EDGAR 10-K Filing

Company CIK: 1708035
Filing Year: 2025
Filename: 1708035_10-K_2025_0001708035-25-000070.json

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ITEM 1. BUSINESS
ITEM 1. BUSINESS.
Ecovyst Inc. (“Ecovyst” or the “Company”), formerly PQ Group Holdings Inc. (“PQ Group Holdings”) was incorporated in Delaware on August 7, 2015. We trace our roots to the late 1800’s with our first sulfuric acid plant and the beginning of our oldest customer relationship. Our business has a history of innovation, enabling environmental improvements in areas such as fuel efficiency, sustainable fuels and the abatement of emissions from heavy-duty diesel engines, while improving the sustainability of our planet.
Our common stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the stock ticker “ECVT”. On August 1, 2021, we changed our name from “PQ Group Holdings Inc.” to “Ecovyst Inc.,” and changed the ticker symbol of our common stock listed on the New York Stock Exchange from “PQG” to “ECVT”. On November 28, 2023, the Company renamed the “Catalyst Technologies” segment to "Advanced Materials & Catalysts”. Unless the context otherwise indicates, the terms “Ecovyst Inc.,” “we,” “us,” “our,” or the “Company” mean Ecovyst Inc. and our subsidiaries.
Effective on August 1, 2021, we completed the sale of our Performance Chemicals business to Sparta Aggregator L.P., a partnership with Koch Minerals & Trading, LLC and Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. The results of operations, financial condition and cash flows for the Performance Chemicals business are presented herein as discontinued operations for the 2022 periods presented. Refer to Note 4 to our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Our Company
We are a leading integrated and innovative global provider of advanced materials, specialty catalysts and services. We believe that our products and services contribute to improving the sustainability of the environment. Our value-added products seek to address global demand trends that are often either the subject of significant environmental and safety regulations or are driven by consumer preferences for more sustainable products, which provides us with high-margin growth opportunities. We believe that our products contribute to lower emissions and cleaner air, higher fuel efficiency and cleaner fuels, and are key enablers to advance the global transition to clean energy. Specifically, our products and solutions help companies in the production of sustainable fuels and help to produce vehicles with improved fuel efficiency and cleaner emissions.
We believe we are a leader in each of our business segments, holding what we estimate to be a number one or number two supply share position for products that generated more than 90% of our 2024 sales. We believe that our global footprint and efficient network of strategically located manufacturing facilities provide us with a strong competitive advantage in serving our customers both regionally as well as globally.
Our products typically constitute a small portion of our customers’ overall end-product costs, yet are critical to product performance. We believe, with our long history of customer partnerships and our reputation for providing reliable, quality products and solutions, our products deliver significant value to our customers, as demonstrated by our profit margins.
We have a long track record of innovation that is reflected in our technical and production expertise in silica, zeolites and catalyst technologies.
We are highly diversified by business, geography and end use. In 2024, the majority of our sales were for applications that have historically had relatively predictable, consistent demand patterns driven by consumption or frequent replacement cycles.
As a result of our competitive strengths, we have generally maintained stable margins through changing macro economic cycles.
In 2024, we served global customers across many end uses and as of December 31, 2024, operated out of ten strategically located owned manufacturing facilities.
Our Strategy
We intend to capitalize on our strong business fundamentals, sustainability driven innovation and customer partnerships to grow sales, maintain high margins, deploy capital efficiently and generate consistent free cash flow in order to create shareholder value. We believe that our long history of operational excellence and proven reliability, technology leadership, strong customer relationships, innovation track record and consistent business execution developed from our industry experience positions us well to execute our business strategy.
Our Industry
Our industry is characterized by a strong commitment to innovate and to develop enhanced performance and solutions that improve the environment, health and sustainability. In turn, this drives Ecovyst to constantly develop new products and the need to support our customers with new product innovation and technical services. Our innovation is strongly focused on customer partnerships. We believe a key capability is our ability to go from laboratory to pilot to full scale production with both the speed and consistency required for our customers’ demand for our products.
The products and services that we sell to our customers are often high value-add, even when they represent a small portion of the overall end product costs, and we believe success can be achieved by helping customers improve their product performance, value and quality. We believe many of the end uses that we serve are generally more resilient to economic cycles, minimizing extreme fluctuations in demand. In addition, many products have relatively high switching costs, including the risk of quality failures, thus making it more beneficial for customers to work with incumbent producers. In addition, the capital cost to expand existing capacity is typically significantly less than the capital cost necessary to build a new plant. We believe the combination of attractive operating margins, growing end uses and generally predictable maintenance capital expenditure requirements improves our ability to generate attractive cash flows.
Our Product End Uses
The table below summarizes our key end use applications and products, as well as the significant growth drivers in those applications.
Key End Uses Significant Growth Drivers Key Products
Clean Fuels, Emission Control & Other • Global regulatory requirements to: • Refining hydrocracking catalysts
• Reduce sulfur from diesel and gasoline • Emission control catalysts
• Remove nitrogen oxides from tailpipe emissions • Catalyst supports used in the production of sustainable fuels such as renewable diesel
• Growing demand for sustainable fuels • Catalysts used in production of sustainable aviation fuels
• Growing demand for ex-situ catalyst activation to support traditional and sustainable fuels production • Catalyst activation
• Improve lubricant characteristics to improve fuel efficiencies • Aluminum sulfate solution
• Municipal and industrial water treatment • Ammonium bisulfite solution
Polyethylene, Polymers & Engineered Plastics • Demand for high-density polyethylene used for strengthening and light weighting components • Catalysts and catalyst supports for high-density polyethylene and chemicals syntheses
• Demand for durable packaging • Antiblock for film packaging
• Growing demand for recycling of materials • Catalyst for advanced recycling
Regeneration and Treatment Services • Increase gasoline octane in order to improve fuel efficiency while lowering vapor pressure and sulfur to regulated levels • Sulfuric acid regeneration services
• High industry utilization • Hazardous waste treatment services
• Growing demand for applications in hazardous and non-hazardous waste
Industrial, Mining & Automotive • Demand for metals and minerals for low carbon technologies and infrastructure • Virgin sulfuric acid for mining
• Demand for a wide range of products including construction materials, auto, consumer goods, petrochemicals and chemicals • Virgin sulfuric derivatives for industrial production
• Recovery in global oil drilling/U.S. copper production • Virgin sulfuric derivatives for nylon production
The table below summarizes sales for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively:
December 31, 2024 December 31, 2023 December 31, 2022
Key End Uses Sales % of Sales Zeolyst JV Sales(1)
% of Zeolyst JV sales(2)
Sales % of Sales Zeolyst JV Sales(1)
% of Zeolyst JV sales(2)
Sales % of Sales Zeolyst JV Sales(1)
% of Zeolyst JV sales(2)
(in millions, except percentages)
Clean Fuels, Emission Control & Other
Ecovyst $ 34.0 5.0 % $ - - % $ 29.9 4.0 % $ - - % $ 29.0 4.0 % $ - - %
Zeolyst Catalyst - - % 90.2 77.0 % - - % 127.0 81.0 % - - % 103.4 78.0 %
Polyethylene, Polymers & Engineered Plastics
Ecovyst $ 106.2 15.0 % $ - - % $ 106.2 15.0 % $ - - % $ 117.7 14.0 % $ - - %
Zeolyst Catalyst - - % 26.3 23.0 % - - % 29.5 19.0 % - - % 29.2 22.0 %
Regeneration and Treatment Services
Ecovyst $ 357.4 51.0 % $ - - % $ 354.6 52.0 % $ - - % $ 342.6 42.0 % $ - - %
Zeolyst Catalyst - - % - - % - - % - - % - - % - - %
Industrial, Mining & Automotive
Ecovyst $ 206.9 29.0 % $ - - % $ 200.4 29.0 % $ - - % $ 330.9 40.0 % $ - - %
Zeolyst Catalyst - - % - - % - - % - - % - - % - - %
Total $ 704.5 $ 116.5 $ 691.1 $ 156.5 $ 820.2 $ 132.6
(1) Represents 50% of the Zeolyst Joint Venture (the “Zeolyst Joint Venture” or “Zeolyst JV”) sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations - Basis of Presentation” for a description of the treatment of the Zeolyst JV in our consolidated financial information.
(2) Percentage calculations are based on $116.5 million, $156.5 million and $132.6 million of sales attributable to the Zeolyst Joint Venture, which represents 50% of its total sales for each of the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, respectively.
Competitive Business Strengths
Favorable Secular Growth Trends Across the Portfolio
We focus on serving end use applications where we believe our competencies can create value adding solutions and where significant growth potential exists. Our products and services address our customers’ needs, which are typically driven globally by regulatory requirements, consumer preferences or sustainability trends. We believe that our products and services incorporate innovative environmental, sustainability and safety solutions to address evolving customer demands, examples of which include the following:
•Increased use of polyethylene-based plastics as a substitute for heavier and less versatile materials and increasing consumption of plastics is driving increased global demand for polyethylene production and also capacity expansions. Further, we are seeing a shift towards silica-based technology, which we believe will drive growth for our Advanced Silicas product group within our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment.
•Acceleration of global commitments to increase the recycling of plastics. Within our Zeolyst Joint Venture, our zeolite-based catalysts help improve the efficiency of thermal pyrolysis. We are partnering with technology licensors to help enable the advanced recycling of plastics.
•The decarbonization of heavy-duty trucking and aviation industries by using sustainable fuels. Our Zeolyst Joint Venture leverages our knowledge of lubricant dewaxing to develop products that efficiently dewax renewable diesel. Dewaxing is a process where longer chain hydrocarbons are broken down into chain lengths that remain liquid at colder temperatures, allowing fuel flow in trucks during colder temperatures. Legislative drivers and financial incentives are leading to capacity builds at our customers, driving demand for our products. For the production of sustainable aviation fuel, our specialty zeolites are used in the hydrocracking and dewaxing steps, enabling the fuel quality required for sustainable aviation fuel to be produced. In addition, some manufacturing processes involve converting alcohol into jet fuel where our zeolites catalyze the building or oligomerization of molecules into longer chains that more efficiently combust to generate power.
•Light- and heavy-duty diesel engines are subject to a broad set of regulatory requirements and emission standards. We believe these trends present global opportunities for the Zeolyst Joint Venture to support our customers in meeting these standards through our sales of emission control catalysts. Legislative efforts continue to reduce acceptable emission profiles, including a focus on cold start conditions, which we believe create positive opportunities for zeolite-based technologies along with other solutions that customers benchmark to develop their preferred solution.
We believe that stringent fuel efficiency standards that spur the use of high compression engines requiring higher-octane gasoline and continued stringent regulatory requirements for gasoline will continue to encourage strong alkylate production at our refining customers. We believe that our Ecoservices segment is well positioned to benefit from any related growth in demand for alkylate.
We also believe we have opportunities to displace other less environmentally friendly materials for industrial and consumer good applications through our business segments. Our Ecoservices segment is the largest North American recycler of sulfuric acid and one of the largest consumers of refinery by-products of sulfur, enabling them to be converted to other applications.
Leading Supply Positions
We believe that we maintain a leading supply position for certain products sold within each of our segments, holding what we estimate to be the number one or two supply share position in 2024 for products that generated more than 90% of our sales. We believe that our global footprint and efficient network of strategically located owned manufacturing facilities provides us with a strong competitive advantage in serving our customers both globally and regionally, and that it would be costly for our competitors to replicate our network.
In our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment, we primarily compete on a global basis. We are a leading supplier of zeolites used for catalysts that support the production of sustainable fuels, zeolite-based catalyst used to remove sulfur in the refinery hydrocracking process and emission control catalysts used in the heavy- and light-duty diesel industries to reduce nitrogen oxides emissions. We are a global supplier of silica-based advanced materials and supports for polyethylene manufacturers and custom catalyst applications, including catalyst used to produce methyl methacrylate (“MMA”), bio-butadiene and bio-catalysis used to immobilize enzymes onto silica supports.
Innovation Track Record
We believe a key competitive advantage is derived from our depth of expertise in creating and modifying advanced materials based on silica and zeolite technologies. We believe we capture value through customer collaboration. We have the ability to tailor and scale custom advanced materials to meet changing demands and to provide technical support for large scale commercialization. Many of our products require close customer collaboration to address constantly evolving customer application challenges. Given the long lead-time required for product development and commercialization, we work closely and build long-term relationships with our customers. In many cases, our relationships have spanned decades given our ability to meet customized specifications and performance characteristics while also maintaining strict quality standards.
These long-term relationships have allowed us to innovate together with our customers to meet evolving demands. For example, we have developed zeolite-based catalysts that are effective and efficient at reducing pollutants from heavy- and light-duty diesel engines, enabling our customers to meet increasingly stringent vehicle emission standards worldwide. We manufacture zeolite-based advanced materials used in the production of sustainable fuels to help advance the global transition to clean energy and to enable advanced recycling of plastics through the catalyzed thermal pyrolysis of plastic wastes. Our proprietary silica-based advanced materials have enabled development of a high strength high-density polyethylene (“HDPE”) resin that is used for making lightweight plastic gasoline tanks for automobiles and enables everyday items such as plastic containers and piping used to construct new buildings. In addition, we participate in bio-catalysis where our advanced silica-based materials are used to immobilize enzymes and to enable CO2 capture and storage.
Long-Term, High Quality Customer Relationships
We collaborate with leading multinational companies that often seek global solutions. Our customers include large industrial companies such as ExxonMobil, and global catalyst producers such as UOP and Grace. We also supply catalysts to leading chemical and petrochemical producers such as Dow Chemical, Mitsubishi Chemical, LyondellBasell, CP Chemicals, Valero, Saudi Aramco and Shell. We have long-term relationships with our top ten customers, based on 2024 sales, that average more than 50 years. In addition, our customer base is diversified, with our top ten customers in 2024 representing approximately 60% of our sales for the year ended December 31, 2024, of which two customers had more than 10% of our total sales. Customer A was 14% or $96 million and Customer B was 11% or $78 million of our sales, in both our Ecoservices and Advanced Materials & Catalysts businesses during this period.
Secured Contractual Pass-through of Raw Material Costs Support Stable Margins
We have been able to mitigate the impact of raw material or energy price volatility using a variety of mechanisms, including raw material cost pass-through mechanisms in our sales contracts and other adjustment provisions. Most of our Ecoservices contracts feature minimum volume protection and/or quarterly price adjustments for items such as commodity inputs, labor, the Chemical Engineering Plant Cost Index and natural gas. In 2024, approximately 90% of our Ecoservices segment sales occurred under contracts that included some form of raw material pass-through clause. These price adjustments generally reflect our Ecoservices segment’s actual cost structure in producing sulfuric acid, and tend to provide us with some protection against volatility in labor, fixed costs and raw material pricing. Freight expenses are generally passed through directly to customers.
Our products are produced from readily available raw materials. We also use natural gas in our manufacturing process where our North American facilities have benefited from the plentiful supplies of shale gas. In addition, we have long-term contracts and relationships with many of our key raw material suppliers across all of our business segments.
Long-Term Customer Contracts Enhance Sales Predictability and Stability
We partner with many of our customers under long-term contract agreements, 100% requirement arrangements and/or specified products for certain licensed production processes. In our Ecoservices segment, approximately 50% of our production capacity serves customers with staggered multi-year commitment contracts with potential for value pricing resets and cost pass-through for our regeneration services product line that enhance sales and margin predictability and stability. Excluding contracts with automatic evergreen provisions, approximately 40% of our sulfuric acid volume for the year ended December 31, 2024 was under contracts expiring at the end of 2025 or beyond.
In our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment, we are either the sole or dual supplier to key global customers under various term agreements up to 10 years for polyethylene catalysts and advanced silicas supports. Further, we have a multi-year supply agreement for MMA catalyst with a leading global producer. In our Zeolyst Joint Venture, where we supply catalysts and zeolite powders for refining, sustainable fuels, and emission controls applications, we operate with a mix of evergreen and various term contracts depending on the product customization. These terms, in line with industry standards, provide us with flexibility in satisfying customers.
Strategic and Differentiated Manufacturing Know-how and Supply Chain Global Network
Ecoservices’ predecessor company, Stauffer Chemical, was a leader in pioneering the current sulfuric acid regeneration technology in the 1940s. Since then, we have leveraged our process technology expertise and ability to deliver our products by barge, rail, truck and pipeline to become the largest sulfuric acid regenerator in North America and a leading North American producer of high quality virgin sulfuric acid. Ecoservices has also applied its expert knowledge in thermal decomposition to provide treatment services for hazardous/non-hazardous wastes, and most recently to activate to catalysts with our patented Chem 32, LLC (“Chem32”) technology acquired in March 2021.
Our Advanced Materials & Catalysts product development and manufacturing technology is customized based on deep silica and zeolite-based advanced material science know-how. Our R&D centers seek to develop fit for purpose catalysts with customers. We believe we have a differentiated capability to develop such products and manufacture them consistently.
Stable Margins and Cash Flow Generation Across Changing Macroeconomic Cycles
The secular trends supporting many of our business segments has allowed us to maintain stable margins while continuing to grow in different macroeconomic environments. We believe that the stability of our margins and cash flows is also aided by long-term sales contracts and material cost pass-through provisions. Our ability to enter into favorable contracts and terms with customers is driven by our long history of collaborative relationships and track record of providing value-added products and services. We believe that our value-added products and services have proven to be critical to the performance of our customers’ products and typically represent only a small portion of our customers’ overall end-product costs.
We believe our strong commercial contact structure enables our businesses to generate strong operating cash flow. In addition, our cash flow generation has been driven, in part, by lower debt levels, our disciplined capital investment, as well as tax attributes that provide us with cash flow benefits. As of December 31, 2024, we had $174.8 million of tax deductible intangibles and goodwill with respect to Eco Services Operations Corp, which provides us with cash tax savings as we generate taxable income.
Our Business Segments
We are a leading integrated and innovative global provider of advanced materials, specialty catalysts and services. We believe that our products and services contribute to improving the sustainability of the environment. We conduct operations through two reporting segments: (1) Ecoservices and (2) Advanced Materials & Catalysts (including our 50% interest in the Zeolyst Joint Venture).
The table below summarizes certain information regarding our two reporting segments for the year ended December 31, 2024.
Year ended December 31, 2024
Segments and Product Groups Sales Zeolyst
Joint Venture Sales(1)
Net Loss Adjusted EBITDA(1)
% of Total Adjusted EBITDA(1)(2)
(in millions, except percentages)
Ecoservices $ 598.3 $ - $ 200.3 75.6 %
Advanced Materials & Catalysts 106.2 - 64.7 24.4 %
Zeolite Catalyst - 116.5
Subtotal $ 704.5 $ 116.5
Corporate (26.8)
Total $ 704.5 $ 116.5 $ (6.7) $ 238.2 100.0 %
(1) Represents 50% of the Zeolyst Joint Venture (the “Zeolyst Joint Venture” or “Zeolyst JV”) sales for the year ended December 31, 2024. The Adjusted EBITDA of our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment includes our 50% portion of the earnings from the Zeolyst JV. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Basis of Presentation” for a description of the treatment of the Zeolyst Joint Venture in our consolidated financial information. Refer to “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Key Performance Indicators” for discussion of our use of non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations.
(2) Percentage calculations exclude $26.8 million in corporate expenses.
Ecoservices
Our Ecoservices segment is a leading provider of sulfuric acid recycling (“regeneration services”) and end-to-end logistics to North American refineries to support the production of alkylate, a high value gasoline blending component required for meeting gasoline specifications and producing premium grade fuel. We are also a leading North American producer of on-purpose virgin sulfuric acid for water treatment, mining, and industrial applications (“virgin sulfuric acid”). We provide treatment services for hazardous/non-hazardous industrial wastes (“treatment services”) and with the acquisition of Chem32 in March 2021, we are also a leader in ex-situ sulfiding and pre-activation for hydro-processing catalysts, which are used in the production of traditional and sustainable fuels. By providing regeneration services, as well as purchasing by-product sulfur from customers for use in manufacturing virgin sulfuric acid, we believe that we provide our refining customers with a complete solution for their sulfuric acid needs.
We believe recent trends for increased alkylate production are being driven by: rising demand for premium gasoline used in smaller, more efficient turbocharged engines, which requires an alkylate content of approximately 40%-45%, as compared to the approximately 12%-13% alkylate content in regular gasoline; the need for more alkylate to meet the minimum octane ratings in regular gasoline following the continued significant share growth of shale oil refining in the U.S.; the full implementation of Tier 3 gasoline sulfur standards in the United States enacted in 2020, which requires the blending of additional low sulfur, high octane gasoline components such as alkylate; and rising gasoline exports, which gasoline generally contains no ethanol and generally requires more alkylate to replace the missing ethanol in order to meet minimum octane requirements in the destination countries.
Our Ecoservices segment is mostly regional due to shipping costs and our customer integration requirements. Our network of facilities is concentrated in the Gulf Coast and the state of California, where approximately 63% of the United States refining capacity is located. We believe that the strategic locations of our plants in these key refining regions contribute to our efficient supply chain networks with our customers, including in some cases captive pipelines connecting us to our refinery customers. Additionally, product can be shipped to our customers by barge, rail and truck.
Primary Product Groups
Regeneration services serves a critical need for refining customers. Sulfuric acid serves as a catalyst in the alkylation production process. The resulting spent sulfuric acid needs to be regenerated or recycled, which is no longer a core competency of most refiners. Since storage space for fresh and spent sulfuric acid is typically limited, and the cost to refineries of interruption to their alkylation units would be significant, refineries seek to have a continuous and reliable source of supply for sulfuric acid regeneration services.
Our end-to-end regeneration services offering takes the spent acid from the refinery, through our network of plants and transportation systems, and recycles the sulfuric acid into high strength fresh sulfuric acid for reuse in the alkylation process. Because of the number and strategic locations of our plants, and the breadth of our transportation logistics, we believe we bring the highest reliability and flexibility to our refining customers, allowing them to focus on their core competency by optimizing their alkylation capacity.
Virgin sulfuric acid is created either through incinerating sulfur in furnaces, or as a by-product of other industrial processes, primarily the smelting of copper and other base metals. Our sulfur-derived, high quality virgin sulfuric acid products supply a diverse set of end uses. Sulfur derived acid is generally considered to be of higher purity and quality than smelter-produced acid and, as a result, smelter-produced acid is not suitable for some industrial users including several of our larger customers who require higher quality and differentiated sulfuric acid products, such as super-saturated sulfuric acid (oleum). Virgin sulfuric acid is produced at all of our facilities utilizing the same production equipment as our regeneration services.
Our treatment services business is a niche offering providing a thermal destruction solution for the management of bulk quantities of hazardous and non-hazardous by-products, co-products and waste materials. We specialize in handling sulfur-bearing materials, acidic materials, high-temperature molten materials and other hard to handle liquids. Our process provides a beneficial reuse alternative to traditional disposal by capturing the energy value and sulfur content of these materials, supplementing our processes, and offsetting the use of virgin raw materials.
Competition
Given our strategic presence on the Gulf Coast and in California, and our relationships with leading refineries, we estimate that our regenerated sulfuric acid supply share is substantially larger than our closest competitor. We compete in the North American refining services industry with competitors such as Chemtrade and Nexpera, formerly the sulfuric acid business of Veolia. We compete on the basis of price, reliability, and responsiveness to changes in customer demand, which is a function of scale, proximity to customer locations and operational expertise. We believe that we benefit from industry economics that favor incumbent producers because the capital cost and regulatory challenges to expand existing capacity are typically significantly less than to build a new plant. In addition, existing robust supply chains, including captive pipeline connections and other transportation logistics, add to the competitive advantages available to incumbent producers. As a result, we believe that our integrated and strategically located network of facilities and end-to-end logistics assets in the United States provide us with a significant competitive advantage and would be costly for our competitors to replicate.
Manufacturing
We provide regeneration services and produce virgin sulfuric acid through our furnace operations. Regenerated sulfuric acid is produced by thermally decomposing the spent acid in our furnace into a clean gas stream, which is converted into sulfuric acid. Virgin sulfuric acid is produced by burning sulfur and certain sulfur-rich components at high temperatures within a furnace to create a gas stream. The chart below summarizes the manufacturing platform for our Ecoservices segment.
Ecoservices Manufacturing Platform
Advanced Materials & Catalysts
We are a leading global provider of advanced materials and specialty catalyst products and process solutions to leading producers and licensors of polyethylene. Our product groups include Advanced Silicas and Zeolite Catalysts. Zeolite Catalyst products are sold through the Zeolyst Joint Venture.
Advanced Silicas supplies finished catalyst and catalyst supports for the production of HDPE and linear low density polyethylene (“LLDPE”). HDPE is a high strength and high stiffness plastic used in bottles, containers, and molded applications, whereas LLDPE is used predominately for films. We also produce a catalyst that is used globally for the production of MMA, the monomer for acrylic engineering resins, a clear scratch-resistant plastic used in sheet or molded form to replace glass and as a durable surface coating. We also produce a catalyst used for the manufacture of bio-butadiene. Because these catalysts are highly technical and customized for our customers to manufacture products with specific properties, they are often covered under long-term supply agreements and, in some cases, we are a customer’s sole source supplier. In addition, we supply silica anti-blocking products that are used to prevent opposite faces of polyethylene and polyester films from adhering to one another during manufacturing and in use. We also develop and supply functionalized silicas that are typically used in applications requiring high adsorption properties, including CO2 capture and storage, water clean up and metals removal from waste.
The Zeolyst Joint Venture, (formed in 1988 specifically as Zeolyst International and Zeolyst C.V., our 50% owned joint venture with Shell Catalysts & Technologies, an affiliate of Royal Dutch Shell plc. or “Shell”), supplies high technology specialty zeolites and zeolite-based catalysts to customers for refining of oil primarily hydrocracking catalyst and dewaxing, sustainable fuels and emission control systems for both on-road and non-road diesel engines. We also supply custom zeolites to catalyst companies who compete in similar industries. The Zeolyst Joint Venture leverages each partner’s technology and production expertise, including Shell’s expertise in hydrocracking to maximize liquid product yields, especially distillate, while at the same time removing sulfur, and Ecovyst’s expertise in zeolite research and development, production technology, and industry understanding for applications including sustainable fuels, emission control technology, advanced recycling and many customized zeolite catalyst solutions.
Hydrocracking catalyst is the most economic method to meet sulfur emission control standards for refiners while maintaining yields for diesel, which is considered one of the most profitable product streams. The Zeolyst Joint Venture is the sole supplier of hydrocracking catalyst to Shell for their own catalyst consumption, however, the majority of sales are to third-party refining customers. We also provide zeolite supports to many of the hydrocracking catalyst suppliers, positioning us as a leading supplier in the global hydrocracking catalyst value chain.
To meet nitrogen oxides emission control regulations that are expanding globally, many of our zeolite powders are used in an advanced emission control technology called selective catalytic reduction, largely focused on heavy-duty diesel transportation. This process uses ammonia to react with engine exhaust gases via our catalysts in order to convert nitrogen oxides, a pollutant, into harmless nitrogen and water. We believe that our zeolite catalysts can enable selective catalytic reduction technology to reduce the amount of nitrogen oxides in such exhaust gases by more than 90% and is one of the most cost-effective methods to reduce diesel engine emissions.
Competition
Our Advanced Silicas product group primarily competes with Grace with the catalyst components used for the production of polyethylene. The Zeolyst Joint Venture competes with global catalyst producers such as Grace, BASF, UOP, Axens, and Topsoe, while at the same time providing many of them customized zeolite solutions for their product offerings. Some direct competition with niche companies exists, including competitors such as Tosoh and Clariant. We typically compete on the basis of performance, product consistency, reliability and responsiveness to changes in customer demand.
Manufacturing
We manufacture our catalyst products using sodium silicate to make specialty zeolite and silica products. These zeolites and silicas are either used directly to produce catalysts or are sold as precursors to other catalyst manufacturers.
The chart below summarizes the manufacturing platform for our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment.
Advanced Silicas Manufacturing Platform
Zeolyst Joint Venture Manufacturing Platform
Raw Materials
Our products are produced from readily available raw materials such as sodium silicate and sodium hydroxide (“caustic soda”). We also use natural gas and electricity in our manufacturing process, with our North American facilities benefiting from the plentiful supplies of shale gas. In addition, we have long-term supply relationships with many of our key raw materials suppliers. We aim to mitigate the impact of raw material or energy price volatility using a variety of mechanisms, including cost pass-through clauses in our sale contracts and other adjustment provisions.
We are able to negotiate our supply agreements for our key raw materials based on our leading industry position and global scale in an effort to achieve competitive pricing. We also maintain a raw material quality audit and qualification program designed to ensure that the material we purchase satisfies stringent quality requirements. Key raw materials for our segments include:
Key Raw Materials Segments
Sodium hydroxide (“caustic soda”) Ecoservices
Sulfur Ecoservices
Sodium silicate Advanced Materials & Catalysts
While natural gas is not a direct feedstock for any individual product, we use natural gas powered furnaces to heat raw materials and create the chemical reactions necessary to manufacture our products. We maintain multiple suppliers wherever possible and we seek to forward purchase to stabilize our exposure to fluctuations in prices for natural gas. Where possible, we also utilize pass-through clauses for raw material and natural gas costs in our customer contracts. However, we may not be successful in passing through all increases in raw material costs or maintaining an uninterrupted supply of natural gas for all of our furnaces. See “Risk Factors-Risks Related to Our Business - If we are unable to pass on increases in raw material prices, including natural gas, to our customers or to retain or replace our key suppliers, our results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected”.
Zeolyst Joint Venture
The Zeolyst Joint Venture is a long-standing partnership with Shell, that dates back to 1988 and is focused on the development, manufacture and sale of zeolite-containing catalysts through manufacturing facilities located in Kansas, USA and the Netherlands. We combine our expertise in zeolite supply and technology with our partner’s expertise in global refinery catalyst sales and technology. We have a 50% ownership stake in the Zeolyst Joint Venture. We produce zeolites that are precursors for the production of hydrocracking catalyst and sustainable fuels catalysts. Our extensive expertise in zeolite production enables us to manage the production of specialty zeolites which includes custom catalyst solutions, aromatic, mainly Xylene focused catalysts, dewaxing catalysts that improve lube oil performance, and paraffin isomerization catalysts that upgrade olefins to high octane gasoline blending components for refinery and petrochemical customers. In addition, our products include zeolite-based catalysts that enable catalytic based thermal pyrolysis of plastics wastes and adsorbents that enable the selective purification of waste streams.
Research and Development
We benefit from the highly-skilled technical capabilities of our employees who are dedicated to new product development. We operate two research and development facilities: one in the United States and one in the United Kingdom. Our research and development activities are directed toward the development of new and improved products, processes, systems and applications for customers. Our research and development team is organized to support each of our operating businesses and staffed with experienced scientists, technical service representatives and process engineers with direct knowledge of our products. This business group and customer-oriented team structure provides strong links between our product development and manufacturing functions and our customer collaboration and specifications. These connections enable us to focus our development on timely and relevant products for our customers while remaining attentive to manufacturing considerations that enable us to produce new products profitably and in a timely manner. Product development activities are organized into research and development projects that are subject to regular reviews by the business teams in order to understand and address our customers’ evolving needs and invest in our growth by prioritizing innovation driven by these identified needs. In addition, we hold senior-level project reviews to ensure best practices are shared and consistent metrics are used to determine a project’s merit and the size of the potential opportunity.
Intellectual Property
We evaluate how best to use patents, trademarks, copyrights, trade secrets and other available intellectual property protections on a case-by-case base. This is done to protect our products and our critical investments in research and development, manufacturing and marketing. We focus on securing and maintaining patents for certain inventions such as composition-of-matter, while maintaining other inventions such as process improvements as trade secrets to maximize the value of our product portfolio and reinforce our competitive advantage. Our policy is to seek appropriate intellectual property protection for significant product and process developments in the major areas where the relevant products are manufactured or sold. Patents may cover products, processes, intermediate products and product uses. Patents extend for varying periods in accordance with the date of patent application filing and the legal life of patents in the various countries in which the patents are registered. The protection afforded, which may also vary from country to country, depends upon the type of subject matter covered by the patent and the scope of the claims of the patent.
In most industrial countries, patent protection may be available for new substances and formulations, as well as for unique applications and production processes. However, given the geographical scope of our business and our continued growth strategy, there are regions of the world in which we do business or may do business in the future where intellectual property protection may be limited and difficult to enforce. Moreover, we monitor our competitors’ products and, if circumstances were to dictate that we do so, we would vigorously challenge the actions of others that conflict with our patents, trademarks and other intellectual property rights. We maintain appropriate information security policies and procedures reasonably designed to ensure the safeguarding of confidential information including, where appropriate, data encryption, access controls and employee awareness training.
We own or have rights to a number of patents relating to our products and processes. As of December 31, 2024, we owned 22 patented inventions in the United States, with 169 patents issued in countries around the world and 63 patent applications pending worldwide. As of December 31, 2024, we also had 86 trademark registrations worldwide, including 5 U.S. trademark registrations. We also have 131 pending trademark applications, which include applications in the United States and worldwide. In addition to our registered and applied-for intellectual property portfolio, we also claim ownership of certain trade secrets and proprietary know-how developed by and used in our business. Including our Zeolyst Joint Venture, we are party to certain arrangements whereby we license in the right to use certain intellectual property rights in connection with our business.
Seasonality
Our regeneration services product group, which is a part of our Ecoservices segment, typically experiences seasonal fluctuations as a result of higher demand for gasoline products in the summer and lower demand in the winter months. These demand fluctuations result in higher sales and working capital requirements in the second and third quarters.
Sustainability Overview
Sustainability is intertwined with our daily business and is reinforced through our strategy and values. We strive to create sustainable products that are safe for the environment, and to reduce waste and increase efficiencies for our customers and stakeholders. We believe that our products contribute to lower emissions and cleaner air, advance the global transition to clean energy, support the circular plastics economy and ensure clean, purified drinking water. We are committed to creating environmentally responsible products that we believe make a difference in people’s daily lives and for our planet.
While offering products and services that help our customers to advance their own sustainability goals, we also work to advance our commitment to maintain sound environmental, social and governance practices, policies and procedures. For example, we:
•Were awarded a 2024 Platinum Sustainability Rating from EcoVadis, a third-party sustainability evaluation company. The Platinum Medal rating from EcoVadis placed us among the top 1% (99th percentile) of all companies assessed by EcoVadis over the prior twelve-month period;
•Maintained an executive level position of Vice President - Environment and Sustainability that reports directly to our CEO;
•Under the leadership of our Global Director of Health, Safety and Process Safety Management, instituted additional health, safety and process safety programs, as well as continued our company-wide employee health and wellness program that covers both physical and mental health;
•Achieved zero OSHA recordable injuries among our employees and embedded contractors in 2024;
•Provided enhanced sustainability information on our website and published our 2023 Sustainability Report in June 2024, our third as Ecovyst;
•Continued work towards our 2025 and 2030 sustainability goals regarding fuel usage, power usage, health, safety and environment performance, and community engagement;
•Introduced our employees to our core values - Stewardship, High Standards, Integrity and Engagement (“SHINE”) and provided training on these values and provisions of our Code of Conduct, completing training for approximately 99.8% of active employees in 2024;
•Continued steps to implement additional improvements in a number of areas, including health, safety and environmental (“HSE”) performance; commitment to diversity, inclusion and human rights both within our company and in our supply chain; and ethical and lawful business practices;
•Further integrated a corporate-wide sustainability software platform, which we are utilizing as an internal, real-time sustainability performance dashboard to enable improved analytics and greater visibility into our sustainability impacts; and
•Achieved a greater than 93% performance in our flagship HSE Perfect Days program in 2024, which targets at-risk behaviors and celebrates positive HSE performance across the organization on a daily basis.
The sections that follow provide some highlights of our environmental, social and governance programs and procedures.
Environmental Stewardship
Our products and technologies continue to address our customers’ sustainability challenges, tightening global regulatory standards and changing consumer preferences. In our Ecoservices segment, we provide regeneration services that avoid significant landfill or deep well disposal of spent, or used, sulfuric acid. In our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment, our zeolite catalysts are used for cleaner air applications and our advanced silicas are key for light weighting and plastics recycling.
As part of our sustainability commitment regarding our own operations, we apply the principles of the Environmental Management standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001) at our facilities throughout the world. For all of our facilities in the United States, we also adhere to the Responsible Care® RC14001 Technical Specifications of the American Chemistry Council (“ACC”).
We maintain policies and procedures to monitor and control HSE risks, and to enable compliance with applicable state, national, and international HSE requirements. We have comprehensive HSE compliance, auditing and management programs in place to assist in our compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and with internal policies and procedures, as appropriate. Each Ecovyst facility has developed and implemented specific critical occupational health, safety, environmental, security and loss control programs.
We also have strong Health and Safety (“H&S”) and Environmental and Sustainability (“E&S”) organizations staffed by professionals who are responsible for health, safety, process safety, sustainability, product stewardship and product safety regulatory compliance. Our H&S and E&S organizational structures feature executive management-level leadership, active oversight by our Board and dedicated H&S and E&S experts on staff. We have a Global Director of Health, Safety and Process Safety Management and also have Regional H&S Specialists and Managers who are embedded in the field and provide H&S expertise and support to operating sites. In addition, our Vice President Environmental and Sustainability oversees a team of environmental personnel that serve our operating sites.
As an ACC Responsible Care® member company, we continue to monitor and report our HSE metrics annually. Most recently, our 2023 sustainability data for Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (“GHG”) emissions, water withdrawal and the mass of hazardous and nonhazardous waste generated was verified to the requirements of the WRI/WBSCD GHG Protocol Corporate Accounting and Reporting Standard, revised edition (2004, as amended in 2013), the GHG Protocol Scope 2 Guidance (2015) and the Company’s metrics for water withdrawal and waste generated by an independent third party to a reasonable level of assurance. We included the assured data on our website and in our 2023 Sustainability Report, which we published in June 2024.
We also maintain a Product Safety and Product Stewardship management system that is compliant with the RC14001 technical specification and is supported by a highly skilled Director of Product Stewardship. We conduct Product Stewardship reviews as part of new product development and routinely evaluate product safety risk for raw materials, intermediates, and finished products.
Social Responsibility, including human capital discussions
We seek to act in a socially responsible manner through our various HSE programs as described above, our commitment to building a diverse and inclusive workforce, engagement with and support for the communities where we live and work, and advancement of socially responsible business practices through partnerships and other industry frameworks.
We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities for all employees and applicants for employment, and do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, gender identity and expression, national origin, disability, age (40 or above), ancestry, genetic information, marital status, veteran status or any other classification protected by law. This commitment applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, advancement, training, transfer, demotion, lay off and recall, termination, compensation and benefits.
It is our policy to comply with all applicable laws and regulations in each jurisdiction in which we operate in order to provide appropriate working conditions for our colleagues. This means that we comply with applicable laws regarding the employment relationship including those that (1) prohibit child labor, (2) set acceptable working conditions and working hours, (3) provide for fair wages, including minimum wages and overtime, (4) prohibit forced or bonded labor, (5) permit freedom of association and collective bargaining, and (6) prohibit discrimination, harassment and other forms of degrading or inhumane treatment. Using tools such as our Supplier Code of Conduct and contractual provisions, we also hold our business partners to these same standards.
We further our people by acknowledging our workforce is key to our success. We offer highly competitive salaries, benefits, developmental opportunities and work/life balance. We proactively seek to attract, incentivize and retain a talented and motivated workforce. Our global performance management and succession planning processes are designed to provide sufficient talented personnel to fill key leadership, innovation and manufacturing roles well into the future and to better prepare employees for their future at the Company.
We review our compensation and benefits programs periodically to ensure continued competitiveness. In the United States, our benefit programs are designed to help protect the health and financial well-being of our full-time employees and their family members, offering a choice of several medical & dental plans, as well as vision, flexible spending accounts, short-term and long-term disability insurance and an employee assistance program. To help them prepare for their future, we offer a defined contribution savings plan, which includes company contributions. Benefits outside the United States are designed to supplement government-provided programs in each country.
We benefit from our talented, dedicated and diverse employee population and we actively promote diversity in an effort to maintain a workforce that reflects the diversity of the societies in which we operate. As of December 31, 2024, we had 920 employees worldwide, of which 798 were employed in the United States. Further, as of December 31, 2024, approximately 25% of our U.S.-based executives, managers and professionals were females and 21% were non-white males. As of December 31, 2024, approximately 45% of our employees were represented by a union, works council or other employee representative body. We believe we have good relationships with our employees and their respective works councils, unions and other bargaining representatives.
This international strength, supported by our core values of SHINE, fosters a rich culture founded on diversity of thought. We firmly believe that success is achieved through the intellect and commitment of our people, so we employ a long-term human capital program to attract, retain and develop talent for the future. We are proud of our highly collaborative teams that enable an inclusive workplace where employees are encouraged to bring their own experiences to promote innovation from all levels of the organization. This constructive work environment is supplemented with a fully integrated on-line performance management process that improves the communication of aligned goals, encourages consistent feedback and furthers employee engagement. Today, there are women on the leadership teams of each of our businesses as well as in our R&D, Finance, E&S and Human Resources functions.
In 2024, our sites continued to have a positive impact in the communities in which we operate. The following table outlines some of those impacts.
Location Community Impact
The Woodlands, Texas • Participated in flood relief efforts by handing out cleaning supplies and food
• Participated in a food drive sponsored by a non-profit organization to provide Thanksgiving meals
• Donated gift cards to a non-profit organization that offers emergency shelter
Houston, Texas • Provided school supplies to a local elementary school
• Bagged and distributed food at a local food bank
• Worked with a local organization to provide items for first-time mothers
Hammond, Indiana • Provided school supplies to a local elementary school
• Volunteered at a local soup kitchen
• Donated funds to a local youth football team to help replace equipment lost in a fire
Baytown, Texas • Donated supplies, sports apparel and equipment to a local elementary school
• Volunteered at a United Way sponsored breakfast
Baton Rouge, Louisiana • Collaborated with a non-profit organization to renovate the residence of an elderly homeowner
Martinez, California • Hosted students from a local university
Dominguez, California • Packed 600 boxes of food for distribution to local families
• Donated funds to a local school
• Donated funds to a local youth baseball team
• Participated in a blood drive
West Orange, Texas • Provided school supplies to a local elementary school
• Purchased supplies from teachers’ wish lists
Kansas City, Kansas • Donated clothing to the Big Brothers Big Sisters organization
• Participated in the Adopt-an-Angel program to provide holiday gifts to children
Warrington, United Kingdom • Sponsored uniforms for a local youth soccer team
Delfzijl, The Netherlands • Donated funds to a local food pantry
Conshohocken, Pennsylvania • Cleaned the surrounding neighborhood for Earth Day and Adopt-A-Highway Clean up Day
Malvern, Pennsylvania • Provided non-perishable foods and turkeys to a local food pantry to provide Thanksgiving meals to families
• Participated in the Adopt-a-Child program to provide holiday gifts to children
We have implemented a paid volunteer leave policy in 2025 that allow employees to take up to eight hours of pay each calendar year to participate in volunteer activities with approved organizations.
Governance
We maintain and consistently reinforce within our organization a series of policies and practices designed to ensure that decisions made on behalf of our company are properly made and executed. Our governance programs and policies start with a strong tone at the top and are summarized in our Executive Statement on Ethics and Compliance, which has been issued by our CEO and our Chief Compliance Officer and distributed throughout the organization.
The principles set forth in the Executive Statement are codified in our Code of Conduct, which sets forth the legal and ethical standards to which our employees must adhere, including (a) acting with integrity, (b) avoiding actual or apparent conflicts of interest, (c) complying with the laws and regulations of federal, state, provincial, local governments, and other appropriate regulatory agencies, (d) complying with all laws and regulations prohibiting fraud, bribery, corrupt practices, anti-competitive activities and trading with embargoed persons and countries, (e) complying with all company policies and procedures, and (f) actively promoting ethical behavior in the workplace.
Our governance programs and policies can be found on the Company’s sustainability webpages, which are routinely updated and includes a description of our enterprise risk management program and our policies on child labor, human trafficking, anti-harassment, antibribery, and cybersecurity all of which are evaluated by third-parties, including EcoVadis. In addition, the investors pages of our website contain additional materials regarding our corporate governance process, including our Board committee charters, our corporate governance guidelines, our Code of Conduct, our Supplier Code of Conduct and other documents.
Additional Sustainability Information: Further information about our sustainability programs can be found on our website at https://www.ecovyst.com/sustainability/. The information available on our sustainability website includes our sustainability report, our sustainability goals (and how such goals map to the UN Sustainable Development Goals), materiality matrix, letters of assurance, Global Reporting Initiative (GRI) Disclosure and Sustainability Accounting Standards Board (SASB) Index, our Health Safety Environment & Security Policy Statement, our Corporate Code of Conduct, our Human Rights Policy Statement, a description of our Ethics & Compliance Complaint and Review Process and our Labor Policy. The further information contained on our website is not incorporated herein by reference and is not a part of this Annual Report on Form 10-K.
Environmental Regulations
We are subject to extensive, evolving and increasingly stringent national, state and/or local environmental laws and regulations, which address, among other things, the following:
•emissions to the air;
•discharges to soils and surface and subsurface waters;
•other releases into the environment;
•prevention and remediation of releases into the indoor or outdoor environment;
•generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment and disposal of waste materials;
•maintenance of safe conditions in the workplace;
•registration and evaluation of chemicals;
•production, handling, labeling or use of chemicals used or produced by us; and
•stewardship of products after manufacture.
Again, we apply the principles of the Environmental Management standard of the International Organization for Standardization (ISO 14001) at our facilities throughout the world. For all of our facilities in the United States, we also adhere to the Responsible Care® RC14001 Technical Specifications of the American Chemistry Council.
We maintain policies and procedures to monitor and control HSE risks, and to monitor compliance with applicable local, state, national and international HSE requirements. We have a strong HSE organization. We maintain a staff of professionals who are responsible for environmental, safety, health, process safety and product regulatory compliance. We have implemented a corporate audit program for all of our facilities. However, we may not be in full compliance at all times with all applicable environmental laws and regulations. We expect that stringent environmental regulations will continue to be imposed on us and our industry in general. Evolving chemical regulation programs throughout the world could impose testing requirements or restrictions on our chemical raw materials and products.
Environmental Remediation
Environmental laws and regulations require mitigation or remediation of the effects of the disposal or release of chemical substances. Under some of these regulations, as the current or former owner or operator of a property, we could be held liable for the costs of removal or remediation of hazardous substances on or under property, without regard to whether we knew of or caused the contamination, and regardless of whether the practices that resulted in the contamination were permitted at the time they occurred. Many of our current or former production sites have an extended history of industrial use, and it is impossible to predict precisely what effect these laws and regulations will have on us in the future. Soil and groundwater contamination requiring investigation and remediation has been discovered at some of the sites, and might occur or be discovered at other sites. Several active and former facilities currently are undergoing investigation, remediation and/or surveillance, including sites in Dominguez, California, Martinez, California and Hammond, Indiana.
Environmental Programs
We have comprehensive HSE compliance, auditing and management programs in place to assist in our compliance with applicable regulatory requirements and with internal policies and procedures, as appropriate. Each facility has developed and implemented specific critical occupational health, safety, environmental, security and loss control programs.
We also have implemented a HSE organizational structure with executive committee level leadership and dedicated environmental experts. We have a Global Director of Health, Safety and Process Safety Management as well as Regional HSE Specialists and Managers who are embedded in the field and provide health and safety expertise and support to operating sites. We also have a Vice President of Environmental and Sustainability as well as Regional Environmental Specialists, Managers and Directors who are onsite to provide environmental expertise and support operating sites. Certain, larger sites may have dedicated environmental or health and safety personnel.
Product Safety and Product Stewardship
We have established a Product Safety and Product Stewardship management system that is compliant with the RC14001 technical specification and is supported by a highly skilled Director of Product Stewardship, who is a “Registration, Evaluation, Authorisation and Restriction of Chemicals” (“REACH”) Specialist. We conduct Product Stewardship reviews as part of new product development and routinely evaluate product safety risk for raw materials, intermediates, and products.
As a chemical company, we are subject to extensive and evolving regulations regarding the manufacturing, processing, distribution, importing, exporting, and labeling of our products and raw materials. In the European Union, the REACH regulations came into effect in 2007, with implementation rolling out over time. Registered chemicals then can be subject to further evaluation and potential restrictions. Our high-volume chemicals have been registered under REACH; lower-volume chemicals (mainly catalysts) were registered by the applicable 2018 deadline. To date, no further testing has been required.
Since the promulgation of REACH, other countries have enacted or are in the process of implementing similar comprehensive chemical regulations. These programs include the Korea REACH law, which is requiring registration and potential testing of chemicals, and similar programs implemented in the UK, Taiwan, Turkey, India, and elsewhere. In the US, all pertinent chemicals have been designated as “active” under the US Frank R. Lautenberg Chemical Safety for the 21st Century Act. At this time, none have been designated as chemicals which the EPA will prioritize and evaluate for regulation. Based on our chemicals and the various regulations promulgated to date, we do not anticipate costly testing requirements nor severe restrictions, but cannot guarantee that we will not be subject to requirements for our products or raw materials that could materially affect our operations. In particular, some of our products might be characterized as nanomaterials and then be subject to evolving, new nanomaterial regulations.
We remain alert for any regulatory changes which may impact our products and their end uses.
Available Information
Our website address is www.ecovyst.com. We make available free of charge through our website our Annual Report on Form 10-K, Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q, Current Reports on Form 8-K and amendments to those reports filed or furnished pursuant to Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as amended (“Exchange Act”), as well as reports on Forms 3, 4 and 5 filed pursuant to Section 16 of the Exchange Act, as soon as reasonably practicable after such documents are electronically filed with, or furnished to, the Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”). The SEC maintains an Internet website, https://www.sec.gov, which contains reports, proxy and information statements, and other information regarding our Company and other issuers that file electronically with the SEC. The information on our website is not, and shall not be deemed to be, a part of this report or incorporated into any other filings we make with the SEC.
Our Corporate Governance Guidelines, Code of Business Conduct and the charters of the Audit Committee, Compensation Committee, Nominating and Corporate Governance Committee and Health, Safety and Environment Committee of our Board of Directors are also available on our website and are available in print to any shareholder upon request by writing to Ecovyst Investor Relations, 300 Lindenwood Drive, Malvern, PA 19355. In accordance with SEC rules, we intend to disclose any amendment (other than any technical, administrative or other non-substantive) to the Code of Business Conduct, or any waiver of any provision thereof with respect to any of our executive officers, on our website within four business days following such amendment or waiver.

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ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS
ITEM 1A. RISK FACTORS.
In addition to the other information contained in this Form 10-K, you should carefully consider the following risks that we believe are the material risks that we face. The risks described below could have a material adverse impact on our business, financial condition, cash flows and results of operations, and should be read together and in conjunction with the forward-looking statements and “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations” included in Item 7 of this Form 10-K, and our consolidated financial statements and the accompanying notes thereto.
Risks Related to Our Business Operations
As a global business, we are exposed to local business risks in different countries, which could have a material adverse effect on our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We have operations in several countries, including manufacturing sites, research and development facilities, sales personnel and customer support operations. As of December 31, 2024, we operated ten manufacturing facilities. For the year ended December 31, 2024, our foreign subsidiaries accounted for 5% of our sales. Our operations are affected directly and indirectly by global regulatory, economic, political and social conditions, including:
•new and different legal and regulatory requirements in local jurisdictions;
•export duties or import quotas;
•domestic and foreign customs and tariffs or other trade barriers, including the threat of escalating trade disputes that may result in higher tariffs and the imposition of trade sanctions against certain countries, persons and entities;
•potential difficulties in staffing and labor disputes;
•potential difficulties in managing and obtaining support and distribution for local operations;
•increased costs of, and availability of, raw materials, energy, transportation or shipping;
•credit risk and financial condition of local customers and distributors;
•potential difficulties in protecting intellectual property rights;
•risk of nationalization of private enterprises by foreign governments;
•potential imposition of restrictions on investments;
•the imposition of withholding taxes or other taxes or royalties on our income, or the adoption of other restrictions on foreign trade or investment, including currency exchange controls;
•capital controls;
•potential difficulties in obtaining and enforcing legal judgments in jurisdictions outside the United States;
•potential difficulties in obtaining and enforcing relief in the United States against parties located outside the United States;
•potential difficulties in enforcing agreements and collecting receivables;
•risks relating to environmental, health and safety matters;
•regional conflicts, such as the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the conflict involving Israel and Hamas and potentially other countries in the Middle East;
•risks relating to information security and cyber security events;
•risks relating to epidemics and pandemics and effects therefrom; and
•local political, economic and social conditions, including the possibility of hyperinflationary conditions and political instability in certain countries.
We may not be successful in developing and implementing policies and strategies to address the foregoing factors in a timely and effective manner at each location where we do business. Consequently, the occurrence of one or more of the foregoing factors could have a material adverse effect on our international operations or upon our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our operations and financial results have been and may continue to be adversely affected by general economic conditions.
We sell advanced materials, catalysts and services that are used in manufacturing processes and as components of, or ingredients in, other products and, as a result, our sales are correlated with and affected by fluctuations in the level of industrial production and manufacturing output and by fluctuations in general economic activity. Demand for the products we manufacture often depends on trends in demand in the end uses our customers serve. General economic conditions and macroeconomic trends, including economic recessions and inflation, could affect overall demand for our products and any overall decline in such demand could significantly reduce our sales and profitability. In addition, volatility and disruption in financial markets could adversely affect our sales and results of operations by limiting our customers’ ability to obtain the financing necessary to maintain or expand their own operations.
Unfavorable global economic conditions could adversely affect our business, financial condition, and results of operations.
Our results of operations could be adversely affected by general conditions in the global economy and in the global financial markets. For example, during the past several years the global economy has experienced extreme volatility and disruptions, including significant volatility in commodity and market prices, including large fluctuations in energy prices, volatility in sulfur prices, declines in consumer confidence, declines in economic growth, supply chain interruptions, uncertainty about economic stability, record inflation globally, rising interest rates and the threat of recession. Unfavorable economic conditions could result in a variety of risks to our business, including demand and pricing for our products and difficulty in forecasting our financial results. A weak or declining economy also could strain our suppliers, possibly resulting in supply chain disruptions. In addition, inflation has increased our costs, which could impact our profitability. These and other economic factors could adversely impact our business and results of operations.
Exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
As a result of our international operations, for the year ended December 31, 2024, we generated 5% of our sales and associated expenses in currencies other than U.S. dollars. We incur currency transaction risk whenever we enter into either a purchase or sale transaction using a currency other than the local currency of the transacting entity. The main currencies to which we are exposed, besides the U.S. dollar, are the Euro and the British pound. The exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar have fluctuated significantly in recent years and may continue to do so in the future. In many cases, we sell exclusively in those jurisdictions and do not have the ability to mitigate our exposure to currency fluctuations through our operations. Accordingly, to the extent that we are unable to match sales made in such foreign currencies with costs paid in the same currency, exchange rate fluctuations could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In the past, we have experienced economic loss and a negative impact on earnings as a result of foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations and any future fluctuations may have similar impacts. We expect that the amount of our sales denominated in non-U.S. dollar currencies may increase in future periods. Given the volatility of exchange rates, we may not be able to effectively manage our currency transaction risks or that any volatility in currency exchange rates will not have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or results of operations. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk.”
Additionally, because our consolidated financial results are reported in U.S dollars, the translation of sales or earnings generated in other currencies into U.S. dollars can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those sales or earnings in our financial statements, which also affects the comparability of our results of operations and cash flows between financial periods.
Our international operations require us to comply with anti-corruption laws, economic sanctions, export controls and similar laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various international jurisdictions in which we do business.
Doing business on a worldwide basis requires us and our subsidiaries to comply with the laws and regulations of the U.S. government and various international jurisdictions, and our failure to successfully comply with these laws and regulations may restrict our operations, trade practices, investment decisions and partnering activities and may expose us to liabilities. Such laws and regulations apply to companies, individual directors, officers, employees and agents.
In particular, our international operations are subject to U.S. and foreign anti-corruption laws and regulations, such as the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act (“FCPA”) and the U.K. Bribery Act. For example, the FCPA prohibits us from providing anything of value to foreign officials for the purposes of influencing official decisions or obtaining or retaining business or otherwise obtaining favorable treatment, and requires us to maintain adequate record-keeping and internal accounting practices to accurately reflect our transactions. As part of our business, we may deal with state-owned business enterprises, the employees and representatives of which may be considered foreign officials for purposes of the FCPA. In addition, some of the international locations into which we sell our products lack a developed legal system and have elevated levels of corruption. As a result, we are exposed to corruption-related risk.
In addition, we are required to comply with applicable economic sanctions, export controls, and similar laws and regulations imposed by the U.S. government and other countries. These laws and regulations may restrict our business practices, or the counterparties or regions with which we can trade. In addition, these laws and regulations are subject to frequent change, and such changes may require us to adjust our business practices, including by ceasing business activities in newly sanctioned countries or regions or with newly sanctioned entities or individuals, or to modify our compliance program. For example, the invasion of Ukraine by Russia and the related sanctions, export controls or other actions that have been or may be initiated by nations-including the U.S., the European Union, the United Kingdom, and Russia-could disrupt or otherwise adversely impact our customers in those countries, as well as adversely impact our business or our supply chain, business partners or customers in other countries beyond Ukraine and Russia. Further, violations of these legal requirements are punishable by criminal fines and imprisonment, civil penalties, disgorgement of profits, injunctions, debarment from government contracts, loss of export privileges and other remedial measures.
We have established policies and procedures designed to assist us and our personnel in complying with applicable U.S. and international laws and regulations. These policies and procedures are codified in our Code of Conduct and other various policies. However, there can be no assurance that our policies and procedures will effectively prevent us from violating these laws and regulations in every transaction in which we may engage, and such a violation could subject us to governmental investigations and adversely affect our reputation, business, financial condition and results of operations.
Alternative technology or other changes in our customers’ products may reduce or eliminate the need for certain of our products.
Many of the products that we sell are used in manufacturing processes and/or to produce other products and, as a result, changes in our customers’ end products or processes or alternative technologies may enable our customers to reduce or eliminate consumption or use of our products. Additionally, shifting consumer preference could result in a significant reduction in the future use of fossil fuels, which would have a negative impact on our zeolite catalysts and Ecoservices businesses. If we are unable to respond appropriately to such new developments, such changes could seriously impair our ability to profitably market certain of our products.
Our new product development and research and development efforts may not succeed and our competitors may develop more effective or successful products.
The industries in which we operate are subject to periodic technological changes and ongoing product improvements. In order to maintain our margins and remain competitive, we must successfully develop, manufacture and market new or improved products. As a result, we must commit substantial resources each year to new product research and development. Ongoing investments in new product research and development could result in higher costs without a proportional increase in revenues. Additionally, for any new product program, there is a risk of technical or market failure, in which case we may need to commit additional resources to the program and may not be able to develop the new products needed to maintain our competitive position. Moreover, new products may have lower margins than the products they replace or may not successfully attract end users.
We also expect competition to increase as our competitors develop and introduce new and enhanced products. As such products are introduced, our products may become obsolete or our competitors’ products may be marketed more effectively. If we fail to develop new products, maintain or improve our margins with our new products or keep pace with technological developments, our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows will suffer.
If we are unable to pass on increases in raw material prices, including natural gas, to our customers or to retain or replace our key suppliers, our results of operations and cash flows may be negatively affected.
We purchase significant amounts of raw materials, including precursor products in our Advanced Materials & Catalysts business and sulfur in our Ecoservices business, and we purchase significant amounts of natural gas to supply the energy required in our production process. The cost of these raw materials represents a substantial portion of our operating expenses and our results of operations have been, and could in the future be, significantly affected by increases in the costs of such raw materials. In addition, we obtain a significant portion of our raw materials from certain key suppliers. If any of those suppliers is unable to meet its obligations under current or future supply agreements, we may be forced to pay higher prices to obtain the necessary raw materials. Furthermore, if any of the raw materials that we use become unavailable within the geographic area from which we currently source them, we may not be able to obtain suitable and cost-effective substitutes. Any interruption of supply or any price increase of raw materials could adversely affect our profitability.
While we attempt to match raw material price increases with corresponding product price increases, our ability to pass on increases in the cost of raw materials to our customers is, to a large extent, dependent upon our contractual arrangements and market conditions. There may be periods of time during which we are not able to recover increases in the cost of raw materials due to our contractual arrangements or weakness in demand for, or oversupply of, our products. Specifically, timing differences between price adjustments of raw materials and adjustments to our product prices, which in many cases are adjusted quarterly or less often, have had and may continue to have a negative effect on our profitability. Even in periods during which raw material prices decline, we may suffer decreasing profits if customers seek relief in the form of lower sales prices or if the raw material price reductions occur at a slower rate than decreases in the selling prices of our products. Such volatility can result in commercial disputes with customers and suppliers with respect to interpretations of complex contractual arrangements, the adverse resolution of which could reduce our profitability.
In the past, we have entered into long-term supply contracts for certain of our raw materials. As these contracts expire, we may not be able to renegotiate or enter into new long-term supply contracts that will offer similar protection from price increases and other fluctuations on terms that are satisfactory to us or at all.
We face substantial competition in the industries in which we operate.
Our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment primarily competes with other global producers in the petrochemicals and refining industries such as Grace, BASF, UOP, and Albemarle, as well as other niche competitors such as Tosoh, Axens, and Haldor Topsoe. In our Ecoservices segment, we compete in the North American refining services industry with competitors such as Chemtrade and Nexpera, formerly the sulfuric acid business of Veolia. We believe that we typically compete on the basis of performance, product consistency, quality, reliability, and ability to innovate in response to customer demands.
Our competitors may improve their competitive position in our core end use applications by successfully introducing new products, improving their manufacturing processes, expanding their capacity or manufacturing facilities or responding more effectively than we do to new or emerging technologies and changes in customer requirements. Some of our competitors may be able to lower prices for products that compete with our products if their costs are lower. In addition, consolidation among our competitors or customers may result in reduced demand for our products or make it more difficult for us to compete. Some of our competitors’ financial, technological and other resources may be greater than ours or they may have less debt than we do and, as a result, may be better able to withstand changes to industry conditions. The occurrence of any of these events could materially adversely affect our financial condition and results of operations.
We are subject to the risk of loss resulting from non-payment or non-performance by our customers.
Our credit procedures and policies may not be adequate to minimize or mitigate customer credit risk. Our customers may experience financial difficulties, including bankruptcies, restructurings and liquidations. These and other financial problems our customers may experience, as well as potential financial weakness in the industries in which we operate or general economic conditions, may increase our risk in extending trade credit to customers. A significant adverse change in a customer’s financial position could cause us to limit or discontinue business with such customer, require us to assume more credit risk relating to such customer’s receivables or limit our ability to collect accounts receivable from such customer, any of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
We rely on a limited number of customers for a meaningful portion of our business. A loss of one or more of these customers could adversely impact our profitability.
A loss of any significant customer, including a pipeline customer in our Ecoservices segment, or a decrease in the provision of products to any significant customer, could have an adverse effect on our business until alternative arrangements are secured. Any alternative arrangement to replace the loss of a customer could result in increased variable costs relating to product shipment. In addition, any new customer agreement we enter into may not have terms as favorable as those contained in our current customer agreements, which could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition and results of operations. For the year ended December 31, 2024, our top ten customers represented approximately 60% of our sales and one single customer represented 14% or $96 million of our sales in both Ecoservices and Advanced Materials & Catalysts.
Refineries, which represent a sizable subset of our Ecoservices segment customer base, have undergone significant consolidation and additional consolidation is possible in the future. Such consolidation could further increase our reliance on a small number of customers and further increase our customers’ leverage over us, resulting in downward pressure on prices and an adverse effect on our profitability.
Multi-year customer contracts in our Ecoservices segment are subject to potential early termination and such contracts may not be renewed at the end of their respective terms.
Many of the customer contracts in our Ecoservices segment are multi-year agreements. Regeneration services customer contracts are typically on five- to ten-year terms and virgin sulfuric acid customer contracts are typically on one- to five-year terms, with larger customers typically favoring longer terms. Excluding contracts with automatic evergreen provisions, approximately 40% of our sulfuric acid volume for the year ended December 31, 2024 was under contracts expiring at the end of 2025 or beyond. In addition, our regeneration services contracts with major refinery customers typically allow for termination with advance notice of one to two years. We cannot provide assurance that our existing contracts will not be subjected to early terminations or that our expiring contracts will be renewed at the end of their terms. If we receive a significant number of such contract terminations or experience non-renewals from key customers in our Ecoservices segment, our results of operations, financial condition and cash flows may be materially adversely affected.
Our quarterly results of operations are subject to fluctuations because the demand for some of our products is seasonal.
Our Ecoservices segment typically experiences seasonal fluctuations as a result of higher demand for gasoline products in the summer months. Because of the seasonality of some of our product groups, the results for any one quarter are not necessarily indicative of the results that may be achieved for any other quarter or for the full year.
Our growth projects may result in significant expenditures before generating revenues, if any, which may materially and adversely affect our ability to implement our business strategy.
We have made and continue to make significant investments in each of our businesses. These projects require us to commit significant capital to, among other things, implement engineering plans and obtain the necessary permits before we generate revenues related to our investments in these businesses. Such projects may take longer to complete or require additional unanticipated expenditures and may never generate profits. If we fail to recover our investment, or these projects never become profitable, our ability to implement our business strategy may be materially and adversely affected.
We may be liable for damages based on product liability claims brought against us or our customers for costs associated with recalls of our or our customers’ products.
Even though we are generally an advanced materials and services supplier rather than a manufacturer of finished goods, the sale of our products involves the risk of product liability claims and voluntary or government-ordered product recalls. For example, certain of the products that we manufacture are used in chemical manufacturing processes in our customers’ manufacturing operations and are used in and around other chemical manufacturing facilities and other locations where personal injury or property damage may occur. While we attempt to protect ourselves from product liability claims and exposures through our adherence to standards and specifications, quality control and assurance and through contractual negotiations and provisions, there can be no assurance that our efforts will ultimately protect us from such claims. A product liability claim or voluntary or government-ordered product recall could result in substantial and unexpected expenditures, affect customer confidence in our products and divert management’s attention from other responsibilities. A product recall or successful product liability claim or series of claims against us in excess of our insurance coverage and for which we are not otherwise indemnified could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows. We have product liability insurance in amounts that we believe are adequate to cover this product liability risk. However, our insurance may not provide adequate coverage against all potential liabilities, including product recall liabilities. If a claim is brought against us, we might be required to pay legal and other expenses to defend the claim, as well as pay uncovered damage awards resulting from a claim brought successfully against us and these damages could be significant and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition. Furthermore, whether or not we are ultimately successful in defending any such claims, we might be required to direct significant financial and managerial resources to such defense and adverse publicity is likely to result.
We are required to comply with a wide variety of laws and regulations, and are subject to regulation by various federal, state and foreign agencies, and our failure to comply with existing and future regulatory requirements could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
We compete in industries in which we and our customers are subject to federal, state, local, international and transnational laws and regulations. Such laws and regulations are numerous and sometimes conflicting, and any future changes to such laws and regulations could adversely affect us.
In order to obtain regulatory approval for certain of our new products, we must, among other things, demonstrate to the relevant authority that the product is safe and effective for its intended uses and that we are capable of manufacturing the product in accordance with current regulations. The process of seeking approvals can be costly, time-consuming and subject to unanticipated and significant delays. Any delay in obtaining, or any failure to obtain or maintain, these approvals would adversely affect our ability to introduce new products and to generate sales from those products, and could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
Our products, including the raw materials we handle, are subject to rigorous chemical registration and industrial hygiene regulations and investigation. There is risk that a key raw material, chemical or substance, or one of the end products of which our products are a part of or are utilized to make, may be recharacterized as having a toxicological or health-related impact on the environment, our customers or our employees. Industrial hygiene regulations are continually strengthened and if such recharacterization occurs, the relevant raw material, chemical or product may be banned or we may incur increased costs in order to comply with new requirements. Changes in industrial hygiene regulations also affect the marketability of certain of our products, and future regulatory changes may have a material adverse effect on our business.
New laws and regulations, and changes in existing laws and regulations, may become effective in the future and could prevent or inhibit the development, distribution and sale of our products, including, but not limited to, the imposition of additional compliance costs, seizures, confiscation, recall or monetary fines. For example, as discussed in more detail in “Business-Environmental Regulations” and “Business-Chemical Product Regulation,” we may be materially impacted by regulatory initiatives worldwide with respect to chemical product safety such as the 2016 amendments to the U.S. Toxic Substances Control Act, the E.U. REACH regulation, and/or similar regulations being enacted in other countries (e.g., China REACH; Korea REACH). Additionally, current or future U.S. administrations may seek to alter current environmental standards and regulations, including, but not limited to, the Corporate Average Fuel Economy standards, which could have a material adverse effect on our sales into the clean fuels, emission control and other industries.
We are subject to extensive environmental, health and safety regulations and face various risks associated with potential non-compliance or releases of hazardous materials.
Like other chemical companies, our operations and properties are subject to extensive and stringent federal, state, local and foreign environmental laws and regulations. U.S. federal environmental laws that affect us include, but are not limited to, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (“RCRA”), the Clean Air Act, the Clean Water Act and the Comprehensive Environmental Response Compensation and Liability Act (“CERCLA”). These laws govern, among other things, emissions to the air, discharges or releases of hazardous substances to land, surface, subsurface strata and water, wastewater discharges and the generation, handling, storage, transportation, treatment, disposal and remediation of hazardous materials and petroleum products. We are also subject to other federal, state, local and foreign laws and regulations regarding chemical and product safety as well as employee health and safety matters, including process safety requirements. These laws and regulations may become more stringent over time and the failure to comply with such laws and regulations can result in significant fines or penalties.
We have in the past been and currently are the subject of investigations and enforcement actions pursuant to environmental laws, including the Clean Air Act. Some of these matters were resolved through the payment of significant monetary penalties and a requirement to implement corrective actions at our facilities. For instance, we remain subject to a 2007 Consent Decree that resolves certain alleged Clean Air Act violations at six Ecoservices operating locations involving New Source Review, Prevention of Significant Deterioration and New Source Performance Standard obligations under the U.S. federal rules for the pollutants sulfur dioxide and sulfuric acid mist. The Consent Decree required Solvay (the owner of such facilities at the time) to pay a $2 million penalty and spend approximately $34 million on air pollution controls at our facilities, the majority of which was received from customers in contractual arrangements. Work under the Consent Decree has proceeded since 2007, and all of the significant capital improvements related to the Consent Decree have been completed. Three of our operating locations have been released from the scope of the Consent Decree and we are seeking release of three other locations covered by the Consent Decree. Upon issuance of New Source Review permit amendments at the remaining sites, we expect to be fully released from the Consent Decree.
We are required by these environmental laws and regulations to obtain registrations, licenses, permits and other approvals in order to operate, make disclosures to public authorities about our chemical handling and usage activities and install expensive pollution control and spill containment equipment at our facilities, or incur other capital expenditures aimed at achieving or maintaining compliance with such laws and regulations. The failure to timely identify and implement any such capital projects required to achieve or maintain compliance could expose us to enforcement and penalty.
Under CERCLA and analogous statutes in local and foreign jurisdictions, current and former owners and operators of land impacted by releases of hazardous substances are strictly liable for the investigation and remediation of the contamination resulting from the release. Liability under CERCLA and analogous laws is strict, unlimited, joint, several and retroactive, may be imposed regardless of fault and may relate to historical activities or contamination not caused by the affected property’s current owner or operator. We could be held responsible for all cleanup costs at a site, whether currently or formerly owned or operated, regardless of fault, knowledge, timing or cause of the contamination. Further, under CERCLA and analogous laws, we may be jointly and severally liable for contamination at third party sites where we or our predecessors in interest have sent waste for treatment or disposal, even if we complied with applicable laws. In addition, we may face liability for personal injury, property damage and/or natural resource damage resulting from environmental conditions attributable to hazardous substance releases at or from facilities we currently own or operate or formerly owned or operated or to which we sent waste. As such, a product spill or emission at one of our facilities or otherwise resulting from our operations could have adverse consequences on the environment and surrounding community and could result in significant liabilities with respect to investigation and remediation.
Our facilities have an extended history of industrial use, and soil and groundwater contamination exists at some of our sites. As of December 31, 2024, we had current remediation, monitoring and/or maintenance obligations at several of our current or former sites, including Dominguez, California, Martinez, California and Hammond, Indiana. As of December 31, 2024, we had established reserves to cover anticipated expenses at these sites, all of which have reached relatively mature stages of the investigation, remediation or monitoring process. Actual costs to complete these projects may exceed our current estimates.
As of December 31, 2024, our total reserves associated with environmental remediation and enforcement matters noted above were $0.8 million. In addition to the ongoing remediation and monitoring activities discussed above, there is risk that the long-term industrial use at our facilities may have resulted in, or may in the future result in, contamination that has yet to be discovered, which could require additional, unplanned investigation and remediation efforts by us for which no reserves have been established, potentially without regard to whether we knew of, or caused, the release of such contaminants. Discovery of additional or unknown conditions at our facilities could have an adverse impact on our business by substantially increasing our capital expenditures, including compliance, investigation and remediation costs. Such environmental liabilities attached to our properties, or for properties that we are otherwise responsible for, could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations or financial condition.
Existing and proposed regulations to address climate change by limiting greenhouse gas emissions may cause us to incur significant additional operating and capital expenses and may impact our business and results of operations.
Certain of our operations result in emissions of GHG, such as carbon dioxide. Growing concern about the sources and impacts of global climate change has led to a number of domestic and foreign legislative and administrative measures, both proposed and enacted, to monitor, regulate and limit carbon dioxide and other GHG emissions. In the European Union, our emissions are regulated under the E.U. Emissions Trading System (the “E.U. ETS”), an E.U.-wide trading scheme for industrial GHG emissions. The E.U. ETS is anticipated to become progressively more stringent over time, including by reducing the number of allowances to emit GHG that E.U. member states will allocate without charge to industrial facilities. In the United States, the EPA has promulgated federal GHG regulations under the Clean Air Act that affect certain sources. For example, the EPA has issued mandatory GHG reporting requirements, under which some of our Ecoservices’ facilities report depending upon each facility’s natural gas usage during each prior reporting year. Moreover, California has enacted the Global Warming Solutions Act of 2006 (“Assembly Bill 32”), a law that establishes a comprehensive program to reduce GHG emissions from all sources throughout the state and contains reporting requirements under which our Dominguez and Martinez facilities currently report. Our Dominguez facility also participates in the emissions trading market established under Assembly Bill 32. Although we believe it is likely that GHG emissions will continue to be regulated in at least some regions of the United States and in other countries (in addition to the European Union) in the future, we cannot yet predict the form such regulation will take (such as a cap-and-trade program, technology mandate, emissions tax or other regulatory mechanism) or, consequently, estimate the costs that we may be required to incur to meet such requirements, which could, for example, require that we install emission control equipment, purchase emissions allowances, administer and manage our GHG emissions program or address other regulatory obligations. Such requirements could also adversely affect our energy supply or the costs and types of raw materials that we use for fuel. Accordingly, regulations controlling or limiting GHG emissions could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition or results of operations, including by reducing demand for our products.
Sustainability initiatives may result in operational changes and expenditures, reduced demand for our products and adversely affect our business.
We recognize that sustainability is a growing global environmental concern. Continuing political and social attention to the issue of sustainability has resulted in both existing and pending international agreements and national, regional or local legislation and regulatory measures to increase sustainability. As a result of heightened public awareness and attention to the issue of sustainability as well as continued regulatory initiatives, demand for certain of our products may be reduced, which may have an adverse effect on our sales volumes, revenues and margins.
This growing global environmental concern is also manifesting in existing and pending sustainability legislation, regulations, and directives at the federal, state and international levels, including, but not limited to, the E.U. Corporate Sustainability Reporting Directive (“CSRD”), the California Climate Corporate Data Accountability Act (SB 253) and GHG Climate-related Financial Risk Act (SB 261), and the stayed United States SEC rules addressing Scope 1 and 2 emissions. In the future, these developments are anticipated to increase the cost associated with complying with existing, pending, and future sustainability-related legislation, regulations and directives and such increased costs and/or our failure to comply with any such legislation, regulations and directives could adversely affect our financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Production and distribution of our products could be disrupted for a variety of reasons, and such disruptions could expose us to significant losses or liabilities.
Certain of the hazards and risks associated with our manufacturing processes and the related storage and transportation of raw materials, products and wastes may disrupt production at our manufacturing facilities and the distribution of products to our customers. These potentially disruptive risks include, but are not limited to, the following:
•pipeline and storage tank leaks and ruptures;
•explosions and fires;
•inclement weather and natural disasters;
•terrorist attacks;
•failure of mechanical, process safety and pollution control equipment;
•chemical spills and other discharges or releases of toxic or hazardous substances or gases;
•epidemics and pandemics and effects therefrom; and
•exposure to toxic chemicals.
These hazards could expose employees, customers, the community and others to toxic chemicals and other hazards, contaminate the environment, damage property, result in personal injury or death, lead to an interruption or suspension of operations, damage our reputation and adversely affect the productivity and profitability of a particular manufacturing facility or our business as a whole. Such hazards could also result in the need for remediation, governmental enforcement, regulatory shutdowns, the imposition of government fines and penalties and claims brought by governmental entities or third parties. Legal claims and regulatory actions could subject us to both civil and criminal penalties, which could affect our product sales, reputation and profitability.
If disruptions at our manufacturing facilities or in our distribution channels occur, alternative options with sufficient capacity or capabilities may not be available, may cost substantially more or may require significant time to start production or distribution. Any of these scenarios could negatively affect our business and financial performance. If one of our manufacturing facilities or distribution channels is unable to produce or distribute our products for an extended period of time, our sales may be reduced by the shortfall caused by the disruption and we may not be able to meet our customers’ needs, which could cause them to seek other suppliers. Furthermore, to the extent a production disruption occurs at a manufacturing facility that has been operating at or near full capacity, the resulting shortage of our product could be particularly harmful because production at the manufacturing facility may not be able to reach levels achieved prior to the disruption. Such risks are heightened in our Ecoservices segment, which has operations and customers primarily located in the Gulf Coast, which is susceptible to a heightened risk of hurricanes, and in California, which is susceptible to a heightened risk of earthquakes and wildfires. For example, in December 2022, the operations of our Ecoservices’ Houston and Hammond facilities were disrupted by Winter Storm Elliot.
The insurance that we maintain may not fully cover all potential exposures.
We maintain property, business interruption, casualty and other types of insurance, but such insurance may not cover all risks associated with the operation of our business or our manufacturing process and the related use, storage and transportation of raw materials, products and wastes in or from our manufacturing sites or distribution centers. While we have purchased what we deem to be adequate limits of coverage and broadly worded policies, our coverage is subject to exclusions and limitations, including higher self-insured retentions or deductibles and maximum limits and liabilities covered. Notwithstanding diligent efforts to successfully procure specialty coverage for environmental liability and remediation, we may incur losses beyond the limits or outside the terms of coverage of our insurance policies, including liabilities for environmental remediation. In addition, from time to time, various types of insurance for companies in the industries in which we operate have not been available on commercially acceptable terms or, in some cases, at all. We are potentially at additional risk if one or more of our insurance carriers fail. Additionally, severe disruptions in the domestic and global financial markets could adversely impact the ratings and survival of some insurers. Future downgrades in the ratings of enough insurers could adversely impact both the availability of appropriate insurance coverage and its cost. In the future, we may not be able to obtain coverage at current levels, if at all, and our premiums may increase significantly on coverage that we maintain.
We could be subject to damages based on claims brought against us by our customers or lose customers as a result of the failure of our products to meet certain quality specifications.
If a product fails to perform in a manner consistent with quality specifications, or has a shorter useful life than that which was guaranteed, a customer could seek replacement of the product or damages for costs incurred as a result of the product failing to perform as guaranteed. A successful claim or series of claims against us could cause reputational harm and have a material adverse effect on our financial condition and results of operations and could result in a loss of one or more customers.
We may engage in strategic acquisitions or dispositions of certain assets or businesses that could affect our business, results of operations, financial condition and liquidity.
We may selectively pursue complementary acquisitions, such as the Chem32 acquisition, and joint ventures, such as the Zeolyst Joint Venture, each of which inherently involves a number of risks and presents financial, managerial and operational challenges, including:
•potential disruption of our ongoing business and distraction of management;
•difficulty with integration of personnel and financial and other systems;
•hiring additional management and other critical personnel; and
•increasing the scope, geographic diversity and complexity of our operations.
In addition, we may encounter unforeseen obstacles or costs in the integration of acquired businesses. For example, the presence of one or more material liabilities of an acquired company that are unknown to us at the time of acquisition may have a material adverse effect on our business. Our acquisition and joint venture strategy may not be received positively by customers, and we may not realize any anticipated benefits from acquisitions or joint ventures.
We may also opportunistically pursue dispositions of certain assets and businesses, which may involve material amounts of assets or lines of business, which could adversely affect our results of operations, financial condition and liquidity. We are currently conducting a strategic review of our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment, which may or may not result in a disposition involving all or a part of that segment. If any such dispositions were to occur, under the terms of the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness, we may be required to apply the proceeds of the sale to repay such indebtedness.
In addition, our strategic acquisitions and dispositions may also affect the diversity of our assets and our capital structure. As a result, our acquisitions and dispositions could affect our business, results of operations, financial condition, and liquidity. Further, all the risks associated with our acquisitions and dispositions may not be immediately known to us, and the anticipated benefits of such acquisition or disposition may not be fully realized.
Effective on August 1, 2021, we completed the sale of our Performance Chemicals business to Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. and Koch Mineral & Trading LLC for a purchase price of $1.1 billion, which was subject to certain adjustments including for indebtedness, cash, working capital and transaction expenses at the closing of the transaction.
Our strategic review process for the Advanced Materials & Catalyst business may not result in the identification or completion of a transaction, or create additional value for our stockholders, and the process may have an adverse effect on our business.
On December 2, 2024, the Company announced that the Board of Directors had initiated a strategic review process for its Advanced Materials & Catalysts business. At this time, the Board has not made any decisions as to whether the strategic review process will result in any transaction or any other outcome. We cannot make any assurance that the Board’s review will result in a transaction or other strategic change to the Company or its Advanced Materials & Catalysts business, happen on the timeline we anticipate or that the outcome of the review will provide greater value to our stockholders than the current price of our common stock. The strategic review process may require significant resources and expenses. In addition, speculation and uncertainty regarding the strategic review process may cause or result in disruption of our business; distraction of our employees; difficulty in recruiting, hiring, motivating and retaining qualified personnel; difficulty in maintaining or negotiating and consummating new business or strategic relationships or transactions; potential litigation; and increased stock price volatility. If we are unable to mitigate these or other potential risks related to the uncertainty caused by the strategic review process, it may adversely affect our business or adversely impact our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows.
Our joint ventures may not operate according to their business plans if our partners fail to fulfill their obligations or differences in views among our partners results in delayed decisions or failures to agree on major issues, which may adversely affect our results of operations and force us to dedicate additional resources to these joint ventures.
We currently participate in a joint venture relating to the Zeolyst International business and may enter into additional joint ventures in the future. The nature of a joint venture requires us to share control with unaffiliated third parties and we sometimes have joint and several liability with our joint venture partners. If our joint venture partners do not fulfill their obligations, or if differences in views among the joint venture participants result in delayed decisions or failures to agree on major issues, the affected joint venture may not be able to operate according to its business plan. For example, the Zeolyst Joint Venture is structured as a general partnership in which we are an equal partner with Shell. Accordingly, we do not control the Zeolyst Joint Venture and generally cannot unilaterally undertake strategies, plans, goals and operations or determine when cash distributions will be made to us. Furthermore, we are liable on a joint and several basis with Shell for all of the partnership’s liabilities if it does not have sufficient assets to satisfy such liabilities. Such factors may adversely affect our results of operation and force us to dedicate additional and unexpected resources to our joint ventures.
Our failure to protect our intellectual property rights could adversely affect our future performance and growth.
Protection of our proprietary processes, methods, compounds and other technologies is important to our business. We depend upon our ability to develop and protect our intellectual property rights to distinguish our products from those of our competitors. Failure to protect our existing intellectual property rights may allow our competitors to copy our products and may result in the loss of valuable proprietary technologies or other intellectual property. Failure to protect our innovations and trademarks by securing intellectual property rights could also result in our having to pay other companies for infringing on their intellectual property rights. We rely on a combination of patent, trade secret, trademark and copyright law as well as regulatory and judicial enforcement to protect such technologies and trademarks. In addition, the laws of many foreign countries do not protect our intellectual property rights to the same extent as the laws of the United States. As of December 31, 2024, we owned 22 patented inventions in the United States, with 169 patents issued in countries around the world and 63 patent applications pending worldwide covering such inventions. Some of these patents are licensed to others. In addition, we have acquired certain rights under patents and inventions of others through licenses. Should any of these licenses granted to us by third parties terminate prior to the expiration of the licensed intellectual property, we would need to cease using the licensed intellectual property, and either develop or license alternative technologies. In such a case, there can be no assurance that alternative technologies exist or that we would be able to obtain such a license on favorable terms.
Competitors and third parties may infringe on our patents or violate our intellectual property rights. Defending and enforcing our intellectual property rights can involve litigation and can be expensive and time consuming. Such proceedings could put our patents at risk of being invalidated and confidential information may be disclosed through the discovery process; these costs and diversion of resources could harm our business.
We cannot provide any assurances that any of our pending applications will mature into issued patents, or that any patents that have issued or may issue in the future do or will include claims with a scope sufficient to provide any competitive advantage. Patents involve complex legal and factual questions and, therefore, the issuance, scope, validity and enforceability of any patent claims we have or may obtain cannot be predicted with certainty. Patents may be challenged, deemed unenforceable, invalidated or circumvented. Patents may be challenged in the courts, as well as in various administrative proceedings before the United States Patent and Trademark Office or foreign patent offices. We are currently and may in the future be a party to various adversarial patent office proceedings involving our patents or the patents of third parties. Such challenges can result in some or all of the claims of the challenged patent being invalidated, deemed unenforceable, or interpreted narrowly which, in the case of challenges to our own patents, may be adverse to our interests. Accordingly, the issuance of patents is not conclusive of the validity, scope, or enforceability of such patents. Moreover, even if valid and enforceable, competitors may be able to design around our patents or use pre-existing technologies to compete with us.
We also rely upon unpatented proprietary know-how, continuing technological innovation and other trade secrets to develop and maintain our competitive position, which may not provide us with complete protection against competitors. Misappropriation or unauthorized disclosure of our proprietary know-how could harm our competitive position or have an adverse effect on our business. While it is our policy to enter into confidentiality agreements with our employees and third parties to protect our intellectual property rights and we strive to maintain the physical security of our properties and the security of our IT systems, there can be no assurances that:
•our confidentiality agreements will not be breached;
•our security measures will not be breached;
•such agreements will provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or proprietary know-how; or
•adequate remedies will be available in the event of an unauthorized use or disclosure of such trade secrets and know-how.
In addition, there can be no assurances that others will not obtain knowledge of these trade secrets through independent development or other access by legal means.
Measures taken by us to protect these assets and rights may not provide meaningful protection for our trade secrets or proprietary manufacturing expertise and adequate remedies may not be available in the event of an unauthorized use or disclosure of our trade secrets or manufacturing expertise. In addition, as noted above, our patents and other intellectual property rights may be challenged, invalidated, circumvented or rendered unenforceable.
Furthermore, we cannot provide assurance that any pending patent or trademark application filed by us will result in an issued patent or registered trademark or, if patents are issued to us, that those patents will provide meaningful protection against competitors or against competitive technologies. The failure of our patents or other measures to protect our processes, apparatuses, technology, trade secrets and proprietary manufacturing expertise, methods and compounds or trademarks and provide us with freedom to exclude competition could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. See “Business-Intellectual Property.”
Our products may infringe the intellectual property rights of others, which may cause us to incur unexpected costs or prevent us from selling our products.
Our industry is characterized by vigilant pursuit of intellectual property rights, particularly with respect to our advanced silicas and zeolite catalysts product groups. Like us, our competitors rely on intellectual property rights to maintain profitability and competitiveness. As the number of products and competitors has increased, the likelihood of intellectual property disputes has risen. Although it is our policy and intention not to infringe valid patents of others, our processes, apparatuses, technology, proprietary manufacturing expertise, methods, compounds and products may infringe on issued patents or infringe or misappropriate other intellectual property rights of others. Accordingly, we continually monitor third-party intellectual property to confirm our freedom to operate. Nevertheless, we may be subject to legal proceedings and claims in the ordinary course of our business, including claims of alleged infringement of the patents or trademarks or infringement or misappropriation of other intellectual property rights of third parties by us or our licensees in connection with their use of our products. Intellectual property litigation is expensive and time-consuming, regardless of the merits of any claim, and could divert the attention of our management and technical personnel away from operating our business. If we were to discover that our processes, apparatuses, technology, products or trademarks infringe the valid intellectual property rights of others, we might need to obtain licenses from these parties or substantially reengineer or rebrand our products in order to avoid infringement. We may not be able to obtain the necessary licenses on acceptable terms, or at all, or be able to reengineer our products successfully or at an acceptable cost. Moreover, if we are sued for infringement and lose the suit, we could be required to pay substantial damages and/or be enjoined from using or selling the infringing products or technology or using the infringing trademark. Additionally or alternatively, we may seek to challenge third-party patents in administrative proceedings before the United States patent office or one or more foreign patent offices. Any of the foregoing could cause us to incur significant costs and prevent us from selling our products, which could have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. Even if we ultimately prevail, the existence of lawsuits could prompt our customers to switch to alternative products. In addition, we have agreed, and will continue to agree, to indemnify certain customers for certain intellectual property infringement claims related to intellectual property relating to our products and the manufacture thereof. Should there be infringement claims against our licensees, we could be required to indemnify them for losses resulting from such claims or to refund amounts they have paid to us.
Disruption, failure or cybersecurity breaches affecting or targeting computers and infrastructure used by us or our business partners may adversely impact our business and operations.
We use computers and telecommunication systems to analyze and store financial and operating data and to communicate within our company, with outside business partners, and across international borders. These systems can be subject to technical system flaws; power loss; cyber attacks, including viruses, malware, phishing, ransomware, terrorism, and surveillance; unauthorized access; malicious software; intentional or inadvertent data privacy breaches by employees or others with authorized access; hacktivism; ransomware; physical or electronic break-ins; fires or natural disasters; supply chain attacks; and other cybersecurity issues. We have no assurance that our systems are appropriately redundant to withstand these events. Accordingly, such events could cause adverse effects and material disruptions to our operations or systems or those of our business partners; compromise the security, integrity, availability, and confidentiality of customer information, employee information, strategic projects, product formulas and other trade secrets, other business or personal sensitive data, including third party confidential information in our possession. Release of third party confidential information could materially harm our reputation, affect our relationships with such parties and expose us to liability. Although we have introduced many security measures, including firewalls and information technology security policies and training, these measures may not offer the appropriate level of security. A security breach or other compromise of our information security safeguards could expose our confidential information, including third party confidential information in our possession (such as customer information) to theft and misuse, which could in turn adversely affect our relationships with such third parties and have an adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows. In addition, a disruption, blockage, failure or a cyber breach of software or operating systems we use, or of the networks and infrastructure on which they rely, could damage critical production, distribution and/or storage assets, delay or prevent delivery to markets, and make it difficult or impossible to accurately account for production and settle transactions.
These impacts may adversely affect our relationships with employees, customers and other third parties and may have an adverse effect on our business reputation, competitiveness, financial condition, results of operations and cash flows, including damage to our operations, employees, or other third parties, resulting in remediation costs, litigation or regulatory actions. Although we have introduced many security measures, including firewalls and information technology security policies and training, these measures may not offer the appropriate level of security. We routinely experience attempts by external parties to penetrate and attack our networks and systems. Although such attempts to date have not resulted in any material breaches, disruptions, financial loss, or loss of business-critical information, our systems and procedures for protecting against such attacks and mitigating such risks may prove to be insufficient in the future. As technologies evolve and these cyber security attacks become more sophisticated, we may incur significant costs to upgrade or enhance our security measures to protect against such attacks, and we may face difficulties in fully anticipating or implementing adequate preventive measures or mitigating potential harm.
Risks Related to our Financial Condition
The non-GAAP financial information included in this Form 10-K is presented for informational purposes only and may not be an indication of our financial condition or results of operations in the future.
The non-GAAP financial information included in this Form 10-K includes information that we use to evaluate our past performance, but should not be considered in isolation or as an alternative to measures of our performance determined under GAAP.
Because our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, we are dependent on the receipt of distributions and dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries and joint ventures for cash to fund our operations and expenses, including to make future dividend payments, if any.
Our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries and joint ventures. As a result, our ability to make future dividend payments, if any, is dependent on the earnings of our subsidiaries and joint ventures and the payment of those earnings to us in the form of dividends, loans or advances and through repayment of loans or advances from us. Payments to us by our subsidiaries and joint ventures will be contingent upon our subsidiaries’ or joint ventures’ earnings and other business considerations and may be subject to statutory or contractual restrictions. We have not paid regular dividends on our common stock; however, we paid a special cash dividend in December 2020 and in August 2021 that was financed with the cash proceeds from our sale of our Performance Materials and Performance Chemicals businesses, respectively. To the extent that we determine in the future to pay dividends on our common stock, the
agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness significantly restrict the ability of our subsidiaries to pay dividends or otherwise transfer assets to us.
We may need to recognize impairment charges related to goodwill, identified intangible assets, fixed assets and investments in affiliated companies.
We are required to test goodwill and any other intangible asset with an indefinite life for possible impairment on the same date each year and on an interim basis if there are indicators of a possible impairment. We are also required to evaluate indefinite-lived intangible assets, fixed assets and investments in affiliated companies for impairment if there are indicators of a possible impairment.
There is significant judgment required in the analysis of a potential impairment of goodwill, identified intangible assets, fixed assets, and investments in affiliated companies. If, as a result of a general economic slowdown or deterioration in one or more of the industries in which we operate or in our financial performance or future outlook, or if the estimated fair value of our long-lived assets decreases, we may determine that one or more of our long-lived assets is impaired. An impairment charge would be determined based on the estimated fair value of the assets and any such impairment charge could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations and financial position.
We performed our annual impairment test on goodwill on October 1, 2024, and determined there was no goodwill impairment at the reporting unit level. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized an other-than-temporary impairment charge of $65 million on our investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture to reduce the carrying value of our investment to its estimated fair value.
We may be subject to future changes in tax legislation or exposure to additional tax liabilities that may adversely affect our results of operations.
We are subject to taxes in the U.S. as well as foreign jurisdictions where our subsidiaries are organized. Due to economic and political conditions, tax rates, tax laws and other non-tax legislation, such as economic substance regulations, our business may experience significant impacts as a result of prospective changes. For example, the Inflation Reduction Act (“IRA”) enacted in the U.S. on August 16, 2022 imposes several new taxes that became effective in 2023, including a 1% excise tax on stock repurchases. Our future effective tax rates may be affected by changes in the mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates, changes in the valuation of deferred tax assets and liabilities, changes in available tax credits or tax deductions, as well as changes in tax and other non-tax laws or their interpretation. Additionally, our organization is engaged in a number of cross-border intercompany transactions, subject to local transfer pricing regimes currently in place. We believe the economics of these transactions have been clearly reported, and the appropriate local transfer pricing documentation is contemporaneously available, although tax authorities may propose and potentially sustain adjustments that could result in changes to our mix of earnings in countries with differing statutory tax rates. The Organization of Economic Cooperation and Development (“OECD”), which represents a coalition of member countries, is supporting changes to numerous long-standing tax principles through its base erosion and profit shifting (“BEPS”) project. This project focuses on a number of issues, including the shifting of profits cross-border amongst affiliated entities. Given the scope of the Company's international operations and the fluid and uncertain nature of how the BEPS project might ultimately lead to future legislation, it is difficult to assess how any changes in tax laws would impact the Company's future income tax expense. For example, the Model Rules under BEPS’s Pillar Two include a common approach for a global minimum tax. The Company has assessed that the minimum tax was not within the scope of the Model Rules beginning January 1, 2024. The Company will continue to monitor the BEPS project and the applicability of new tax legislation to the Company and will update accordingly when the Company becomes subject to the minimum tax.
Our tax returns and other tax matters are subject to examination by local tax authorities and governmental bodies. We regularly assess the likelihood of an adverse outcome resulting from these examinations, in order to determine any resulting impact to our provision for taxes. There can be no assurance as to the outcome of these examinations. If our effective tax rates were to increase as a result of a tax examination, or if the ultimate determination of the taxes owed by us is for an amount in excess of amounts previously accrued, our operating results, cash flows and financial condition could be adversely affected.
We have underfunded pension plan liabilities. We will require current and future operating cash flow to fund these shortfalls. We have no assurance that we will generate sufficient cash flow to satisfy these obligations.
We maintain defined benefit pension plans covering employees who meet age and service requirements. While all of our plans have been frozen, our net pension liability and cost is materially affected by the discount rate used to measure pension obligations, the longevity and actuarial profile of our workforce, the level of plan assets available to fund those obligations and the actual and expected long-term rate of return on plan assets. Significant changes in investment performance or a change in the portfolio mix of invested assets can result in corresponding increases and decreases in the valuation of plan assets, particularly equity securities, or in a change in the expected rate of return on plan assets. Assets available to fund the pension obligations of our plans as of December 31, 2024 were approximately $59.7 million, or approximately $2.0 million less than the measured pension benefit obligation on a GAAP basis. In addition, any changes in the discount rate could result in a significant increase or decrease in the valuation of pension obligations, affecting the reported funded status of our pension plans as well as the net periodic pension cost in the following years. Similarly, changes in the expected return on plan assets can result in significant changes in the net periodic pension cost in the following years.
We also provide certain health care and life insurance benefits through an unfunded plan to a group of retirees in the United States who retired prior to the date on which these benefit programs were frozen. Current employees are not eligible for any post-retirement health care or life insurance benefits. Costs of these other post-employment benefit plans are dependent upon numerous factors, assumptions and estimates.
Risks Related to our Indebtedness
Our substantial level of indebtedness could adversely affect our financial condition.
We have substantial indebtedness, which as of December 31, 2024, totaled approximately $870.8 million. Our substantial indebtedness, combined with our other financial obligations and contractual commitments, could have important consequences, including:
•requiring us to dedicate a substantial portion of our cash flows from operations to payments on our indebtedness, thereby reducing funds available for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, selling and marketing efforts, product development and other purposes;
•increasing our vulnerability to adverse economic and industry conditions, which could place us at a competitive disadvantage compared to our competitors that have relatively less indebtedness;
•limiting our flexibility in planning for, or reacting to, changes in our business and the industries in which we operate;
•increasing our exposure to rising interest rates because certain of our borrowings are at variable interest rates;
•restricting us from making investments, strategic acquisitions or causing us to make non-strategic divestitures; and
•limiting our ability to borrow additional funds, or to dispose of assets to raise funds, if needed, for working capital, capital expenditures, acquisitions, product development and other corporate purposes.
Although the terms of the agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness contain restrictions on the incurrence of additional indebtedness, such restrictions are subject to a number of important exceptions and indebtedness incurred in compliance with such restrictions could be substantial. If we and our restricted subsidiaries incur significant additional indebtedness, the related risks that we face could increase.
The terms of our indebtedness restrict our current and future operations, particularly our ability to respond to change or to take certain actions.
The agreements governing our outstanding indebtedness contain a number of restrictive covenants that impose significant operating and financial restrictions on us and may limit our ability to engage in acts that may be in our long-term best interest, including restrictions on our ability to incur additional indebtedness, make investments, acquisitions, loans and advances, sell, transfer or otherwise dispose of our assets or incur liens. See “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations-Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources-Debt.” In addition, the restrictive covenants in the agreements governing our senior secured credit facilities require us to maintain specified financial ratios and satisfy other financial condition tests. Our ability to meet these financial ratios and tests can be affected by events beyond our control.
A breach of such covenants could result in an event of default unless we obtain a waiver to avoid such default. If we are unable to obtain a waiver, such a default may allow our creditors to accelerate the related debt and may result in the acceleration of, or default under, any other debt to which a cross-acceleration or cross-default provision applies. In the event our lenders or noteholders accelerate the repayment of our borrowings, we and our subsidiaries may not have sufficient assets to repay that indebtedness.
Risks Related to our Common Stock
Our stock price could be extremely volatile and, as a result, you may not be able to resell your shares at or above the price you paid for them.
Since launching our initial public offering (“IPO”) in September 2017, the price of our common stock, as reported on the New York Stock Exchange, has ranged from a low of $6.02 on August 5, 2024 to a high of $18.90 on March 9, 2021. In addition, the stock market in general has been highly volatile. As a result, the market price of our common stock is likely to be similarly volatile, and investors in our common stock may experience a decrease, which could be substantial, in the value of their stock, including decreases unrelated to our operating performance or prospects, and could lose part or all of their investment. The price of our common stock could be subject to wide fluctuations in response to a number of factors, including those described elsewhere herein and others such as:
•variations in our operating performance and the performance of our competitors;
•actual or anticipated fluctuations in our quarterly or annual operating results;
•publication of research reports by securities analysts about us, our competitors or our industry;
•our failure or the failure of our competitors to meet analysts’ projections or guidance that we or our competitors may give to the market;
•additions or departures of key personnel;
•strategic decisions by us or our competitors, such as acquisitions, divestitures, spin-offs, joint ventures, strategic investments or changes in business strategy;
•the passage of legislation or other regulatory developments affecting us or our industry;
•changes in legislation, regulation and government policy as a result of the U.S. presidential and congressional elections;
•speculation in the press or investment community;
•changes in accounting principles;
•sales of substantial amounts of our stock by current stockholders (including stock by insiders or 5% stockholders);
•terrorist acts, acts of war or periods of widespread civil unrest;
•natural disasters and other calamities; and
•changes in general market and economic conditions.
In addition, broad market and industry factors may negatively affect the market price of our common stock, regardless of our actual operating performance, and factors beyond our control may cause our stock price to decline rapidly and unexpectedly. We are exposed to the impact of any global or domestic economic disruption that may occur.
In the past, securities class action litigation has often been initiated against companies following periods of volatility in their stock price. This type of litigation could result in substantial costs and divert our management’s attention and resources, and could also require us to make substantial payments to satisfy judgments or to settle litigation.
Your percentage ownership in us may be diluted by future issuances of capital stock, which could reduce your influence over matters on which stockholders vote.
Our board of directors has the authority, without action or vote of our stockholders, to issue all or any part of our authorized but unissued shares of common stock, including shares issuable upon exercise of options, or shares of our authorized but unissued preferred stock. Issuances of common stock or voting preferred stock would reduce your influence over matters on which our stockholders vote and, in the case of issuances of preferred stock, would likely result in your interest in us being subject to the prior rights of holders of that preferred stock.
Provisions in our charter documents and Delaware law may deter takeover efforts that may be beneficial to stockholder value.
Provisions in our certificate of incorporation and bylaws and Delaware law could make it harder for a third party to acquire us, even if doing so might be beneficial to our stockholders. These provisions include a classified board of directors and the ability of our board of directors to issue preferred stock without stockholder approval that could be used to dilute a potential hostile acquirer. Our certificate of incorporation imposes some restrictions on mergers and other business combinations between us and any holder of 15% or more of our outstanding common stock other than INEOS Limited and investment funds affiliated with CCMP, Capital Advisors, L.P. (“CCMP”), one of our former stockholders. As a result, you may lose your ability to sell your stock for a price in excess of the prevailing market price due to these protective measures, and efforts by stockholders to change the direction or management of the Company may be unsuccessful.
Our certificate of incorporation designates courts in the State of Delaware as the sole and exclusive forum for certain types of actions and proceedings that may be initiated by our stockholders, which could limit our stockholders’ ability to obtain a favorable judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our certificate of incorporation provides that, subject to limited exceptions, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware is the sole and exclusive forum for:
•any derivative action or proceeding brought on our behalf;
•any action asserting a claim of breach of a fiduciary duty owed by any of our directors, officers or other employees to us or our stockholders;
•any action asserting a claim against us arising pursuant to any provision of the General Corporation Law of the State of Delaware, our certificate of incorporation or our bylaws;
•any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of our certificate of incorporation or bylaws; or
•any other action asserting a claim against us that is governed by the internal affairs doctrine (each, a “Covered Proceeding”).
In addition, our certificate of incorporation provides that if any action the subject matter of which is a Covered Proceeding is filed in a court other than the specified Delaware courts without the approval of our board of directors (each, a “Foreign Action”), the claiming party will be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the specified Delaware courts in connection with any action brought in any such courts to enforce the exclusive forum provision described above and (ii) having service of process made upon such claiming party in any such enforcement action by service upon such claiming party’s counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such claiming party.
Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring any interest in shares of our capital stock shall be deemed to have notice of and to have consented to these provisions. These provisions may limit a stockholder’s ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage such lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and employees. Alternatively, if a court were to find these provisions of our certificate of incorporation inapplicable to, or unenforceable in respect of, one or more of the specified types of actions or proceedings, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving such matters in other jurisdictions, which could adversely affect our business and financial condition.
We may not pay additional dividends on our common stock and, consequentially, you may not receive any return on investment unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
We have not paid special cash dividends since December 2020 and August 2021, and our board of directors may decide to retain future earnings, if any, for future operations, expansion and debt repayment and may not pay any special or regular dividends for the foreseeable future. Any decision to declare and pay special or regular dividends in the future will be made at the discretion of our board of directors and will depend on, among other things, our results of operations, financial condition, cash requirements, contractual restrictions and other factors that our board of directors may deem relevant. In addition, our ability to pay dividends may be limited by covenants of any existing and future outstanding indebtedness we or our subsidiaries incur, including our credit facilities and outstanding notes. See “Because our operations are conducted through our subsidiaries and joint ventures, we are dependent on the receipt of distributions and dividends or other payments from our subsidiaries and joint ventures for cash to fund our operations and expenses, including to make future dividend payments, if any.” As a result, you may not receive any return on an investment in our common stock unless you sell your common stock for a price greater than that which you paid for it.
General Risk Factors
Significant trade developments stemming from the U.S. administration and other countries could have an adverse effect on us.
Tariffs and other trade barriers imposed by the United States or other countries have affected and could continue to adversely affect our manufacturing costs, our ability to source and import raw materials and equipment on a cost-effective basis, our ability to export our products, and our ability to compete successfully against other companies that are not impacted by tariffs to the same extent as the Company. Our financial results are affected by our ability to sell our products globally. Additionally, the uncertainties created by tariffs and other trade barriers could negatively continue to affect our customers’ demand for our products. It is difficult to predict the effects of current or future tariffs and other trade barriers and disputes, and the Company’s efforts to reduce the effects of tariffs through pricing and other measures may not be effective.
The United States has in recent years renegotiated a number of trade agreements, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (“USMCA”), imposed tariffs on goods imported from China and certain other countries, and increasingly levied sanctions and export controls on China, Russia and other countries. It is currently unclear what additional actions, if any, will be taken by the United States and other countries with respect to the imposition of tariffs on goods imported into the United States. During his campaign and during the first weeks of his administration, President Trump expressed various intentions to impose tariffs on goods shipped from China, Canada, Mexico or other countries to the United States, including up to 60% tariffs on goods shipped from China. We are continuing to evaluate the impact of these announced and other proposed tariffs. Implementation of tariffs by the United States, or the imposition of retaliatory tariffs and other restrictions by other countries, could result in a material increase in the cost of our products, which may result in our products becoming less attractive relative to products offered by our competitors. These changes, as well as any other changes in social, political, regulatory and economic conditions, or further changes to foreign or domestic laws and policies governing foreign trade (including export, import and sanctions), manufacturing and development and foreign direct investment in the territories and countries where we or our customers operate could adversely affect our operating results and our business.
If we lose certain key personnel or are unable to hire additional qualified personnel, we may not be able to execute our business strategy and our business could be adversely affected.
Our success depends, in part, upon the continued services of our highly skilled personnel involved in management, research, production and distribution and, in particular, upon the efforts and abilities of our key officers. Although we believe that we are adequately staffed in key positions, we may not be able to retain such personnel on acceptable terms or at all, and such personnel may seek to compete with us in the future. If we lose the service of any of our key personnel, we may not be able to hire replacements with the same level of industry experience and knowledge necessary to execute our business strategy, which in turn could have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations or cash flows.
We depend on good relations with our workforce, and any significant disruptions could adversely affect our operations.
As of December 31, 2024, we had 920 employees worldwide, approximately 45% of which were represented by a union, works council or other employee representative body. As of December 31, 2024, none of our U.S. unionized employees were covered under collective bargaining agreements that will expire on or before December 31, 2025. Failure to reach agreement with any of our unionized work groups regarding the terms of their collective bargaining agreements or annual pay increases may result in a labor strike, work stoppage or slowdown. For example, unionized employees at our Ecoservices’ Houston facility went on strike for 21 days in 2024 before agreeing to a new collective bargaining agreement. In addition, a large number of our employees are employed in countries in which employment laws provide greater bargaining or other rights to employees than the laws of the United States. Such employment rights require us to work collaboratively with the legal representatives of the employees to effect any changes to labor arrangements. For example, many of our employees in Europe are represented by works councils that must approve any changes in conditions of employment, including salaries, benefits and staff changes, and may impede efforts to restructure our workforce. Although we believe that we have a good working relationship with our employees, a strike, work stoppage or slowdown by our employees or a dispute with our employees could result in a significant disruption to our operations or higher ongoing labor costs. In addition, our ability to make adjustments to control compensation and benefit costs, or otherwise adapt to changing business needs, may be limited by the terms and duration of our collective bargaining agreements.
We are subject to certain risks related to litigation filed by or against us, as well as administrative and regulatory proceedings, and adverse results may harm our business.
We cannot predict with certainty the cost of defense, the cost of prosecution or the ultimate outcome of litigation and other administrative and regulatory proceedings filed by or against us, including remedies or damage awards, and how adverse results in any litigation or other administrative and regulatory proceedings may materially harm our business. Litigation and other administrative and regulatory proceedings may include, but are not limited to, actions relating to intellectual property, commercial arrangements, environmental, health and safety matters, joint venture agreements, labor and employment matters, domestic and foreign antitrust matters or other harms resulting from the actions of individuals or entities outside of our control. In the case of intellectual property litigation and proceedings, adverse outcomes could include the cancellation, invalidation or other loss of material intellectual property rights used in our business and injunctions prohibiting our use of our processes, apparatuses, technology, trade secrets and proprietary manufacturing expertise, methods and compounds that are subject to third-party patents or other third-party intellectual property rights. Litigation based on environmental matters or exposure to hazardous substances in the workplace or from our products could result in significant liability for us. For example, we are currently subject to various asbestos premises liability claims that relate to a contractor exposure to asbestos contained in certain building materials at our sites. Furthermore, our international operations expose us to potential administrative and regulatory proceedings in foreign jurisdictions. Adverse outcomes in any of the foregoing could have a material adverse effect on our business.
We determined that a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting existed as of December 31, 2024. If we fail to properly remediate this or any future material weakness or deficiencies and fail to maintain effective internal control over financial reporting and effective disclosure controls and procedures in the future, our ability to produce accurate and timely financial statements may be impaired and we may not be able to accurately report our financial results in a timely manner or prevent fraud, which may adversely affect investor confidence in our company.
Pursuant to Section 404 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, as amended, our management is required to report on, and our independent registered public accounting firm is required to attest to, the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting. This assessment includes disclosure of any material weakness identified by our management in our internal control over financial reporting. In addition, we are required to comply with the SEC’s rules implementing Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act, which requires management to certify financial and other information in our quarterly and annual reports, and we are required to disclose significant changes made in our internal controls and procedures on a quarterly basis.
We have identified a material weakness in our internal control over financial reporting associated with the accounting of our investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture and have concluded that our internal control over financial reporting and our disclosure controls and procedures related to our investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture were not effective as of December 31, 2024. A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of our annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
As described in Item 9A - Controls and Procedures elsewhere in this Annual Report on Form 10-K, management concluded that the Company does not have sufficient controls designed to ensure the earnings from the Zeolyst Joint Venture, an equity method investee underlying the Company’s financial statements, were completely, accurately, and timely recorded. This material weakness could result in a misstatement of our Investments in affiliated companies and Equity in net income from affiliated companies that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis. We may not be able to remediate this material weakness in a timely manner and even if we remediate this material weakness, we may have other material weaknesses or deficiencies in our internal control over financial reporting in the future. If we are unable to assert that our internal control over financial reporting is effective, or if our independent registered public accounting firm is unable to express an unqualified opinion as to the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting in future periods, investors may lose confidence in the accuracy and completeness of our financial reports, the market price of our common stock could be negatively affected, and we could become subject to investigations by the New York Stock Exchange, on which our securities are listed, the SEC or other regulatory authorities, which could require additional financial and management resources.
Regulations related to conflict minerals could adversely impact our business.
The Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act of 2010 contains provisions to improve transparency and accountability concerning the supply of certain minerals, known as conflict minerals, originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (the “DRC”) and adjoining countries. The SEC requires annual disclosure and reporting requirements for those companies who use conflict minerals mined from the DRC and adjoining countries in their products. We incur costs associated with complying with these disclosure requirements, including for diligence to determine the sources of conflict minerals used in our products and other potential changes to products, processes or sources of supply as a consequence of such verification activities. These rules could adversely affect the sourcing, supply and pricing of materials used in our products. As there may be only a limited number of suppliers offering “conflict free” conflict minerals, we may not be able to obtain necessary conflict minerals from such suppliers in sufficient quantities or at competitive prices.

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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.
Our operating headquarters is currently located in Malvern, Pennsylvania and our primary research and development facility is in Conshohocken, Pennsylvania. As of December 31, 2024, we had ten manufacturing facilities in two countries. We also had five administrative facilities and two research and development facilities located in two countries. Our joint ventures operated out of two facilities located in two countries.
The table below presents summary information regarding our principal manufacturing facilities that we own as of December 31, 2024.
Location Segment
Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States Ecoservices
Baytown, Texas, United States Ecoservices
Dominguez, California, United States Ecoservices
Delfzijl, The Netherlands(1)
Advanced Materials & Catalysts
Hammond, Indiana, United States Ecoservices
Houston, Texas, United States Ecoservices
Kansas City, Kansas, United States(1)
Advanced Materials & Catalysts
Martinez, California, United States Ecoservices
West Orange, Texas, United States Ecoservices
Portland, Oregon, United States Ecoservices
(1) We lease a portion of the site to the Zeolyst Joint Venture.

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ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS
ITEM 3. LEGAL PROCEEDINGS.
From time to time we may be subject to various legal claims and proceedings incidental to the normal conduct of business, relating to such matters as personal injury, product liability and warranty claims, waste disposal practices, release of chemicals into the environment and other matters that may arise in the ordinary course of our business. We currently believe that there is no litigation pending that is likely to have a material adverse effect on our business. Regardless of the outcome, legal proceedings can have an adverse impact on us because of defense and settlement costs, diversion of management resources and other factors.

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ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURE
ITEM 4. MINE SAFETY DISCLOSURES.
Not applicable.
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.
Market Information, Holders and Dividends
Our common stock trades on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”) under the symbol “ECVT”. As of February 21, 2025, there were 10 shareholders of record of our common stock. A substantially greater number of holders of our common stock hold their shares in “street name” through banks, brokers and other financial institutions.
We have not and do not currently intend to pay regular dividends on our common stock in the foreseeable future. The declaration and payment of any future dividends by our Board of Directors is subject to compliance with the covenants contained in the agreements governing our credit facilities, applicable law and other considerations. See Note 16 to our consolidated financial statements included in this Form 10-K for information regarding covenant restrictions on the payment of dividends under our debt agreements.
Stock Performance Graph
The graph below shows the cumulative total shareholder return of our common stock for the period from December 31, 2019 to December 31, 2024 as compared to the cumulative total return of the Russell 2000 Total Return Index and the S&P 1500 Specialty Chemicals Index, assuming an investment of $100 made at the respective closing prices on December 31, 2019. The information contained in the graph below is furnished and therefore not to be considered “filed” with the SEC, and is not incorporated by reference into any document that incorporates this Form 10-K by reference.
12/31/2019 12/31/2020 12/31/2021 12/31/2022 12/31/2023 12/31/2024
ECVT (formerly PQG) $ 100 $ 94 $ 84 $ 73 $ 80 $ 63
Russell 2000 100 120 138 110 128 143
SP 1500 Spec Chem 100 116 149 112 128 126
Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities
2022 Stock Repurchase Program
In April 2022, our Board of Directors approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the Company to purchase up to $450 million of the Company’s common stock over the four-year period from the date of approval. This program is expected to be funded using cash on hand and cash generated from operations. We primarily expect to conduct the repurchase program through negotiated transactions with the Company’s equity sponsors, as well as through open market repurchases or other means, including through Rule 10b-18 trading plans or through the use of other techniques such as accelerated share repurchases. The actual timing, number and nature of shares repurchased will depend on a variety of factors, including stock, price, trading volume, and general business and market conditions. The repurchase program does not obligate us to acquire any number of shares in any specific period or at all and may be amended, suspended or discontinued at any time at our discretion.
On August 16, 2022, the Inflation Reduction Act of 2022, or IRA, was signed into law. Among other things, the IRA imposes a 15% corporate alternative minimum tax for certain large corporations with average annual adjusted financial statement income in excess of $1 billion for tax years beginning after December 31, 2022, levies a 1% excise tax on net stock repurchases after December 31, 2022, and provides tax incentives to promote clean energy. Historically the Company has made discretionary share repurchases under its share repurchase programs.
During the three months ended December 31, 2024, the Company did not repurchase shares of its common stock on the open market pursuant to the stock repurchase program and therefore did not need to accrue excise tax related to repurchases. As of December 31, 2024, $229.6 million was available for additional share repurchases under the program.
Tax Withholdings
In connection with the vesting of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units, shares of common stock may be delivered to the Company by employees to satisfy withholding tax obligations at the instruction of the employee award holders. These transactions when they occur, are accounted for as stock repurchases by the Company, with the shares returned to treasury stock at a cost representing the payment by the Company of the tax obligations on behalf of the employees in lieu of shares for the vesting unit. There were no such transactions during the three months ended December 31, 2024.

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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.
Overview
We are a leading integrated and innovative global provider of advanced materials, specialty catalysts and services. We believe that our products and services contribute to improving the sustainability of the environment.
We conduct operations through two reporting segments: (1) Ecoservices and (2) Advanced Materials & Catalysts (including our 50% interest in the Zeolyst Joint Venture).
Ecoservices: We are a leading provider of sulfuric acid recycling to the North American refining industry for the production of alkylate, an essential gasoline component for lowering vapor pressure and increasing octane to meet stringent gasoline specifications and fuel efficiency standards. We are also a leading North American producer of high quality and high strength virgin sulfuric acid for industrial and mining applications. We also provide chemical waste handling and treatment services, as well as ex-situ catalyst activation services for the refining and petrochemical industry.
Advanced Materials & Catalysts: We are a global supplier of finished silica catalyst, catalyst supports and functionalized silicas necessary to produce high performing plastics and to enable sustainable chemistry through our Advanced Silicas business. This segment also includes our 50% interest in the Zeolyst Joint Venture, where we are a leading global supplier of specialty zeolites used in catalysts that supports the production of sustainable fuels, remove nitrogen oxides from diesel engine emissions and that are broadly applied in refining and petrochemical processes.
Effective November 28, 2023, the Company renamed the Catalyst Technologies segment to Advanced Materials & Catalysts. Beginning with the year ended December 31, 2023, the segment results and disclosures included in the Company’s consolidated financial statements reflect the new segment name for all periods presented. This change to the Company’s segment name does not change the Company’s consolidated balance sheets, statements of income or cash flows for the prior periods or the way the Company’s chief operating decision maker (“CODM,” or the Company’s Chief Executive Officer) evaluated the business.
In 2024, we served global customers across many end uses and, as of December 31, 2024, operated out of ten strategically located owned manufacturing facilities.
Effective on August 1, 2021, we completed the sale of our Performance Chemicals business to Sparta Aggregator L.P., a partnership with Koch Minerals & Trading, LLC and Cerberus Capital Management, L.P. The results of operations, financial condition, and cash flows for the Performance Chemicals business are presented herein as discontinued operations for the 2022 period presented. Refer to Note 4 of our consolidated financial statements for additional information.
Economic Effects on our Business and Results
We continue to monitor the developments in Russia and Ukraine, as well as the related economic sanctions and export controls imposed on certain industry sectors. Although the current conflict has created global economic and political uncertainties and affected certain supply chain disruptions, we do not believe we have significant exposure in those countries. We have no operations in Russia or Ukraine. We had no sales to customers or purchases from suppliers in Ukraine and Russia for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023. Our sales to a customer in Russia were immaterial and we did not make any purchases from suppliers for the year ended December 31, 2022. As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine continues to unfold, we will continue to monitor compliance with sanctions imposed by the U.S. government and other countries.
We also continue to monitor the developments in the Middle East. Although the Company experienced shipment delays during the year, the impact remained immaterial to our business.
Stock Repurchase Program
On April 27, 2022, the Board approved a stock repurchase program that authorized the Company to purchase up to $450.0 million of the Company’s common stock over the four-year period from the date of approval. For the year ended December 31, 2024, the Company repurchased 552,081 shares on the open market at an average price of $9.05 per share, for a total of $5.0 million excluding brokerage commissions and accrued excise tax. As of December 31, 2024, $229.6 million was available for share repurchases under the program.
During the year ended December 31, 2023, the Company repurchased 541,494 shares on the open market at an average price of $9.85 per share, for a total of $5.3 million, excluding brokerage commissions and accrued excise tax. Additionally, in connection with secondary offerings of the Company’s common stock by an equity sponsor in March and May 2023, the Company repurchased 7,000,000 shares of its common stock in the offerings from underwriters at a weighted average price of $10.48 per share concurrently with the close of the offerings, for a total of $73.4 million, excluding accrued excise tax.
Basis of Presentation
Our zeolite catalysts product group operates through the Zeolyst Joint Venture, which we account for as an equity method investment in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (“GAAP”). We do not record sales by the Zeolyst Joint Venture as revenue and such sales are not consolidated within our results of operations. However, net income and Adjusted EBITDA for the Company’s Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment reflects our 50% portion of the earnings from the Zeolyst Joint Venture that have been recorded as equity in net income in our consolidated statements of income and includes Zeolyst Joint Venture adjustments on a proportionate basis based on our 50% ownership interest.
Key Performance Indicators
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income
Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income are financial measures that are not prepared in accordance with GAAP and that we use to evaluate our operating performance, for business planning purposes and to measure our performance relative to that of our competitors. Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income are presented as key performance indicators as we believe these financial measures will enhance a prospective investor’s understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. EBITDA consists of net (loss) income attributable to continuing operations before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization. Adjusted EBITDA consists of EBITDA adjusted for (i) non-operating income or expense, (ii) the impact of certain non-cash, nonrecurring or other items included in net (loss) income and EBITDA that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance, and (iii) depreciation, amortization and interest of our 50% share of the Zeolyst Joint Venture. Adjusted Net Income consists of net (loss) income adjusted for (i) non-operating income or expense and (ii) the impact of certain non-cash, nonrecurring or other items included in net (loss) income that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance. We believe that these non-GAAP financial measures provide investors with useful financial metrics to assess our operating performance from period-to-period by excluding certain items that we believe are not representative of our core business.
You should not consider Adjusted EBITDA or Adjusted Net Income in isolation or as alternatives to the presentation of our financial results in accordance with GAAP. The presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income financial measures may differ from similar measures reported by other companies and may not be comparable to other similarly titled measures. In evaluating Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income, you should be aware that we are likely to incur expenses similar to those eliminated in this presentation in the future and that certain of these items could be considered recurring in nature. Our presentation of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income should not be construed as an inference that our future results will be unaffected by unusual or nonrecurring items. Reconciliations of Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Net Income to GAAP net (loss) income are included in the results of operations discussion that follows for each of the respective periods.
Key Factors and Trends Affecting Operating Results and Financial Condition
Sales
Overall, our Ecoservices and Advanced Materials & Catalysts segments continued to benefit from positive demand trends for our products and services in the majority of end uses we serve. For Ecoservices, strong domestic and export demand for refined products continued to support high refinery utilization rates, while more stringent gasoline standards and growing demand for premium gasoline to power higher-compression and turbo-charged engines continued to drive demand for alkylate and for our regeneration services. In addition, demand for virgin sulfuric acid across a wide range of industrial applications remained favorable. For our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment, global polyethylene demand remained positive, supporting our sales of polyethylene catalysts and catalysts supports.
Cost of Goods Sold
Cost of goods sold consists of variable product costs, fixed manufacturing expenses, depreciation expense and freight expenses. Variable product costs include all raw materials, energy and packaging costs that are directly related to the manufacturing process. Fixed manufacturing expenses include all plant employment costs, manufacturing overhead and periodic maintenance costs.
The primary raw materials for our Ecoservices segment include spent sulfuric acid, sulfur, acids, bases (including sodium hydroxide, or “caustic soda”) and certain metals. Spent sulfuric acid for our Ecoservices segment is supplied by customers as part of their contracts. The primary raw materials used in the manufacture of products in our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment include sodium silicate and cesium hydroxide.
Most of our Ecoservices contracts feature take-or-pay volume protection and/or quarterly price adjustments for commodity inputs, labor, the Chemical Engineering Index (U.S. chemical plant construction cost index) and natural gas. About 90% of our Ecoservices segment sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 were under contracts featuring quarterly price adjustments. The price adjustments generally reflect actual costs for producing acid and tend to protect us from volatility in labor, fixed costs and raw material pricing. The take-or-pay volume protection allows us to cover fixed costs through intermittent, temporary production issues at customer refineries.
While natural gas is not a direct feedstock for any product, natural gas powered machinery and equipment are used to heat raw materials and create the chemical reactions necessary to produce end-products. We maintain multiple suppliers wherever possible and structure our customer contracts when possible to allow for the pass-through of raw material, labor and natural gas costs.
Joint Venture
We account for our investments in our equity joint ventures under the equity method. Our joint venture, the Zeolyst Joint Venture, manufactures high-performance, specialty, zeolite-based catalysts, used in emission control, refining and petrochemical industry applications and by the broader chemicals industry. Demand for the Zeolyst Joint Venture products fluctuates based upon the timing of our customer’s fixed bed catalyst replacements. We share proportionally in the management of our joint venture with the other parties to such joint venture.
Seasonality
Our regeneration services product group, which is a part of our Ecoservices segment, typically experiences seasonal fluctuations as a result of higher demand for gasoline products in the summer months and lower demand in the winter months. These demand fluctuations generally result in higher sales and working capital requirements in the second and third quarters.
Foreign Currency
As a global business, we are subject to the impact of gains and losses on currency translations, which occur when the financial statements of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars. We operate in various geographies with approximately 5% and 6% of our sales for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively are in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Because our consolidated financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, sales or earnings generated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those sales and earnings when translated to U.S. dollars. The foreign currency to which we have the most significant exchange rate exposure is the British pound.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2024 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Highlights
The following is a summary of our financial performance for the year ended December 31, 2024 compared with the year ended December 31, 2023.
Sales
Sales increased $13.4 million to $704.5 million. The increase in sales was primarily due to higher sales volume of regeneration services and virgin sulfuric acid, partially offset by lower average selling prices as a result of the pass-through of costs in Ecoservices.
Gross Profit
Gross profit increased $3.6 million to $201.5 million. The increase in gross profit was primarily due to higher sales volume and favorable variable costs, partially offset by lower average selling prices and unfavorable manufacturing costs.
Operating Income
Operating income increased $1.3 million to $98.0 million. The increase in operating income was primarily due to the increase in gross profit.
Equity in Net Income of Affiliated Companies
Equity in net income of affiliated companies decreased $15.5 million to $15.1 million. The decrease was primarily due to lower earnings from the Zeolyst Joint Venture, driven by lower sales volume.
Impairment of Investment in Affiliated Companies
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized an impairment charge of $65 million on our investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture to reduce the carrying value of our investment to its estimated fair value.
The following is our consolidated statement of income and a summary of financial results for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023.
Years ended December 31, Change
2024 2023 $ %
(in millions, except percentages)
Sales $ 704.5 $ 691.1 $ 13.4 1.9 %
Cost of goods sold 503.0 493.2 9.8 2.0 %
Gross profit 201.5 197.9 3.6 1.8 %
Gross profit margin 28.6 % 28.6 %
Selling, general and administrative expenses 83.9 79.2 4.7 5.9 %
Other operating expense, net 19.6 22.0 (2.4) (10.9) %
Operating income 98.0 96.7 1.3 1.3 %
Operating income margin 13.9 % 14.0 %
Equity in net (income) from affiliated companies (15.1) (30.6) 15.5 (50.7) %
Impairment of investment in affiliated companies 65.0 - 65.0 NM
Interest expense, net 49.4 44.7 4.7 10.5 %
Debt extinguishment costs 4.6 - 4.6 NM
Other (income) expense, net (0.8) 0.6 (1.4) (233.3) %
(Loss) income before income taxes (5.1) 82.0 (87.1) (106.2) %
Provision for income taxes 1.6 10.8 (9.2) (85.2) %
Effective tax rate (32.5) % 13.2 %
Net (loss) income $ (6.7) $ 71.2 $ (77.9) (109.4) %
Sales
Years ended December 31, Change
2024 2023 $ %
(in millions, except percentages)
Sales:
Ecoservices $ 598.3 $ 584.8 $ 13.5 2.3 %
Advanced Materials & Catalysts 106.2 106.3 (0.1) (0.1) %
Total sales $ 704.5 $ 691.1 $ 13.4 1.9 %
Ecoservices: Sales in Ecoservices for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $598.3 million, an increase of $13.5 million, or 2.3%, compared with sales of $584.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in sales reflects higher sales volume of $42.4 million, partially offset by lower average selling pricing of 28.9 million, inclusive of the negative impact associated with the pass-through of lower sulfur costs of approximately $7 million.
Sales volume increased driven by higher virgin sulfuric acid and regeneration services sales for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023, which had the adverse impact of Winter Storm Elliott and extended maintenance turnaround activity at our facilities in 2023, as well as strong demand for regeneration services in the gulf coast in 2024. Average selling prices were lower primarily due to the pass-through of lower costs, including sulfur, natural gas, freight and other variable costs, partially offset by favorable contract-pricing for regeneration services.
Advanced Materials & Catalysts: Sales in Advanced Materials & Catalysts for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $106.2 million, a decrease of $0.1 million, compared with sales of $106.3 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in sales was primarily due to lower sales volume and mix of $0.4 million, partially offset by higher average selling prices of $0.3 million.
The change in volume reflects higher sales for finished polyethylene catalysts and niche custom catalysts, offset by lower sales of polyethylene catalyst supports during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Gross Profit
Gross profit for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $201.5 million, an increase of $3.6 million, or 1.8%, compared with $197.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in gross profit is primarily driven by higher sales volume and mix of $22.8 million, unfavorable manufacturing costs of $2.4 million and lower average selling prices of $21.6 million, exclusive of the pass-through of sulfur costs.
The increase in sales volume was primarily related to higher demand for regeneration services and virgin sulfuric acid. Higher manufacturing costs was primarily driven by general inflation, higher planned maintenance costs and costs associated with our manufacturing plant reliability improvement program in Ecoservices. Average selling prices were lower primarily due to the pass-through of lower costs, including sulfur, natural gas, freight and other variable costs.
Selling, General and Administrative Expenses
Selling, general and administrative expenses for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $83.9 million, an increase of $4.7 million compared with $79.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in selling, general and administrative expenses was primarily due to an increase in other compensation-related expenses of $12.4 million, partially offset by decreases in stock compensation of $2.0 million, professional fees of $2.1 million and other expenses of $3.8 million.
Other Operating Expense, Net
Other operating expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $19.6 million, a decrease of $2.4 million compared with $22.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease in other operating expense, net was mainly driven by smaller losses on asset disposals during the year ended December 31, 2024 and residual costs from the sale of the Performance Chemicals business and other transactions costs that occurred during the year ended December 31, 2023. The Company recorded an impairment on an intangible asset of $3.9 million during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Equity in Net Income of Affiliated Companies
Equity in net income of affiliated companies for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $15.1 million, a decrease of $15.5 million as compared with $30.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The decrease was primarily due to lower sales for hydrocracking and emission control catalysts and lower sales of catalysts used in the production of sustainable fuels within the Zeolyst Joint Venture during the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023.
Impairment of Investment in Affiliated Companies
During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized an impairment charge of $65 million on our investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture to reduce the carrying value of our investment to its estimated fair value, which declined primarily due to the demand outlook for catalyst materials used in emission control applications and the production of sustainable fuels. In May 2016, as a result of a business combination, the investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture was increased through purchase accounting fair value adjustments. This impairment was a partial reduction to the goodwill and trade name components of the purchase accounting fair value adjustments recorded as a result of the 2016 business combination.
Interest Expense, Net
Interest expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $49.4 million, an increase of $4.7 million, as compared with $44.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The increase in interest expense, net was primarily due to year over year increase in variable rates and the decrease in the benefits associated with our interest rate caps, partially offset by lower outstanding debt for the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 and the reductions in our spread associated with the June 2024 refinancing.
Debt Extinguishment Costs
Debt extinguishment costs for the year ended December 31, 2024 were $4.6 million. On June 12, 2024, the Company amended its existing senior secured term loan facility to reduce the applicable interest rates and extend the maturity of the facility to June 2031. The Company evaluated the terms of the amendment in accordance with ASC 470-50 Debt - Modification and Extinguishment and determined that the amendment was primarily a modification of debt. As a result, we recorded $4.5 million of third-party financing fees as debt extinguishment costs in the consolidated statements of income during the year ended December 31, 2024. In addition, previously unamortized deferred financing costs and original issue discount of $0.1 million associated with the existing senior secured term loan facility were written off as debt extinguishment costs for the year ended December 31, 2024.
In January 2025, the Company re-priced the 2024 Term Loan Facility to reduce the applicable interest rate. The terms of the facility were substantially consistent following the re-pricing, except that borrowings under the facility will bear interest at a rate equal to term SOFR plus 2.00% per annum.
Other (Income) Expense, Net
Other (income) expense, net for the year ended December 31, 2024 was income of $0.8 million, a change of $1.4 million, compared with expense of $0.6 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change primarily related to the sale of environmental credits during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Provision for Income Taxes
The provision for income taxes for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1.6 million compared with $10.8 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was (32.5)% compared to 13.2% for the year ended December 31, 2023. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2024 was mainly due to the impact of the tax deductibility of the impairment of investment in affiliated companies, the statute of limitations expiration related to prior year uncertain tax positions, foreign tax credit benefit and research and development tax credit benefit. The difference between the U.S. federal statutory income tax rate and our effective income tax rate for the year ended December 31, 2023 was mainly due the impact of a valuation allowance release connected to our state investment tax credit carryovers, foreign tax credit benefit, the Section 162(m) deduction limitation for “covered” employees with compensation in excess of $1 million, along with the tax deductibility of stock compensation.
Net Loss (Income)
For the foregoing reasons, net loss was $6.7 million for the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to net income of $71.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2023.
Adjusted EBITDA
Summarized EBITDA and Adjusted EBITDA information is shown below in the following table:
Years ended December 31, Change
2024 2023 $ %
(in millions, except percentages)
Adjusted EBITDA(1):
Ecoservices $ 200.3 $ 200.0 $ 0.3 0.2 %
Advanced Materials & Catalysts(2)
64.7 81.9 (17.2) (21.0) %
Unallocated corporate expenses (26.8) (22.0) (4.8) 21.8 %
Total $ 238.2 $ 259.9 $ (21.7) (8.3) %
(1)We define Adjusted EBITDA as EBITDA adjusted for certain items as noted in the reconciliation below. Our management evaluates the performance of our segments and allocates resources based primarily on Adjusted EBITDA. Adjusted EBITDA does not represent cash flow for periods presented and should not be considered as an alternative to net income as an indicator of our operating performance or as an alternative to cash flows as a source of liquidity. Adjusted EBITDA may not be comparable with EBITDA or Adjusted EBITDA as defined by other companies.
(2)The Adjusted EBITDA from the Zeolyst Joint Venture included in the Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment was $32.2 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, which includes $15.1 million of equity in net income, excluding $3.8 million of amortization of investment in affiliate step-up plus $13.3 million of joint venture depreciation, amortization and interest.
The Adjusted EBITDA from the Zeolyst Joint Venture included in the Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment was $50.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2023, which includes $30.6 million of equity in net income, excluding $6.4 million of amortization of investment in affiliate step-up plus $13.4 million of joint venture depreciation, amortization and interest.
Ecoservices: Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $200.3 million, an increase of $0.3 million, or 0.2%, compared to $200.0 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. The change in Adjusted EBITDA was a result of higher sales volumes and favorable contract pricing, largely offset by higher transportation costs and planned maintenance costs inclusive of turnarounds, as well as unfavorable net pricing, reflecting the timing and contractual pass-through of certain costs, including energy and other indexed costs.
Advanced Materials & Catalysts: Adjusted EBITDA for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $64.7 million, a decrease of $17.2 million, or 21.0%, compared with $81.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2023. Adjusted EBITDA decreased primarily due to lower sales volume within the Zeolyst Joint Venture.
A reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA is as follows:
Years ended December 31,
2024 2023
(in millions)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted EBITDA
Net (loss) income $ (6.7) $ 71.2
Provision for income taxes 1.6 10.8
Interest expense, net 49.4 44.7
Depreciation and amortization 89.4 84.6
EBITDA 133.7 211.3
Joint venture depreciation, amortization and interest(a)
13.3 13.4
Amortization of investment in affiliate step-up(b)
3.8 6.4
Impairment of investment in affiliated companies(c)
65.0 -
Intangible asset impairment charge 3.9 -
Debt extinguishment costs 4.6 -
Net loss on asset disposals(d)
2.4 4.1
Foreign currency exchange gain(e)
(0.2) (1.3)
LIFO (benefit) expense(f)
(2.2) 3.5
Transaction and other related costs(g)
0.4 3.0
Equity-based compensation 14.0 16.0
Restructuring, integration and business optimization expenses(h)
1.0 2.7
Other(i)
(1.5) 0.8
Adjusted EBITDA $ 238.2 $ 259.9
(a)We use Adjusted EBITDA as a performance measure to evaluate our financial results. Because our Advanced Materials & Catalysts segment reflects our 50% portion of the earnings from the Zeolyst Joint Venture, we include an adjustment for our 50% proportionate share of depreciation, amortization and interest expense of the Zeolyst Joint Venture.
(b)Represents the amortization of the fair value adjustments associated with the equity affiliate investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture as a result of the combination of the businesses of PQ Holdings Inc. and Eco Services Operations LLC in May 2016. We determined the fair value of the equity affiliate investment and the fair value step-up was then attributed to the underlying assets of the Zeolyst Joint Venture. Amortization is primarily related to the fair value adjustments associated with intangible assets, including customer relationships and technical know-how.
(c)Represents fair value impairments associated with the equity affiliate investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture. During the year ended December 31, 2024, we recognized an impairment charge on our investment in the Zeolyst Joint Venture to reduce the carrying value of our investment to its estimated fair value. This impairment was an adjustment to the goodwill component of the purchase accounting fair value adjustments recorded as a result of the combination of the businesses of PQ Holdings Inc. and Eco Services Operations LLC in May 2016.
(d)When asset disposals occur, we remove the impact of net gain/loss of the disposed asset because such impact primarily reflects the non-cash write-off of long-lived assets no longer in use.
(e)Reflects the exclusion of the foreign currency transaction gains and losses in the statements of income related to the remeasurement effects of monetary assets and liabilities, including non-permanent intercompany debt, denominated in foreign currency.
(f)Represents non-cash adjustments to the Company’s LIFO reserves for certain inventories in the U.S. that are valued using the LIFO method, effectively reflecting the results as if these inventories were valued using the FIFO method, which we believe provides a means of comparison to other companies that may not use the same basis of accounting for inventories.
(g)Relates to certain transaction costs, including debt financing, due diligence and other costs related to transactions that are completed, pending or abandoned, that we believe are not representative of our ongoing business operations.
(h)Includes the impact of restructuring, integration and business optimization expenses, which are incremental costs that are not representative of our ongoing business operations.
(i)Other consists of adjustments for items that are not core to our ongoing business operations. These adjustments include environmental remediation and other legal costs, expenses for capital and franchise taxes, and defined benefit pension and postretirement plan (benefits) costs, for which our obligations are under plans that are frozen. Also included in this amount are adjustments to eliminate the benefit realized in cost of goods sold of the allocation of a portion of the contract manufacturing payments under the five-year agreement with the buyer of the Performance Chemicals business to the financing obligation under the failed sale-leaseback. Included in this line-item are rounding discrepancies that may arise from rounding from dollars (in thousands) to dollars (in millions).
Adjusted Net Income
Summarized Adjusted Net Income information is shown below in the following table:
Years ended December 31,
2024 2023
Pre-tax Tax expense (benefit) After-tax Pre-tax Tax expense (benefit) After-tax
(in millions)
Reconciliation of net (loss) income to Adjusted Net Income (1)(2)
Net (loss) income $ (5.1) $ 1.6 $ (6.7) $ 82.0 $ 10.8 $ 71.2
Amortization of investment in affiliate step-up(b)
3.8 1.0 2.8 6.4 1.6 4.8
Impairment of investment in affiliated companies(c)
65.0 0.5 64.5 - - -
Intangible asset impairment charge 3.9 1.0 2.9 - - -
Debt extinguishment costs 4.6 1.2 3.4 - - -
Net loss on asset disposals(d)
2.4 0.6 1.8 4.1 1.0 3.1
Foreign currency exchange gain(e)
(0.2) (0.1) (0.1) (1.3) (0.3) (1.0)
LIFO (benefit) expense(f)
(2.2) (0.6) (1.6) 3.5 0.9 2.6
Transaction and other related costs(g)
0.4 0.1 0.3 3.0 0.8 2.2
Equity-based compensation 14.0 3.0 11.0 16.0 1.5 14.5
Restructuring, integration and business optimization expenses(h)
1.0 0.3 0.7 2.7 0.7 2.0
Other(i)
(1.5) (0.5) (1.0) 0.8 0.2 0.6
Adjusted Net Income, including impact of valuation allowance release and changes in uncertain tax positions release 86.1 8.1 78.0 117.2 17.2 100.0
Impact of valuation allowance release(3)
- - - - 10.2 (10.2)
Changes in uncertain tax positions release(4)
- 9.4 (9.4) - - -
Adjusted Net Income $ 86.1 $ 17.5 $ 68.6 $ 117.2 $ 27.4 $ 89.8
(1)We define Adjusted Net Income as net (loss) income adjusted for non-operating income or expense and the impact of certain non-cash or other items that are included in net (loss) income that we do not consider indicative of our ongoing operating performance. Adjusted Net Income is presented as a key performance indicator as we believe it will enhance a prospective investor’s understanding of our results of operations and financial condition. Adjusted Net Income may not be comparable with net (loss) income or Adjusted Net Income as defined by other companies.
(2)Refer to the Adjusted EBITDA notes above for more information with respect to each adjustment.
(3)Represents the tax impact of the state tax credit valuation allowance release. Item is not expected to be recurring.
(4)Represents the tax impact of previously net unrecognized tax benefits, excluding interest and penalties, primarily due to the expiration of statutes of limitations.
The adjustments to net income are shown net of applicable tax rates of 25.3% and 25.4% for the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, except for equity-based compensation and the impairment of investment in affiliated companies. The tax effect on equity-based compensation is derived by removing the tax effect of any equity-based compensation expense disallowed as a result of its inclusion within IRC Sec. 162(m) and adding the tax effect of equity-based compensation shortfall recorded as a discrete item. The tax effect on the impairment of investment in affiliated companies is derived by removing the tax impact of the non-deductible component specific to goodwill.
Results of Operations
Year Ended December 31, 2023 Compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022
A discussion of our performance for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Financial Condition, Liquidity and Capital Resources
Our primary sources of liquidity consist of cash flows from operations, existing cash balances as well as funds available under our asset based lending revolving credit facility (“ABL Facility”). We expect that ongoing requirements for debt service and capital expenditures will be funded from these sources of funds. Our primary liquidity requirements include funding working capital requirements (primarily inventory and accounts receivable, net of accounts payable and other accrued liabilities), debt service requirements and capital expenditures. Our capital expenditures include both maintenance of business, which include spending on maintenance and health, safety and environmental initiatives as well as growth, which includes spending to drive organic sales growth and cost savings initiatives.
We believe that our existing cash and cash equivalents and cash flows from operations, combined with availability under our ABL Facility, will be sufficient to meet our presently anticipated future cash needs for at least the next twelve months. We may also pursue strategic acquisition or divestiture opportunities, which may impact our future cash requirements. We may, from time to time, increase borrowings under our ABL Facility to meet our future cash needs. As of December 31, 2024, we had cash and cash equivalents of $146.0 million and availability of $75.2 million under our ABL Facility, after giving effect to $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit, for a total available liquidity of $221.2 million. We did not have any revolving credit facility borrowings as of December 31, 2024. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with all covenants under our debt agreements.
Our ABL Facility has one financial covenant with two ratios to maintain. The first ratio compares the total ABL availability against a threshold: the greater of 10% of the line cap (which is defined as the lesser of our revolving loan commitments and the value of our assets) or $20.0 million. The greater of this threshold cannot be greater than the total availability of the ABL Facility. The second ratio compares the ABL Facility availability of the U.S. revolving credit facility against a $15.0 million threshold. As of December 31, 2024, we were in compliance with the financial covenant under the ABL Facility.
The 2024 Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility contain various restrictive covenants. Each limits the ability of the Company and its restricted subsidiaries to incur certain indebtedness or liens, merge, consolidate or liquidate, dispose of certain property, make investments or declare or pay dividends, make optional payments, modify certain debt instruments, enter into certain transactions with affiliates, enter into certain sales and leasebacks and certain other non-financial restrictive covenants. During such time, the Company is required to maintain a fixed-charge coverage ratio of at least 1.0 to 1.0. The Company was compliant with all debt covenants under the 2024 Term Loan Facility and the ABL Facility as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Included in our cash and cash equivalents balance as of December 31, 2024 was $9.6 million of cash and cash equivalents in foreign jurisdictions. Depending on foreign cash balances, we have certain flexibility to repatriate funds should the need arise. Should the need arise, we would repatriate the funds in the most tax efficient manner from those subsidiaries. Repatriation of foreign cash is generally not subject to U.S. federal income taxes at the time of cash distribution. However, foreign earnings may still be taxed for state income tax purposes, as well as subject to certain foreign withholding tax obligations, when cash amounts are distributed back to the U.S.
Over the course of the next twelve months and beyond, we anticipate making significant cash payments for known contractual and other obligations, including:
Principal and interest on long-term debt
As of December 31, 2024, our total indebtedness was $870.8 million, with up to $75.2 million of available borrowings under our ABL. Our liquidity requirements are significant, primarily due to debt service requirements. As reported, our cash interest expense for the years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022 was approximately $49.0 million, $42.1 million and $35.4 million, respectively. Before any impact of hedges, a one percent change in assumed interest rates for our variable interest credit facilities would have an annual impact of approximately $8.7 million on interest expense. The principal balance due in the next twelve months is $8.7 million.
Interest payments due within the next twelve months are $50.1 million using the interest rate effective as of December 31, 2024 on our variable interest credit facilities. Interest on long-term debt excludes amortization of deferred financing fees and original issue discount. The actual interest payments may differ materially based on actual amounts of long-term debt outstanding and actual interest rates in future periods, as well as the hedging impact from our interest rate cap agreements.
Subject to approval by our board of directors, we may raise additional capital or borrowings from time to time or seek to refinance our existing debt. There can be no assurances that future capital or borrowings will be available to us, and the cost and availability of new capital or borrowings could be materially impacted by market conditions. Further, the decision to refinance our existing debt is based on a number of factors, including general market conditions and our ability to refinance on attractive terms at any given point in time. Any attempts to raise additional capital or borrowings or refinance our existing debt could cause us to incur significant charges. Such charges could have a material impact on our financial position, results of operations, or cash flows.
Lease obligations
The Company has operating and finance lease agreements for land, buildings, railcars, vehicles, manufacturing equipment and general office equipment, as well as a financing obligation in connection with a failed-sale-leaseback. We utilize an incremental borrowing rate over the relevant operating and finance lease terms, which is the rate of interest that it would have to pay to borrow on a collateralized basis over a similar term an amount equal to the lease payments in a similar economic environment. We utilize a fixed borrowing rate for the financing obligation.
As of December 31, 2024, our total operating lease liabilities was $33.5 million, with $11.0 million of principal and interest payments made during the year. Operating lease payments due within the next twelve months is $11.0 million.
As of December 31, 2024, our total finance lease liabilities was $0.02 million and due within in the next twelve months. Principal and interest payments made during the year was $0.1 million.
As of December 31, 2024, our total finance obligation was $4.9 million, with $3.1 million of principal and interest payments made during the year. Finance obligation due within the next twelve months is $3.1 million.
Cash Flow
Years ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
(in millions)
Continuing Operations
Net cash provided by (used in)
Operating activities $ 149.9 $ 137.6 $ 180.4
Investing activities (73.5) (65.3) (63.0)
Financing activities (17.9) (93.5) (148.1)
Discontinued Operations
Net cash provided by
Operating activities - - 6.3
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents (0.9) (1.3) (5.5)
Net change in cash and cash equivalents 57.6 (22.5) (29.9)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 88.4 110.9 140.9
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period $ 146.0 $ 88.4 $ 111.0
The following discussions related to our cash flows are presented on a continuing operations basis, which excludes the cash flows from our former Performance Chemicals business, which was accounted for as discontinued operations.
Year Ended December 31, 2024 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2023
Net cash provided by operating activities was $149.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $137.6 million provided for the year ended December 31, 2023. Cash generated by operating activities, other than changes in working capital was higher by $12.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2024, as compared to the prior year which was primarily driven by higher dividends received from affiliates, offset by lower earnings, higher cash taxes and cash interest paid. The decrease in cash from working capital during the year ended December 31, 2024 of $0.1 million was unfavorable compared to the year ended December 31, 2023 primarily due to unfavorable changes in inventories and accrued liabilities, which were partially offset by favorable changes in receivables, prepaids and other current assets.
The unfavorable change in inventories was primarily due to the timing of sales orders and inventory build. The unfavorable change in accrued liabilities primarily relates to timing of payments for variable employee compensation liabilities. The favorable change in receivables was driven by the timing of collection of sales. The favorable change in prepaids and other current assets primarily relates to the timing of interest and other receivables.
Net cash used in investing activities was $73.5 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared to net cash used of $65.3 million during the year ended December 31, 2023. Cash used in investing activities consisted of $69.0 million and $65.3 million to fund capital expenditures during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. The Company paid $4.5 million to complete a minority equity investment in Pajarito Powder LLC during the year ended December 31, 2024.
Net cash used in financing activities was $17.9 million for the year ended December 31, 2024, compared with $93.5 million used during the year ended December 31, 2023. Net cash used in financing activities was driven by the lower repurchases of the Company’s common stock of $73.7 million during the year ended December 31, 2024 compared to December 31, 2023.
Year Ended December 31, 2023 compared to the Year Ended December 31, 2022
A discussion of our cash flows for the year ended December 31, 2023 compared to the year ended December 31, 2022 is set forth in Part II, Item 7 of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023 under the caption “Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.”
Debt
December 31,
2024 2023
(in millions)
2024 Term Loan Facility $ 870.8 $ 877.5
ABL Facility - -
Total debt 870.8 877.5
Original issue discount (7.2) (6.2)
Deferred financing costs (2.8) (3.4)
Total debt, net of original issue discount and deferred financing costs 860.8 867.9
Less: current portion (8.7) (9.0)
Total long-term debt, excluding current portion $ 852.1 $ 858.9
As of December 31, 2024 our total debt was $870.8 million excluding the original issue discount of $7.2 million and deferred financing fees of $2.8 million for our senior secured credit facilities. Our net debt was $724.8 million, including cash and cash equivalents of $146.0 million. Our total available liquidity as of December 31, 2024 was $221.2 million, which represents our cash on hand of $146.0 million plus our excess availability under our ABL of $75.2 million, after giving effect to $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit and no revolving credit facility borrowings. We
may seek, subject to market conditions and other factors, opportunities to repurchase, refinance or otherwise reprice our debt.
2024 Term Loan Facility
On June 9, 2021, we entered into an agreement for a senior secured term loan facility (the “2021 Term Loan Facility”) in an aggregate principal amount of $900.0 million, with an original issue discount of 0.25% and interest at a floating rate of LIBOR (with a 0.50% minimum LIBOR floor) plus 2.75% per annum (or, depending on the Borrower’s first lien net leverage ratio, 2.50%), with a maturity date of June 9, 2028. The 2021 Term Loan Facility required scheduled quarterly amortization payments, each equal to 0.25% of the original principal amount of the loans under the 2021 Term Loan Facility. The proceeds from the 2021 Term Loan Facility were used to repay the senior secured term loan facility we entered into an agreement in 2020 in full and partially repay the senior secured term loan facility we entered into an agreement in 2018.
On February 9, 2023, we amended the 2021 Term Loan Facility to replace LIBOR with a Secured Overnight Financing Rate (“SOFR”) as the benchmark interest rate. Following this amendment, the 2021 Term Loan Facility bears interest at an adjusted SOFR rate (with a 0.50% minimum floor) plus 2.75% per annum (or, depending on the first lien net leverage ratio, 2.50%).
On June 12, 2024, we amended the 2021 Term Loan Facility, to among other things, (a) reduce the interest rate applicable to all outstanding SOFR term loans to term SOFR plus 2.25% per annum from a maximum of adjusted term SOFR plus 2.75% per annum, (b) reduce the interest rate applicable to all outstanding base rate term loans to the alternate base rate plus 1.25% per annum from a maximum of the alternate base rate plus 1.75% per annum and (c) extend the maturity date of all outstanding term loans to June 12, 2031 (the amended term loans, the “2024 Term Loan Facility”). As a result of the amendment, there is no longer a credit spread adjustment of 10 basis points.
On January 30, 2025, the Company amended the 2024 Term Loan Facility to, among other things, (a) reduce the interest rate applicable to all outstanding SOFR term loans to term SOFR plus 2.00% per annum from a maximum of term SOFR plus 2.25% per annum and (b) reduce the interest rate applicable to all outstanding base rate term loans to the alternate base rate plus 1.00% per annum from a maximum of the alternate base rate plus 1.25% per annum.
ABL Facility
On May 4, 2016, we entered a $200.0 million senior secured ABL facility, which provided for $200.0 million in revolving credit commitments.
On March 20, 2020, we amended the ABL Facility to increase the aggregate amount of the revolving loan commitments available by $50.0 million to $250.0 million, consisting of up to $195.0 million in U.S. commitments, up to $15.0 million in Canadian commitments and up to $40.0 million in European commitments. The maturity of the facility was extended to March 20, 2025. In addition, there was an annual commitment fee equal to 0.375%, with a step-down to 0.25% based on average usage of the revolving credit borrowings available.
Following the amendment, the borrowings under the amended ABL Facility bear interest at a rate equal to the LIBOR rate or the base rate plus a margin of between 1.25% to 1.75% or 0.25% to 0.75%, respectively.
On June 9, 2021, we amended the ABL Facility a third time to decrease the aggregate amount of revolving loan commitments available to $100.0 million, consisting of $90.0 million in U.S. commitments and $10.0 million in European commitments and extended the maturity date to August 2, 2026.
On February 17, 2023, we amended the ABL Facility to replace LIBOR with SOFR as the benchmark interest rate with respect to U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings. Following this amendment, U.S. dollar-denominated borrowings under the ABL Facility bear interest at a rate equal to an adjusted SOFR rate or the base rate plus a margin of between 1.25% and 1.75% or 0.25% to 0.75%, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024, there were no revolving credit borrowings under the ABL Facility. Revolving credit borrowings are payable at our option throughout the term of the ABL Facility with the balance due August 2, 2026. We have the availability to request letters of credit under the ABL Facility. We had $3.3 million of letters of credit outstanding as of December 31, 2024, which reduce available borrowings under the ABL Facility by such amounts.
We were in compliance with all debt covenants as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Capital Expenditures
Maintenance capital expenditures include spending on maintenance of business, health, safety and environmental initiatives. Growth capital expenditures include spending to drive organic sales growth and cost savings initiatives. These capital expenditures represent our “book” capital expenditures for which the Company has recorded, but not necessarily paid for the capital expenditures.
Years ended December 31,
2024 2023 2022
(in millions)
Maintenance capital expenditures $ 53.3 $ 54.1 $ 46.9
Growth capital expenditures 16.1 8.1 9.0
Total capital expenditures $ 69.4 $ 62.2 $ 55.9
Capital expenditures remained at a level sufficient for required maintenance and certain expansion growth initiatives during these periods. Maintenance capital expenditures were slightly lower in the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023 due to extended turnaround activities and additional expenditures incurred related to Winter Storm Elliott impacting our manufacturing facilities in 2023. Growth capital expenditures were higher in the year ended December 31, 2024 as compared to December 31, 2023 primarily due to the planned expansion of the Kansas City Advanced Silicas catalyst coating facility.
Pension Funding
We paid $1.6 million in contributions into our defined benefit pension plans and other postretirement plans in December 31, 2024 and immaterial amounts in December 31, 2023 and 2022. The net periodic pension and postretirement expense (benefit) was $(0.2) million, $0.1 million, and $(1.0) million for those same periods, respectively.
As of December 31, 2024 and 2023, our pension plans and other post-retirement benefit plans were underfunded by $2.5 million and $5.4 million, respectively.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
We had $3.3 million of outstanding letters of credit on our revolver facility as of December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively.
Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
We prepare our consolidated financial statements in conformity with GAAP and our significant accounting policies are described in Note 2 to our consolidated financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires us to make estimates and assumptions that affect reported amounts and related disclosures. We base our estimates and judgments on historical experience and other relevant factors that we believe to be reasonable under the circumstances, the results of which form the basis for making judgments about the carrying values of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. Actual results may differ from these estimates under different assumptions or conditions. We review these matters and reflect changes in estimates as appropriate. We have identified below the accounting policies, estimates and critical judgment areas that we believe could have a material effect on our financial position, liquidity or results of operations.
Revenue Recognition
In determining the appropriate amount of revenue to be recognized as we fulfill our obligations under our agreements, we perform the following steps: (i) identify the contract with the customer; (ii) determine whether the promised goods or services are performance obligations, including whether they are distinct in the context of the contract; (iii) measure the transaction price; (iv) allocate the transaction price to the performance obligations based on estimated selling prices; and (v) recognize revenue when (or as) we satisfy each performance obligation.
We identify a contract when an agreement with a customer creates legally enforceable rights and obligations, which occurs when a contract has been approved by both parties, the parties are committed to perform their respective obligations, each party’s rights and payment terms are clearly identified, commercial substance exists and it is probable that we will collect the consideration to which we are entitled.
Evidence of a contract with a customer may take the form of a master service agreement (“MSA”), a MSA in combination with an underlying purchase order, a combination of a pricing quote with an underlying purchase order or an individual purchase order received from a customer. Certain of our customers enter into MSAs that establish the terms, including prices, under which orders to purchase goods may be placed. In cases where the MSA contains a distinct order for goods or contains an enforceable minimum quantity to be purchased by the customer, we consider the MSA to be evidence of a contract with a customer as the MSA creates enforceable rights and obligations. In cases where the MSA does not contain a distinct order for goods, evidence of a contract with a customer is the purchase order issued under the MSA. Our customers may also negotiate orders via pricing quotes, which typically detail product pricing, delivery terms and payment information. When a customer procures goods under this method, we consider the combination of the pricing quote and the purchase order to create enforceable rights and obligations. Absent either a MSA or pricing quote, we consider an individual purchase order to create enforceable rights and obligations.
We identify a performance obligation in a contract for each promised good that is separately identifiable from other promises in the contract and for which the customer can benefit from the good. The majority of our contracts have a single performance obligation, which is the promise to transfer individual goods to the customer. Certain of our contracts include multiple performance obligations under which the purchase price for each distinct performance obligation is defined in the contract.
As described above, our MSAs with our customers may outline prices for individual products or contract provisions. MSAs in our Ecoservices segment may contain provisions whereby raw materials costs are passed-through to the customer per the terms of their contract. Our exposure to fluctuations in raw materials prices is limited, as the majority of pass-through contract provisions reset based on fluctuations in the underlying raw material price. MSAs in our Ecoservices segment also contain take-or-pay arrangements, whereby the customer would incur a penalty in the form of a shortfall volume fee. Currently there is no history in which customers fail to meet the contractual minimum. Revenue from product sales are recorded at the sales price, which includes estimates of variable consideration for which reserves are established and which result from discounts, returns or other allowances that are offered within contracts with our customers.
We recognize revenues when performance obligations under the terms of a contract with our customer are satisfied, which generally occurs at a point in time by transferring control of a product to the customer. We determine the point in time when a customer obtains control of a product and we satisfy the performance obligation by considering factors including when we have a right to payment for the product, the customer has legal title to the product, we have transferred possession of the product, the customer has assumed the risks and rewards of ownership of the product and the customer has accepted the product. Revenue is measured as the amount of consideration we expect to receive in exchange for transferring goods. We do not have any significant payment terms as payment is received at, or shortly after, the point of sale.
We may recognize revenue from bill-and-hold arrangements initiated by a customer. Under these bill-and-hold arrangements, a customer pays for the goods, but does not take physical possession immediately. We consider satisfaction of performance obligations when we have finished manufacturing the products based on the agreed upon specifications in accordance with the order. These products are custom made to each customer’s specifications and cannot be made available for use with another customer’s order. Once the goods have been segregated in a designated space in the warehouse and the customer has been invoiced, title to the goods and risk of loss has transferred to the customer. The customers have access to their products to inspect and can take possession prior to the scheduled delivery dates.
Goodwill and Intangible Assets
Assets and liabilities of acquired businesses are measured at their estimated fair values at the dates of acquisition. The excess of the purchase price over the estimated fair value of the net assets acquired, including identified intangibles, is recorded as goodwill. The determination and allocation of fair value to the assets acquired and liabilities assumed is based on various assumptions and valuation methodologies requiring considerable management judgment, including estimates based on historical information, current market data and future expectations.
Goodwill and intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but are tested for impairment annually or more frequently if events or circumstances exist that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the reporting unit below its carrying amount.
Goodwill is tested for impairment at the reporting unit level. In performing tests for goodwill impairment, we are able to use our discretion to first perform an optional qualitative assessment about the likelihood of the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeding its fair value. The qualitative assessment need not be applied to all reporting units. If we determine that it is more likely than not that the fair value of a reporting unit is less than its carrying amount based on the qualitative assessment, we perform a quantitative goodwill impairment test to identify the potential goodwill impairment and measure the amount of the goodwill impairment loss, if any, to be recognized for that reporting unit. For the annual assessments in 2024 and 2023, we bypassed the option to perform the qualitative assessment and proceeded directly to performing the quantitative goodwill impairment test for each of our reporting units. The quantitative test identifies both the potential existence of impairment and the amount of impairment loss.
In applying the quantitative test, the Company calculates and compares the reporting unit’s estimated fair value to its carrying value, including goodwill. If the fair value of a reporting unit exceeds its carrying value, goodwill is not impaired. If the carrying value of a reporting unit exceeds its fair value, an impairment loss is recognized for the amount by which the carrying value exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value. An impairment loss cannot exceed the carrying value of goodwill assigned to a reporting unit and the loss establishes a new basis in the goodwill. Subsequent reversal of an impairment loss is not permitted.
For the purposes of the quantitative goodwill impairment test, we determine the fair value of our reporting units using a combination of a market approach and an income, or discounted cash flow, approach. Estimating the fair value of a reporting unit requires various assumptions including the use of projections of future cash flows and discount rates that reflect the risks associated with achieving those cash flows. The key assumptions used in estimating the fair value are operating margin growth rates, revenue growth rates, the weighted average cost of capital, the perpetual growth rate, and the estimated earnings market multiples of each reporting unit. The market value is estimated using publicly traded comparable company values by applying their most recent annual Adjusted EBITDA multiples to the reporting unit’s Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months. The income approach value is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on our assessment of a number of factors including the reporting unit’s recent performance against budget as well as management’s ability to execute planned future strategic initiatives. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in those future cash flows.
For intangible assets other than goodwill, definite-lived intangible assets are amortized over their respective estimated useful lives. Intangible assets with indefinite lives are not amortized, but rather are tested for impairment at least annually or more frequently if events occur or circumstances change that would more likely than not reduce the fair value of the intangible asset below its carrying amount. Our indefinite-lived intangible assets include trade names and certain trademarks. Similar to the goodwill impairment test, we may first assess qualitative factors to determine whether it is necessary to perform a quantitative impairment test. If we choose to bypass the qualitative assessment, or if the qualitative assessment indicates that the indefinite-lived intangible asset is more likely than not impaired, a quantitative impairment test must be performed. The quantitative test for indefinite-lived intangible assets is a one-step test comparing the fair value of the asset to its carrying amount. If the fair value of the indefinite-lived intangible asset is less than the carrying amount, an impairment loss is recognized in an amount equal to the difference.
The unit of accounting used to test our indefinite-lived intangible assets for impairment is at the reporting unit level. The fair values of our indefinite-lived trade names and trademarks are determined for impairment testing purposes based on an income approach using a discounted cash flow valuation model under a relief from royalty methodology. Significant assumptions under the relief from royalty method include the royalty rate a market participant may assume, projected sales and the discount rate applied to the estimated cash flows.
For definite-lived intangible assets, we amortize technical know-how over periods that range from fourteen to twenty years, customer relationships over periods that range from seven to fifteen years, trademarks over a fifteen year period, contracts over periods that range from two to sixteen years, and permits over five years. We perform an impairment review of definite-lived intangible assets when facts and circumstances indicate that the carrying value of an asset may not be recoverable from its undiscounted future cash flows. The impairment test for definite-lived intangible assets is consistent with the test applied to property, plant and equipment as described in our policy.
Assessment of the potential impairment of goodwill and intangible assets is an integral part of our normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of these assets is significantly dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects management's best estimates at a particular point in time. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments
can have a significant impact on the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time in which such impairments are recognized.
In addition, we continually review our diverse portfolio of assets to ensure they are achieving their greatest potential and are aligned with our growth strategy. Strategic decisions involving a particular group of assets may trigger an assessment of the recoverability of the related assets. Such an assessment could result in impairment losses.
For further information, see Note 14 to these consolidated financial statements.
Investments in Affiliated Companies
Investments in affiliated companies are accounted for using the equity method of accounting if the investment provides the Company with the ability to exercise significant influence, but not control, over the investee. Under the equity method of accounting, the investments in equity-method investees are recorded in the consolidated balance sheets as investments in affiliated companies, and the Company’s share of the investees’ earnings or losses, together with other than temporary impairments in value, is recorded as equity in net income from affiliated companies in the consolidated statements of income. Any differences between the Company’s cost of an equity method investment and the underlying equity in the net assets of the investment, such as fair value step-ups resulting from acquisitions, are accounted for according to their nature and impact the amounts recognized as equity in net income from affiliated companies in the consolidated statements of income.
The Company evaluates its equity method investments for impairment whenever events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amounts of such investments may be impaired. If a decline in the fair value of an equity method investment is determined to be other than temporary, a loss is recorded in earnings in the current period.
For the purposes of the equity method investment impairment test, we determine the fair value of our investment using a combination of a market approach and an income, or discounted cash flow. Estimating the fair value of an equity method investment requires various assumptions including the use of projections of future cash flows and discount rates that reflect the risks associated with achieving those cash flows. The key assumptions used in estimating the fair value are operating margin growth rates, revenue growth rates, selling, general and administrative expenses growth rates, the weighted average cost of capital, the perpetual growth rate, the estimated earnings market multiple, and the estimated control premium. The market value is estimated using publicly traded comparable company values by applying their most recent annual Adjusted EBITDA multiples to the reporting unit’s Adjusted EBITDA for the trailing twelve months. The income approach value is estimated using a discounted cash flow approach. The assumptions about future cash flows and growth rates are based on our assessment of a number of factors including the investee’s recent performance against budget as well as its ability to execute planned future strategic initiatives. Discount rate assumptions are based on an assessment of the risk inherent in those future cash flows.
Assessment of the potential impairment of investments in affiliate companies is an integral part of our normal ongoing review of operations. Testing for potential impairment of these assets is significantly dependent on numerous assumptions and reflects management’s best estimates at a particular point in time. Estimates based on these assumptions may differ significantly from actual results. Changes in factors and assumptions used in assessing potential impairments can have a significant impact on the existence and magnitude of impairments, as well as the time in which such impairments are recognized.
In addition, we continually review our diverse portfolio of assets to ensure they are achieving their greatest potential and are aligned with our growth strategy. Strategic decisions may trigger an assessment of the recoverability of the related assets. Such an assessment could result in impairment losses.
For further information, see Note 10 to these consolidated financial statements.
Income Taxes
We operate within multiple taxing jurisdictions and are subject to tax filing requirements and potential audits within these jurisdictions. Our operations and the global complexity of tax regulations require assessments of uncertainties and judgments in estimating taxes we will ultimately pay. The final taxes paid are dependent upon many factors, including negotiations with taxing authorities in various jurisdictions, outcomes of tax litigation and resolution of disputes arising from federal, state and international tax audits in the normal course of business. The resolution of these uncertainties may result in adjustments to our tax assets and tax liabilities. We use the asset and liability method in accounting for income taxes. Deferred tax assets and liabilities are recorded for temporary differences between the tax basis of assets and liabilities and their reported amounts in the financial statements, using statutory tax rates in effect for
the year in which the differences are expected to reverse. The effect on deferred tax assets and liabilities of a change in tax rates is recognized in the results of operations in the period that includes the enactment date. We evaluate our deferred tax assets each period to ensure that estimated future taxable income will be sufficient in character (e.g., capital gain versus ordinary income treatment), amount and timing, to result in their realizability. A valuation allowance is recorded to reduce the carrying amounts of deferred tax assets, unless it is more likely than not that those assets will be realized. Considerable judgments are required in establishing deferred tax valuation allowances. The ultimate realization of deferred tax assets is dependent upon the generation of future taxable income during the periods in which those temporary differences and carryforward deferred tax assets become deductible or utilized. We consider the scheduled reversal of taxable temporary differences, projected future taxable income and tax-planning strategies in making this assessment. As events and circumstances change, valuation allowances are adjusted within results from operations when applicable.
Generally, APB 23 of ASC Topic 740, Income Taxes (“ASC 740”), provides guidance with respect to establishing deferred income taxes on earnings from foreign subsidiaries, to the extent that these earnings are considered to be available for repatriation. Further, ASC 740-30 requires that deferred taxes be established with respect to the earnings of a foreign subsidiary, unless existing tax law provides a means by which the investment in a subsidiary can be recovered tax-free. We have determined that we are able repatriate the non-permanently reinvested earnings of our foreign subsidiaries in a tax-free manner. As such, we are able to assert for purposes of ASC 740-30 that no deferred income taxes are needed with respect to earnings from foreign subsidiaries.
We recognize net tax benefits under the recognition and measurement criteria of ASC 740, which prescribes requirements and other guidance for financial statement recognition and measurement of positions taken or expected to be taken on tax returns. We recognize a financial statement benefit for positions taken for tax return purposes when it will be more likely than not (i.e. greater than 50%) that the positions will be sustained upon tax examination, based solely on the technical merits of the tax positions. Otherwise, no tax benefit is recognized. The tax benefits recognized are measured based on the largest benefit that has a greater than 50% likelihood of being realized upon ultimate settlement. We recognize potential accrued interest and penalties related to unrecognized tax benefits as a component of income tax expense. Tax examinations are often complex as tax authorities may disagree with the treatment of items reported by us and may require several years to resolve. These accrued liabilities represent a provision for taxes that are reasonably expected to be incurred on the basis of available information but which are not certain.
Stock-Based Compensation
We grant stock-based compensation awards in connection with our stock incentive plans. Under the terms of the incentive plans, we are authorized to issue equity awards to our employees, directors and affiliates. The grants have taken the form of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units, performance stock units and stock options. Restricted stock awards provide the recipient with shares of our stock subject to certain vesting requirements. Restricted stock units and performance stock units provide the recipient with the right to receive shares of our stock at a future date if certain vesting conditions are met. Stock option awards provide the recipient the ability to purchase shares of our stock at a given strike price upon the satisfaction of certain vesting requirements.
The vesting requirements associated with the awards include a mix of both service and/or performance conditions. Depending on the award and recipient, the service condition may reflect a cliff vesting provision (e.g., 100% vested upon four years of service) or a graded vesting provision (e.g., 33.3% vested each year over a period of three years). Prior to the Company’s IPO, the Company issued restricted stock awards and stock options with performance conditions that were based on the occurrence of a defined liquidity event upon which certain investment funds affiliated with CCMP receive proceeds exceeding defined thresholds. Although achievement of the performance condition is subject to continued service with us, the terms of awards issued with performance conditions stipulate that the performance vesting condition can be attained for a period of six months following separation from service under certain circumstances, depending on the means of separation from the Company and subject to other factors such as individual separation agreements. The same performance vesting condition for our restricted stock awards also governs the achievement of the performance vesting condition for our stock options. The value of the restricted stock awards granted was based on the average of the high and low trading prices of our common stock on the NYSE on the preceding trading day, in accordance with our policy for valuing such awards.
In addition to restricted stock awards, we have granted restricted stock units and performance stock units as part of our equity incentive compensation program. Each restricted stock unit provides the recipient with the right to receive a share of common stock subject to graded vesting terms based on service, which generally requires one year of service for members of our board of directors and three years of service for employees. Performance stock units vest upon the achievement of Company-specific financial performance targets and the provision of service through the vesting date.
We recognize compensation expense related to our equity awards with service conditions on a straight-line basis over the stated vesting period for each award. Expense related to our equity awards with performance conditions is recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved. No compensation expense has been recognized to-date on any of our restricted stock awards and stock options subject to vesting based on performance conditions, since a liquidity event triggering vesting of the awards has not occurred, nor is it considered probable.
The grant date fair value of restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and performance stock units is based on the value of our common stock as traded on the NYSE. The grant date fair value of stock option awards is estimated using a Black-Scholes option pricing model. Determining the fair value of stock option awards at the grant date requires judgment, including estimates of the average risk-free interest rate, dividend yield, volatility and expected term. Since we have limited experience with respect to historical exercise and forfeiture rates or patterns, we have estimated certain assumptions using acceptable simplified methods and through benchmarking to our peer group of companies.
Recently Issued Accounting Standards
See Note 3 to our consolidated financial statements for a discussion of recently issued accounting standards and their effect on us.

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ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK
ITEM 7A. QUANTITATIVE AND QUALITATIVE DISCLOSURES ABOUT MARKET RISK.
Our major market risk exposure is potential losses arising from changing rates and prices regarding foreign currency exchange rate risk, interest rate risk and credit risk. The Company regularly reviews foreign exchange and interest rate activity, and monitors compliance with our hedging policy. We do not use financial instruments for speculative purposes, and we limit our hedging activity to the underlying economic exposure.
Foreign Exchange Risk
Our financial results are subject to the impact of gains and losses on currency translations, which occur when the financial statements of foreign operations are translated into U.S. dollars. We operate a geographically diverse business with approximately 5% and 6% of our sales during the years ended December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively, coming from our international operations in currencies other than the U.S. dollar. Because consolidated financial results are reported in U.S. dollars, sales or earnings generated in currencies other than the U.S. dollar can result in a significant increase or decrease in the amount of those sales and earnings when translated to U.S. dollars. The financial statements of our operations outside the United States, where the local currency is considered to be the functional currency, are translated into U.S. dollars using the exchange rate in effect at each balance sheet date for assets and liabilities and the average exchange rate for each period for sales, expenses, gains, losses and cash flows. The exchange rates between these currencies and the U.S. dollar in recent years have fluctuated significantly and may continue to do so in the future. The foreign currency to which we have the most significant exchange rate exposure is the British pound. Sales in this currency represented approximately 5% of our sales during the year ended December 31, 2024. A 10% change in the average British pound to U.S. dollar exchange rate during the year ended December 31, 2024 would have impacted sales by approximately $3.2 million over the same period, or 0.5% of our total sales, assuming product pricing remained constant. The effect of translating foreign subsidiaries’ balance sheets into U.S. dollars is included in other comprehensive income. The impact of gains and losses on transactions denominated in currencies other than the functional currency of the relevant operations are included in other expense (income), net in the consolidated statements of income. Income and expense items are translated at average exchange rates during the year. Net foreign currency exchange gains and losses included in other expense (income), net was a $0.3 million loss for the year ended December 31, 2024. The net foreign currency (gain) loss realized in the year ended December 31, 2024 was primarily driven by the remeasurement effects of monetary assets and liabilities, including non-permanent intercompany debt denominated in a foreign currency and translated to U.S. dollars, and was principally non-cash in nature.
Interest Rate Risk
We are exposed to fluctuations in interest rates on our senior secured credit facilities. Changes in interest rates will not affect the market value of such debt but will affect the amount of our interest payments over the term of the loans. Likewise, an increase in interest rates could have a material impact on our cash flow. As of December 31, 2024, a 100 basis point increase in assumed interest rates for our variable interest credit facilities, before impact of any hedges, would have an annual impact of approximately $8.7 million on interest expense.
We hedge the interest rate fluctuations on debt obligations through interest rate cap agreements. We record the fair value of these hedges as assets or liabilities and the related unrealized gains or losses are deferred in stockholders’ equity as a component of other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax. The interest rate caps had a fair value net asset of $11.8 million and $16.5 million at December 31, 2024 and 2023, respectively. Fair value is determined based on estimated amounts that would be received or paid to terminate the contracts at the reporting date based on quoted market prices.
For more information about our interest rate cap agreements, refer to Note 18 - Financial Instrument of our consolidated financials statements included in Part II, Item 8 - Financial Statements and Supplementary Data.
Credit Risk
We are exposed to credit risk on financial instruments to the extent our counterparty fails to perform certain duties as required under the provisions of an agreement. We only transact with counterparties having an appropriate credit rating for the risk involved. Credit exposure is managed through credit approval and monitoring procedures.
Concentration of credit risk can result primarily from trade receivables, for example, with certain customers operating in the same industry or customer groups located in the same geographic region. Credit risk related to these types of receivables is managed through credit approval and monitoring procedures. For the year ended December 31, 2024, we did not write off any bad debt on our total sales of $704.5 million but wrote off a nominal amount of bad debt in December 31, 2023.

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ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA
ITEM 8. FINANCIAL STATEMENTS AND SUPPLEMENTARY DATA.
The consolidated financial statements, supplementary information and financial statement schedules of the Company are set forth beginning on page of this report.

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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.
None.

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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 Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer, evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024. The term “disclosure controls and procedures,” as defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Exchange Act, means controls and other procedures of a company that are designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC’s rules and forms. Disclosure controls and procedures include, without limitation, controls and procedures designed to ensure that information required to be disclosed by a company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is accumulated and communicated to the company’s management, including its principal executive and principal financial officers, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.
Management recognized that any controls and procedures, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance of achieving their objectives and management necessarily applies its judgment in evaluating the cost-benefit relationship of possible controls and procedures. Based on the evaluation of our disclosure controls and procedures as of December 31, 2024, our Chief Executive Officer and Chief Financial Officer concluded that, as of such date, our disclosure controls and procedures were not effective because of the material weakness in internal control over financial reporting as discussed below.
Management’s Annual Report on Internal Control over Financial Reporting
Our management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting. Internal control over financial reporting is defined in Rules 13a-15(f) and 15d-15(f) under the Exchange Act as a process, designed by, or under the supervision of the Company’s principal executive and principal financial officers and effected by the Company’s board of directors, management and other personnel, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles. Internal control over financial reporting includes maintaining records that in reasonable detail accurately and fairly reflect our transactions and dispositions of assets; providing reasonable assurance that transactions are recorded as necessary for preparation of our financial statements; providing reasonable assurance that receipts and expenditures are made only in accordance with management and board authorizations; and providing reasonable assurance regarding prevention or timely detection of unauthorized acquisition, use or disposition of our assets that could have a material effect on our 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. Our management assessed the effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024. In making this assessment, management used the criteria for effective internal control over financial reporting described in the “Internal Control-Integrated Framework” (2013) set forth by the Committee of Sponsoring Organizations of the Treadway Commission (“COSO”).
Based on the assessment, management concluded that, as of December 31, 2024, our internal control over financial reporting was not effective.
A material weakness is a deficiency, or a combination of deficiencies, in internal control over financial reporting, such that there is a reasonable possibility that a material misstatement of a company’s annual or interim financial statements will not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
A material weakness exists in relation to the Company’s controls over the accounting of its Zeolyst Joint Venture. The Company does not have sufficient controls designed to ensure its proportionate share of the earnings from the Zeolyst Joint Venture, an equity method investee underlying the Company’s financial statements, were completely, accurately, and timely recorded. This material weakness resulted in immaterial adjustments to our equity in net income from affiliated companies and investments in affiliated companies as of and for the fiscal years ended December 31, 2024, 2023 and 2022, and for the interim periods contained within those fiscal years. This material weakness could result in a material misstatement of our equity in net income from affiliated companies and investments in affiliated companies that would not be prevented or detected on a timely basis.
The effectiveness of our internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2024 has been audited by PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, an independent registered public accounting firm, as stated in their report, which is included in Item 8.
Plan for Remediation of Material Weakness
We are in the process of developing a plan to remediate the material weakness described above. Our plan will include designing and implementing appropriate controls designed to ensure our proportionate share of the earnings from the Zeolyst Joint Venture are completely, accurately, and timely recorded in our financial statements. This material weakness will not be considered remediated until the applicable controls are designed, implemented and operate for a sufficient period of time and management has concluded, through testing, that these controls are operating effectively.
Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
No changes in our internal control over financial reporting occurred during the quarter ended December 31, 2024 that materially affected, or which are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.

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ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 9B. OTHER INFORMATION.
Trading Arrangements
During the year ended December 31, 2024, none of the Company’s directors or executive officers adopted or terminated a “Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement” or “non-Rule 10b5-1 trading arrangement,” as each item is defined in Item 408(a) of Regulation S-K.

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ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE
ITEM 10. DIRECTORS, EXECUTIVE OFFICERS AND CORPORATE GOVERNANCE.
A copy of our form of insider trading policy is filed as Exhibit 19.1 to this Annual Report on Form 10-K. The remaining information required by this Item 10 will be included in our 2025 Proxy Statement, which we intend to file with the SEC within 120 days of our December 31, 2024 fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION
ITEM 11. EXECUTIVE COMPENSATION.
The information required by this Item 11 will be included in our 2025 Proxy Statement, which we intend to file with the SEC within 120 days of our December 31, 2024 fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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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 will be included in our 2025 Proxy Statement, which we intend to file with the SEC within 120 days of our December 31, 2024 fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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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 will be included in our 2025 Proxy Statement, which we intend to file with the SEC within 120 days of our December 31, 2024 fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.

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ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTING FEES AND SERVICES
ITEM 14. PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTANT FEES AND SERVICES.
The information required by this Item 14 will be included in our 2025 Proxy Statement, which we intend to file with the SEC within 120 days of our December 31, 2024 fiscal year end, and is incorporated herein by reference.
PART IV

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ITEM 15. EXHIBITS, FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES
ITEM 15. EXHIBIT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENT SCHEDULES.
(a) The following documents are filed as part of this report:
(1) and (2) The response to this portion of Item 15 is submitted as a separate section of this report beginning on page. All other schedules have been omitted as inapplicable or are not required, or because the required information is included in the consolidated financial statements or accompanying notes. (3) The exhibits filed as part of this report are listed in the accompanying index.
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
No. Exhibit
Description Filed
Herewith Form File
No. Exhibit Filing
Date
2.1 Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of February 28, 2021, by and among PQ Group Holdings Inc. and Sparta Aggregator L.P.
8-K 001-38221 2.1 03/04/2021
2.2 Amendment No. 1 to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of June 24, 2021, by and among PQ Group Holdings Inc. and Sparta Aggregator L.P.
8-K 001-38221 2.1 6/30/2021
2.3 Amendment No. 2 to Stock Purchase Agreement, dated as of July 12, 2021, by and among PQ Group Holdings Inc. and Sparta Aggregator L.P.
8-K 001-38221 2.1 7/15/2021
3.1 Second Restated Certificate of Incorporation
10-Q 001-38221 3.1 11/14/2017
3.2 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
8-K 001-38221 3.1 8/3/2021
3.3 Certificate of Correction of Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
10-Q 001-38221 3.3 11/9/2021
3.4 Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of Ecovyst Inc.
8-K 001-38221 3.2 8/3/2021
3.5 Certificate of Amendment of Certificate of Incorporation
8-K 001-38221 3.1 5/9/2024
4.1 Indenture, dated as of May 4, 2016, among PQ Corporation, as Issuer, the Guarantors from time to time party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as Trustee and Collateral Agent, including the form of Global Note attached as Exhibit A thereto
S-1 333-218650 4.2 6/9/2017
4.2 Indenture, dated as of December 11, 2017, among PQ Corporation, as Issuer, the guarantors party thereto and Wells Fargo Bank, National Association, as trustee
8-K 001-38221 4.1 12/13/2017
4.3 Description of Ecovyst Inc.’s common stock
10-K 001-38221 4.3 3/1/2022
10.1 Partnership Agreement, dated as of February 1, 1988, by and between PQ Corporation and Shell Polymers and Catalysts Enterprises Inc.
S-1/A 333-218650 10.10 8/14/2017
10.2 First Amendment to Partnership Agreement, dated January 1, 1993, by and among PQ Corporation, Shell Catalyst Ventures Inc. and CRI Zeolites Inc.
S-1/A 333-218650 10.11 8/14/2017
10.3 Second Amendment to Partnership Agreement, dated October 18, 2002, by and between PQ Corporation and Shell Catalyst Ventures Inc.
S-1/A 333-218650 10.12 8/14/2017
10.4 Third Amendment to Partnership Agreement, dated January 1, 2005, by and between PQ Corporation and CRI Zeolites Inc.
S-1/A 333-218650 10.13 8/14/2017
10.5 Form of Amended and Restated Stockholders Agreement between PQ Group Holdings Inc. and certain stockholders of PQ Group Holdings Inc.
S-1/A 333-218650 10.5 9/1/2017
10.6* Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
S-8 333-262180 4.1 1/14/2022
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
No. Exhibit
Description Filed
Herewith Form File
No. Exhibit Filing
Date
10.7* Form of Stock Option Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-K 001-38221 10.7 3/1/2022
10.8* Form of Restricted Stock Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-K 001-38221 10.8 3/1/2022
10.9* Form of Restricted Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-K 001-38221 10.9 3/1/2022
10.10* Form of 2019 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-K 001-38221 10.10 3/1/2022
10.11* Form of 2020 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-K 001-38221 10.11 3/1/2022
10.12* PQ Group Holdings Inc. Stock Incentive Plan
S-1 333-218650 10.6 6/9/2017
10.13* Form of Nonqualified Stock Option Award Agreement under the PQ Group Holdings Inc. Stock Incentive Plan
S-1 333-218650 10.7 6/9/2017
10.14* Form of Restricted Stock Agreement under the PQ Group Holdings Inc. Stock Incentive Plan
S-1 333-218650 10.8 6/9/2017
10.15* Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement
S-1/A 333-218650 10.9 9/1/2017
10.16* Severance Agreement, dated September 25, 2017, by and between PQ Corporation and Joseph S. Koscinksi
10-K 001-38221 10.37 2/27/2020
10.17 Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2021 among CPQ Midco I Corporation, PQ Corporation, Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC, Eco Services Operations Corp., Credit Suisse AG, Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent and collateral agent, and the lenders from time to time party thereto, with Citibank, N.A., Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC, BofA Securities, Inc., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Truist Securities, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
8-K 001-38221 10.1 6/11/2021
10.18 Third Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 9, 2021, to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated as of May 4, 2016, by and among PQ Corporation, CPQ Midco I Corporation, the Canadian Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the European Borrowers from time to time party thereto, the Lenders from time to time party thereto and Citibank, N.A., as Administrative Agent and Issuing Bank, with Citigroup Global Markets Inc., Credit Suisse Loan Funding LLC, Bank of America, N.A., Deutsche Bank Securities Inc., Goldman Sachs Bank USA, KeyBanc Capital Markets Inc. and Truist Securities, Inc., as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Bookrunners
8-K 001-38221 10.2 6/11/2021
10.19* Amendment to Form of Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement
10-Q 001-38221 10.3 8/9/2021
10.20* Form of Ecovyst Inc. Director and Officer Indemnification Agreement
10-Q 001-38221 10.4 8/9/2021
10.21* Form of 2021 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-K 001-38221 10.38 3/1/2022
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
No. Exhibit
Description Filed
Herewith Form File
No. Exhibit Filing
Date
10.22 * Severance Agreement, dated December 16, 2022, between Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC and Kurt J. Bitting
8-K 001-38221 10.1 12/16/2022
10.23* Severance Agreement, dated December 16, 2022, between Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC and Michael Feehan
8-K 001-38221 10.2 12/16/2022
10.24* Amended and Restated Severance Agreement, dated December 16, 2022, between Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC and Joseph S. Koscinski
8-K 001-38221 10.3 12/16/2022
10.25 First Amendment Agreement, dated February 9, 2023 to the Term Loan Credit Agreement, dated June 9, 2021, by and among Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC , Ecovyst Midco II Inc, Eco Services Operations Corp and Credit Suisse AG
10-K 001-38221 10.27 2/28/2023
10.26 Fourth Amendment, dated February 17, 2023 to the ABL Credit Agreement, dated May 4, 2016 by and among Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC, Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies UK Limited, Ecovyst Midco II Inc. and Citibank, N.A.
10-K 001-38221 10.28 2/28/2023
10.27* Letter of employment, dated July 19, 2022, between Ecoservices and George L. Vann
10-K 001-38221 10.30 2/28/2023
10.28* Letter of employment, dated November 28, 2022, between Ecovyst Catalyst Technologies LLC and Paul Whittleston
10-K 001-38221 10.31 2/28/2023
10.29* Form of 2024 Performance Stock Unit Award Agreement under the Ecovyst Inc. 2017 Omnibus Incentive Plan, as Amended and Restated
10-Q 001-38221 10.1 5/03/2024
10.30 Second Amendment Agreement, dated as of June 12, 2024, by and among the Borrowers, Ecovyst Midco II Inc., UBS AG Cayman Islands Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
10-Q 001-38221 10.1 8/02/2024
10.31 Third Amendment Agreement, dated as of January 30, 2025, by and among the Borrowers, Ecovyst Midco II Inc., UBS AG, Stamford Branch, as administrative agent, and the lenders party thereto.
8-K 001-38221 10.1 01/31/2025
19.1 Form of Insider Trading Policy
X
21.1 Subsidiaries of Ecovyst Inc.
X
23.1 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP related to the consolidated financial statements and financial statement schedule of Ecovyst Inc. as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024
X
23.2 Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP related to the financial statements of Zeolyst International as of December 31, 2024 and 2023 and for each of the three years in the period ended December 31, 2024
X
31.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Ecovyst Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
31.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Ecovyst Inc. pursuant to Section 302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
Incorporated by Reference
Exhibit
No. Exhibit
Description Filed
Herewith Form File
No. Exhibit Filing
Date
32.1 Certification of Chief Executive Officer of Ecovyst Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
32.2 Certification of Chief Financial Officer of Ecovyst Inc. pursuant to 18 U.S.C. Section 1350, as adopted pursuant to Section 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002
X
97.1 Policy relating to Recovery of Erroneously Awarded Compensation
10-K 001-38221 97.1 2/29/2024
101 The following financial statements from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ecovyst Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL: (i) Consolidated Statements of Income, (ii) Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income, (iii) Consolidated Balance Sheets, (iv) Consolidated Statements of Stockholders’ Equity, (v) Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows, and (vi) Notes to Consolidated Financial Statements, tagged as blocks of text and including detailed tags
X
104 The cover page from the Annual Report on Form 10-K of Ecovyst Inc. for the year ended December 31, 2024, formatted in Inline XBRL
X
* Management contract or compensatory plan