British Columbia timber sales from time to time.
Peace River holds two 20-year renewable governmental forest management agreements and three deciduous timber allocations in Alberta with an aggregate allowable annual cut of approximately 2.4 million cubic meters of hardwood, of which it currently harvests approximately 44%, and 400,000 cubic meters of softwood, which it sells or trades to sawmills surrounding the Peace River mill in exchange for wood chips. The forest management agreements were last renewed for a 20-year term expiring in 2029. While our Peace River mill can satisfy all of its hardwood fiber requirements from its forest management agreements and timber allocations, in order to optimize its fiber flow, it satisfies a small portion of its needs from third-party owned timberlands. Softwood fiber supply is from residual sawmill chips from local surrounding sawmills.
Labor
Our labor costs have increased over time due to inflation in wages and health care costs.
Energy
Our energy is primarily generated from renewable carbon neutral sources, such as black liquor and wood waste. Our mills produce all of our energy requirements and generate excess energy which we sell to third-party utilities and to regional markets. We utilize fossil fuels, such as natural gas, primarily in our lime kilns and we use a limited amount for start-up and shut-down operations. Additionally, from time to time, mill process disruptions occur and we consume small quantities of purchased electricity and fossil fuels to maintain operations. As a result, all of our mills are subject to fluctuations in the prices for fossil fuels.
Chemicals
Our pulp mills use certain chemicals which are generally available from several suppliers and sourcing is primarily based upon pricing and location. Our chemical costs have increased in recent years.
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Sales, Marketing and Distribution
Our global sales and marketing group is responsible for conducting all sales and marketing of the pulp produced at our mills and currently has approximately 25 employees. This group largely handles all European and North American sales directly. Sales to Asia are made directly or through commission agents overseen by our sales group. The global sales and marketing group handles sales to over 250 customers. We coordinate and integrate the sales and marketing activities of our German mills to realize on a number of synergies between them. These include reduced overall administrative and personnel costs and coordinated selling, marketing and transportation activities. We also coordinate pulp sales across our mills on a global basis, thereby providing our larger customers with seamless service across all major geographies. In marketing our pulp, we seek to establish long-term relationships by providing a competitively priced, high-quality, consistent product and excellent service. In accordance with customary practice, we maintain long-standing relationships with our customers, pursuant to which we periodically reach agreements on specific volumes and prices.
Our lumber sales are handled by our sales teams in Germany and Vancouver. We also sell lumber through commissioned agents in certain markets.
The following table sets out our pulp revenues by geographic area for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
United States
$
183,143
$
149,759
Germany
388,900
268,978
China
375,891
364,527
Other countries
441,505
347,038
Total(1)
$
1,389,439
$
1,130,302
(1)
Excluding intercompany sales.
The following charts set out the geographic distribution of our pulp revenues as a percentage of our total pulp revenues for the periods indicated:
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The following table sets out the distribution of our pulp sales volumes by end use for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands of ADMTs)
Tissue
Specialty
Printing & Writing
Other
Total
1,813
2,029
The following table set out our lumber revenues by geographic area for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
United States
$
156,762
$
93,802
Germany
45,071
34,065
Other countries
91,333
52,902
Total(1)
$
293,166
$
180,769
(1)
Excluding intercompany sales.
The following charts set out the geographic distribution of our lumber revenues as a percentage of our total lumber revenues for the periods indicated:
Our pulp and lumber sales are on customary industry terms. As of December 31, 2021, we had no material payment delinquencies. In 2021 and 2020, no customer accounted for 10% or more of our revenues. We do not believe our pulp or lumber sales are dependent upon the activities of any single customer and the loss of any single customer would not have a material adverse effect on us.
Transportation
We transport our pulp and lumber generally by truck, rail and ocean carriers through third-party carriers. We have a small fleet of trucks in Germany that deliver some of our German mills’ pulp.
Our German pulp mills are currently the only market kraft pulp producers in Germany, which is the largest import market for kraft pulp in Europe. We therefore have a competitive transportation cost advantage compared to Canadian and Northern European pulp producers when shipping to customers in Europe. Due to the location of our German mills, we are able to deliver pulp to many of our customers primarily by truck and rail.
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Our Canadian mills’ pulp is transported to customers by truck, rail and ocean carrier to ensure timely delivery. The majority of our Canadian mills’ pulp for overseas markets is initially delivered primarily by rail to the Port of Vancouver for shipment overseas by ocean carrier. Based in Western Canada, our Canadian mills are well positioned to service Asian customers. The majority of our Canadian mills’ pulp for domestic markets is shipped by rail directly to the customer or to third-party warehouses in the United States. We also operate a logistics and reload center near Trail, British Columbia to provide us with additional warehouse space and greater transportation flexibility in terms of access to rail and trucking options.
The Friesau mill’s lumber is transported to customers by truck, rail and ocean carriers through third-party carriers.
In each of 2021 and 2020, outbound transportation costs comprised approximately 12% and 13%, respectively, of our total consolidated costs and expenses.
Capital Expenditures
We have continued to make capital investments designed to increase pulp, green energy and chemical production, reduce costs and improve efficiency and environmental performance at our pulp mills. The improvements made over the years have increased the competitive position of our pulp segment. Since its acquisition, we have also made capital investments to optimize sawmill production at the Friesau mill.
The following table sets out the total capital expenditures by segment (excluding any related governmental grants) for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Pulp segment
$
139,312
(1)
$
53,751
Wood products segment
18,002
23,788
Total
$
157,314
$
77,539
(1)
Includes expenditures for the recovery boiler rebuild at the Peace River mill which is financed with insurance proceeds of $21.5 million.
In our pulp segment, capital investments at our Rosenthal mill in 2021 and 2020 primarily related to wastewater improvement and maintenance projects.
Capital investments at the Stendal mill in 2021 primarily related to capacity expansion projects. In 2020, they primarily related to capacity expansion, land for fiber storage and maintenance projects.
Capital investments at the Celgar mill in 2021 primarily related to upgrades to the woodroom and maintenance projects. In 2020, they primarily related to fiber consumption improvement projects and maintenance projects.
Capital investments at the Peace River mill in 2021 primarily related to the recovery boiler rebuild, which was financed with insurance proceeds of $21.5 million and upgrades to the woodroom. In 2020, they primarily related to large maintenance projects.
In our wood products segment, in 2021, we completed expansion and optimization projects at the Friesau mill to, among other things, increase annual lumber production and improve production grade capabilities and efficiencies.
Qualifying capital investments at industrial facilities in Germany that reduce pollutants in the effluent discharge offset wastewater fees that would otherwise be required to be paid. For more information about our environmental capital expenditures, see “- Environmental”.
In 2022, excluding amounts being financed through government grants and expected insurance proceeds, we currently expect our total capital expenditures to be approximately $175.0 million to $200.0 million.
In 2022, we currently expect our capital expenditures in our pulp segment to be principally comprised of upgrades to the woodrooms at our Canadian mills, production improvement projects at our German pulp mills and maintenance projects.
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In 2022, we currently expect capital expenditures in our wood products segment to be for further upgrades to our Friesau mill’s sorter line and other production improvement projects and maintenance projects.
Innovation
We utilize our expertise with wood, its processing and by-products to expand our product mix. As a result, we seek to develop new products based on our expertise in wood processing and working with derivatives of the kraft pulping process. Currently these processes are focused on:
•
the production and sale of CLT at our recently-acquired CLT Facility;
•
the further refinement of materials contained in black liquor, the extractive chemical and lignin containing compounds that are a result of the kraft pulping process;
•
the further refinement of cellulose materials that are currently the basis of pulp; and
•
higher use products that may be derived from wood and plant processing and harvesting including oils from sandalwood trees and plants.
We are working on some of these initiatives on our own, with others and in conjunction with industry associations or joint venture partners. We are also researching potential higher use products that may be derived from processing different species of trees and plants.
Environmental
Our operations are subject to a wide range of environmental laws and regulations, dealing primarily with:
•
air, water and land;
•
solid and hazardous waste management;
•
waste disposal;
•
remediation and contaminated sites; and
•
chemical usage.
Compliance with these laws and regulations generally involves capital expenditures as well as additional operating costs. We cannot easily quantify the future amounts of capital expenditures we might have to make to comply with these laws and regulations or the effects on our operating costs because in some instances compliance standards have not been developed, have not become final or definitive or may be amended in the future. In addition, it is difficult to isolate the environmental component of most manufacturing capital projects.
We devote significant management and financial resources to comply with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. In particular, the operation of our plants is subject to permits, authorizations and approvals and we must comply with prescribed emission limits. Compliance with these requirements is monitored by local authorities and non-compliance may result in administrative orders, fines or closures of the non-compliant mill. Our total capital expenditures on environmental projects at our mills were approximately $8.4 million in 2021 and approximately $2.3 million in 2020. In 2022, capital expenditures for environmental projects are expected to be approximately $10.6 million.
Environmental responsibility is a priority for our operations. To ensure compliance with environmental laws and regulations, we regularly monitor emissions at our mills and periodically perform environmental audits of operational sites and procedures both with our internal personnel and outside consultants. These audits identify opportunities for improvement and allow us to take proactive measures at the mills as considered appropriate.
We believe we have obtained all required environmental permits, authorizations and approvals for our operations. We believe our operations are currently in material compliance with the requirements of all applicable environmental laws and regulations and our respective operating permits.
Under German state environmental rules relating to effluent discharges, industrial users are required to pay wastewater fees based upon the amount of pollutants they discharge in their effluent. These rules also provide that an industrial user who undertakes environmental capital expenditures and lowers certain effluent pollutants to prescribed levels may offset the amount of these expenditures against the wastewater fees that they would otherwise be required to pay. We expect capital investment programs and other environmental initiatives at our German mills
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will continue to offset the wastewater fees that are payable and we believe they will ensure that our operations continue in substantial compliance with prescribed standards.
In Canada, in addition to existing provincial air quality regulations, an air quality management system, referred to as “AQMS”, outlines a comprehensive national approach for improving air quality in Canada. Under the AQMS, all levels of government are to work collaboratively to respond to different air quality challenges across the country. The AQMS includes four elements:
•
Canadian Ambient Air Quality Standards (CAAQS), meant to drive local air quality improvements. They provide the basis for provincial territorial governments to determine the level of action needed.
•
A framework for regional and local air quality management through air zones and regional airsheds.
•
Base-level Industrial Emissions Requirements (BLIERs) for certain major industries.
•
An intergovernmental working group to improve collaboration and reduce emissions from mobile sources (i.e. sources such as in-use cars and trucks).
In 2016, Environment Canada released the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. The framework put in place a national, sector-based greenhouse gas reduction program applicable to a number of industries. In addition, the various provincial governments, including British Columbia and Alberta, have introduced legislation with the intention of reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
British Columbia has, for example, introduced a carbon tax and low-carbon fuel standards. British Columbia has also implemented performance standards, such as greenhouse gas emissions benchmarks for select industrial facilities and sectors, and new greenhouse gas emissions reporting regulations for certain industrial operations. British Columbia has also established greenhouse gas emission offset projects.
In 2019, the federal government began phasing in a federal carbon tax pricing system in provinces and territories without a provincial carbon tax program. As of January 1, 2022, the federal carbon tax pricing system applies to Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, as well as the territories of Nunavut and the Yukon.
We believe that these water and air emission measures in Germany and Canada have not had, and in 2022 will not have, a significant effect on our operations. Although these measures could have a material adverse effect on our operations in the future, we expect that we will not be disproportionately affected by these measures as compared with owners of comparable operations. We also expect that these measures will not significantly disrupt our planned operations.
Future regulations or permits may place lower limits on allowable types of emissions, including air, water, waste and hazardous materials, and may increase the financial consequences of maintaining compliance with environmental laws and regulations or conducting remediation. Our ongoing monitoring and policies have enabled us to develop and implement effective measures to maintain emissions in substantial compliance with environmental laws and regulations to date in a cost-effective manner. However, there can be no assurance that this will be the case in the future.
Climate Change
Changing weather patterns and climatic conditions due to natural and man-made causes have added to the unpredictability and frequency of natural disasters, such as hurricanes, wildfires and wind, rain, hail, snow and ice storms. Such changes and resulting conditions can adversely affect our operations, resulting in variations in the cost and availability of raw materials, such as fiber, unplanned downtime, changes in operating rates and disruptions in transportation and logistics. For example, in 2021, significant wildfires and later flooding in Western Canada disrupted and reduced harvesting activities and fiber supply and logistics and transportation.
As there is uncertainty about the severity, extent and speed at which climate change is occurring, we are unable to identify and predict all of the consequences of climate change and the timing of the same on our business and operations.
The effects and perceived effects of climate change and social and governmental responses have created both opportunities and negative consequences for our business.
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The focus on climate change has generated a substantial increase in demand and in legislative requirements for carbon neutral or green energy. Pulp mills consume wood residuals, being wood chips and pulp logs, as the base raw material for their production process. Wood chips are residuals left over from lumber production and pulp logs are generally lower quality logs left over from logging that are unsuitable for the production of lumber. Sawmills consume sawlogs and residuals, like wood chips, are generally sold to other industrial consumers like pulp and pellet producers.
As part of their production process, our pulp mills take wood residuals and process them through a digester where cellulose is separated from the wood to be used in pulp production and the remaining residuals, called black liquor, are used for green energy production. As a result of their use of wood residuals and because our mills generate combined heat and power in a process known as cogeneration, they are efficient producers of energy. Our Friesau mill utilizes residual bark and shavings from consumed logs to produce energy. This energy is carbon neutral and produced from a renewable source. Our relatively modern mills generate a substantial amount of energy that is surplus to their operational requirements.
These factors, along with governmental initiatives in respect of renewable or green energy legislation, have provided business opportunities for us to enhance our generation and sales of green energy to regional utilities.
We are constantly exploring other initiatives to enhance our generation and sales of surplus green energy and chemical by-products. Other potential opportunities that may result from climate change include:
•
the expansion of softwood forests and increased growth rates for such forests;
•
more intensive forestry practices and timber salvaging versus harvesting standing timber;
•
greater demand for sustainable energy and cellulosic biomass fuels;
•
additional governmental incentives or requirements to enhance biomass energy production; and
•
additional social or investor focus or demand for biomass or green energy or sustainability initiatives.
Historically, the principal driver behind reducing the effects of climate change and moving to a carbon neutral economy primarily resulted from initiatives from governmental or international bodies, including the United Nations and international treaties amongst various countries. However, over the last few years, there has been a significant push and focus on climate change and carbon reduction by private institutions including, among others, institutional investors, ratings agencies, shareholders, communities, other stakeholders and the public generally. This has resulted in, among other things, a significant amount of capital being provided for "green" or carbon neutral initiatives, on favorable terms, some of which are referred to as "green bonds".
We cannot currently predict which, if any, of these potential opportunities will be realized by us or their economic effect on our business.
While not all of the specific consequences to our business from climate change are predictable, one of the most significant adverse consequences is that the focus on renewable energy has created greater demand and competition for wood residuals or fiber from renewable energy producers like the pellet industry in Germany.
In Europe, the price and supply of wood residuals has been periodically affected by an increasing demand from alternative or renewable energy producers and governmental initiatives for carbon neutral energy. In 2021, increasing energy prices and a stronger economy increased the demand for wood chips resulting from initiatives implemented by European governments to promote the use of wood as a carbon neutral energy. Additionally, the growing interest and focus in British Columbia on renewable green energy has created additional competition for such fiber. Such additional demand for wood residuals may increase the competition and prices for wood residuals used by our mills over time.
In response to climate change risks, there have been governmental initiatives and legislation on the international, national, state and local levels. Such governmental action or legislation can have an important effect on the demand and prices for fiber. As governments pursue green energy initiatives, they risk creating incentives and demand for wood residuals from renewable energy producers that “cannibalizes” or adversely affects traditional users, such as lumber and pulp and paper producers. We are continually engaged in dialogue with governments to educate and try
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to ensure potential initiatives recognize the traditional and continuing role of our mills in the overall usage of forestry resources and the economies of local communities.
Other potential negative consequences from climate change that can affect our business include:
•
a greater susceptibility of northern forests to disease, fire and insect infestation;
•
the disruption of transportation systems and power supply lines due to more severe storms;
•
the loss of fresh water transportation for logs and pulp due to lower water levels;
•
decreases in the quantity and quality of processed water for our mill operations;
•
the loss of northern forests in areas in sufficient proximity to our mills to competitively acquire fiber; and
•
lower harvest levels decreasing the supply of harvestable timber and, as a consequence, wood residuals.
Well-publicized events have been attributed at least in part to climate change, including a beetle infestation that has damaged significant amounts of forest lands and harvestable timber in Western Canada and more recently over the last three years in Germany. Beetle infestation of forest lands has both short-term and long-term consequences for our business. In the short-term, there is often a material increase in harvest levels of infested forests as parties seek to utilize such wood before it deteriorates too much to be useable for its intended purposes. As a result, there can be a material increase in fiber availability and lower fiber prices resulting both from such increased supply and the lower quality of such infested fiber. Over the last three years, our German mills have benefitted from such lower fiber prices. Infestation and increased harvest levels resulting therefrom can create over-harvesting and challenges for maintaining sustainable harvest levels over the long-term and can result in lower harvest levels in future periods.
Changes in climate conditions have also been attributed at least in part to increasingly frequent and severe wildfires in the interior of Western Canada and portions of the western United States and Europe. We cannot currently predict whether such climate-affected conditions will continue, or the frequency or severity of the same in the future.
Wood Products Industry
General
With approximately 3.7 billion cubic meters, Germany has the largest timber reserves in Europe. The principal species are spruce, pine, beech and oak. Many of the German forest areas have been certified according to PEFC or FSC standards. Modern solid wood products include sawn and planed lumber which are used in different areas.
Demand for softwood lumber is cyclical and influenced by transportation costs, exchange rates, government tariffs and the competitiveness of substitute products, as well as factors that affect consumer confidence and drive demand for residential construction, such as interest rates, disposable income, unemployment rates, perceived job security and other indicators of general economic conditions. Demand can vary from region to region within a country and seasonal factors that determine optimal building conditions can also affect demand.
Lumber Products and Markets
Our Friesau mill, which was built in 1992 and has two high-volume Linck sawlines, has the ability to produce both rough and planed products. The sawmill principally manufactures finished sawn lumber milled from spruce and pine, including European metric and specialty lumber, U.S. dimensional lumber and J-grade lumber, in various sizes and grades.
The process for manufacturing lumber results in a significant percentage of each sawlog ending up as by-products or residuals such as wood chips, trim blocks, sawdust shavings and bark. By-products are typically used as fuel for our cogeneration power plant or sold to a wide variety of customers. In addition, we utilize a significant portion of the chips from the Friesau mill at our Rosenthal pulp mill.
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The main markets for our lumber products are in the United States, Europe and the Far East.
Our Friesau mill fosters a diverse customer base in each of its key markets. Customers include national and regional distributors, large construction firms, secondary manufacturers, retail yards and home centers.
Competition
The markets for our lumber products are highly competitive on a global basis and producers compete generally on price, quality and service. Factors influencing our competitive position include, among others, the availability, quality and cost of raw materials, including fiber, energy and labor and the efficiency and productivity of the Friesau mill in relation to its competitors. The Friesau mill competes in international markets subject to currency fluctuations and global business conditions.
Our Friesau mill competes against many producers, a number of whom own and operate more mills than we do and numerous competitors have greater financial resources or lower production costs than us.
Human Capital
We believe the strength of our workforce is one of the significant contributors to our success as a global company. All our employees contribute to our success and help us drive strong financial performance. Attracting, developing and retaining global talent with the right skills to drive our business is central to our purpose, mission and long-term growth strategy.
As of December 31, 2021, we employ approximately 2,415 people, of which approximately 1,515 of whom work in our German operations and approximately 835 of whom work in our Canadian operations. Our pulp segment employs approximately 1,855 people and our wood products segment employs approximately 455 people. The majority of our employees in both segments are bound by collective agreements. The collective agreement with hourly workers at our Celgar mill expired in 2021 and the mill currently continues to operate under such agreement until a new collective agreement is finalized. While we currently expect the mill to enter into a new agreement based primarily upon a pattern agreement settled with a regional competitor, we cannot assure that a new agreement will be entered into without workplace disruptions or on satisfactory terms. We consider the relationships with our employees, and the unions which represent them, to be good. Strong labor management relations are fundamental to our operations. Accordingly, we recognize and work cooperatively with the unions and works councils to ensure we build and maintain superior working conditions, a supportive work environment, training and growth opportunities and fair compensation packages.
We employ a collaborative group of skilled, dedicated, resourceful and innovative individuals who support our core purpose and reflect our values every day. Investment in our people drives our excellence and accordingly, we are committed to attracting, retaining and developing quality personnel. By nature of the industries in which we operate, many of our employees are professionals who require specialized knowledge and skills and include various categories of engineers and many licensed trade persons and equipment operators. Our senior managers and directors have extensive experience in the forest products industry, and we have experienced managers at all of our mills. Our management has a proven track record of implementing new initiatives and capital projects in order to reduce costs throughout our operations as well as identifying and harnessing new revenue opportunities.
We aim to support our employees with a well-paying job, rich career opportunities, and a balanced and secure future accompanied by time away from work. All of our employees are provided competitive benefits packages that provide pension, medical, dental, and vision care benefits. Employees are also able to access specialized assistance such as physiotherapy and counselling services. We provide a deep mix of training to help our people grow and be more effective in their current and future roles.
We conduct confidential engagement surveys of our workforce that are administered and analyzed by an independent third party. Aggregate survey results are reviewed by executive officers and the board of directors. We create action plans at global, operational and managerial levels. By acting on results both at an aggregate enterprise level and an operational level, we believe we have been able to enhance our culture and improve our overall engagement.
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Maintaining a robust pipeline of talent is crucial to our ongoing success and is a key aspect of succession planning efforts across the organization. Our leadership and people teams are responsible for attracting and retaining top talent by facilitating an environment where employees feel supported and encouraged in their professional and personal development. Specifically, we promote employee development by reviewing strategic positions regularly and identifying potential internal candidates to fill those roles, evaluating job skill sets to identify competency gaps and creating developmental plans to facilitate employee professional growth. We invest in our employees through training and development programs, on the job experiences and coaching. We provide technical and leadership programs across the organization that enable colleagues to grow skills and capabilities to become more successful. We also have dedicated talent programs that support and accelerate leadership development and strengthen our succession plans. Additionally, we understand the importance of maintaining competitive compensation, benefits and appropriate training that provides growth, developmental opportunities and multiple career paths for our employees.
Health and Safety
Safety is a core value of our company. The industries in which we operate have their own particular set of risks including hazards from our complex industrial manufacturing facilities such as manufacturing processes, heavy and complex equipment, operating boilers, energy production, and the use and recovery of chemicals. Accordingly, there is no initiative that attracts a higher degree of focus for our management team than our “Road to Zero” program, which is a company-wide initiative designed to create safe and productive work environments with a goal of zero workplace incidents.
We have developed tools to analyze potential and incurred incidents and we have resources to develop prevention initiatives. In particular, we focus on modelling responses to eliminate the risk, where possible, by using the “hierarchy of controls” adopted by many of the world’s leading health and safety organizations. Our priority is the elimination of hazards, followed by safe administrative practices and appropriate personal protective equipment. We identify, monitor, educate, and take a data-driven approach to drive workplace safety improvements. Many of our programs revolve around education, hazard identification, and risk mitigation strategies. These proactive initiatives bring safety to the forefront of our work practices. Our teams of safety professionals are dedicated to finding and utilizing the right tools to prevent all workplace injuries. Our Chief Executive Officer is the Chair of our Senior Safety Leadership Committee, referred to as the “SSLC”, which designs and implements broad policies, strategies, expenditures, and training for our employees. The SSLC has engaged a globally recognized safety consultant specializing in the design and implementation of health and safety management systems. Such advisors have been supporting the initiatives established by the SSLC and providing leadership training, policy implementation, and practical tools to support our employees.
We closely monitor the health and safety issues related to the COVID-19 pandemic. In 2021, we encouraged and supported remote-access initiatives so that key staff can work from home or from non-office locations; restricted business travel, based on guidance from the World Health Organization; provided alternative arrangements for site and staff meetings; provided safe working environments that include disinfection of work stations, increased cleaning by janitorial staff, separated shifts, limited staff gatherings in lunchrooms; and instituted social distancing and self-assessment opportunities, which were overseen by trained staff. Employees experiencing cold- or flu-like symptoms were prohibited from coming into the operations and were advised to seek medical attention in line with provincial and regional COVID-19 guidelines. From an operational standpoint, we aligned the work processes at our operating locations within the guidelines of relevant authorities and remained fully operational. A dedicated leadership team met daily to respond to evolving developments and to adjust our operations accordingly while ensuring the safety and health of our employees, contractors, customers, and partners.
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
We believe that a culture of diversity and inclusion is critical in making the best decisions for our people and achieving sustainable business success. While gender is only one aspect under diversity, a number of our top management positions were and continue to be held by women. We continue to effect changes to our recruiting and training processes to make our workplaces even more reflective of the diversity that exists in our communities. We believe that making our workplace more equal and inclusive will make us a stronger, more resilient and a more sustainable business over the long-term.
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We have adopted an enterprise wide diversity management program. Its goal is to respond to the particular conditions at each of our operations to develop diversity within our teams. One of the first objectives of the program has been to enhance equal opportunities for women in our business. This is a key goal, not just to improve diversity but also to address demographic changes and potential shortages of skilled workers in the future by inspiring more women to take up technical positions in our industry.
Currently, women comprise 30% of our board of directors, about 23% of our top 100 management positions and 18% of our total workforce. Our goal is to improve our recruitment of women so that they comprise 30% of our new hires by 2030.
In Canada, our operations work closely and partner with regional First Nations groups to foster mutually-beneficial economic activities and beneficial relationships. We are party to a logging joint venture with one First Nations group and are working to expand the scope and size of the business and to include other regional groups. We are also pursuing additional joint business or venture opportunities with First Nations groups, including a joint trucking and transportation business. Additionally, we have programs to provide training and job skills to regional First Nations groups.
In Germany, we have an extensive apprenticeship program and outreach events for prospective employees. We believe that these programs and events, among other things, help us to reach out and attract new employees, including more women employees who perhaps in the past had not considered technical or operating employment opportunities at our mills or the forest products industry generally.
We have partnered with a global management consulting company that works to create “Change that Matters”. Their long-standing commitment to advancing gender parity, diversity, and inclusion in business aligns with our values and goals. We are working together to create a custom strategy to assist us in becoming the employer of choice, both locally and globally, for future employees.
We do not employ nor do we contract with any parties that employ people who are subjected to unsafe conditions. The vast majority of our employees are part of a union or are represented by a works council with whom we have worked to design conditions that are safe from harassment and discrimination. In addition, as a supportive workplace, we do our best to accommodate the distinct circumstances of our employees that may require modified workplaces. We have also adopted a written Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and other corporate policies to support a corporate culture which, among other things, promotes a work environment that prohibits intimidation and harassment and encourages and promotes diversity and inclusion.
Community Involvement
We make donations to community groups and charitable organizations in the communities in which we operate and live. We believe this commitment and engagement with local communities helps us to attract and retain employees and enhances our social licence in such communities.
Commitment to Sustainability
We manage and operate our business, including the natural resources under our care or direction, with a long-term view and focus on sustainability. We believe by doing so we will be able to deliver value to our customers, employees, shareholders, communities and other stakeholders. We strive to maintain the highest environmental, social and governance standards. We believe that by caring for the health and safety of our workers, maintaining the environmental quality of our operations and being part of and actively engaged in the communities in which we operate we enhance the value for all of our various stakeholders and our social licence to operate. We work to build all of these values and goals into our corporate culture or what we refer to as the “Mercer Way”. We believe that focusing on sustainability as a key driver in all of our operations and business will enhance our decision-making, our business and our relationships with our various stakeholders and communities in which we operate. We believe all of the foregoing elements are inter-connected and are vital to our long-term future, success and sustainability.
We focus significant attention on minimizing our environmental impact with the goal of reducing the environmental footprint of our existing operations to make them sustainable over the long-term, to ensure we have a social licence to operate and to offset or reduce the impact of our operations. We endeavor to adapt to emerging trends, support
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new technologies and foster environmental stewardship in the areas in which we operate. Our endeavors are aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and other key environmental standards in the areas of low carbon transition, water stewardship, waste, forestry, air emissions, recycling, sourcing and biodiversity.
As part of our commitment and focus on sustainability, we have, among other things:
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increased our focus on sustainability including with improved management, goal setting and recording capabilities that will be communicated with stakeholders to ensure proper acknowledgment of our sustainability accomplishments and initiatives;
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conducted a climate risk change scenario and opportunities assessment as part of our adoption of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosure recommendations. In doing so, we partnered with a global non-profit organization focused on sustainability to develop a series of climate change scenarios for 2030. These models were developed with extensive input from the climate community, and augmented with industry trends and climate projections. The scenarios were then analyzed and used to identify and assess the potential impacts of climate change-related risks and opportunities on the Company. As a result of this process, we identified three areas of our strategy that may incur risks and opportunities across the scenarios: (i) shifting market demand; (ii) wood and fiber supply; and (iii) stakeholder perceptions. Further information on the key parameters and assumptions used to develop the various models is available on our website;
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enhanced our environmental tracking, measuring and reporting system for both water and air parameters at all of our facilities; and
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spent considerable time with our stakeholders including governments and First Nations to expand our relationships in all areas of our business.
Description of Certain Indebtedness
The following summarizes certain material provisions of our senior notes and revolving working capital facilities. The summaries are not complete and are qualified by reference to the applicable documents and the applicable amendments to such documents on file with the SEC, and incorporated by reference herein.
Senior Notes
In January 2021, we issued $875.0 million aggregate principal amount of 5.125% senior notes due February 1, 2029, referred to as the “2029 Senior Notes” to refinance all $250.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 6.500% Senior Notes due 2024, referred to as the “2024 Senior Notes”, pursuant to a tender offer and a subsequent redemption and to redeem all $550.0 million in aggregate principal amount of our 7.375% senior notes due 2025, referred to as the “2025 Senior Notes”. After giving effect to the foregoing transactions, we now have outstanding the following issues of senior notes, collectively referred to as the “Senior Notes”:
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$300.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 5.500% senior notes due 2026, referred to as the “2026 Senior Notes”; and
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$875.0 million in aggregate principal amount of 2029 Senior Notes.
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The 2026 Senior Notes mature on January 15, 2026 and interest on the 2026 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on each January 15 and July 15. Commencing July 15, 2018, interest is payable to holders of record of the 2026 Senior Notes on the immediately preceding January 1 and July 1 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Commencing January 15, 2021, the 2026 Senior Notes became redeemable at our option at a price equal to 102.750% of the principal amount redeemed and declining ratably on January 15 of each year thereafter to 100.000% on or after January 15, 2023.
The 2029 Senior Notes mature on February 1, 2029 and interest on the 2029 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on each February 1 and August 1. Commencing August 1, 2021, interest is payable to holders of record of the 2029 Senior Notes on the immediately preceding January 15 and July 15 and is computed on the basis of a 360-day year consisting of twelve 30-day months. Commencing February 1, 2024, the 2029 Senior Notes will become redeemable at our option at a price equal to 102.563% of the principal amount redeemed and declining ratably on February 1 of each year thereafter to 100.000% on or after February 1, 2026.
The indentures governing the Senior Notes contain covenants limiting, among other things, our ability and the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to: incur additional indebtedness or issue preferred stock; pay dividends or make other distributions to our shareholders; purchase or redeem capital stock or subordinated indebtedness; make investments; create liens; incur restrictions on the ability of our restricted subsidiaries to pay dividends or make other payments to us; sell assets; consolidate or merge with or into other companies or transfer all or substantially all of our assets; and engage in transactions with affiliates. As of December 31, 2021, all of our subsidiaries were restricted subsidiaries.
The Senior Notes are unsecured and are not guaranteed by any of our operating subsidiaries, all of which are located outside the United States. Our obligations under the Senior Notes rank: effectively junior in right of payment to all of our existing and future secured indebtedness, to the extent of the assets securing such indebtedness, and all indebtedness and liabilities of our subsidiaries; equal in right of payment with all of our existing and future unsecured senior indebtedness; and senior in right of payment to any of our future subordinated indebtedness.
Pan-German Revolving Credit Facility
In December 2018, certain of our German subsidiaries entered into a €200.0 million joint revolving credit facility, referred to as the “German Facility”, with a group of bank lenders. The principal terms of the facility include:
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The total availability under the German Facility is €200.0 million.
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The German Facility matures in December 2023.
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The German Facility is unsecured and is jointly and severally guaranteed by each of our German subsidiaries.
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Interest under the German Facility is payable on loans of Euribor plus 1.05% to 2.00% depending on the leverage ratio as defined in the underlying credit agreement.
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A commitment fee equal to 35% of the applicable margin on the unused and uncancelled amount of the German Facility is payable quarterly in arrears.
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The German Facility contains financial maintenance covenants which are tested on a quarterly basis, commencing March 31, 2019, which require: (i) our German subsidiaries that are party thereto to maintain a leverage ratio of “net debt” (excluding shareholder loans) to EBITDA of not greater than 3.50:1.00; and (ii) defined capital of not less than €400.0 million.
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The German Facility contains other customary restrictive covenants which, among other things, govern the ability of our German subsidiaries to incur liens, sell assets, incur indebtedness, make acquisitions with proceeds from the German Facility, enter into joint ventures or repurchase or redeem shares. The German Facility also contains customary events of default.
The German Facility is available to all of the borrowers, subject to maximum borrowing sub-limits for certain of the borrowers.
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As of December 31, 2021, approximately €10.5 million ($11.9 million) of the German Facility was supporting bank guarantees leaving approximately €189.5 million ($214.6 million) available.
Canadian Revolving Credit Facility
In January 2022, our Celgar and Peace River mills and certain other subsidiaries entered into a new C$160.0 million revolving credit facility with a syndicate of three North American banks, referred to as the “Canadian Revolving Facility”. This facility replaced and discharged a prior C$60.0 million revolving credit facility for our Celgar mill and a C$60.0 million revolving credit facility for our Peace River mill. The principal terms of the Canadian Revolving Facility include:
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The total availability under the Canadian Revolving Facility is C$160.0 million.
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The facility matures in January 2027.
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The facility is available by way of: (i) Canadian denominated advances, which bear interest at a designated prime rate per annum; (ii) banker’s acceptance equivalent loans, which bear interest at the applicable Canadian dollar banker’s acceptance plus 1.20% to 1.45% per annum; (iii) dollar denominated base rate advances at the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, an Adjusted Term SOFR for a one month tenor plus 1.00% and the bank’s applicable reference rate for U.S. dollar loans; and (iv) dollar SOFR advances, which bear interest at Adjusted Term SOFR plus 1.20% to 1.45% per annum.
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The facility includes a C$15.0 million sub-limit for letters of credit for all borrowers and are required to pay 1.20% to 1.45% per annum, plus a 0.125% annual fee where there is more than one lender under the facility, on issued letters of credit.
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The availability of the facility is subject to a borrowing base limit that is based on the borrowers' combined eligible inventory levels and accounts and certain eligible equipment from time to time.
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The facility is secured by, among other things, a first priority charge on substantially all of the assets of the borrowers.
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The facility includes a springing financial covenant, which is measured when either excess availability under the facility is less than the greater of 10% of the line cap thereunder and C$14.0 million in either case for five consecutive days or less than the greater of 7.5% of the line cap and C$10.0 million, at any time, and which requires the borrowers to comply on a combined basis with a 1.00:1.00 fixed charge coverage ratio.
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The facility also contains restrictive covenants which, among other things, restrict the ability of the borrowers to declare and pay dividends, incur indebtedness, incur liens, make investments, including in its existing joint ventures, and make payments on subordinated debt. The facility contains customary events of default.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A.
RISK FACTORS
The statements in this “Risk Factors” section describe material risks to our business and should be considered carefully. You should review carefully the risk factors listed below, as well as those factors listed in other documents we file with the SEC. In addition, these statements constitute our cautionary statements under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Our disclosure and analysis in this annual report on Form 10-K and in our annual report to shareholders contain some forward-looking statements that set forth anticipated results based on management’s current plans and assumptions. If any of the risks and uncertainties described in the cautionary factors described below actually occur or continue to occur, our business, financial condition and results of operations and the trading price of our common stock could be materially and adversely affected. Moreover, the risks below are not the only risks we face and additional risks not currently known to us or that we presently deem immaterial may emerge or become material at any time and may negatively impact our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations or the trading price of our common stock.
Risks Related to our Business
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic could materially adversely affect our business, financial position and results of operations.
Since its initial outbreak and spread in late 2019, the COVID-19 pandemic has resulted in significant and widespread global infections and fatalities. During the pandemic, various levels of governments globally have from
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time to time taken emergency and other measures to attempt to contain the virus, including travel bans and restrictions, quarantines, business closures, shelter in place orders and other shutdowns and restrictions.
The impact of the pandemic and the global response thereto has, among other things, significantly disrupted global economic activity, negatively impacted gross domestic product, disrupted supply chains and caused volatility in financial markets. Various countries have suffered declines in gross domestic product growth, business activity and increases in unemployment.
During the pandemic, there have been several “waves” or periods during which there has been a significant widespread increase in reported infections and the emergence and rapid spread of new variants of the COVID-19 virus. In response to such waves, various countries have from time to time re-imposed various restrictions on social, business, travel and other activities.
Since around the end of 2020, there has been a widespread roll-out of vaccines to aid in the prevention and spread of the COVID-19 virus. The roll-out of vaccines has generally resulted in more reopening of economies and a general discussion of whether to treat the COVID-19 virus as endemic and learning to live with it.
Although reported results for the vaccines are generally encouraging, we cannot predict how successful the vaccines will be over time, including against new and yet unknown variants of the virus. Further, we are currently unable to predict the overall impact of the emergence of new variants on global economic activity.
As demand for our products has principally historically been determined by general global macro-economic activities, demand and prices for our products have historically decreased substantially during economic slowdowns. A significant economic downturn may adversely affect our sales and profitability and may also adversely affect our customers and suppliers. Additionally, significant disruptions and volatility in financial markets could have a negative impact on our ability to access capital in the future.
Our products are an important constituent of many pandemic related high demand goods such as tissue and cleaning products and certain personal protective equipment. However, our mills could experience disruptions, downtime and closures in the future as a result of changes to existing government response measures, outbreaks of the virus among our employees or operations or disruptions to raw material supplies or access to logistics networks.
The magnitude and duration of the disruption and resulting decline in business activity that may result from the ongoing pandemic, new variants and/or resurgences is currently uncertain. The extent to which the pandemic impacts our business, operations and financial results will depend on numerous evolving factors that we may not be able to accurately predict, including:
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the duration and scope of the pandemic, including from new and unknown variants of the virus;
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governmental, business and individuals' actions that have been and may in the future be taken in response to the pandemic including any resurgence or additional waves of viral infection or any emergence and spread of new variants of the virus;
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the impact of the pandemic on economic activity and actions taken in response thereto, including the recent easing of health and safety restrictions and measures and reopening of economies;
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the effectiveness of vaccines or treatments over time;
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the effect on our customers’ demand for pulp and wood products and our vendors’ ability to supply us with raw materials;
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the availability of logistics networks, our ability to ship our products to customers and the availability of any required contractors to perform maintenance services; and
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any closures of our and our customers’ operating facilities.
The effect of the pandemic, including remote working arrangements for employees, has also increased the risk of cyberattacks on, and other material breaches of, our and our third party service providers' information technology systems.
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Our business is highly cyclical in nature.
The pulp and lumber businesses are highly cyclical in nature and markets are characterized by periods of supply and demand imbalance, which in turn can cause material fluctuations in prices. Pulp and lumber markets are sensitive to cyclical changes in the global economy, industry capacity and foreign exchange rates, all of which can have a significant influence on selling prices and our operating results. The length and magnitude of industry cycles have varied over time but generally reflect changes in macro-economic conditions and levels of industry capacity. Pulp and lumber are commodities that are generally available from other producers. Because commodity products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition is generally based upon price, which is generally determined by supply relative to demand.
Industry capacity can fluctuate as changing industry conditions can influence producers to idle production capacity or permanently close mills. In addition, to avoid substantial cash costs in idling or closing a mill, some producers will choose to operate at a loss, sometimes even a cash loss, which can prolong weak pricing environments due to oversupply. Oversupply of our products can also result from producers introducing new capacity in response to favorable pricing trends. Certain integrated pulp and paper producers have the ability to discontinue paper production by idling their paper machines and selling their pulp production on the market, if market conditions, prices and trends warrant such actions.
Currently, we are aware of 2.9 million ADMTs of announced capacity increases, primarily of hardwood kraft pulp in 2022. However, we cannot predict whether new capacity will be announced or will come on line in the future. If any new capacity, particularly for NBSK pulp, is not absorbed in the market or offset by curtailments or closures of older, high-cost pulp mills, the increase could put downward pressure on pulp prices and materially adversely affect our results of operations, margin and profitability. Additionally, while NBHK pulp is not a direct competitor to NBSK pulp, if any future increases in pulp supply are not absorbed by demand growth, such supply could put downward pressure on NBSK pulp prices as well.
Demand for each of pulp and lumber has historically been determined primarily by general global macro-economic conditions and has been closely tied to overall business activity. Pulp prices have been and are likely to continue to be volatile and can fluctuate widely over time.
A pulp producer’s actual sales price realizations are third party industry quoted list prices net of customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Our sales price realizations may also be affected by price movements between the order and shipment dates.
Global pulp and lumber markets have historically been characterized by considerable swings in prices which have and will result in variability in our earnings. Prices for pulp and lumber are driven by many factors outside our control. We have little influence over the timing and extent of price changes. Because market conditions beyond our control determine the prices for pulp and lumber, prices may fall below our cash production costs, requiring us to either incur short-term losses on product sales or cease production at one or more of our mills. Therefore, our profitability depends on managing our cost structure, particularly raw materials which represent a significant component of our operating costs and can fluctuate based upon factors beyond our control. If the prices of our products decline, or if prices for our raw materials increase, or both, our results of operations and cash flows could be materially adversely affected.
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Cyclical fluctuations in the price and supply of our raw materials, particularly fiber, could adversely affect our business.
Our main raw material is fiber in the form of wood chips, pulp logs and sawlogs. Fiber represented approximately 45% of our pulp cash production costs and approximately 75% of our lumber cash production costs in 2021. Fiber is a commodity and both prices and supply are cyclical. Fiber pricing is subject to regional market influences and our costs of fiber may increase in a region as a result of local market shifts. The cost of wood chips, pulp logs and sawlogs is primarily affected by the supply and demand for lumber. Demand for these raw materials is generally determined by the volume of pulp and paper products and wood products produced globally and regionally. Governmental regulations related to the environment, forest stewardship and green or renewable energy can also affect the supply of fiber. In Europe, governmental initiatives to increase the supply of renewable energy have led to more renewable energy projects, including in Germany. Demand for wood residuals from such energy producers has generally put upward pressure on prices for wood residuals. Wood chip supply in Germany was generally stable during the last three years due to stable sawmill production and lower demand from pellet producers and board manufacturers; however, there is no assurance that wood chip supply will continue to be stable or that supply will not be reduced or that fiber costs will not increase in the future.
Similarly, strong lumber markets in North America and particularly in the United States resulting from a recovery in U.S. housing starts and a robust home renovations market over the last two years have resulted in increased sawmilling activity. This increased the supply of wood chips which are generally a lower cost than pulp logs. However, the lumber industry is highly cyclical and a slowdown in sawmilling activities would reduce the availability of both wood chips and pulp logs and put upward pressure on fiber costs. There is no assurance that sawmill activity will be stable or not decline or that fiber prices will not increase in the future.
The 2006 Softwood Lumber Agreement, which governed softwood lumber exports from Canada to the United States, expired in 2015, and a one-year post-expiration period during which the United States agreed not to impose trade sanctions expired in October 2016. In November 2016, a petition was filed by a coalition of U.S. lumber producers to the U.S. Department of Commerce and the U.S. International Trade Commission requesting an investigation into alleged subsidies provided to Canadian lumber producers. Since then, the U.S. Department of Commerce announced various countervailing and anti-dumping duty rates on Canadian softwood lumber and the United States and Canada have engaged in proceedings under the North American Free Trade Agreement and through the World Trade Organization. In November 2021, the U.S. Department of Commerce reduced the countervailing duty to 6.32% and the anti-dumping rate to 11.59%, for a total cash deposit rate of 17.91% for “all other” Canadian lumber producers. It is uncertain when or if the United States and Canada may settle a new agreement and what terms or restrictions it may contain. Any duties or other restrictions imposed on Canadian softwood lumber exports by the United States could negatively impact Canadian sawmill production in our Canadian mills’ supply area and result in reduced availability and increased costs for wood chips for our Canadian mills. While we believe this may be partially offset by increased wood chip supply from U.S. sawmills and pulp log availability, we cannot currently predict the overall effect on our Canadian mills’ overall fiber costs.
Availability of fiber may be further limited by adverse responses to and prevention of wildfires, weather, insect infestation, disease, ice storms, wind storms, flooding and other natural causes. In addition, the quantity, quality and price of fiber we receive could be affected by man-made causes such as those resulting from industrial disputes, material curtailments or shut-down of operations by suppliers, government orders and legislation (including new taxes or tariffs). Any or a combination of these can affect fiber prices in a region.
The cyclical nature of pricing for fiber represents a potential risk to our profit margins if pulp and lumber producers are unable to pass along price increases to their customers or we cannot offset such costs through higher prices for our surplus energy.
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Other than the renewable forest licenses of our Peace River mill, we do not own any timberlands or have any material long-term governmental timber concessions. We also currently have few long-term fiber contracts at our German operations. Fiber is available from a number of suppliers and we have not historically experienced material supply interruptions or substantial sustained price increases. However, our requirements have increased and may continue to do so as we expand capacity through capital projects or other efficiency measures at our mills. As a result, we may not be able to purchase sufficient quantities of these raw materials to meet our production requirements at prices acceptable to us during times of tight supply. An insufficient supply of fiber or reduction in the quality of fiber we receive would materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
In addition to the supply of fiber, we are, to a lesser extent, dependent on the supply of certain chemicals and other inputs used in our production facilities. Any disruption in the supply of these chemicals or other inputs could affect our ability to meet customer demand in a timely manner and could harm our reputation. Any material increase in the cost of these chemicals or other inputs could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and cash flows.
We face intense competition in the forest products industry.
We compete with numerous forest products companies, some of which have greater financial resources. The trend toward consolidation in the forest products industry has led to the formation of sizable global producers that have greater flexibility in pricing and financial resources for marketing, investment, research and development, innovation, and expansion. Additionally, certain of our competitors are fully or more vertically integrated than we are and may have different priorities when operating their respective businesses. Because the markets for our products are highly competitive, actions by competitors can affect our ability to compete and the volatility of prices at which our products are sold.
The forest products industry is also capital intensive, and we require significant investment to remain competitive. Some of our competitors may be lower-cost producers in some of the businesses in which we operate. For example, the sizable low-cost hardwood grade pulp capacity in South America, which continues to grow as a result of ongoing investment and whose costs are thought to be very competitive, and the actions those mills take to gain market share, could continue to adversely affect our competitive position in similar grades. Failure to compete effectively could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations.
Our business is subject to risks associated with climate change and social and government responses thereto.
Our operations and those of our suppliers are subject to climate change variations which can impact the productivity of forests, the abundance of species, harvest levels and fiber supply. Further, over the last few years, changing weather patterns and climate conditions due to natural and man-made causes have added to the frequency and unpredictability of natural disasters like wildfires, insect infestation of softwood forests, floods, rain, wind, snow and ice storms. One or a combination of these factors could adversely affect our fiber supply which is our largest cash production cost. There are differing scientific studies and opinions relating to the severity, extent and speed at which climate change is or may be occurring around the world. As a result, we are currently unable to identify and predict all of the specific consequences of climate change on our business and operations.
Further, governmental initiatives and social focus in response to climate change also have an impact on operations. Their demand for carbon neutral green energy has created greater demand and competition for the wood residuals and fiber that is consumed by our pulp mills as part of their production processes. This can drive up the cost of fiber for our mills.
If our fiber costs increase and we cannot pass on these costs to our customers or offset them through higher prices for our sales of surplus energy, it will negatively affect our operating margins, results of operations and financial position. If we cannot obtain the fiber required to operate our mills, we may have to curtail and/or shut down production. This could have a material adverse effect on our operations, financial results and financial position.
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Other risks to our business from climate change include:
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a greater susceptibility of northern forests to disease, fire and insect infestation, which could diminish fiber availability;
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the disruption of transportation systems and power supply lines due to more severe storms;
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the loss of fresh water transportation for logs and pulp due to lower water levels;
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decreases in the quantity and quality of processed water for our mill operations;
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the loss of northern forests in areas in sufficient proximity to our mills to competitively acquire fiber; and
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lower harvest levels decreasing the supply of harvestable timber and, as a consequence, wood residuals.
Any of these natural disasters could also affect woodlands or cause variations in the cost of raw materials, such as fiber or restrict or negatively impact our logistics and transportation of goods and materials. Changes in precipitation could make wildfires more frequent or more severe, and could adversely affect timber harvesting and the supply of fiber to our operations. The effects of global, regional, and local weather conditions, and climate change, including the costs of complying with evolving climate change regulations and transition costs relating to a low carbon economy could also adversely impact our results of operations.
If we are unable to offer products certified to globally recognized forestry management and chain of custody standards or meet customers’ product specifications, it could adversely affect our ability to compete.
We market and sell pulp and lumber, with specific designations to certain globally recognized forest management and chain of custody standards as well as product specifications to meet customers’ requirements. Our ability to conform to new or existing guidelines for certification depends on a number of factors, many of which are beyond our control, such as: changes to the standards or the interpretation or the application of the standards; the collaboration of our suppliers in the timely sharing of product information; the adequacy of government-implemented conservation measures; and in Canada the existence of or potential territorial disputes between First Nations peoples and governments. If we are unable to offer certified products, or to meet commitments to supply certified product or meet the product specifications of our customers, it could adversely affect the marketability of our products and our ability to compete with other producers.
Our operations require substantial capital and we may be unable to maintain adequate capital resources to provide for such capital requirements.
Our business is capital intensive and requires that we regularly incur capital expenditures to maintain our equipment, improve efficiencies and, as a result of changes to environmental regulations that require capital expenditures, bring our operations into compliance with such regulations. In addition, we may approve projects in the future that will require significant capital expenditures. Increased capital expenditures could have a material adverse effect on our cash flow and our ability to satisfy our debt obligations. If our available cash resources and cash generated from operations are not sufficient to fund our operating needs and capital expenditures, we would have to obtain additional funds from borrowings or other available sources or reduce or delay our capital expenditures. Our indebtedness could adversely limit or impair our ability to raise additional capital. We may not be able to obtain additional funds on favorable terms or at all. If we cannot maintain or upgrade our equipment as may be required from time to time, we may become unable to manufacture products that compete effectively. An inability to make required capital expenditures in a timely fashion could have a material adverse effect on our growth, business, financial condition or results of operations.
Trends in non-print media and changes in consumer habits regarding the use of paper have and are expected to continue to adversely affect the demand for market pulp.
Trends in non-print media are expected to continue to adversely affect demand for traditional print media, including for printing, writing and graphic papers. Neither the timing nor the extent of these trends can be predicted with certainty. Our paper, magazine, book and catalog publishing customers could increase their use of, and compete with, non-print media, including multimedia technologies, electronic storage and communication platforms which could further reduce their consumption of papers and in turn their demand for market pulp. The demand for such paper products has weakened significantly over the last several years and has accelerated since the COVID-19
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pandemic as confinement and work from home has altered consumer habits, which could become permanent and further negatively impact the demand for market pulp.
Fluctuations in prices and demand for lumber could adversely affect our business.
The financial performance of the Friesau mill depends on the demand for and selling price of lumber, which is subject to significant fluctuations. The markets for lumber are highly volatile and are affected by economic conditions in Europe, Asia and the United States, the strength of housing markets and the home renovations activity in such regions, the growing importance of the Asian market, changes in industry production capacity, changes in inventory levels and other factors beyond our control. Additionally, interest rates have a significant impact on residential construction and renovation activity, which in turn influence the demand for and price of lumber.
Our wood products segment lumber products are vulnerable to declines in demand due to competing technologies or materials.
Our lumber products may compete with alternative products. For example, plastic, wood/plastic or composite materials may be used by builders as alternatives to the lumber products produced by our wood products segment. Changes in the prices for oil, chemicals and other products can change the competitive position of our wood products segment lumber products relative to available alternatives and could increase substitution of those products for our wood products segment products. If use of these alternative products grows, demand for and pricing of our wood products segment products could be adversely affected.
We have limited control over the operations of the Cariboo mill.
Our 50% ownership interest in the Cariboo mill is through an unincorporated joint venture partnership. The ownership and operation of such mill is subject to an underlying agreement and its day-to-day operations are principally conducted by our joint venture partner. Joint venture partnerships generally involve special risks, including that the business and strategic interests of the joint venture partner and ourselves may not coincide or that the joint venture partner may be unable to meet its economic or other obligations thereunder. We have limited control over the actions of the joint venture partner in respect of the Cariboo mill, including any non-performance, default or bankruptcy of such party. Any non-performance by our joint venture partner or other actions taken by the joint venture partner in connection with the day-to-day operation of the Cariboo mill may adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We may experience material disruptions to our production.
A material disruption at one of our manufacturing facilities could prevent us from meeting customer demand, reduce our pulp, lumber and energy sales and/or negatively impact our results of operations. Any of our mills could cease operations unexpectedly due to a number of events, including:
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unscheduled maintenance outages;
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prolonged power failures;
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equipment failure;
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employee errors or failures;
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design error or employee or contractor error;
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chemical spill or release;
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explosion of a boiler;
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disruptions in the transportation infrastructure, including roads, bridges, railway tracks, tunnels, canals and ports;
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fires, floods, earthquakes, windstorms, pest infestations, severe weather conditions or other natural catastrophes affecting our production of goods or the supply of raw materials like fiber;
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prolonged supply disruption of major inputs;
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•
labor difficulties;
•
capital projects that require temporary cost increases or curtailment of production; and
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other operational problems.
Any such downtime or facility damage could prevent us from meeting customer demand for our products and/or require us to make unplanned capital expenditures. If any of our facilities were to incur significant downtime, our ability to meet our production capacity targets and satisfy customer requirements would be impaired and could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Future acquisitions may result in additional risks and uncertainties in our business.
In order to grow our business, we may seek to acquire additional assets or companies. Our ability to pursue selective and accretive acquisitions will be dependent on management’s ability to identify, acquire and develop suitable acquisition targets in both new and existing markets. In pursuing acquisition and investment opportunities, we face competition from other companies having similar growth strategies, many of which may have substantially greater resources than us. Competition for these acquisitions or investment targets could result in increased acquisition or investment prices, higher risks and a diminished pool of businesses or assets available for acquisition.
Acquisitions also frequently result in recording of goodwill and other intangible assets, which are subject to potential impairments in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our operating results. Furthermore, the costs of integrating acquired businesses (including restructuring charges associated with the acquisitions, as well as other acquisition costs, such as accounting fees, legal fees and investment banking fees) could significantly impact our operating results.
Although we perform diligence on the businesses we purchase, in light of the circumstances of each transaction, an unavoidable level of risk remains regarding the actual condition of these businesses. We may not be able to ascertain the value or understand the potential liabilities of the acquired businesses and their operations until we assume operating control of the assets and operations of these businesses.
Furthermore, future acquisitions could entail a number of risks, including:
•
diversion of management’s attention from our ongoing business;
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difficulty integrating the operations, including financial and accounting functions, sales and marketing procedures, technology and other corporate administrative functions of the combined operations;
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increased operating costs;
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exposure to substantial unanticipated liabilities;
•
difficulty in realizing projected synergies, efficiencies and cost savings;
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difficulty maintaining relationships with present and potential customers, distributors and suppliers due to uncertainties regarding service, production quality and prices; and
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problems retaining key employees.
If we are unable to address any of these risks, our results of operations and financial condition could be materially adversely affected.
We are subject to risks related to our employees.
The majority of our employees are unionized and we have collective agreements in place with our employees at all of our mills, other than the Peace River mill which is non-union. Although we have not experienced any material work stoppages in the past, there can be no assurance that we will be able to negotiate acceptable collective agreements or other satisfactory arrangements with our employees upon the expiration of our collective agreements. This could result in a strike or work stoppage by the affected workers. The registration or renewal of the collective agreements or the outcome of our wage negotiations could result in higher wages or benefits paid to union members. Many of the employment positions in our operations require technical or other operating training and/or experience. Changing demographics may make it more difficult for us to recruit skilled employees in the future. Accordingly,
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we could experience a significant disruption of our operations or higher ongoing labor costs, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, whenever we seek to reduce the workforce at any of our mills, the affected mill’s labor force could seek to hinder or delay such actions, we could incur material severance or other costs and our operations could be disrupted.
We are dependent on key personnel.
Our future success depends, to a large extent, on the efforts and abilities of our executive and senior mill operating officers. Such officers are industry professionals, many of whom have operated through multiple business cycles. The loss of one or more of our officers could make us less competitive, which could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. We do not maintain key person life insurance for any of our executive or senior mill operating officers.
In addition, by nature of the industries in which we operate, many of our employees are professionals who require specialized knowledge and skills, including various categories of engineers and licensed trade persons and equipment operators. Any inability to attract, train and retain such employees could adversely affect our business and results of operations.
If our long-lived assets become impaired, we may be required to record non-cash impairment charges that could have a material impact on our results of operations.
We review the carrying value of long-lived assets for impairment when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. Should the markets for our products deteriorate or should we decide to invest capital differently or should other cash flow assumptions change, it is possible that we will be required to record non-cash impairment charges in the future that could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations.
Our insurance coverage may not be adequate.
We have obtained insurance coverage that we believe would ordinarily be maintained by an operator of facilities similar to our mills. Our insurance is subject to various limits and exclusions. Damage or destruction to our facilities could result in claims that are excluded by, or exceed the limits of, our insurance coverage. Additionally, the weak global and financial markets have also reduced the availability and extent of credit insurance for our customers. If we cannot obtain adequate credit insurance for our customers, we may be forced to amend or curtail our planned operations which could negatively impact our sales revenues, results of operations and financial position.
We rely on third parties for transportation services.
Our business primarily relies upon third parties for the transportation of pulp and lumber to our customers, as well as for the delivery of our raw materials to our mills. Our pulp, lumber and raw materials are principally transported by truck, barge, rail and sea-going vessels, all of which are highly regulated. Increases in transportation rates can also materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Further, if our transportation providers fail to deliver our pulp or lumber in a timely manner, it could negatively impact our customer relationships and we may be unable to manufacture pulp or lumber in response to customer orders or sell them at full value. Also, if any of our transportation providers were to cease operations, we may be unable to replace them at a reasonable cost. The occurrence of any of the foregoing events could materially adversely affect our results of operations.
Failures or security breaches of our information technology systems could disrupt our operations and negatively impact our business.
We use information technologies to manage our operations and various business functions. We rely on various technologies to process, store and report on our business and to communicate electronically between our facilities, personnel, customers and suppliers as well as for administrative functions and many of such technology systems are dependent on one another for their functionality. We also use information technologies to process financial information and results of operations for internal reporting purposes and to comply with regulatory, legal and tax requirements. We rely on third party providers for some of these information technologies and support. Our ability
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to effectively manage our business and coordinate the production, distribution and sale of our products is highly dependent on our technology systems. Despite our security design and controls and other operational safeguards, and those of our third party providers, our information technology systems may be vulnerable to a variety of interruptions, including during the process of upgrading or replacing hardware, software, databases or components thereof, natural disasters, terrorist attacks, telecommunications failures, computer viruses, cyber-attacks, hackers, unauthorized access attempts and other security issues or may be breached due to employee error, malfeasance or other disruptions. Any such interruption or breach could result in operational disruptions or the misappropriation of sensitive data that could subject us to civil and criminal penalties, litigation or have a negative impact on our reputation. There can be no assurance that such disruptions or misappropriations and the resulting repercussions will not negatively impact our cash flows and materially affect our results of operations or financial condition.
In addition, many of our information technology systems, such as those we use for administrative functions, including human resources, payroll, accounting and internal and external communications, as well as the information technology systems of our third-party business partners and service providers, whether cloud-based or hosted in proprietary servers, contain personal, financial or other information that is entrusted to us by our customers and personnel. Many of our information technology systems also contain proprietary and other confidential information related to our business, such as business plans and research and development initiatives. To the extent we or a third party were to experience a material breach of our or such third party’s information technology systems that results in the unauthorized access, theft, use, destruction or other compromises of our customers’ or personnel’s data or confidential information stored in such systems, including through cyber-attacks or other external or internal methods, it could result in a violation of applicable privacy and other laws, and subject us to litigation and governmental investigations and proceedings, any of which could result in our exposure to material liability.
Risks Related to our Debt
Our level of indebtedness could negatively impact our financial condition, results of operations and liquidity.
As of December 31, 2021, we had approximately $1,261.9 million of indebtedness outstanding. We may also incur additional indebtedness in the future. Our high debt levels may have important consequences for us, including, but not limited to the following:
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our ability to obtain additional financing for working capital, capital expenditures, general corporate and other purposes or to fund future operations may not be available on terms favorable to us or at all;
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a significant amount of our operating cash flow is dedicated to the payment of interest and principal on our indebtedness, thereby diminishing funds that would otherwise be available for our operations and for other purposes;
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increasing our vulnerability to current and future adverse economic and industry conditions;
•
a substantial decrease in net operating cash flows or increase in our expenses could make it more difficult for us to meet our debt service requirements, which could force us to modify our operations;
•
our leveraged capital structure may place us at a competitive disadvantage by hindering our ability to adjust rapidly to changing market conditions or by making us vulnerable to a downturn in our business or the economy in general;
•
causing us to offer debt or equity securities on terms that may not be favorable to us or our shareholders;
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limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes and opportunities in our business and our industry; and
•
our level of indebtedness increases the possibility that we may be unable to generate cash sufficient to pay the principal or interest due in respect of our indebtedness.
The indentures that govern our Senior Notes, and our credit facilities contain restrictive covenants which impose operating and other restrictions on us and our subsidiaries. These restrictions will affect, and in many respects will limit or prohibit, our ability to, among other things, incur or guarantee additional indebtedness, pay dividends or make distributions on capital stock or redeem or repurchase capital stock, make investments or acquisitions, create
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liens and enter into mergers, consolidations or transactions with affiliates. The terms of our indebtedness also restrict our ability to sell certain assets, apply the proceeds of such sales and reinvest in our business.
Certain of the agreements governing our indebtedness have covenants that require us to maintain prescribed financial ratios and tests. Failure to comply with such covenants could result in events of default and could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity, results of operations and financial condition.
Our ability to repay or refinance our indebtedness will depend on our future financial and operating performance. Our performance, in turn, will be subject to prevailing economic and competitive conditions, as well as financial, business, legislative, regulatory, industry and other factors, many of which are beyond our control. Our ability to meet our future debt service and other obligations may depend in significant part on the extent to which we can successfully implement our business strategy. We cannot assure you that we will be able to implement our strategy fully or that the anticipated results of our strategy will be realized. Over the next several years, we will require financing to refinance maturing debt obligations (unless extended), and such refinancing may not be available on favorable terms or at all.
Changes in credit ratings issued by nationally recognized statistical rating organizations could adversely affect our cost of financing and have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities.
Credit rating agencies rate our debt securities on factors that include our operating results, actions that we take, their view of the general outlook for our industry and their view of the general outlook for the economy. Actions taken by the rating agencies can include maintaining, upgrading or downgrading the current rating or placing the company on a watch list for possible future downgrading. Downgrading the credit rating of our debt securities or placing us on a watch list for possible future downgrading could limit our access to credit markets, increase our cost of financing and have an adverse effect on the market price of our securities, including our Senior Notes.
We are exposed to interest rate fluctuations.
Interest on borrowings under our revolving credit facilities are at “floating” rates. As a result, increases in interest rates will increase our costs of borrowing and reduce our operating margins.
Risks Related to Macro-economic Conditions
A weakening of the global economy, including capital and credit markets, could adversely affect our business and financial results and have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources.
As demand for our products has principally historically been determined by general global macro-economic activities, demand and prices for our products have historically decreased substantially during economic slowdowns. A significant economic downturn may affect our sales and profitability. Further, our suppliers and customers may also be adversely affected by an economic downturn. Additionally, restricted credit and capital availability restrains our customers’ ability or willingness to purchase our products, resulting in lower revenues. Depending on their severity and duration, the effects and consequences of a global economic downturn could have a material adverse effect on our liquidity and capital resources, including our ability to raise capital, if needed, and otherwise negatively impact our business and financial results.
In addition, financial uncertainties and other events in our major international markets, including inflation and other market factors, may negatively impact the global economy and consequently, our results of operations.
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We are exposed to currency exchange rate fluctuations.
We have manufacturing operations in Germany and Canada. Most of the operating costs and expenses of our German mills are incurred in euros and those of our Canadian mills in Canadian dollars. However, the majority of our sales are in products quoted in dollars. Our results of operations and financial condition are reported in dollars. As a result, our costs generally benefit from a strengthening dollar but are adversely affected by a decrease in the value of the dollar relative to the euro and to the Canadian dollar. Such declines in the dollar relative to the euro and the Canadian dollar reduce our operating margins and the cash flow available to fund our operations and to service our debt. This could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Further, while a strengthening dollar generally lowers our costs and expenses, it increases the cost of pulp to our customers and generally puts downward pressure on pulp prices and reduces our energy, chemical and European lumber sales revenues as they are sold in euros and Canadian dollars.
Although we report in dollars, we hold certain assets and liabilities, including our mills, in euros and Canadian dollars. We translate foreign denominated assets and liabilities into dollars at the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date. Equity accounts are translated using historical exchange rates. Unrealized gains or losses from these translations are recorded in other comprehensive income (loss) and do not affect our net earnings, operating income or Operating EBITDA.
Certain intercompany dollar advances between Mercer Inc. and its foreign subsidiaries are held in euros and Canadian dollars. Mercer Inc. holds some cash in foreign currencies and certain foreign subsidiaries hold some cash and other balances in dollars. When such advances, cash and other balances are translated into the applicable local currency at the end of each reporting period, the gains or losses thereon are reflected in net earnings.
Political uncertainty, an increase in trade protectionism or geo-political conflict could have a material adverse effect on global macro-economic activities and trade and adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The rise of economic nationalist sentiments, trade protectionism and geo-political security has led to increasing political uncertainty and unpredictability throughout the world. Additionally, there can be no assurance that additional or new trade tensions and tariffs will not arise between various trade partners. These potential developments, market perceptions concerning these and related issues and the attendant regulatory uncertainty regarding, for example, the posture of governments with respect to international trade or national security issues, could have a material adverse effect on global trade and economic growth which, in turn, can adversely affect our business, results of operation and financial condition.
Increased trade protectionism could materially adversely affect our business. If the current global economy or outlook is undermined by downside risks and there is a prolonged economic downturn, governments may resort to new or enhanced trade barriers to protect their domestic industries against imports, thereby depressing demand. Changes in the trade policies of the U.S. and other countries, such as the announcement of unilateral tariffs on imported products, have already triggered retaliatory actions from affected countries, resulting in “trade wars” that could have a material adverse effect on global trade and economic growth.
International security issues and adverse developments in respect thereof such as the current political tension between Russia, Ukraine and potentially western security alliances could materially adversely affect global trade and economic activity.
Protectionist developments or adverse international political tensions or developments, or the perception they may occur, may have a material adverse effect on global economic conditions, and may significantly reduce global trade. Increasing trade protectionism in the markets could increase the risks associated with exporting goods to such markets. These developments could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
We may incur losses as a result of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a new pandemic, terrorist attacks or natural disasters.
The occurrence of unforeseen or catastrophic events, including the emergence of a new pandemic or other widespread health emergency (or concerns over the possibility of such an emergency), terrorist attacks or natural
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disasters, could create economic and financial disruptions and could lead to operational difficulties (including travel limitations) that could impair our ability to manage or operate our business and adversely affect our results of operations.
Legal and Regulatory Risks
We are subject to extensive environmental regulation and we could incur substantial costs as a result of compliance with, violations of or liabilities under applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Our operations are subject to numerous environmental laws and regulations as well as permits, guidelines and policies relating to the protection of the environment. These laws, regulations, permits, guidelines and policies govern, among other things:
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unlawful discharges to land, air, water and sewers;
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waste collection, storage, transportation and disposal;
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hazardous waste;
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dangerous goods and hazardous materials and the collection, storage, transportation and disposal of such substances;
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the clean-up of unlawful discharges;
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land use planning;
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municipal zoning; and
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employee health and safety.
In addition, as a result of our operations, we may be subject to remediation, clean-up or other administrative orders or amendments to our operating permits, and we may be involved from time to time in administrative and judicial proceedings or inquiries. Future orders, proceedings or inquiries could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. Environmental laws and land use laws and regulations are constantly changing. New regulations or the increased enforcement of existing laws could have a material adverse effect on our business and financial condition. In addition, compliance with regulatory requirements is expensive, at times requiring the replacement, enhancement or modification of equipment, facilities or operations. There can be no assurance that we will be able to maintain our profitability by offsetting any increased costs of complying with future regulatory requirements.
We are subject to liability for environmental damage at the facilities that we own or operate, including damage to neighboring landowners, residents or employees, particularly as a result of the contamination of soil, groundwater or surface water and especially drinking water. The costs of such liabilities can be substantial. Our potential liability may include damages resulting from conditions existing before we purchased or operated these facilities. We may also be subject to liability for any offsite environmental contamination caused by pollutants or hazardous substances that we or our predecessors arranged to transport, treat or dispose of at other locations. In addition, we may be held legally responsible for liabilities as a successor owner of businesses that we acquire or have acquired. Except for Stendal, our facilities have been operating for decades and we have not done invasive testing to determine whether or to what extent any such environmental contamination exists. As a result, these businesses may have liabilities for conditions that we discover or that become apparent, including liabilities arising from non-compliance with environmental laws by prior owners. Because of the limited availability of insurance coverage for environmental liability, any substantial liability for environmental damage could materially adversely affect our results of operations and financial condition.
We have incurred, and we expect to continue to incur, significant capital, operating and other expenditures as a result of complying with applicable environmental laws and regulations.
Further, enactment of new environmental laws or regulations, changes in existing laws or regulations or the interpretation of these laws and regulations might require significant capital expenditures. We may be unable to generate sufficient funds or access other sources of capital to fund unforeseen environmental liabilities or expenditures.
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We participate in German statutory energy programs.
In Germany, our Stendal and Friesau mills sell surplus green energy at fixed prices or tariffs pursuant to the Renewable Energy Act. Our Stendal mill’s tariff expires in 2024 and our Friesau mill’s tariff expires in 2029. Our Rosenthal mill’s tariff has expired and since January 1, 2021, it has sold its power at market rates which fluctuate over time.
The availability of tariffs and other incentives for our green energy production activities is dependent, to a large extent, on political and policy developments relating to environmental concerns in the regions in which we operate. We cannot currently predict the scope of any such measures whether they will provide similar economic incentives as under the tariffs, when, if at all, they will be implemented or their potential application and impact on the expiry of their existing tariffs in 2024 and 2029, respectively, our Stendal and Friesau mills.
Our international sales and operations are subject to applicable laws relating to trade, export controls, foreign corrupt practices and competition laws, the violation of which could adversely affect our operations.
As a result of our international sales and operations, we are subject to trade and economic sanctions and other restrictions imposed by the United States, Canada and other governments or organizations, including prohibitions in the United States against foreign competitors’ (including our operating subsidiaries) receipt of certain unlawful foreign governmental benefits. We are also subject to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act of 1977, the Canadian Corruption of Foreign Public Officials Act and other anti-bribery laws that generally bar bribes or unreasonable gifts to foreign governments or officials. Changes in trade sanction laws could restrict our business practices, including cessation of business activities in sanctioned countries or with sanctioned entities, and may result in modifications to compliance programs. Violations of these laws or regulations could result in sanctions including fines, loss of authorizations needed to conduct our international business, the imposition of tariffs or duties and other penalties, which could adversely impact our business, operating results and financial condition.
In 2021, the European Commission commenced a cartel investigation into the wood pulp sector in Europe to investigate if there was an infringement of European Union competition law. In October 2021, the Commission conducted inspections of several European pulp producers, including our German operations. The matter is currently in the investigation stage and we are cooperating with the investigation and expect to engage with the European Commission if the investigation continues. We are unable to predict the timing of, and what further actions, if any, the Commission may pursue. If the Commission were to pursue actions against such European pulp producers, including our German operations, and ultimately there was a non-appealable determination of an infringement of European competition law, it could impose significant financial penalties on such producers, including us, that could have a material adverse effect on us and our business.
Risks Related to Ownership of our Shares
The price of our common stock may be volatile.
The market price of our common stock may be influenced by many factors, some of which are beyond our control, including those described above and the following:
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actual or anticipated fluctuations in our operating results or our competitors’ operating results;
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announcements by us or our competitors of new products, capacity changes, significant contracts, acquisitions or strategic investments;
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our growth rate and our competitors’ growth rates;
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the financial market and general economic conditions;
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changes in stock market analyst recommendations regarding us, our competitors or the forest products industry generally or lack of analyst coverage of our common stock;
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sales of common stock by our executive officers, directors and significant shareholders;
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changes in accounting principles; and
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changes in laws and regulations.
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In addition, there has been significant volatility in the market price and trading volume of securities of companies operating in the forest products industry that often has been unrelated to the operating performance of particular companies. Some companies that have had volatile market prices for their securities have had securities litigation brought against them. If litigation of this type is brought against us, it could result in substantial costs and would divert management’s attention and resources.
A small number of our shareholders could significantly influence our business.
There are a few significant shareholders of our common stock who own a substantial percentage of the outstanding shares of our common stock. These few significant shareholders, either individually or acting together, may be able to exercise significant influence over matters requiring shareholder approval, including the election of directors and approval of significant corporate transactions, such as a merger or other sale of the company or our assets. This concentration of ownership may make it more difficult for other shareholders to effect substantial changes in the company, may have the effect of delaying, preventing or expediting, as the case may be, a change in control of the company and may adversely affect the market price of our common stock. Further, the possibility that one or more of these significant shareholders may sell all or a large portion of their common stock in a short period of time could adversely affect the trading price of our common stock. Also, the interests of these few shareholders may not be in the best interests of all shareholders.

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ITEM 1B. UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
ITEM 1B.
UNRESOLVED STAFF COMMENTS
None.

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ITEM 2. PROPERTIES
ITEM 2.
PROPERTIES
We own the Rosenthal, Stendal, Celgar, Peace River pulp mills, the Friesau sawmill and their underlying properties and have a 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo pulp mill. We also own the CLT Facility and its underlying property near Spokane, Washington and sandalwood plantations in Western Australia.
Rosenthal Mill. The Rosenthal mill is situated on a 230 acre site in the town of Rosenthal am Rennsteig in the state of Thuringia, approximately 300 kilometers south of Berlin. The Saale River flows through the site of the mill. In late 1999, we completed a major capital project which converted the Rosenthal mill to the production of kraft pulp. It is a single line mill with a current annual production capacity of approximately 360,000 ADMTs of kraft pulp. The mill is self-sufficient in steam and electrical power. Some excess electrical power which is constantly generated is sold to the regional power grid. The facilities at the mill include:
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an approximately 425,000 square feet fiber storage area;
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debarking and chipping facilities for pulp logs;
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an approximately 700,000 square feet roundwood yard;
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a fiber line, which includes a Kamyr continuous digester and bleaching facilities;
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a pulp machine, which includes a dryer, a cutter and a baling line;
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an approximately 60,000 square feet finished goods storage area;
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a chemical recovery line, which includes a recovery boiler, evaporation plant, recausticizing plant and lime kiln;
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a fresh water plant;
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a wastewater treatment plant; and
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a power station with a turbine capable of producing 57 MW of electrical power from steam produced by the recovery boiler and a power boiler.
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Stendal Mill. The Stendal mill is situated on a 96.5 hectare site owned by Stendal that is part of a larger 1,250 hectares industrial park near the town of Stendal in the state of Saxony-Anhalt, approximately 300 kilometers north of the Rosenthal mill and 130 kilometers west of Berlin. The mill is adjacent to the Elbe River and has access to harbor facilities for water transportation. The mill is a single line mill with a current annual design production capacity of approximately 740,000 ADMTs of kraft pulp. The Stendal mill is self-sufficient in steam and electrical power. Some excess electrical power which is constantly being generated is sold to the regional power grid. The facilities at the mill include:
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an approximately 740,000 square feet fiber and roundwood storage area;
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debarking and chipping facilities for pulp logs;
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a fiber line, which includes 12 SuperBatch™ digesters and bleaching facilities;
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a pulp machine, which includes a dryer, a cutter and two baling lines;
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an approximately 105,000 square feet finished goods storage area;
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a chemical recovery line, which includes a recovery boiler, evaporation plant, recausticizing plant and lime kiln;
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a fresh water plant;
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a wastewater treatment plant; and
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a power station with two turbines capable of producing 148 MW of electrical power.
Celgar Mill. The Celgar mill is situated on a 400 acre site near the city of Castlegar, British Columbia. The mill is located on the south bank of the Columbia River, approximately 600 kilometers east of the port city of Vancouver, British Columbia, and approximately 32 kilometers north of the Canada-U.S. border. The city of Seattle, Washington is approximately 650 kilometers southwest of Castlegar. The Celgar mill is a single line mill with a current annual production capacity of approximately 520,000 ADMTs of kraft pulp. The mill is self-sufficient in steam and electrical power. Some excess electrical power which is constantly generated is sold to the regional power grid. The facilities at the Celgar mill include:
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an approximately 450,000 square feet fiber storage area and approximately 440,000 square feet log storage;
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a woodroom containing debarking and chipping facilities for pulp logs;
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a fiber line, which includes a dual vessel hydraulic digester, a two stage oxygen delignification system and a four stage bleach plant;
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two pulp machines, which each include a dryer, a cutter and a baling line;
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an approximately 28,000 square feet on-site finished goods storage area and an approximately 29,000 square feet off-site finished goods storage area;
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a chemical recovery line, which includes a recovery boiler, evaporation plant, recausticizing plant and lime kiln;
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a wastewater treatment system; and
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a power station with two turbines capable of producing approximately 100 MW of electrical power.
Peace River Mill. The Peace River mill is situated on a 791 acre site near the town of Peace River, Alberta, approximately 490 kilometers north of Edmonton. The mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 475,000 ADMTs of kraft pulp. The mill is self-sufficient in steam and electrical power. The facilities at the Peace River mill include:
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an approximately 1,130,000 square feet fiber storage area and approximately 2,700,000 square feet log storage;
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an approximately 189 railcar siding/storage capacity;
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•
a fiber line which includes a dual vessel hydraulic digester, a single stage oxygen delignification system and a four stage bleach plant;
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a pulp machine which includes a dryer, cutter and two baling lines;
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an approximately 56,000 square feet on-site finished goods storage area;
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a chemical recovery line which includes a recovery boiler, evaporation plant, recausticizing plant and a lime kiln;
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a fresh water treatment plant;
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a wastewater treatment system; and
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two turbines capable of producing approximately 70 MW of electrical power.
Friesau Mill. The Friesau mill is situated on a 62 acre site in the town of Saalburg-Ebersdorf, Germany, approximately 300 kilometers south of Berlin and only 16 kilometers from the Rosenthal mill. It is a two line sawmill with an annual production capacity of approximately 550 MMfbm of lumber on a continuously operating basis. The mill also sells electrical power generation to the regional power grid at fixed green power tariffs. The mill is self-sufficient in thermal power. The facilities at the Friesau mill include:
•
an approximately 1,000,000 square feet roundwood storage area;
•
three log debarking and two sorting lines;
•
two Linck sawing lines;
•
42 lumber kilns capable of matching sawmill production;
•
two continuous kilns;
•
three planer lines;
•
an approximately 663,800 square feet finished goods storage area; and
•
a biomass fueled cogeneration power plant capable of producing 13 MW of electrical power.
CLT Facility. The CLT Facility is situated on a 54 acre site near Spokane, Washington. It has an area of approximately 270,000 square feet and has an annual production capacity of approximately 140,000 cubic meters of CLT.
Santanol. Santanol owns and leases approximately 2,500 hectares of Indian sandalwood plantations and a processing and extraction plant in Western Australia.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3.
LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
In 2021, the European Commission opened a cartel investigation into the wood pulp sector in Europe to investigate if there was an infringement of European Union competition law. In October 2021, the Commission conducted inspections of major European pulp producers including our German operations. We are cooperating with the investigation. As the matter is currently in the investigation stage, we cannot predict the timing of the same and what further actions, if any, the European Commission may pursue or what the outcome of any such actions may be.
We are also subject to routine litigation incidental to our business. We do not believe that the outcome of such litigation will have a material adverse effect on our business or financial condition.

---

ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4.
MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES
Not applicable.
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PART II

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ITEM 5. MARKET FOR REGISTRANT'S COMMON EQUITY
ITEM 5.
MARKET FOR REGISTRANT’S COMMON EQUITY, RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS AND ISSUER PURCHASES OF EQUITY SECURITIES
(a)
Market Information. Our shares are quoted for trading on the NASDAQ Global Select Market under the symbol “MERC”.
(b)
Shareholder Information. As of February 15, 2022, there were approximately 169 holders of record of our shares and a total of 66,037,552 shares were outstanding.
(c)
Dividend Information. On February 17, 2022, our board of directors approved a quarterly dividend of $0.0750 per share to be paid to holders of our common stock on April 6, 2022 to shareholders of record on March 30, 2022.
In 2021, our board of directors approved four quarterly dividend payments of $0.065 per share each, the first being paid on April 7, 2021, the second being paid on July 7, 2021, the third being paid on October 6, 2021 and the fourth being paid on December 30, 2021.
The further declaration and payment of dividends is at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend upon various factors, including our earnings, financial condition, restrictions imposed by our credit facilities and the terms of any other indebtedness that may be outstanding, cash requirements, future prospects and other factors deemed relevant by our board of directors. The indentures governing our Senior Notes and our credit facilities limit our ability to pay dividends or make other distributions on capital stock. See Item 1. “Business - Description of Certain Indebtedness”.
(d)
Equity Compensation Plans. The following table sets forth information as of December 31, 2021 with respect to the shares of our common stock that may be issued under our existing equity compensation plans:
Number of securities to be issued upon exercise of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(a)
Weighted-average exercise price of outstanding options, warrants and rights
(b)
Number of securities remaining available for future issuance under equity compensation plans (excluding securities reflected in column (a))
(c)
Plan Category
Equity compensation plans approved by shareholders
-
(1)
$ -
1,188,303
(2)
Equity compensation plans not approved by shareholders
-
$ -
-
(1)
Excludes 49,195 outstanding restricted shares which vest in 2022 and 2,754,472 outstanding performance share units, 626,550 of which had vested as of December 31, 2021. The underlying shares of common stock relating to the vested performance share units were issued in February 2022. Of the remaining 2,127,922 performance share units, 1,120,010 will vest in 2022 and 1,007,912 will vest in 2023. The actual number of shares of common stock issued in respect of unvested performance share units will vary from 0% to 200% of performance share units granted, based upon achievement of performance objectives established for such awards.
(2)
Represents the number of shares of our common stock remaining available for issuance under the 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, which replaced two previous plans, as of December 31, 2021. The plan provides for options, restricted stock rights, restricted shares, performance shares, performance share units and stock appreciation rights to be awarded to employees, consultants and non-employee directors.
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(e)
Performance Graph. The following graph shows a five-year comparison of cumulative total shareholder return, calculated on an assumed dividend reinvested basis, for our common stock, the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, a group of peer companies, referred to as the “Peer Group”, and Standard Industrial Classification Code Index or “SIC” (SIC Code 2611 - pulp mills), referred to as the “SIC Code Index”. The graph assumes $100 was invested in each of our common stock, the S&P SmallCap 600 Index, the Peer Group and the SIC Code Index on December 31, 2016. Data points on the graph are annual.
Comparison of Cumulative Total Return
Assumes $100 Invested December 31, 2016
Assumes Dividends Reinvested
Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2021
Mercer International Inc.
$
100.00
$
139.74
$
105.69
$
129.67
$
113.13
$
135.10
S&P SmallCap 600 Index
$
100.00
$
113.23
$
103.63
$
127.24
$
141.60
$
179.58
Peer Group(1)
$
100.00
$
145.19
$
119.02
$
147.79
$
167.78
$
187.82
SIC Code Index
$
100.00
$
137.27
$
87.26
$
74.36
$
79.05
$
84.85
(1)
The Peer Group is comprised of Borregard ASA, Canfor Pulp Products Inc., Domtar Corporation, ENCE Energia y Cellulosa SA, Resolute Forest Products Inc., Rottneros RROS, Stora Enso Oyj, UPM-Kymmene Oyj, and West Fraser Timber Co. Ltd.
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NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
This annual report on Form 10-K contains “non-GAAP financial measures”, that is, financial measures that either exclude or include amounts that are not excluded or included in the most directly comparable measure calculated and presented in accordance with the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States, referred to as “GAAP”. Specifically, we make use of the non-GAAP measures “Operating EBITDA” and “Operating EBITDA margin”.
Operating EBITDA is defined as operating income (loss) plus depreciation and amortization and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges. Operating EBITDA margin is Operating EBITDA expressed as a percentage of revenues. We use Operating EBITDA and Operating EBITDA margin as benchmark measurements of our own operating results and as benchmarks relative to our competitors. We consider them to be meaningful supplements to operating income as performance measures primarily because depreciation expense and non-recurring capital asset impairment charges are not actual cash costs, and depreciation expense varies widely from company to company in a manner that we consider largely independent of the underlying cost efficiency of our operating facilities. In addition, we believe Operating EBITDA is commonly used by securities analysts, investors and other interested parties to evaluate our financial performance.
Operating EBITDA does not reflect the impact of a number of items that affect our net income (loss), including financing costs and the effect of derivative instruments. Operating EBITDA is not a measure of financial performance under GAAP, and should not be considered as an alternative to net income (loss) or operating income as a measure of performance, or as an alternative to net cash from (used in) operating activities as a measure of liquidity. Operating EBITDA and Operating EBITDA margin are internal measures and therefore may not be comparable to other companies.
Operating EBITDA has significant limitations as an analytical tool, and should not be considered in isolation, or as a substitute for analysis of our results as reported under GAAP. Some of these limitations are that Operating EBITDA does not reflect: (i) our cash expenditures, or future requirements, for capital expenditures or contractual commitments; (ii) changes in, or cash requirements for, working capital needs; (iii) the significant interest expense, or the cash requirements necessary to service interest or principal payments, on our outstanding debt; (iv) the impact of realized or marked to market changes in our derivative positions, which can be substantial; and (v) the impact of non-recurring impairment charges against our investments or assets. Because of these limitations, Operating EBITDA should only be considered as a supplemental performance measure and should not be considered as a measure of liquidity or cash available to us to invest in the growth of our business. Because all companies do not calculate Operating EBITDA in the same manner, Operating EBITDA as calculated by us may differ from Operating EBITDA or EBITDA as calculated by other companies. We compensate for these limitations by using Operating EBITDA as a supplemental measure of our performance and by relying primarily on our GAAP financial statements.
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ITEM 6. SELECTED FINANCIAL DATA
ITEM 6.
[RESERVED]

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ITEM 7. MANAGEMENT'S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS
ITEM 7.
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION AND ANALYSIS OF FINANCIAL CONDITION AND RESULTS OF OPERATIONS
The following discussion and analysis of our financial condition and results of our operations for the years ended December 31, 2021 and 2020 is based upon and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated financial statements and related notes included elsewhere in this annual report. Please refer to Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” in our annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for a discussion of our results of operations for 2019 and financial position as of December 31, 2019. This annual report contains forward-looking statements that involve risks and uncertainties. Our actual results may differ materially from those indicated in forward-looking statements. See “Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements” and Item 1A. “Risk Factors”.
Results of Operations
General
We have two reportable operating segments:
•
Pulp - consists of the manufacture, sale and distribution of pulp, electricity and other by-products at our pulp mills.
•
Wood Products - consists of the manufacture, sale and distribution of lumber, electricity and other wood residuals at the Friesau mill.
Each segment offers primarily different products and requires different manufacturing processes, technology and sales and marketing.
Markets for kraft pulp are global, cyclical and commodity based. Our financial performance depends on a number of variables that impact sales and production costs. Sales and production results for kraft pulp are influenced largely by the market price for kraft pulp, fiber costs and foreign currency exchange rates. Kraft pulp prices are highly cyclical and primarily determined by the balance between supply and demand. Pricing and demand are influenced by global macro-economic conditions, changes in consumption and industry capacity, the level of customer and producer inventories and fluctuations in exchange rates. The third party industry quoted average European list prices for NBSK pulp between 2012 and 2021 have fluctuated between a low of $760 per ADMT in 2012 to a high of $1,345 per ADMT in 2021. In the same period, third party industry quoted average North American list prices for NBHK pulp have fluctuated between a low of $700 per ADMT in 2012 to a high of $1,350 per ADMT in 2021.
Our pulp sales realizations are third party industry quoted list prices, net of customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Our sales to China are closer to a net price with significantly lower or little discounts and rebates.
European and U.S. lumber markets differ. In the European market, lumber is generally customized in terms of dimensions and finishing, whereas the U.S. market is driven primarily by demand from new housing starts and home renovation activities and dimensions and finishing are generally standardized.
Energy and chemical production and sales are key revenue sources for us. Further initiatives to increase our generation and sales of renewable energy, chemicals and other by-products will continue to be a key focus for us. Such further initiatives may require additional capital spending.
Energy and chemicals are by-products of our pulp and lumber production and the volumes generated and sold are primarily related to the rate of production. Prices for our energy and chemical sales are generally stable and unrelated to cyclical changes in pulp or lumber prices.
Our financial performance is also impacted by changes in the dollar to euro and Canadian dollar exchange rates. Changes in currency rates affect our operating results because most of our operating costs at our German mills are incurred in euros and those at our Canadian mills are in Canadian dollars. These costs do not fluctuate with the
(51)
dollar to euro or Canadian dollar exchange rates. Thus, an increase in the strength of the dollar versus the euro and the Canadian dollar decreases our operating costs and increases our operating margins and income from operations. Conversely, a weakening of the dollar against the euro and the Canadian dollar tends to increase our operating costs and decrease our operating margins and income from operations. Our energy, chemical and European lumber sales are made in local currencies and, as a result, decline in dollar terms when the dollar strengthens and increase when the dollar weakens.
As a corollary to changes in exchange rates between the dollar and the euro and Canadian dollar, a stronger dollar generally increases costs to our customers and results in downward pressure on pulp and lumber prices. Conversely, a weakening dollar generally supports higher pulp and lumber pricing. However, there is invariably a time lag between changes in currency exchange rates and prices. This lag can vary and is not predictable with any precision.
Our production costs are influenced by the availability and cost of raw materials, energy and labor, and our plant efficiencies and productivity. Our main raw material is fiber in the form of wood chips, pulp logs and sawlogs. Wood chip, pulp log and sawlog costs are primarily affected by the supply of, and demand for, lumber and pulp, which are both highly cyclical. Higher fiber costs could affect producer profit margins if they are unable to pass along price increases to pulp and lumber customers or purchasers of surplus energy.
Production costs also depend on the total volume of production. High operating rates and production efficiencies permit us to lower our average per unit cost by spreading fixed costs over more units. Higher operating rates also permit us to increase our generation and sales of surplus renewable energy and chemicals. Our production levels are also dependent on, among other things, the number of days of maintenance downtime at our mills.
Unexpected maintenance downtime can be particularly disruptive in our industry.
Selected 2021 Highlights
In 2021, we:
•
achieved record net income of $171.0 million and Operating EBITDA* of $478.8 million driven by higher pulp and lumber sales realizations;
•
completed significant capital projects including projects which will increase our pulp capacity at the Stendal mill by 80,000 ADMTs and the rebuild of a boiler at Peace River;
•
expanded our product offerings with the acquisition of a CLT facility; and
•
maintained our crisis management plan and COVID-19 exposure control plans, risk assessments and protocols, which helped result in no material disruptions to our operations since the pandemic was declared in March 2020.
*See “- Summary Financial Highlights” for a reconciliation of net income (loss) to Operating EBITDA.
Current Market Environment
Although there is continued economic uncertainty as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, we currently expect relatively strong NBSK markets and pricing in the first half of 2022 as a result of improving demand and supply interruptions in Canada and Scandinavia. For NBHK pulp we currently expect demand and prices to remain steady.
In our wood products segment, we currently expect steady lumber demand in all markets with modest price improvements in the U.S. market in the first half of 2022.
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Summary Financial Highlights
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands, other than percent and per share amounts)
Statement of Operations Data
Pulp segment revenues
$
1,483,093
$
1,220,644
Wood products segment revenues
311,081
197,649
Corporate and other revenues
9,081
4,847
Total revenues
$
1,803,255
$
1,423,140
Pulp segment operating income
$
251,724
$
37,952
Wood products segment operating income
108,466
34,704
Corporate and other operating loss
(13,607
)
(8,927
)
Total operating income
$
346,583
$
63,729
Pulp segment depreciation and amortization
$
115,293
$
115,945
Wood products segment depreciation and amortization
14,858
12,212
Corporate and other depreciation and amortization
2,048
Total depreciation and amortization
$
132,199
$
128,921
Operating EBITDA(1)
$
478,782
$
192,650
Operating EBITDA margin(1)
%
%
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
$
(30,368
)(2)
$
-
Income tax provision
$
(89,579
)
$
(6,096
)
Net income (loss)
$
170,988
$
(17,235
)
Net income (loss) per common share
Basic
$
2.59
$
(0.26
)
Diluted
$
2.58
$
(0.26
)
Common shares outstanding at period end
66,037
65,868
(1)
See “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a description of Operating EBITDA and Operating EBITDA margin, their limitations and why we consider them to be useful measures.
The following table provides a reconciliation of net income (loss) to operating income and Operating EBITDA for the years indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Net income (loss)
$
170,988
$
(17,235
)
Income tax provision
89,579
6,096
Interest expense
70,047
80,746
Loss on early extinguishment of debt
30,368
-
Other income
(14,399
)
(5,878
)
Operating income
346,583
63,729
Add: Depreciation and amortization
132,199
128,921
Operating EBITDA
$
478,782
$
192,650
(2)
Redemption of the 2024 Senior Notes and 2025 Senior Notes.
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Selected Production, Sales and Other Data
Year Ended December 31,
Pulp Segment
Pulp production ('000 ADMTs)
NBSK
1,671.2
1,716.1
NBHK
192.7
335.0
Annual maintenance downtime ('000 ADMTs)
253.7
50.1
Annual maintenance downtime (days)
Pulp sales ('000 ADMTs)
NBSK
1,616.9
1,700.4
NBHK
195.8
329.0
Average NBSK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)
Europe
1,243
China
North America
1,478
1,139
Average NBHK pulp prices ($/ADMT)(1)
China
North America
1,225
Average pulp sales realizations ($/ADMT)(2)
NBSK
NBHK
Energy production ('000 MWh)(3)
1,826.5
2,238.6
Energy sales ('000 MWh)(3)
702.0
894.5
Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)(3)
Wood Products Segment
Lumber production (MMfbm)
447.9
438.0
Lumber sales (MMfbm)
419.7
449.2
Average lumber sales realizations ($/Mfbm)
Energy production and sales ('000 MWh)
74.6
89.0
Average energy sales realizations ($/MWh)
Average Spot Currency Exchange Rates
$ / €(4)
1.1830
1.1410
$ / C$(4)
0.7981
0.7457
(1)
Source: RISI pricing report. Europe and North America are list prices. China are net prices which include discounts, allowances and rebates. Effective January 2020, the RISI pricing report does not provide list prices for China.
(2)
Sales realizations after customer discounts, rebates and other selling concessions. Incorporates the effect of pulp price variations occurring between the order and shipment dates.
(3)
Does not include our 50% joint venture interest in the Cariboo mill, which is accounted for using the equity method.
(4)
Average Federal Reserve Bank of New York Noon Buying Rates over the reporting period.
Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Consolidated - Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Total revenues in 2021 increased by approximately 27% to a record $1,803.3 million from $1,423.1 million in 2020 primarily due to higher sales realizations partially offset by lower sales volumes.
(54)
Costs and expenses in 2021 increased by approximately 7% to $1,456.7 million from $1,359.4 million in 2020 primarily due to higher energy costs, the negative impact of a weaker dollar on our Canadian dollar and euro denominated costs and expenses, higher maintenance costs and higher per unit fiber costs for our wood products segment partially offset by lower sales volumes. Our maintenance costs were partially offset by the recovery of about $36.1 million business interruption insurance claims primarily related to the Peace River mill boiler rebuild in 2021.
In 2021, the dollar was 7% weaker against the Canadian dollar and 4% weaker against the euro compared to 2020, which increased our Canadian dollar and euro denominated costs and expenses.
In 2021, cost of sales depreciation and amortization increased to $132.1 million from $128.8 million in 2020 due to the negative impact of a weaker dollar.
Selling, general and administrative expenses increased by approximately 18% to $78.9 million in 2021 from $66.9 million in 2020 primarily due to higher employee compensation and the negative impact of a weaker dollar.
In 2021, our operating income increased to a record $346.6 million from $63.7 million in 2020 primarily due to higher sales realizations partially offset by higher energy costs, higher maintenance downtime, the negative impact of a weaker dollar and higher per unit fiber costs for our wood products segment.
In January 2021, we refinanced a significant portion of our debt, referred to as the “Refinancing”, by issuing $875.0 million of 5.125% 2029 Senior Notes and used the proceeds to redeem and/or repurchase all of our 6.5% 2024 Senior Notes and 7.375% 2025 Senior Notes, referred to as the “Redemption”, at a cost including premium of $824.6 million. We recorded a loss on such Redemption of $30.4 million ($0.46 per share). The Refinancing reduced our annual interest expense going forward by approximately $12.0 million.
Interest expense in 2021 decreased to $70.0 million from $80.7 million in 2020 primarily as a result of a lower interest rate for our 2029 Senior Notes.
Other income in 2021 was $14.4 million compared to $5.9 million in 2020. Other income in 2021 was primarily due to foreign exchange gains on the translation of dollar denominated cash held at the mills. Other income in 2020 was primarily due to a $17.5 million realized gain on the sale of investments partially offset by a $13.8 million foreign exchange loss primarily on the translation of dollar denominated cash held at the mills.
In 2021, income tax expense was $89.6 million or an effective tax rate of approximately 34%. In 2020, income tax expense was $6.1 million primarily due to the tax provision for our German entities only partially offset by tax recoveries for our Canadian entities.
In 2021, our net income was a record $171.0 million, or $2.59 per basic share and $2.58 per diluted share, compared to a net loss of $17.2 million, or $0.26 per share in 2020.
In 2021, Operating EBITDA increased to a record $478.8 million from $192.7 million in 2020 as higher sales realizations were only partially offset by higher energy costs, higher maintenance downtime, the negative impact of a weaker dollar and higher per unit fiber costs for our wood products segment.
Pulp Segment - Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Selected Financial Information
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Pulp revenues
$
1,389,439
$
1,130,302
Energy and chemical revenues
$
93,654
$
90,342
Depreciation and amortization
$
115,293
$
115,945
Operating income
$
251,724
$
37,952
(55)
Pulp revenues in 2021 increased by approximately 23% to a record $1,389.4 million from $1,130.3 million in 2020 due to higher sales realizations partially offset by lower sales volumes.
Energy and chemical revenues increased by approximately 4% to $93.7 million in 2021 from $90.3 million in 2020 primarily due to higher sales realizations and the positive impact of a weaker dollar on our euro and Canadian dollar denominated energy and chemical revenues partially offset by lower energy sales volumes due to lower energy production as a result of annual maintenance downtime and required repairs on our Rosenthal mill's turbine.
Total pulp production decreased by approximately 9% to 1,863,893 ADMTs in 2021 from 2,051,084 ADMTs in 2020. In 2021, our pulp mills had 188 days of annual maintenance downtime (approximately 253,700 ADMTs) including our 50% owned Cariboo mill. Approximately 88 days of such downtime was at our Peace River mill and primarily related to boiler work which was deferred from last year. In 2021, we finalized our insurance claims and recorded a recovery of $28.0 million in connection with the costs of the Peace River mill boiler work and $36.1 million for business interruption claims primarily related to its extended 2021 downtime.
We estimate that such maintenance downtime in 2021 adversely impacted our operating income by approximately $125.3 million, comprised of approximately $75.4 million in direct out-of-pocket expenses and the balance in reduced production (exclusive of business interruption insurance proceeds of approximately $36.1 million). Many of our competitors that report their financial results using International Financial Reporting Standards, referred to as “IFRS”, capitalize their direct costs of maintenance downtime.
In 2022, we currently have scheduled maintenance downtime for our pulp mills of an aggregate of 67 days, or approximately 94,800 ADMTs which will be comprised of 39 days in the second quarter, 14 days in the third quarter and 14 days in the final quarter.
Total pulp sales volumes decreased by approximately 11% to 1,812,689 ADMTs in 2021 compared to 2,029,409 ADMTs in 2020 primarily due to lower production. In 2021, third party industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp increased by approximately 46% in Europe and 30% in North America compared to 2020. In 2021, average net prices for NBSK pulp in China increased by approximately 45% compared to 2020. Such increases in prices principally resulted from steady demand and low customer inventory levels. In 2021, low customer inventory levels resulted from the pandemic and other factors creating logistics issues which reduced shipments to China and Europe and storms and winter conditions in Western Canada which reduced supply.
Third party industry quoted average list prices for NBSK pulp in Europe and North America were approximately $1,243 per ADMT and $1,478 per AMDT, respectively, in 2021 compared to approximately $851 per ADMT and $1,139 per ADMT, respectively, in 2020. Average net prices for NBSK pulp in China were approximately $850 per ADMT in 2021 compared to approximately $588 per ADMT in 2020. Third party industry quoted average list prices for NBHK pulp in North America were approximately $1,225 per ADMT in 2021 compared to approximately $881 per ADMT in 2020. Average net prices for NBHK pulp in China were approximately $661 per ADMT in 2021 compared to approximately $462 per ADMT in 2020.
Average NBSK pulp sales realizations increased by approximately 36% to $779 per ADMT in 2021 from $572 per ADMT in 2020 due to both higher list and net prices. In 2021, NBHK pulp sales realizations increased by approximately 36% to $615 per ADMT in 2021 from $452 per ADMT in 2020.
In 2021, the net negative impact on operating income due to foreign exchange was $50.2 million primarily due to the effect of a weaker dollar on average compared to the Canadian dollar and euro which increased the dollar cost of our Canadian dollar and euro denominated costs and expenses compared to 2020.
Costs and expenses in 2021 increased by approximately 4% to $1,231.7 million from $1,183.2 million in 2020 primarily due to higher energy costs, the negative impact of a weaker dollar and higher maintenance costs net of the business interruption insurance claims partially offset by lower pulp sales volumes.
On average, in 2021, overall per unit fiber costs increased by approximately 2% from 2020. For our Canadian mills, per unit fiber costs increased due to the negative impact of a weaker dollar. In 2021, per unit fiber costs for our German mills decreased due to the availability of beetle damaged wood and strong sawmill production. In 2022, we currently expect modestly higher per unit fiber costs due to strong demand.
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Transportation costs decreased by approximately 6% to $136.3 million in 2021 from $144.4 million in 2020 due to lower sales volumes partially offset by higher freight rates caused by weather related disruptions.
In 2021, depreciation and amortization decreased to $115.3 million from $115.9 million in 2020.
In 2021, pulp segment operating income increased to $251.7 million from $38.0 million in 2020 because of higher sales realizations only partially offset by higher energy costs, higher maintenance downtime and the negative impact of a weaker dollar.
Wood Products Segment - Year Ended December 31, 2021 Compared to Year Ended December 31, 2020
Selected Financial Information
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Lumber revenues
$
293,166
$
180,769
Energy revenues
$
11,547
$
10,619
Wood residual revenues
$
6,368
$
6,261
Depreciation and amortization
$
14,858
$
12,212
Operating income
$
108,466
$
34,704
In 2021, lumber revenues increased by approximately 62% to a record $293.2 million from $180.8 million, primarily due to higher sales realizations partially offset by a lower sales volume. Overall, in 2021, U.S. markets were strong with approximately 53% of our lumber revenues and 42% of sales volumes to such market. The majority of the balance of our lumber sales were to Europe.
Energy and wood residual revenues increased by approximately 6% to $17.9 million in 2021 from $16.9 million in 2020 primarily due to a higher realized energy price.
Lumber production increased by approximately 2% to a record 447.9 MMfbm in 2021 from 438.0 MMfbm in 2020 primarily due to capital improvements.
Lumber sales volumes decreased by approximately 7% to 419.7 MMfbm in 2021 from 449.2 MMfbm in 2020 due to the timing of sales resulting from shipment delays due to global logistics issues.
Average lumber sales realizations increased by approximately 74% to $699 per Mfbm in 2021 from $402 per Mfbm in 2020 primarily due to higher pricing in the U.S. and European markets. U.S. lumber pricing increased due to strong housing and home renovation demand. European lumber pricing increased due to steady demand and reduced supply as producers shifted product to the U.S. market.
Fiber costs were approximately 75% of our lumber cash production costs in 2021. In the comparative period of 2020, per unit fiber costs were very low as a result of a large supply of beetle damaged wood. As producers have been working through such wood, more green wood is being harvested. In 2021 per unit fiber costs increased by approximately 47% from the same period of 2020 as a result of using more green wood, continued strong demand for sawlogs and the negative impact of a weaker dollar on our euro denominated fiber costs. We currently expect modestly increasing per unit fiber costs in 2022 as a result of increased use of green wood.
Transportation costs increased by approximately 16% to $34.0 million in 2021 from $29.2 million in 2020 primarily due to higher freight rates and the negative impact of a weaker dollar being only partially offset by lower sales volumes.
In 2021, depreciation and amortization for our wood products segment increased to $14.9 million from $12.2 million in 2020 primarily due to the completion of capital projects.
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In 2021, our wood products segment had record operating income of $108.5 million compared to $34.7 million in 2020 primarily due to higher lumber sales realizations partially offset by higher per unit fiber costs.
Sensitivities
The following sensitivity analysis provides only a limited point-in-time view of the pulp price, lumber price, fiber costs and foreign exchange rates discussed. The actual impact of the underlying price and rate changes may differ materially from that shown in the sensitivity analysis.
Our earnings are sensitive to, among other things, fluctuations in:
Pulp Price. Pulp is a global commodity that is priced in dollars, whose markets are highly competitive and cyclical in nature. As a result, our earnings are sensitive to pulp price changes. Based upon our 2021 sales volume and assuming all other factors remained constant, each $10.00 per tonne change in pulp third party industry quoted list prices yields a change in pulp revenues of approximately $13.2 million.
Lumber Price. Lumber markets are highly competitive and cyclical in nature. As a result, our earnings are sensitive to lumber price changes. Based upon our 2021 sales volume and assuming all other factors remain constant, each $10.00 per Mfbm change in lumber price yields a change in lumber revenues of approximately $4.2 million.
Fiber Costs. Our main raw material is fiber in the form of wood chips, pulp logs and sawlogs. Fiber is a commodity and both prices and supply are cyclical. As a result, our operating costs are sensitive to fiber cost changes. For our pulp segment, based upon our 2021 fiber costs and assuming all other factors remained constant, each 1% change in per unit fiber cost yields a change in annual operating costs of approximately $3.9 million. For our wood products segment, based upon our 2021 fiber costs and assuming all other factors remained constant, each 1% change in per unit fiber cost yields a change in annual operating costs of approximately $1.2 million.
Foreign Exchange. Our operating costs are in euros for our German mills and Canadian dollars for our Canadian mills. As a result, our operating costs will fluctuate with changes in the value of the dollar relative to the euro and Canadian dollar. Based on our 2021 operating costs and assuming all other factors remained constant, each $0.01 change in the value of the dollar relative to the Canadian dollar yields a total change in annual operating costs of approximately $7.5 million. Based on our 2021 operating costs and assuming all other factors remained constant, each $0.01 change in the value of the dollar relative to the euro yields a total change in annual operating costs of approximately $7.1 million.
Our energy, chemical and European lumber sales are made in local currencies and, as a result, decline in dollar terms when the dollar strengthens. Based on our 2021 energy, chemical and European lumber revenues and assuming all other factors remained constant, each $0.01 change in the value of the dollar relative to the euro yields a total change in energy, chemical and European lumber revenues of approximately $1.5 million. Based on our 2021 energy and chemical revenues and assuming all other factors remained constant, each $0.01 change in the value of the dollar relative to the Canadian dollar yields a total change in energy and chemical revenues of approximately $0.2 million.
Seasonal Influences. We are exposed to fluctuations in quarterly sales volumes and expenses due to seasonal factors. These factors are common in the pulp and lumber industries. We generally have weaker pulp demand in Europe during the summer holiday months and in China in the period relating to the lunar new year. We typically have a seasonal build-up in raw material inventories in the early winter months as the mills build up their fiber supply for the winter when there is reduced availability.
Inflation. While inflationary increases in certain input costs, such as energy, fiber and chemical costs, have an impact on our operating results, changes in general inflation have had minimal impact on our operating results in each of the last three years. Sales prices and volumes are more strongly influenced by economic supply and demand factors in specific markets and by exchange rate fluctuations than by inflationary factors.
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Liquidity and Capital Resources
Summary of Cash Flows
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Net cash from operating activities
$
182,214
$
41,565
Net cash used in investing activities
(187,127
)
(59,827
)
Net cash from (used in) financing activities
(9,504
)
26,317
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents
(1,071
)
1,958
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
$
(15,488
)
$
10,013
We operate in a cyclical industry and our operating cash flows vary accordingly. Our principal operating cash expenditures are for fiber, labor, chemicals and debt service.
Working capital levels fluctuate throughout the year and are affected by maintenance downtime, changing sales patterns, seasonality and the timing of receivables and the payment of payables and expenses. Generally, finished goods inventories are increased prior to scheduled maintenance downtime to maintain sales volume while production is stopped. Our fiber inventories exhibit seasonal swings as we increase pulp log, sawlog and wood chip inventories to ensure adequate supply of fiber to our mills during the winter months. Changes in sales volume can affect the level of receivables and influence overall working capital levels. We believe our management practices with respect to working capital conform to common business practices.
Cash Flows from Operating Activities
Cash from operations includes:
•
cash received from customers;
•
cash paid to employees and suppliers;
•
cash paid for interest on our debt; and
•
cash paid or received for taxes.
Cash provided by operating activities in 2021 increased to $182.2 million from $41.6 million in 2020 due to higher operating income. In 2021, an increase in accounts receivable used cash of $121.6 million compared to $6.3 million in 2020. In 2021, an increase in inventories used cash of $96.4 million compared to $11.4 million in 2020. In 2021, the increase in accounts receivable primarily related to higher prices for product sales and approximately $38.0 million for receivables for insurance proceeds related to our Peace River mill, which were collected in 2022. In 2021, the increase in inventories primarily related to higher prices and volumes for finished goods, delays in shipments, which we expect to work through in the first quarter of 2022 and higher raw material inventories. In 2021, an increase in accounts payable and accrued expenses provided cash of $75.6 million and in 2020, a decrease in accounts payable and accrued expenses used cash of $53.7 million.
Cash Flows from Investing Activities
Cash from investing activities includes:
•
acquisitions of property, plant and equipment and businesses;
•
proceeds from the sale of assets; and
•
purchases and sales of short-term investments.
Investing activities in 2021 used cash of $187.1 million comprised primarily of capital expenditures of $159.4 million and $51.3 million for the acquisition of our CLT Facility. Investing activities in 2020 used cash of $59.8 million primarily related to capital expenditures of $78.5 million and $9.4 million for other investments partially offset by proceeds of $26.9 million from the sale of such investments.
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In 2021, capital expenditures related primarily to the Peace River recovery boiler rebuild, which was financed with insurance proceeds of $21.5 million, capacity expansion projects at the Stendal mill, upgrades to the woodrooms at our Canadian pulp mills and the completion of the expansion and optimization projects at our Friesau sawmill. In 2020, capital expenditures included the expansion and optimization projects at our Friesau sawmill, pulp capacity expansion projects and additional land for fiber storage at the Stendal mill and other small maintenance and optimization projects.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities
Cash from financing activities includes:
•
issuances and payments of debt;
•
borrowings and payments under revolving lines of credit;
•
proceeds from issuances of stock; and
•
payments of cash dividends and repurchases of stock.
In 2021, financing activities used cash of $9.5 million. In 2021, we repaid $33.4 million of our revolving credit facilities, received net proceeds from the Refinancing after giving effect to the Redemption of $50.4 million, paid note issuance costs of $14.5 million in respect of the 2029 Senior Notes and paid $17.2 million of dividends. In 2021, we received $9.3 million in government grants to partially finance innovation and greenhouse gas emission reduction capital projects at our Canadian mills. In 2020, financing activities provided cash of $26.3 million primarily from $52.7 million of borrowings under our revolving credit facilities. In 2020, we paid dividends of $21.9 million and used $0.2 million to repurchase common shares.
Balance Sheet Data
The following table is a summary of selected financial information for the dates indicated:
December 31,
(in thousands)
Financial Position
Cash and cash equivalents
$
345,610
$
361,098
Working capital
$
781,181
$
663,056
Total assets
$
2,351,232
$
2,129,126
Long-term liabilities
$
1,374,084
$
1,316,303
Total shareholders' equity
$
694,024
$
601,027
Sources and Uses of Funds
Our principal sources of funds are cash flows from operations and cash and cash equivalents on hand. Our principal uses of funds consist of operating expenditures, capital expenditures and interest payments on our Senior Notes.
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The following table sets out our total capital expenditures and interest expense for the periods indicated:
Year Ended December 31,
(in thousands)
Capital expenditures
$
159,440
(1)
$
78,518
Cash paid for interest expense(2)
$
73,088
$
78,151
Interest expense(3)
$
70,047
$
80,746
(1)
Includes expenditures for the recovery boiler rebuild at the Peace River mill which was financed with insurance proceeds of $21.5 million.
(2)
Amounts differ from interest expense which includes non-cash items. See supplemental disclosure of cash flow information from our Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows included in this report.
(3)
Interest on our 2024 Senior Notes was paid semi-annually in February and August of each year and interest on our 2025 Senior Notes was paid semi-annually in January and July of each year. In January 2021, we redeemed our 2024 Senior Notes and 2025 Senior Notes. Interest on our 2026 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in January and July of each year. Interest on our 2029 Senior Notes is paid semi-annually in February and August of each year, commencing August 2021.
As of December 31, 2021, we had cash and cash equivalents of $345.6 million and approximately $285.3 million available under our revolving credit facilities providing us with aggregate liquidity of about $630.9 million.
As of December 31, 2021, we had no material commitments to acquire assets or operating businesses.
In 2022, excluding amounts being financed through government grants, we currently expect capital expenditures to be approximately $175.0 million to $200.0 million.
We currently consider the majority of undistributed earnings of our foreign subsidiaries to be indefinitely reinvested and, accordingly, no U.S. income tax has been provided on such earnings. However, if we were required to repatriate funds to the United States, we believe that we currently could repatriate the majority thereof without incurring any material amount of taxes as a result of our shareholder advances and U.S. tax reform. However, it is currently not practical to estimate the income tax liability that might be incurred if such earnings were remitted to the United States. Substantially all of our undistributed earnings are held by our foreign subsidiaries outside of the United States.
Based upon the current level of operations and our current expectations for future periods in light of the current economic environment, and in particular, current and expected pulp and lumber pricing and foreign exchange rates, we believe that cash flow from operations and available cash, together with available borrowings under our revolving credit facilities, will be adequate to finance the capital requirements for our business including the payment of our quarterly dividend during the next 12 months.
In the future we may make acquisitions of businesses or assets or commitments to additional capital projects. To achieve the long-term goals of expanding our assets and earnings, including through acquisitions, capital resources will be required. Depending on the size of a transaction, the capital resources that will be required can be substantial. The necessary resources will be generated from cash flow from operations, cash on hand, borrowing against our assets or the issuance of securities.
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Credit Facilities and Debt Covenants
We had the following principal amounts outstanding under our credit facilities and Senior Notes as of the dates indicated:
December 31,
(in thousands)
German Facility
$
-
$
-
Rosenthal €2.6 million loan
$
-
$
-
Celgar Working Capital Facility(1)
$
-
$
32,988
Peace River Working Capital Facility(1)
$
22,874
$
21,992
2024 Senior Notes(2)
$
-
$
250,000
2025 Senior Notes(2)
$
-
$
550,000
2026 Senior Notes
$
300,000
$
300,000
2029 Senior Notes(2)
$
875,000
$
-
(1)
In January 2022, discharged and replaced with the Canadian Revolving Facility.
(2)
In January 2021, we issued $875.0 million in 2029 Senior Notes and used a portion of the net proceeds to refinance and discharge in full the 2024 Senior Notes and 2025 Senior Notes.
For a description of such indebtedness, see Item 1. “Business - Description of Certain Indebtedness”.
Certain of our long-term obligations contain various financial tests and covenants customary to these types of arrangements.
Under the German Facility, the Obligors must not exceed a ratio of net debt to EBITDA of 3.50:1 in any 12-month period and maintain defined capital of not less than €400.0 million.
The Canadian Revolving Facility includes a covenant that so long as the excess amount under the facility is less than the greater of 10% of the line cap thereunder and C$14.0 million, in either case, for five consecutive days or less than the greater of 7.5% of the line cap and C$10.0 million, at any time, and which requires the borrowers to comply, on a combined basis, with a 1.00:1.00 fixed charge coverage ratio.
The German Facility is provided by a syndicate of six financial institutions and the Canadian Revolving Facility is provided by three financial institutions. To date we have not experienced any reductions in credit availability with respect to these credit facilities. However, if any of these financial institutions were to default on their commitment to fund, we could be adversely affected.
The indentures governing the Senior Notes do not contain any financial maintenance covenants and there are no scheduled principal payments until maturity. Interest on our 2026 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on January 15 and July 15, at the rate of 5.50% and they mature in January 2026. Interest on our 2029 Senior Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on February 1 and August 1, at the rate of 5.125% and they mature in February 2029.
As of December 31, 2021, we were in full compliance with all of the covenants of our indebtedness.
Foreign Currency
Our reporting currency is the dollar. However, we hold certain assets and liabilities in euros and Canadian dollars and the majority of our expenditures are denominated in euros or Canadian dollars. Accordingly, our consolidated financial results are subject to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
We translate foreign denominated assets and liabilities into dollars at the rate of exchange on the balance sheet date. Equity accounts are translated using historical exchange rates. Unrealized gains or losses from these translations are recorded in our other comprehensive income (loss) and do not affect our net earnings.
In 2021, accumulated other comprehensive loss increased by $63.2 million to a loss of $90.8 million, primarily due to the foreign currency translation adjustment.
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Based upon the exchange rate as of December 31, 2021, the dollar was approximately 8% stronger against the euro and was flat against the Canadian dollar since December 31, 2020. See Item 7A. “Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk”.
Credit Ratings of Senior Notes
We and our Senior Notes are rated by Standard & Poor’s Rating Services, referred to as “S&P”, and Moody’s Investors Service, Inc., referred to as “Moody’s”.
S&P and Moody’s base their assessment of the credit risk on our Senior Notes on the business and financial profile of Mercer Inc. and our restricted subsidiaries under the indentures governing the Senior Notes. As of December 31, 2021, all of our subsidiaries are restricted subsidiaries. Factors that may affect our credit rating include changes in our operating performance and liquidity. Credit rating downgrades can adversely impact, among other things, future borrowing costs and access to capital markets.
In June 2021 S&P revised its outlook to stable from negative and confirmed its rating on our Senior Notes is B+. Its recovery rating remained unchanged as “3”. In January 2021 Moody's confirmed its rating on our Senior Notes is Ba3 and its outlook is stable.
Credit ratings are not recommendations to buy, sell or hold securities and may be subject to revision or withdrawal by the assigning rating organization. Each rating should be evaluated independently of any other rating.
Critical Accounting Policies
The preparation of financial statements and related disclosures in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect both the amount and the timing of recording of assets, liabilities, revenues and expenses in the consolidated financial statements and accompanying note disclosures. Our management routinely makes judgments and estimates about the effects of matters that are inherently uncertain. As the number of variables and assumptions affecting the probable future resolution of the uncertainties increase, these judgments become even more subjective and complex.
Our significant accounting policies are disclosed in Note 1 to our audited annual consolidated financial statements included in Part IV of this annual report. While all of the significant accounting policies are important to the consolidated financial statements, some of these policies may be viewed as having a high degree of judgment. On an ongoing basis using currently available information, management reviews its estimates, including those related to accounting for, among other things, pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations, deferred income taxes (valuation allowance and permanent reinvestment), depreciation and amortization, future cash flows associated with impairment testing for long-lived assets, the allocation of the purchase price in a business combination to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed, legal liabilities and contingencies. Actual results could differ materially from these estimates, and changes in these estimates are recorded when known.
The following accounting policies require management’s most difficult, subjective and complex judgments, and are subject to a fair degree of measurement uncertainty.
Pension and Other Post-Retirement Benefit Obligations
We maintain defined benefit pension plans and an other post-retirement benefit plan for certain employees of our Peace River mill and our Celgar mill which are funded based on actuarial estimates and requirements and are non-contributory. We recognize the net funded status of the plans and we record net periodic benefit costs associated with these net obligations. As of December 31, 2021, we had pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations aggregating $139.3 million and accumulated pension plan assets with a fair value of $121.4 million. Our 2021 net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs were $2.8 million. The amounts recorded for the net pension and other post-retirement obligations include various judgments and uncertainties.
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The following inputs are used to determine our net obligations and our net periodic benefit costs each year and the determination of these inputs requires judgment:
•
discount rate - used to determine the net present value of our pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations and to determine the interest cost component of our net periodic pension and other post-retirement benefit costs;
•
return on assets - used to estimate the growth in the value of invested assets that are available to satisfy pension obligations and to determine the expected return on the plan assets component of our net periodic pension costs;
•
mortality rate - used to estimate the impact of mortality on pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations;
•
rate of compensation increase - used to calculate the impact future pay increases will have on pension benefit obligations; and
•
health care cost trend rate - used to calculate the impact of future health care costs on other post-retirement benefit obligations.
For the discount rate, we use the rates available on high-quality corporate bonds with a duration that is expected to match the timing of expected pension and other post-retirement benefit obligations. High-quality corporate bonds are those with a rating of “AA” or better.
In determining the expected return on assets, we consider the historical long-term returns, expected asset mix and the active management premium.
For the mortality rate we use actuarially-determined mortality tables that are consistent with our historical mortality experience and future expectations for mortality of the employees who participate in our pension and other post-retirement benefit plans.
In determining the rate of compensation increase, we review historical compensation increases and promotions, while considering current industry conditions, the terms of collective bargaining agreements with employees and the outlook for the industry.
For the health care cost trend rate, we consider historical trends for these costs, as well as recently enacted health care legislation. We also compare our health care rate to those of our industry.
Variations in assumptions described above could have a significant effect on the pension and other post-retirement benefits net periodic benefit cost and obligation reported in our consolidated financial statements. For example, a one-percentage point change in any one of the following assumptions would have increased (decreased) our 2021 net periodic benefit cost and our accrued benefit obligation as follows:
Net periodic benefit cost
Accrued benefit obligation
1% increase
1% decrease
1% increase
1% decrease
(in thousands)
Assumption
Discount rate
$
(47
)
$
$
(18,034
)
$
22,052
Return on assets
$
(974
)
$
$
-
$
-
Rate of compensation
$
$
(487
)
$
4,155
$
(3,912
)
Health care cost trend rate
$
(27
)
$
$
$
(545
)
Deferred Taxes
As of December 31, 2021, we had $1.2 million in deferred tax assets and $95.1 million in deferred tax liabilities, resulting in a net deferred tax liability of $93.9 million. Our tax assets are net of a $43.2 million valuation allowance. Our deferred tax assets are comprised primarily of tax loss and interest carryforwards and deductible temporary differences, all of which will reduce taxable income in the future. We assess the realization of these deferred tax assets at each reporting period to determine whether it is more likely than not that the deferred tax
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assets will be realized. Our assessment includes a review of all available positive and negative evidence, including, but not limited to, the following:
•
the history of the tax loss carryforwards and their expiry dates;
•
future reversals of temporary differences;
•
our historical and projected earnings; and
•
tax planning opportunities.
Significant judgment is required when evaluating the positive and negative evidence, specifically the Company’s estimates of future earnings. The weight given to negative and positive evidence is commensurate with the extent to which it can be objectively verified. Operating results during the most recent three-year period are generally given more weight than expectations of future profitability, which are inherently uncertain. A cumulative loss position during the most recent three-year period is considered significant negative evidence in assessing the realizability of deferred income tax assets that is difficult to overcome.
Once our evaluation of the evidence is complete, if we believe that it is more likely than not that some of the deferred tax assets will not be realized, based on currently available information, an income tax valuation allowance is recorded against the deferred tax assets.
If market conditions improve or tax planning opportunities arise in the future, we may reduce our valuation allowance, resulting in future tax benefits. If market conditions deteriorate in the future, we may increase our valuation allowance, resulting in future tax expenses. Any change in tax laws may change the valuation allowances in future periods.
Long-Lived Assets
As of December 31, 2021, we had long-lived assets recorded in our Consolidated Balance Sheet of $1,183.5 million. These long-lived assets include property, plant and equipment, net and amortizable intangible assets, net. In 2021, we recorded depreciation and amortization of $132.2 million and no impairment charges. Depreciation and amortization and impairment charges are based on accounting estimates.
The calculation of depreciation and amortization of long-lived assets requires us to apply judgment in selecting the remaining useful lives of the assets. The remaining useful life of an asset must address both physical and economic considerations. The remaining economic life of a long-lived asset may be shorter than its physical life. The pulp industry has historically been characterized by considerable uncertainty in business conditions. Estimates of future economic conditions for our long-lived assets and therefore, their remaining useful economic life, require considerable judgment.
If our estimate of the remaining useful life changes, such a change is accounted for prospectively in our determination of depreciation and amortization. Actual depreciation and amortization charges for an individual asset may therefore be significantly accelerated if the outlook for its remaining useful life is shortened considerably.
The unit of accounting for impairment testing for long-lived assets is its “Asset Group”, which includes property, plant and equipment, net, amortizable intangible assets, net and liabilities directly related to those assets. We evaluate an Asset Group for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying value may not be recoverable, such as continuing operating losses. When an indicator that the carrying value of an Asset Group may not be recoverable is triggered, we compare the carrying value of the Asset Group to its forecasted undiscounted future cash flows. If the carrying value of the Asset Group is greater than the undiscounted future cash flows an impairment charge is recorded based on the excess of the Asset Group’s carrying value over its fair value.
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Impairment testing for long-lived assets requires us to apply judgment in estimating the future cash flows of the Asset Group. The significant estimates in the future cash flows include periods of operation, projections of product pricing, production levels, fiber and other production costs and maintenance spending. When performing impairment tests, we estimate the fair values of the assets using management’s best assumptions, which we believe would be consistent with the assumptions that a hypothetical marketplace participant would use. Estimates and assumptions used in these tests are evaluated and updated each period an impairment indicator is triggered.
Actual asset impairment losses could vary considerably from estimated impairment losses if actual results are not consistent with the assumptions and judgments used in estimating future cash flows.
Business Combination
We allocate the total purchase of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed based on their estimated fair values as of the business combination date. In developing estimates of fair values for long-lived assets, including identifiable intangible assets, we utilize a variety of inputs including forecasted cash flows, discount rates, estimated replacement costs and depreciation and obsolescence factors. Determining the fair value for specifically identified intangible assets, such as contracts, involves judgment. We may refine our estimates and make adjustments to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed over a measurement period, not to exceed one year. Upon the conclusion of the measurement period or the final determination of the values of assets acquired and liabilities assumed, whichever comes first, any subsequent adjustments are charged to earnings. Subsequent actual results of the underlying business activity supporting the specifically identified intangible assets could change, requiring us to record impairment charges or accelerate the remaining useful life.
Contingent Liabilities
We are subject to lawsuits, investigations and other claims related to environmental, product and other matters, and are required to assess the likelihood of any adverse judgments or outcomes to these matters, as well as potential ranges of probable losses. We disclose contingent liabilities when there is a reasonable possibility that an ultimate loss may occur and we record contingent liabilities when it becomes probable that we will have to make payments and the amount of loss can be reasonably estimated.
Assessing probability of loss and estimating probable losses requires analysis of multiple factors, including, but not limited to, the following:
•
historical experience;
•
judgments about the potential actions of third-party claimants and courts; and
•
recommendations of legal counsel.
Contingent liabilities are based on the best information available and actual losses in any future period are inherently uncertain. If estimated probable future losses or actual losses exceed our recorded liability for such claims, we would record additional charges. These exposures and proceedings can be significant and the ultimate negative outcomes could be material to our operating results or liquidity in any given quarter or year.
New Accounting Standards
See Note 1 to our consolidated financial statements included in Item 15 of this annual report on Form 10-K.
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---

ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A.
QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
We are exposed to risks associated with fluctuations in:
•
foreign currency exchange rates;
•
prices for the products we manufacture;
•
fiber costs;
•
credit risk; and
•
interest rates.
For a discussion of our earnings sensitivities to foreign exchange rates, pulp and lumber prices and fiber costs, see Item 7. “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Sensitivities” on page 51 hereof.
Foreign Currency Exchange Risk
We compete with producers from around the world, particularly Europe and North America, in our product lines. We sell our principal product, pulp, mainly in transactions denominated in dollars but sell certain other products including energy, chemicals and European lumber in local currencies, being euros and Canadian dollars. Changes in the relative strength or weakness of the dollar versus the euro and the Canadian dollar affect our operating costs and margins. A stronger dollar lowers our operating costs but can in turn increase the cost of pulp to our customers and thereby create downward pressure on prices. On the other hand, a weaker dollar tends to increase our operating costs but tends to support higher pulp prices.
We are particularly sensitive to changes in the value of the dollar versus the euro and Canadian dollar. We expect exchange rate fluctuations to continue to impact costs and revenues, but we cannot predict the magnitude or direction of this effect for any period, and there can be no assurance of any future effects.
Furthermore, certain of our assets and liabilities are denominated in euros and Canadian dollars. A depreciation of these currencies against the dollar will decrease the fair value of such financial instrument assets and an appreciation of these currencies against the dollar will increase the fair value of such financial instrument liabilities, thereby decreasing our fair value. An appreciation of these currencies against the dollar will increase the fair value of such financial instrument assets and a depreciation of these currencies against the dollar will decrease the fair value of financial instrument liabilities, thereby increasing our fair value. As a result, our earnings can be subject to the potentially significant effect of foreign currency translation gains or losses in respect of these euros and Canadian dollar items.
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The following table provides information about our exposure to foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations for the carrying amount of financial instruments sensitive to such fluctuations as of December 31, 2021 and expected cash flows from these instruments:
As of December 31, 2021
Expected maturity date
Carrying Value
Fair Value
Thereafter
(in thousands)
Financial Instruments
in euros
Cash and cash equivalents
10,974
10,974
10,974
-
-
-
-
-
Accounts receivable, net
95,349
95,349
95,349
-
-
-
-
-
Accounts payable and other
149,089
149,089
149,089
-
-
-
-
-
Finance lease liabilities
49,395
49,395
5,756
5,990
5,449
5,228
5,382
21,590
Operating lease liabilities
1,243
1,243
in Canadian dollars
Cash and cash equivalents
27,634
27,634
27,634
-
-
-
-
-
Accounts receivable, net
65,862
65,862
65,862
-
-
-
-
-
Accounts payable and other
84,871
84,871
84,871
-
-
-
-
-
Finance lease liabilities
10,265
10,265
2,181
1,835
1,850
1,384
2,153
Operating lease liabilities
2,510
2,510
Long-term debt
29,000
29,000
-
-
29,000
-
-
-
in Australian dollars
Cash and cash equivalents
2,919
2,919
2,919
-
-
-
-
-
Accounts receivable, net
1,159
1,159
1,159
-
-
-
-
-
Accounts payable and other
1,547
1,547
1,547
-
-
-
-
-
Operating lease liabilities
8,786
8,786
2,245
1,951
1,382
2,035
Product Price Risk
Historically, economic and market shifts, fluctuations in capacity and changes in foreign currency exchange rates have created cyclical changes in prices, sales volume and margins for our principal products, being kraft pulp and lumber. In general, our products are commodities that are widely available from other producers and, because these products have few distinguishing qualities from producer to producer, competition is based primarily on price which is determined by supply relative to demand. The overall levels of demand for the products we manufacture, and consequently our sales and profitability, reflect fluctuations in end user demand.
Fiber Price Risk
Fiber in the form of wood chips, pulp logs and sawlogs represents our largest operating cost. Fiber is a market-priced commodity and, as such, is subject to fluctuations in prices based on supply and demand. Increases in the prices of fiber will tend to increase our operating costs and reduce our operating margins.
Interest Rate Risk
Fluctuations in interest rates may affect the fair value of fixed interest rate financial instruments which are sensitive to such fluctuations. A decrease in interest rates may increase the fair value of such fixed interest rate financial instrument assets and an increase in interest rates may decrease the fair value of such fixed interest rate financial instrument liabilities, thereby increasing our fair value. An increase in interest rates may decrease the fair value of such fixed interest rate financial instrument assets and a decrease in interest rates may increase the fair value of such fixed interest rate financial instrument liabilities, thereby decreasing our fair value. We may seek to manage our interest rate risks through the use of interest rate derivatives.
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The following tables provide information about our exposure to interest rate fluctuations for the financial instruments sensitive to such fluctuations as of December 31, 2021 and expected cash flows from these instruments:
As of December 31, 2021
Expected maturity date
Total
Fair Value
Thereafter
(in thousands other than percentages)
Liabilities
Long-term debt:
Fixed rate ($)(1)(2)
1,175,000
1,197,449
-
-
-
-
300,000
875,000
Average interest rate
5.221
%
5.221
%
5.500
%
5.125
%
Variable rate ($)(3)
22,874
22,874
-
-
22,874
-
-
-
Average interest rate
2.450
%
2.450
%
2.450
%
(1)
2026 Senior Notes bearing interest at 5.50%, principal amount $300.0 million.
(2)
2029 Senior Notes bearing interest at 5.125%, principal amount $875.0 million
(3)
The Peace River mill revolving credit facility bearing interest by way of: (i) Canadian denominated advances, which bear interest at a designated prime rate per annum; (ii) banker's acceptance equivalent loans, which bear interest at the applicable Canadian dollar banker's acceptance plus 1.25% to 1.50% per annum; (iii) dollar denominated base rate advances at the greater of the federal funds rate plus 0.50%, a designated LIBOR rate plus 1.00% and the bank's applicable reference rate for U.S. dollar loans; and (iv) dollar LIBOR advances, which bear interest at LIBOR plus 1.25% to 1.50% per annum.
Credit Risk
Our credit risk is primarily attributable to cash held in bank accounts and accounts receivable. We maintain cash balances in foreign financial institutions in excess of insured limits. We limit our credit exposure on cash held in bank accounts by periodically investing cash in excess of short-term operating requirements and debt obligations in low risk government bonds, or similar debt instruments. Our credit risk associated with the sale of pulp, lumber and other wood residuals is managed through setting credit limits, the purchase of credit insurance and for certain customers a letter of credit is received prior to shipping the product. We review new customers’ credit history before granting credit and conducts regular reviews of existing customers’ credit. Concentrations of credit risk on the sale of pulp, lumber and other wood residuals are with customers and agents based primarily in Germany, China and the U.S.
Risk Management and Derivatives
We seek to manage these risks through internal risk management policies as well as, from time to time, through the periodic use of derivatives. We may also from time to time use derivatives to reduce or limit our exposure to interest rate and currency risks. We may also use derivatives to reduce or limit our exposure to fluctuations in pulp and lumber prices. We may use derivatives to reduce our potential losses or to augment our potential gains, depending on our management’s perception of future economic events and developments. These types of derivatives are generally highly speculative in nature. They are also very volatile as they are highly leveraged given that margin requirements are relatively low in proportion to notional amounts.
The principal derivatives we have periodically previously used are interest rate derivatives, pulp price derivatives, energy derivatives and foreign exchange derivatives.
Many of our strategies, including the use of derivatives, and the types of derivatives selected by us, are based on historical trading patterns and correlations and our management’s expectations of future events. However, these strategies may not be effective in all market environments or against all types of risks. Unexpected market developments may affect our risk management strategies during this time, and unanticipated developments could impact our risk management strategies in the future. If any of the variety of instruments and strategies we utilize is not effective, we may incur significant losses.
As of each of December 31, 2021 and 2020, we had no outstanding derivatives.
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However, in the future, we may from time to time use foreign exchange derivatives to convert some of our costs (including currency swaps relating to our long-term indebtedness) from euros or Canadian dollars to dollars as our principal product is priced in dollars. We have also converted some of our costs to dollars by issuing long-term dollar-denominated debt in the form of our Senior Notes. We may also from time to time use pulp or lumber derivatives to fix price realizations and interest rate derivatives to fix the rate of interest on indebtedness.
We record unrealized gains and losses on our outstanding derivatives when they are marked to market at the end of each reporting period and realized gains or losses on them when they are settled. We determine market valuations based primarily upon valuations provided by our counterparties.
We are exposed to modest credit related risks in the event of non-performance by counterparties to derivative contracts.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8.
FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
The consolidated financial statements required with respect to this Item 8, and as listed in Item 15 of this annual report on Form 10-K, are included in this annual report on Form 10-K commencing on page 80.

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ITEM 9. CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS
ITEM 9.
CHANGES IN AND DISAGREEMENTS WITH ACCOUNTANTS ON ACCOUNTING AND FINANCIAL DISCLOSURE
Not applicable.

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ITEM 9A. CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
ITEM 9A.
CONTROLS AND PROCEDURES
Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures
Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act), as of the end of the period covered by this annual report on Form 10-K. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed in the reports we file or submit under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure. Based on such evaluation, our principal executive officer and principal financial officer have concluded that, as of the end of the period covered by this report, our disclosure controls and procedures are effective in recording, processing, summarizing and reporting, on a timely basis, information required to be disclosed by us in the reports that we file or submit under the Exchange Act.
It should be noted that any system of controls is based in part upon certain assumptions designed to obtain reasonable (and not absolute) assurance as to its effectiveness, and there can be no assurance that any design will succeed in achieving its stated goals.
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Management’s Report on Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Mercer’s internal control over financial reporting is designed to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with GAAP.
Our internal control over financial reporting includes those policies and procedures that:
•
pertain to the maintenance of records that, in reasonable detail, accurately and fairly reflect the transactions and dispositions of the assets of Mercer;
•
provide reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary to permit preparation of financial statements in accordance with GAAP, and that receipts and expenditures are being made only in accordance with authorizations of management and directors; and
•
provide reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of assets that could have a material effect on the financial statements.
Because of its inherent limitations, internal control over financial reporting may not prevent or detect misstatements. Also, projections of any evaluation of effectiveness to future periods are subject to the risk that controls may become inadequate because of changes in conditions, or that the degree of compliance with the policies or procedures may deteriorate.
Management assessed the effectiveness of Mercer’s internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021. In making this assessment, management used the criteria set forth in Internal Control-Integrated Framework, as issued in 2013 by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (COSO). Based on our assessment and those criteria, management concluded that the Company's internal control over financial reporting was effective as of December 31, 2021.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2021 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their attestation report which appears in this annual report on Form 10-K.
Changes in Internal Controls
There have been no changes in our internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act) during the period that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B.
OTHER INFORMATION
Not applicable.
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PART III

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10.
DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
Executive Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and Directors
We are governed by a board of directors, referred to as the “Board”, each member of which is elected annually. The following sets forth information relating to our directors and executive officers.
Jimmy S.H. Lee, Executive Chairman and Director, age 64, has served as a director since May 1985, as Executive Chairman since July 2015 and as President and Chief Executive Officer from 1992 to 2015. Mr. Lee was a director of Golden Valley Mines Ltd. from 2016 to 2021. Previously, during the period when MFC Bancorp Ltd. was our affiliate, he served as a director from 1986 and President from 1988 to December 1996 when it was spun out. During Mr. Lee’s tenure with Mercer, we acquired the Rosenthal mill and converted it to the production of kraft pulp, constructed and commenced operations at the Stendal mill and acquired the Celgar mill, the Friesau mill and Peace River. He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Chemical Engineering from the University of British Columbia, Canada. Mr. Lee possesses particular knowledge and experience in our business as a “founder” and as our Chief Executive Officer for over 25 years. He also has broad knowledge and experience in finance and banking, credit markets, international pulp markets, derivative risk management and capital allocation.
David M. Gandossi, Chief Executive Officer, President and Director, age 64, has served as a director and as Chief Executive Officer and President since July 2015 and served as Executive Vice-President, Chief Financial Officer and Secretary from August 2003 to July 2015. His previous roles included Chief Financial Officer and other senior executive positions with Formation Forest Products and Pacifica Papers Inc. Mr. Gandossi has previously chaired a number of industry working committees or groups including the BC Pulp and Paper Task Force, the BC Bio-economy Transformation Council and the FPI National Research Advisory Committee. He also participated in the Pulp and Paper Advisory Committee to the BC Competition Council and was a member of BC’s Working Roundtable on Forestry. He is currently a director of The Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) and The Council of Forest Industries (COFI). Mr. Gandossi holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia and is a Fellow of the Chartered Professional Accountants of British Columbia (CPABC).
William D. McCartney, age 66, has served as a director since January 2003 and Lead Director since May 28, 2021. He has been the President and Chief Executive Officer of Pemcorp Management Inc., a corporate finance and management consulting firm, since its inception in 1990. From 1984 to 1990, he was a founding partner of Davidson & Company, Chartered Accountants, where he specialized in business advisory services. He has been involved with numerous capital restructuring and financing events involving several public companies and brings substantial knowledge relating to the financial accounting and auditing processes. He is a chartered professional accountant and has been a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada since 1980. He holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Business Administration from Simon Fraser University. Mr. McCartney has extensive experience in accounting, financial and capital markets.
James Shepherd, age 69, has served as a director since June 2011. Mr. Shepherd was President and Chief Executive Officer of Canfor Corporation from 2004 to 2007 and Slocan Forest Products Ltd. from 1999 to 2004. He is also the former President of Crestbrook Forest Industries Ltd. and Finlay Forest Industries Limited and the former Chairman of the Forest Products Association of Canada. Mr. Shepherd has previously served as a director of Conifex Timber Inc., Canfor Corporation and Canfor Pulp Income Fund (now Canfor Pulp Products Inc.). Mr. Shepherd holds a degree in Mechanical Engineering from Queen’s University. Mr. Shepherd has also held several chief executive officer leadership and other senior positions in the forest industry.
R. Keith Purchase, age 77, has served as a director since June 2012. Mr. Purchase was Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. from 1998 to 1999, President and Chief Executive Officer of TimberWest Forest Ltd. from 1994 to 1998 and Managing Director of Tasman Pulp and Paper from 1990 to 1994. Mr. Purchase was previously a director of Catalyst Paper Corporation and Chair of its board of directors. Mr. Purchase has held several very senior positions in significant companies involved in the forestry industry, including internationally.
Alan Wallace, age 62, has served as a director since June 2018. Mr. Wallace is currently the Chief Executive Officer of Peloton Advisors Inc., a corporate financial advisory firm. He is based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Mr. Wallace was the Vice Chairman, Investment Banking, CIBC World Markets Inc. from 1987 to 2013 where he was also the Co-Head of its Paper and Forest Products Group from 1995 to 2013. Mr. Wallace holds a Master of
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Business Administration from the University of Chicago and a Bachelor of Applied Science (Mech) from the University of Toronto. Mr. Wallace has significant capital markets and mergers and acquisitions experience, including relating to debt and equity financings, corporate credit facilities and financial advisory assignments. He also has extensive forest products experience relating to financings and strategic transactions in the industry.
Linda Welty, age 66, has served as a director since June 2018. Ms. Welty is currently an independent director of Huber Engineered Materials, a global manufacturer of engineered specialty ingredients, a portfolio company of J.M. Huber Corporation and has served in that role since 2014. In 2020, Ms. Welty was also elected as a director of GCP Applied Technologies Inc. which is a global provider of construction products technologies. She is the President and Chief Executive Officer of Welty Strategic Consulting, LLC, an advisory firm focused on the development and execution of value creation strategies. She formerly served as chairman and a director of the Atlanta Chapter of the National Association of Corporate Directors, whose mission is to advance excellence in corporate governance. From 2010 to 2011 she served as a director and member of the special committee of Massey Energy Company. She served as an independent director of Vertellus Specialties, Inc. from 2007 to 2016. Ms. Welty was President and Chief Operating Officer of Flint Ink Corp., a global producer of printing inks for packaging and publication from 2003 to 2005. From 1998 to 2003, she served as President of the Specialty Group of H.B. Fuller Company, a global manufacturer of adhesives, sealants and coatings. She also served for over twenty years in global leadership roles for Hoechst AG and its former U.S. subsidiary, Celanese. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering from the University of Kansas.
Rainer Rettig, age 62, has served as a director since February 2020. Mr. Rettig has served as head of the Circular Economy Program at Covestro AG (formerly known as Bayer Material Science, a subgroup of Bayer AG), one of the world’s leading manufacturers of high-tech polymer materials. Mr. Rettig brings significant experience in sales, marketing and strategy development in the field of chemicals and plastics. He had several senior leadership roles in Germany, Japan, Hong Kong and China. He holds a Ph.D in polymer chemistry and polymer processing from the Technical University of Darmstadt in Germany. Mr. Rettig serves as a member of Mercer’s Compensation Committee and the Environmental, Health and Safety Committee.
Alice Laberge, age 65, has served as a director since February 2021. Ms. Laberge is currently a director of Nutrien Ltd., a Canadian fertilizer company, and Russel Metals Inc., a metal distribution company, and has served in such roles since 2018 and 2007, respectively. Ms. Laberge is also a director of the BC Cancer Foundation and the Canadian Public Accountability Board. She most recently retired from the board of the Royal Bank of Canada in January 2021, on which she served for over 15 years. She formerly served as President and Chief Executive Officer of Fincentric Corporation, a global provider of software solutions to financial institutions, until 2005, and was previously Chief Financial Officer and Senior Vice-President, Finance for MacMillan Bloedel Ltd. Ms. Laberge is a Fellow of the Institute of Corporate Directors, and holds an MBA from the University of British Columbia and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta. Ms. Laberge brings to the Board extensive senior executive experience relevant to our operations and an understanding of the forest products business. She also brings significant corporate governance and public company board experience from a wide variety of companies. Ms. Laberge also has extensive knowledge in financial and accounting matters.
Janine North, age 61, has served as a director since February 2021. Ms. North is currently a director of Conifex Timber Inc., a forest products company, and Imperial Metals Corporation, a Canadian mining company. She is also a director of the BC Ferry Services Corp. and the Fraser Basin Council. Ms. North retired from the Northern Development Initiative Trust in 2016 after serving 11 years as the founding Chief Executive Officer. Ms. North holds a Diploma in Management Studies from the Executive MBA Program at Simon Fraser University and a Bachelor of Science from the University of Alberta. Ms. North brings with her significant public company board experience, and in particular, with companies involved in the resource sector. In particular, she has extensive knowledge and experience relevant to the Company's operations in the forest products industry, including financings and strategic transactions in the industry, as well as corporate governance and talent management.
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Other Executive Officers
David K. Ure, age 54, has been our Chief Financial Officer and Secretary from July 2015. He has also served as Vice President, Finance from 2013 to 2015 and was our Vice President, Controller from 2006 to 2010. Mr. Ure also served as Vice President, Finance of Sierra Wireless Inc. and as Controller at various companies including Catalyst Paper Corp., Pacifica Papers Inc. and Trojan Lithograph Corporation, as well as Chief Financial Officer and Secretary of Finlay Forest Industries Inc. Mr. Ure has over 15 years’ experience in the forest products industry. He is currently a director of FPInnovations and has also served on various non-profit boards in the neuro developmental research, child disability and family support spaces and currently sits on the boards of Kids Brain Health Network Inc., Semiahmoo House Society and Peninsula Estates Housing Society. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of British Columbia, Canada and is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
Adolf Koppensteiner, age 60, has been Chief Operating Officer since January 1, 2018 and has served as Managing Director, Operations and Technical of the Stendal mill since October 2013. Previously, he served as Mill Manager at the Rosenthal mill since joining Mercer in 2007. In the past, Mr. Koppensteiner was Managing Director of Kvaerner Central Europe, where he was responsible for sales and service for fifteen years. His whole career has been in the pulp and paper industry, where he has held a variety of positions building up significant experience in engineering, project work, and pulp mill start-ups, as well as the development and optimization of operating processes.
Leonhard Nossol, age 64, has served as our Group Controller for Europe since August 2005. He has also been Managing Director of Rosenthal since 1997 and the sole Managing Director of Rosenthal from 2005 to February 2020. Before joining Mercer, Mr. Nossol was Director, Finance and Administration for a German household appliance producer from 1992 to 1997. Prior to this, he was Operations Controller at Grundig AG (consumer electronics) in Nürnberg. Mr. Nossol has been a member of the board of directors of the Pulp and Paper Association of Germany since 2014 and was elected as the speaker of the forest and wood unit of such association from 2014 to 2020. He has been a member of the German Industry Federation’s (BDI) Tax Committee since 2003. He was elected President of the German Wood Users Association (AGR) in 2013. He is also a member of the Scientific Advisory Board of Germany’s Thünen Institute, the Federal research institute for forestry, fishery and agriculture. Mr. Nossol holds a Political Science degree from Freie Universität Berlin and a degree in Business Management from the University of Applied Sciences in Berlin.
Richard Short, age 54, has served as Vice President, Controller since February 2014 and as Controller from November 2010 to February 2014, prior to which he served as Controller and Director, Corporate Finance since joining Mercer in 2007. Previous roles include Controller, Financial Reporting from 2006 to 2007 and Director, Corporate Finance from 2004 to 2006 with Catalyst Paper Corporation and Assistant Controller at The Alderwoods Group Inc. Mr. Short holds a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology from the University of British Columbia and has been a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada since 1993.
Wolfram Ridder, age 60, has served as Vice President of Business Development since 2005, prior to which he served as Managing Director at Mercer’s Stendal mill from 2001 to 2005. Mr. Ridder also served as Vice President Pulp Operations, Assistant to CEO from 1999 to 2005 and Assistant Managing Director at the Rosenthal mill from 1995 to 1998. Prior to joining Mercer, Mr. Ridder worked as a Scientist for pulping technology development at the German Federal Research Center for Wood Science and Technology in Hamburg from 1988 to 1995. Mr. Ridder has a Master of Business Administration and a Master of Wood Science and Forest Product Technology from Hamburg University.
Genevieve Stannus, age 51, has served as Vice President, Treasurer since February 2021 and as Treasurer from July 2005 to February 2021, prior to which she served as Senior Financial Analyst since joining Mercer in August 2003. Prior to her role at Mercer, Ms. Stannus held Senior Treasury Analyst positions with Catalyst Paper Corporation and Pacifica Papers Inc. Ms. Stannus has over twenty years of experience in the forest products industry. She is a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Canada.
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Eric X. Heine, age 58, has served as Vice President, Sales, Marketing and Logistics for Asia and North America since June 2005. Mr. Heine was previously Vice President Pulp and International Paper Sales and Marketing for Domtar Inc. from 1999 to 2005. Mr. Heine has over twenty-five years of experience in the pulp and paper industry, including developing strategic sales channels and market partners to build corporate brands. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Forestry (Wood Science) from the University of Toronto, Canada.
Brian Merwin, age 48, has served as Vice President, Corporate Development, since February 2019 and was previously Vice President, Strategic Initiatives since February 2009. Mr. Merwin previously held roles within Mercer such as Director, Strategic and Business Initiatives, and Business Analyst. Mr. Merwin has a Master of Business Administration from the Richard Ivey School of Business in Ontario, Canada and a Bachelor of Commerce degree from the University of British Columbia, Canada. He has over 15 years of industry experience, including M&A, corporate development, strategy, capital projects, innovation and business integration.
We also have experienced mill managers at all of our mills who have operated through multiple business cycles in the pulp industry.
Code of Business Conduct and Ethics and Anti-Corruption Policy
The Board has adopted a Code of Business Conduct and Ethics that applies to our directors, employees and executive officers and an Anti-Corruption Policy. The code and the policy are available on our website at www.mercerint.com/our-company/governance/#openMercer. Copies of the code and the policy may also be obtained without charge upon request to Investor Relations, Mercer International Inc., Suite 1120, 700 West Pender Street, Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada V6C 1G8 (Telephone: (604) 684-1099).
The remaining information required by this Item 10 is incorporated herein by reference to the sections entitled “Proposal 1 - Election of Directors”, “Share Ownership of Certain Beneficial Owners”, “Corporate Governance and Board Matters” and “Corporate Governance and Board Matters - Delinquent Section 16(a) Insider Reports” of our proxy statement relating to our annual meeting to be held in 2022.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11.
EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
The information required by this Item 11 is incorporated by reference from the proxy statement relating to our annual meeting to be held in 2022.

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ITEM 12. SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS
ITEM 12.
SECURITY OWNERSHIP OF CERTAIN BENEFICIAL OWNERS AND MANAGEMENT AND RELATED STOCKHOLDER MATTERS
The information required by this Item 12 is incorporated by reference from the proxy statement relating to our annual meeting to be held in 2022.

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ITEM 13. CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS
ITEM 13.
CERTAIN RELATIONSHIPS AND RELATED TRANSACTIONS, AND DIRECTOR INDEPENDENCE
The information required by this Item 13 is incorporated herein by reference to the section entitled “Corporate Governance and Board Matters - Review and Approval of Related Party Transactions” of our proxy statement relating to our annual meeting to be held in 2022.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14.
PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
The information required by this Item 14 is incorporated by reference from the section entitled “Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm - Fees of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm” of our proxy statement relating to our annual meeting to be held in 2022.
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PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15.
EXHIBITS AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
(a) (1) Financial Statements
Page
Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm (PCAOB ID: 271)
Consolidated Statements of Operations
Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income
Consolidated Balance Sheets
Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity
Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows
Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements
(a)(2) Financial Statement Schedules
All schedules are omitted because they are not applicable or the required information is shown in the consolidated financial statements or notes thereto.
(a)(3) Exhibits
Exhibits that are not filed herewith have been previously filed with the SEC and are incorporated herein by reference.
3.1
Articles of Incorporation of Mercer International Inc., as amended. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-A filed March 2, 2006.
3.2*
Bylaws of Mercer International Inc.
4.1
Indenture dated December 20, 2017 between Mercer International Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 2026 Senior Notes. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed December 20, 2017.
4.2
Description of Securities. Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed February 13, 2020.
4.3
Indenture dated January 26, 2021 between Mercer International Inc. and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee, relating to the 2029 Senior Notes. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed January 26, 2021.
10.1
Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated December 19, 2018 among Zellstoff-und Papierfabrik Rosenthal GmbH, Mercer Timber Products GmbH, Zellstoff Stendal GmbH, Mercer Holz GmbH, Stendal Pulp Holding GmbH, D&Z Holding GmbH, Zellstoff Stendal Transport GmbH, Mercer Pulp Sales GmbH, UniCredit Bank AG, Commerzbank AG, Luxembourg Branch, Credit Suisse AG, London Branch, Landesbank Baden-Württemberg and Royal Bank of Canada. Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed February 14, 2019.
10.2*
Revolving Credit Facility Agreement dated January 21, 2022 among Mercer Peace River Pulp Ltd., Mercer Celgar Limited Partnership and Mercer Forestry Services Ltd. et al. and Royal Bank of Canada, as Agent and the other Lenders thereto.
10.3
Form of Trustee’s Indemnity Agreement between Mercer International Inc. and its Trustees. Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed March 31, 2003.
10.4†
Mercer International Inc. 2010 Stock Incentive Plan, as amended. Incorporated by reference from Appendix A to Mercer International Inc.’s definitive proxy statement on Schedule 14A filed April 13, 2017.
10.5†
Employment Agreement dated October 2, 2006 between Stendal Pulp Holding GmbH and Wolfram Ridder. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed October 3, 2006.
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10.6
Share Purchase Agreement by and among Marubeni Corporation, Nippon Paper Industries Co., Ltd. and Daishowa North America Corporation and Mercer International Inc. dated as of October 3, 2018. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed October 9, 2018.
10.7†
Employment Agreement between Mercer International Inc. and David Ure dated August 12, 2013. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed on July 20, 2015.
10.8†
Amendment to Employment Agreement between Mercer International Inc. and David Ure, dated July 17, 2015. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed July 20, 2015.
10.9†
Second Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Mercer International Inc. and Jimmy S.H. Lee, dated for reference September 29, 2015. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed September 29, 2015.
10.10†
Amended and Restated Employment Agreement between Mercer International Inc. and David M. Gandossi, dated for reference September 29, 2015. Incorporated by reference from Form 8-K filed September 29, 2015.
10.11†
Chief Operating Officer and Managing Director Service Agreement, as amended, dated June 1, 2019 between Stendal Pulp Holding GmbH and Adolf Koppensteiner. Incorporated by reference from Form 10-K filed February 13, 2020.
21.1*
List of Subsidiaries of Registrant.
23.1*
Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP.
31.1*
Section 302 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer.
31.2*
Section 302 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer.
32.1*
Section 906 Certificate of Chief Executive Officer.
32.2*
Section 906 Certificate of Chief Financial Officer.
101*
The following financial statements from the Company’s annual report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, filed with the SEC on February 17, 2022, formatted in inline Extensible Business Reporting Language (iXBRL): (i) Consolidated Statements of Operations; (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income; (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets; (iv) Consolidated Statements of Changes in Shareholders’ Equity; (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows; and (vi) Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements.
104*
The cover page from the Company's Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, has been formatted in Inline XBRL.
*
Filed herewith.
†
Denotes management contract or compensatory plan or arrangement.