Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
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Item 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations.
Forward-looking Statements
Some of the information presented in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q, including the documents incorporated by reference, may constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such forward-looking statements are based on our current expectations, which are in turn based on assumptions that we believe are reasonable based on our current knowledge of our business and operations. We have used words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “could,” “estimate,” “expect,” “intend,” “may,” “should,” “would,” “will” and variations of such words and similar expressions to identify such forward-looking statements.
These forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve certain risks, uncertainties and assumptions, which are difficult to predict and many of which are beyond our control. There can be no assurance that our actual results will not differ materially from the results and expectations expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from the outlook expressed or implied in any forward-looking statement include, without limitation, information related to:
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changes in economic and business conditions;
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product development;
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future acquisition and divestiture transactions, including the ability to successfully execute, operate and integrate acquisitions and divestitures and incurring additional indebtedness;
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expected benefits from proposed transactions;
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timing of active and proposed projects;
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changes in financial and operating performance of our major customers and industries and markets served by us;
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the timing of orders received from customers;
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the gain or loss of significant customers;
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competition from other manufacturers;
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changes in the demand for our products or the end-user markets in which our products are sold;
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limitations or prohibitions on the manufacture and sale of our products;
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availability of raw materials;
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increases in the cost of raw materials and energy, and our ability to pass through such increases to our customers;
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technological change and development;
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changes in our markets in general;
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fluctuations in foreign currencies;
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changes in laws and government regulation impacting our operations or our products;
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the occurrence of regulatory actions, proceedings, claims or litigation (including with respect to the U.S. Foreign Corrupt Practices Act and foreign anti-corruption laws);
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the effects of climate change, including any regulatory changes to which we might be subject;
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the occurrence of cyber-security breaches, terrorist attacks, industrial accidents or natural disasters;
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hazards associated with chemicals manufacturing;
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the inability to maintain current levels of insurance, including product or premises liability insurance, or the denial of such coverage;
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political unrest affecting the global economy, including adverse effects from terrorism or hostilities;
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political instability affecting our manufacturing operations or joint ventures;
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changes in accounting standards;
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the inability to achieve results from our global manufacturing cost reduction initiatives as well as our ongoing continuous improvement and rationalization programs;
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changes in the jurisdictional mix of our earnings and changes in tax laws and rates or interpretation;
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changes in monetary policies, inflation or interest rates that may impact our ability to raise capital or increase our cost of funds, impact the performance of our pension fund investments and increase our pension expense and funding obligations;
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volatility and uncertainties in the debt and equity markets;
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technology or intellectual property infringement, including through cyber-security breaches, and other innovation risks;
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decisions we may make in the future;
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continuing uncertainties as to the duration and impact of the novel coronavirus (“COVID-19”) pandemic;
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performance of Albemarle’s partners in joint ventures and other projects;
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changes in credit ratings; and
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the other factors detailed from time to time in the reports we file with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (“SEC”).
We assume no obligation to provide revisions to any forward-looking statements should circumstances change, except as otherwise required by securities and other applicable laws. The following discussion should be read together with our condensed consolidated financial statements and related notes included in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
The following is a discussion and analysis of our results of operations for the three-month periods ended March 31, 2022 and 2021. A discussion of our consolidated financial condition and sources of additional capital is included under a separate heading “Financial Condition and Liquidity.”
Overview
We are a leading global developer, manufacturer and marketer of highly-engineered specialty chemicals that are designed to meet our customers’ needs across a diverse range of end markets. Our corporate purpose is making the world safe and sustainable by powering the potential of people. The end markets we serve include energy storage, petroleum refining, consumer electronics, construction, automotive, lubricants, pharmaceuticals and crop protection. We believe that our commercial and geographic diversity, technical expertise, access to high-quality resources, innovative capability, flexible, low-cost global manufacturing base, experienced management team and strategic focus on our core base technologies will enable us to maintain leading positions in those areas of the specialty chemicals industry in which we operate.
Secular trends favorably impacting demand within the end markets that we serve combined with our diverse product portfolio, broad geographic presence and customer-focused solutions will continue to be key drivers of our future earnings growth. We continue to build upon our existing green solutions portfolio and our ongoing mission to provide innovative, yet commercially viable, clean energy products and services to the marketplace to contribute to our sustainable revenue. For example, our Lithium business contributes to the growth of clean miles driven with electric miles and more efficient use of renewable energy through grid storage; Bromine enables the prevention of fires starting in electronic equipment, greater fuel efficiency from rubber tires and the reduction of emissions from coal fired power plants; and the Catalysts business creates efficiency of natural resources through more usable products from a single barrel of oil, enables safer, greener production of alkylates used to produce more environmentally-friendly fuels, and reduced emissions through cleaner transportation fuels. We believe our disciplined cost reduction efforts and ongoing productivity improvements, among other factors, position us well to take advantage of strengthening economic conditions as they occur, while softening the negative impact of the current challenging global economic environment.
First Quarter 2022
During the first quarter of 2022:
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Our board of directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.395 per share on February 24, 2022, which was paid on April 1, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 18, 2022.
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In January 2022, we signed a joint development agreement with 6K to explore the use of 6K’s patented UniMelt® advanced, sustainable materials production platform to develop novel lithium battery materials through potentially disruptive manufacturing processes.
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In February 2022, we announced that we signed a non-binding letter agreement with our MARBL joint venture partner, Mineral Resources Limited (“MRL”), to explore a potential expansion of the MARBL joint venture, in an effort to expand lithium conversion capacity with increased optionality and reduced risk.
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Our net sales for the quarter were $1.13 billion, an increase of 36% compared to net sales of $829.3 million in the first quarter of 2021.
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Diluted earnings per share was $2.15, an increase of 156% from the first quarter of 2021 results.
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Net cash provided by operations was $206.2 million in the first quarter of 2022, an increase of 31% from the first quarter of 2021.
Outlook
The current global business environment presents a diverse set of opportunities and challenges in the markets we serve. In particular, the market for lithium battery and energy storage, particularly that for electric vehicles (“EVs”), remains strong, providing the opportunity to continue to develop high quality and innovative products while managing the high cost of expanding capacity. The other markets we serve continue to present various opportunities for value and growth as we have positioned ourselves to manage the impact on our business of changing global conditions, such as slow and uneven global growth, currency exchange volatility, crude oil price fluctuation, a dynamic pricing environment, an ever-changing landscape in electronics, the continuous need for cutting edge catalysts and technology by our refinery customers and increasingly stringent environmental standards. Amidst these dynamics, we believe our business fundamentals are sound and that we are strategically well-positioned as we remain focused on increasing sales volumes, optimizing and improving the value of our portfolio primarily through pricing and product development, managing costs and delivering value to our customers and shareholders. We believe that our businesses remain well-positioned to capitalize on new business opportunities and long-term trends driving growth within our end markets and to respond quickly to changes in economic conditions in these markets.
While global economic conditions have been improving, the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an impact globally. We have not seen a material impact to our operations to date, however, the ultimate impact on our business will depend on the length and severity of the outbreak throughout the world. All of our information technology systems are running as designed and all sites are operating at normal capacity while we continue to comply with all government and health agency
recommendations and requirements, as well as protecting the safety of our employees and communities. We believe we have sufficient inventory to continue to produce at current levels, however, government mandated shutdowns could impact our ability to acquire additional materials and disrupt our customers’ purchases. At this time we cannot predict the expected overall financial impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on our business, but we are planning for various economic scenarios and continue to make efforts to protect the safety of our employees and the health of our business.
Lithium: We expect results to be higher year-over-year during 2022 in Lithium, due mainly to increased pricing, rreflecting tight market conditions driving higher spot and index-referenced pricing under our long-term agreements. In addition, we expect increases in sales volume from new capacity coming on line from La Negra, Chile, Train 1 in Kemerton, Western Australia, and the expected acquisition of Tianyuan, which includes a lithium hydroxide conversion plant designed to produce up to 25,000 metric tons of LCE per year. While we ramp up our new capacity, we will continue to utilize tolling arrangements to meet growing customer demand. EV sales are expected to continue to increase over the prior year as the lithium battery market remains strong.
We also announced agreements for strategic investments in China with plans to build two battery grade lithium conversion plants, each initially targeting 50,000 metric tons per year. Subject to additional studies and approvals, it is expected these plants would start construction during 2022 and complete construction by the end of 2024. In addition, our 60%-owned MARBL joint venture recently announced its intention to resume spodumene concentrate production at the Wodgina spodumene mine, with the production restart expected during the second quarter of 2022. In February 2022, we announced that we signed a non-binding letter agreement with our MARBL joint venture partner, MRL, to explore a potential expansion of the MARBL joint venture, in an effort to expand lithium conversion capacity with increased optionality and reduced risk.
On a longer-term basis, we believe that demand for lithium will continue to grow as new lithium applications advance and the use of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles and full battery electric vehicles increases. This demand for lithium is supported by a favorable backdrop of steadily declining lithium ion battery costs, increasing battery performance, continuing significant investments in the battery and EV supply chain by cathode and battery producers, and automotive OEM’s, favorable global public policy toward e-mobility/renewable energy usage, and additional stimulus measures taken in Europe in light of the COVID-19 pandemic that we expect to strengthen EV demand. Our outlook is also bolstered by long-term supply agreements with key strategic customers, reflecting our standing as a preferred global lithium partner, highlighted by our scale, access to geographically diverse, low-cost resources and long-term track record of reliability of supply and operating execution.
Bromine: We expect both net sales and profitability to be modestly higher in 2022 due to strength in demand for flame retardants, as well as benefiting from diverse end markets. Volumes are expected to up slightly compared to full year 2021 due to the successful execution of growth projects in 2021 assuming continued availability of raw materials like chlorine. Bromine’s ongoing cost savings initiatives and higher pricing are expected to offset higher freight and raw material costs.
On a longer-term basis, we continue to believe that improving global standards of living, widespread digitization, increasing demand for data management capacity and the potential for increasingly stringent fire safety regulations in developing markets are likely to drive continued demand for fire safety products. We are focused on profitably growing our globally competitive bromine and derivatives production network to serve all major bromine consuming products and markets. The combination of our solid, long-term business fundamentals, strong cost position, product innovations and effective management of raw material costs will enable us to manage our business through end-market challenges and to capitalize on opportunities that are expected with favorable market trends in select end markets.
Catalysts: Total Catalysts results in 2022 are now expected to be down 65% to flat year-over-year as a result of inflationary pressures in freight and input costs, including the volatility of natural gas pricing in Europe related to the war in Ukraine. This is expected to be partially offset by higher pricing in refining markets. Volume is expected to grow across each of the Catalysts segments. The fluidized catalytic cracking (“FCC”) market has recovered from the COVID-19 pandemic as a result of increased travel and depletion of global gasoline inventories. Hydroprocessing catalysts (“HPC”) demand tends to be lumpier than FCC demand, but is expected to see a prolonged recovery due to refinieries pushing out turnarounds. In 2021, we initiated a strategic review of the Catalysts business to position for value creation.
On a longer-term basis, we believe increased global demand for transportation fuels, new refinery start-ups and ongoing adoption of cleaner fuels will be the primary drivers of growth in our Catalysts business. We believe delivering superior end-use performance continues to be the most effective way to create sustainable value in the refinery catalysts industry. We also believe our technologies continue to provide significant performance and financial benefits to refiners challenged to meet tighter regulations around the world, including those managing new contaminants present in North America tight oil, and those in the Middle East and Asia seeking to use heavier feedstock while pushing for higher propylene yields. Longer-term, we believe that the global crude supply will get heavier and more sour, a trend that bodes well for our catalysts portfolio. With superior technology and production capacities, and expected growth in end market demand, we believe that Catalysts remains well-positioned for the future. In performance catalyst solutions (“PCS”), we expect growth on a longer-term basis in our
organometallics business due to growing global demand for plastics driven by rising standards of living and infrastructure spending.
Corporate: In the first quarter of 2022, we increased our quarterly dividend rate to $0.395 per share. We continue to focus on cash generation, working capital management and process efficiencies. In addition, we expect our global effective tax rate for 2022 to continue to vary based on the locations in which income is actually earned and remains subject to potential volatility from changing legislation in the U.S. and other tax jurisdictions.
We remain committed to evaluating the merits of any opportunities that may arise for acquisitions or other business development activities that will complement our business footprint. Additional information regarding our products, markets and financial performance is provided at our website, www.albemarle.com. Our website is not a part of this document nor is it incorporated herein by reference.
Results of Operations
The following data and discussion provides an analysis of certain significant factors affecting our results of operations during the periods included in the accompanying consolidated statements of income.
First Quarter 2022 Compared to First Quarter 2021
Selected Financial Data (Unaudited)
Net Sales
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 1,127,728 | $ | 829,291 | $ | 298,437 | 36 | % | |||||||||||||||
| •$268.4 million of increased pricing from each of our businesses •$89.5 million of higher sales volume, primarily in Lithium and Bromine, partially offset by Catalysts •$49.6 million decrease in net sales following the sale of the fine chemistry services (“FCS”) business on June 1, 2021 •$9.9 million of unfavorable currency translation resulting from the stronger U.S. Dollar against various currencies |
Gross Profit
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Gross profit | $ | 449,030 | $ | 263,687 | $ | 185,343 | 70 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Gross profit margin | 39.8 | % | 31.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| ▪Favorable pricing impacts in all businesses, as well as higher sales volume driven by Lithium and Bromine ▪Increased utility, primarily natural gas in Europe, and freight costs in each of our businesses ▪Increased commission expenses in Chile resulting from the higher pricing in Lithium ▪Decrease in net sales resulting from the disposal of the FCS business on June 1, 2021 ▪Unfavorable currency exchange impacts resulting from the weaker U.S. Dollar against various currencies |
Selling, General and Administrative (“SG&A”) Expenses
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Selling, general and administrative expenses | $ | 112,568 | $ | 93,187 | $ | 19,381 | 21 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage of Net sales | 10.0 | % | 11.2 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| ▪Higher compensation, including incentive-based, expenses across all businesses and Corporate ▪Partially offset by productivity improvements and a reduction in professional fees and other administrative costs ▪2021 included $5.5 million of expenses primarily related to non-routine labor and compensation related costs that are outside normal compensation arrangements ▪2022 included $4.3 million of gains from the sale of legacy properties not part of our operations |
Research and Development Expenses
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Research and development expenses | $ | 16,083 | $ | 14,636 | $ | 1,447 | 10 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage of Net sales | 1.4 | % | 1.8 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
Loss on Sale of Interest in Properties
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on sale of interest in properties | $ | 8,400 | $ | — | $ | 8,400 | |||||||||||||||||
| ▪Expense related to anticipated cost overruns for MRL’s 40% interest in lithium hydroxide conversion assets being built in Kemerton, Western Australia |
Interest and Financing Expenses
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and financing expenses | $ | (27,834) | $ | (43,882) | $ | 16,048 | (37) | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪2022 included an expense of $17.5 million related to the correction of out of period errors regarding overstated capitalized interest values in prior periods ▪2021 included a $27.8 million loss on early extinguishment of debt, representing the tender premiums, fees, unamortized discounts and unamortized deferred financing costs from the redemption of debt during the first quarter of 2021 ▪Decreased debt balance during the first quarter of 2022 compared to 2021 |
Other Income, Net
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other income, net | $ | 15,496 | $ | 11,312 | $ | 4,184 | 37 | % | |||||||||||||||
| •$3.2 million of income in 2022 from accretion of discount in preferred equity of W. R. Grace & Co. (“Grace”) subsidiary acquired as a portion of the proceeds of the FCS sale •2021 included $3.9 million of expenses primarily related to asset retirement obligation charges to update an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle •$0.9 million decrease in foreign exchange gains |
Income Tax Expense
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | $ | 80,530 | $ | 22,107 | $ | 58,423 | 264 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Effective income tax rate | 26.9 | % | 17.9 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| •Global intangible low-taxed income associated with the payment due in 2022 to Huntsman Corporation for the settlement of a legacy legal matter •Change in geographic mix of earnings |
Equity in Net Income of Unconsolidated Investments
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments | $ | 62,436 | $ | 16,511 | $ | 45,925 | 278 | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪Increased earnings from strong pricing and volume increases results from the Windfield Holdings Pty Ltd (“Talison”) joint venture ▪$2.3 million of unfavorable foreign exchange impacts from the Talison joint venture |
Net Income Attributable to Noncontrolling Interests
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests | $ | (28,164) | $ | (22,021) | $ | (6,143) | 28 | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪Increase in consolidated income related to our Jordan Bromine Company Limited (“JBC”) joint venture from increased volume |
Net Income Attributable to Albemarle Corporation
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net income attributable to Albemarle Corporation | $ | 253,383 | $ | 95,677 | $ | 157,706 | 165 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Percentage of Net sales | 22.5 | % | 11.5 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Basic earnings per share | $ | 2.16 | $ | 0.85 | $ | 1.31 | 154 | % | |||||||||||||||
| Diluted earnings per share | $ | 2.15 | $ | 0.84 | $ | 1.31 | 156 | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪Increased sales volume and favorable pricing primarily from Lithium and Bromine ▪Decreased interest and financing expenses due to loss on early extinguishment of debt recorded in 2021, partially offset by correction out of period error recorded in 2022 ▪Productivity improvements and a reduction in professional fees and other administrative costs ▪Increased earnings from Talison joint venture ▪Increased utility, primarily natural gas in Europe, and freight costs in each of our businesses ▪Loss of sales from FCS business following the disposition on June 1, 2021 ▪Increased SG&A expenses, primarily related to increased compensation expense |
Other Comprehensive (Loss) Income, Net of Tax
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Other comprehensive (loss) income, net of tax | $ | (1,222) | $ | (23,982) | $ | 22,760 | (95) | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪Foreign currency translation and other | $ | (5,889) | $ | (28,142) | $ | 22,253 | (79) | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪2022 included unfavorable movements in the Japanese Yen of approximately $7 million, the Taiwanese Dollar of approximately $5 million and a net unfavorable variance in various other currencies of $1 million, partially offset by favorable movements in the Brazilian Real of approximately $7 million ▪2022 included a $2.6 million loss representing an adjustment to the fair value of our available for sale debt securities ▪2021 included unfavorable movements in the Euro of approximately $13 million, the Brazilian Real of approximately $6 million, the Japanese Yen of approximately $5 million and a net unfavorable variance in various other currencies of $4 million | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| ▪Cash flow hedge | $ | 4,017 | $ | (1,600) | $ | 5,617 | |||||||||||||||||
| ▪Net investment hedge | $ | — | $ | 5,110 | $ | (5,110) | (100) | % |
Segment Information Overview. We have identified three reportable segments according to the nature and economic characteristics of our products as well as the manner in which the information is used internally by the Company’s chief operating decision maker to evaluate performance and make resource allocation decisions. Our reportable business segments consist of: (1) Lithium, (2) Bromine and (3) Catalysts.
Summarized financial information concerning our reportable segments is shown in the following tables. The “All Other” category includes only the FCS business, the sale of which was completed on June 1, 2021, that does not fit into any of our core businesses.
The Corporate category is not considered to be a segment and includes corporate-related items not allocated to the operating segments. Pension and OPEB service cost (which represents the benefits earned by active employees during the period) and amortization of prior service cost or benefit are allocated to the reportable segments, All Other, and Corporate, whereas the remaining components of pension and OPEB benefits cost or credit (“Non-operating pension and OPEB items”) are included in Corporate. Segment data includes intersegment transfers of raw materials at cost and allocations for certain corporate costs.
Our chief operating decision maker uses adjusted EBITDA (as defined below) to assess the ongoing performance of the Company’s business segments and to allocate resources. We define adjusted EBITDA as earnings before interest and financing expenses, income tax expense, depreciation and amortization, as adjusted on a consistent basis for certain non-operating, non-recurring or unusual items in a balanced manner and on a segment basis. These non-operating, non-recurring or unusual items may include acquisition and integration related costs, gains or losses on sales of businesses, restructuring charges, facility divestiture charges, certain litigation and arbitration costs and charges, non-operating pension and OPEB items and other significant non-recurring items. In addition, management uses adjusted EBITDA for business planning purposes and as a significant component in the calculation of performance-based compensation for management and other employees. We reported adjusted EBITDA because management believes it provides transparency to investors and enables period-to-period comparability of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is a financial measure that is not required by, or presented in
accordance with, the generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (“U.S. GAAP”). Adjusted EBITDA should not be considered as an alternative to Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP, or any other financial measure reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP.
| Three Months Ended March 31, | Percentage Change | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 2022 | % | 2021 | % | 2022 vs 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| (In thousands, except percentages) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lithium | $ | 550,272 | 48.8 | % | $ | 278,976 | 33.6 | % | 97 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bromine | 359,579 | 31.9 | % | 280,447 | 33.8 | % | 28 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Catalysts | 217,877 | 19.3 | % | 220,243 | 26.6 | % | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| All Other | — | — | % | 49,625 | 6.0 | % | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total net sales | $ | 1,127,728 | 100.0 | % | $ | 829,291 | 100.0 | % | 36 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA: | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Lithium | $ | 308,615 | 71.5 | % | $ | 106,436 | 46.3 | % | 190 | % | |||||||||||||||||||
| Bromine | 129,234 | 29.9 | % | 94,640 | 41.1 | % | 37 | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Catalysts | 16,910 | 3.9 | % | 25,427 | 11.1 | % | (33) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| All Other | — | — | % | 21,479 | 9.3 | % | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Corporate | (22,829) | (5.3) | % | (17,928) | (7.8) | % | (27) | % | |||||||||||||||||||||
| Total adjusted EBITDA | $ | 431,930 | 100.0 | % | $ | 230,054 | 100.0 | % | 88 | % |
See below for a reconciliation of adjusted EBITDA, the non-GAAP financial measure, from Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation, the most directly comparable financial measure calculated and reported in accordance with U.S. GAAP (in thousands):
| Lithium | Bromine | Catalysts | Reportable Segments Total | All Other | Corporate | Consolidated Total | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2022 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation | $ | 261,689 | $ | 116,561 | $ | 3,989 | $ | 382,239 | $ | — | $ | (128,856) | $ | 253,383 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 38,526 | 12,673 | 12,921 | 64,120 | — | 2,454 | 66,574 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Loss on sale of interest in properties(a) | 8,400 | — | — | 8,400 | — | — | 8,400 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration related costs(b) | — | — | — | — | — | 1,724 | 1,724 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and financing expenses(c) | — | — | — | — | — | 27,834 | 27,834 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | — | — | — | — | — | 80,530 | 80,530 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-operating pension and OPEB items | — | — | — | — | — | (5,280) | (5,280) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other(d) | — | — | — | — | — | (1,235) | (1,235) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 308,615 | $ | 129,234 | $ | 16,910 | $ | 454,759 | $ | — | $ | (22,829) | $ | 431,930 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Three months ended March 31, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to Albemarle Corporation | $ | 74,630 | $ | 82,113 | $ | 12,916 | $ | 169,659 | $ | 20,016 | $ | (93,998) | $ | 95,677 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Depreciation and amortization | 31,806 | 12,527 | 12,511 | 56,844 | 1,463 | 3,953 | 62,260 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Acquisition and integration related costs(b) | — | — | — | — | — | 2,162 | 2,162 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Interest and financing expenses(e) | — | — | — | — | — | 43,882 | 43,882 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Income tax expense | — | — | — | — | — | 22,107 | 22,107 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Non-operating pension and OPEB items | — | — | — | — | — | (5,465) | (5,465) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Other(f) | — | — | — | — | — | 9,431 | 9,431 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 106,436 | $ | 94,640 | $ | 25,427 | $ | 226,503 | $ | 21,479 | $ | (17,928) | $ | 230,054 |
(a)Expense recorded as a result of revised estimates of the obligation to construct certain lithium hydroxide conversion assets in Kemerton, Western Australia, due to anticipated cost overruns from supply chain, labor and COVID-19 pandemic related issues. The corresponding obligation was recorded in Accrued liabilities to be transferred to MRL, which maintains a 40% ownership interest in these Kemerton assets.
(b)Costs related to the acquisition, integration and potential divestitures for various significant projects, recorded in SG&A.
(c)Included in Interest and financing expenses is the correction of an out of period error of $17.5 million related to the overstatement of capitalized interest in prior periods. See Note 1, “Basis of Presentation,” for further details.
(d)Included amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2022 recorded in:
-
SG&A - $4.3 million of gains from the sale of legacy properties not part of our operations, partially offset by $2.8 million of charges for environmental reserves at sites not part of our operations and $0.7 million of facility closure expenses related to offices in Germany.
-
Other income, net - $0.6 million gain related to a settlement received from a legal matter in a prior period.
(e)Included in Interest and financing expenses is a loss on early extinguishment of debt of $27.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021. See Note 9, “Long-Term Debt,” for additional information.
(f)Included amounts for the three months ended March 31, 2021 recorded in:
-
SG&A - $5.5 million of expenses primarily related to non-routine labor and compensation related costs that are outside normal compensation arrangements.
-
Other income, net - $3.9 million of expenses primarily related to asset retirement obligation charges to update of an estimate at a site formerly owned by Albemarle.
Lithium
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 550,272 | $ | 278,976 | $ | 271,296 | 97 | % | |||||||||||||||
| •$189.2 million of favorable pricing impacts, reflecting tight market conditions, primarily in battery- and tech-grade carbonate and hydroxide due to higher prices under certain contracts and mix •$86.2 million of higher sales volume, primarily driven by increased tolling •$4.1 million of unfavorable currency translation resulting from the stronger U.S. Dollar against various currencies | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 308,615 | $ | 106,436 | $ | 202,179 | 190 | % | |||||||||||||||
| •Favorable pricing impacts and higher sales volume •Increased equity in net income from the Talison joint venture, driven by increased pricing and sales volume •Savings from designed productivity improvements •Increased SG&A expenses from higher compensation, professional fees and other administrative costs •Increased utility and freight costs •Increased commission expenses in Chile resulting from the higher pricing in Lithium •$5.7 million of favorable currency translation resulting from a weaker Chilean Peso |
Bromine
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 359,579 | $ | 280,447 | $ | 79,132 | 28 | % | |||||||||||||||
| •$74.4 million of favorable pricing impacts, primarily in the flame retardants division •$7.2 million of higher sales volume related to increased demand across all products •$2.4 million of unfavorable currency translation resulting from the stronger U.S. Dollar against various currencies | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 129,234 | $ | 94,640 | $ | 34,594 | 37 | % | |||||||||||||||
| •Favorable pricing impacts and higher sales volume as demand continues to be strong •Increased freight costs •Increased utility costs and raw material prices, primarily due to the higher cost of BPA •$2.2 million of unfavorable currency translation resulting from the stronger U.S. Dollar against various currencies |
Catalysts
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | 217,877 | $ | 220,243 | $ | (2,366) | (1) | % | |||||||||||||||
| •$3.8 million of lower sales volume, primarily from clean fuel technologies and PCS due to timing of shipments, partially offset by higher FCC sales volume as oil refineries improve utilization rates •$4.8 million of favorable pricing impacts, primarily in FCC, partially offset by PCS •$3.4 million of unfavorable currency translation resulting from the stronger U.S. Dollar against various currencies | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | 16,910 | $ | 25,427 | $ | (8,517) | (33) | % | |||||||||||||||
| •Lower sales volume, primarily driven by clean fuel technologies and PCS •Increased utility costs, primarily natural gas in Europe •Increased raw material and freight costs •2021 included higher production and utility costs of approximately $26 million resulting from the U.S. Gulf Coast winter storm |
All Other
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Net sales | $ | — | $ | 49,625 | $ | (49,625) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||
| •Results from 2021 relate to the FCS business, which was sold on June 1, 2021 | |||||||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | — | $ | 21,479 | $ | (21,479) | (100) | % | |||||||||||||||
| •Results from 2021 relate to the FCS business, which was sold on June 1, 2021 |
Corporate
| In thousands | Q1 2022 | Q1 2021 | $ Change | % Change | |||||||||||||||||||
| Adjusted EBITDA | $ | (22,829) | $ | (17,928) | $ | (4,901) | (27) | % | |||||||||||||||
| ▪$3.2 million of unfavorable currency exchange impacts, including a $2.3 million decrease in foreign exchange impacts from our Talison joint venture ▪Increase in incentive compensation costs |
Financial Condition and Liquidity
Overview
The principal uses of cash in our business generally have been capital investments and resource development costs, funding working capital, and service of debt. We also make contributions to our defined benefit pension plans, pay dividends to our shareholders and repurchase shares of our common stock. Historically, cash to fund the needs of our business has been principally provided by cash from operations, debt financing and equity issuances.
We are continually focused on working capital efficiency particularly in the areas of accounts receivable, payables and inventory. We anticipate that cash on hand, cash provided by operating activities, proceeds from divestitures and borrowings will be sufficient to pay our operating expenses, satisfy debt service obligations, fund capital expenditures and other investing activities, fund pension contributions and pay dividends for the foreseeable future.
Cash Flow
During the first three months of 2022, cash on hand, cash provided by operations and net borrowings of $113.4 million under our credit facilities and commercial paper program funded $231.7 million of capital expenditures for plant, machinery and equipment, and dividends to shareholders of $45.6 million. Our operations provided $206.2 million of cash flows during the first three months of 2022, as compared to $157.9 million for the first three months of 2021. The change compared to prior year was primarily due to increased earnings from the Lithium and Bromine segments and higher dividends received from unconsolidated investments, partially offset by increased working capital outflows of $170.5 million and lower earnings from the FCS business sold on June 1, 2021. The outflow from working capital in 2022 was primarily driven by increased inventory balances driven by higher pricing and increased accounts receivable balances resulting from an increase in sales. Overall, our cash and cash equivalents decreased by $24.1 million to $463.3 million at March 31, 2022 from $439.3 million at December 31, 2021.
Capital expenditures for the three-month period ended March 31, 2022 of $231.7 million were primarily associated with plant, machinery and equipment. We expect our capital expenditures to be between $1.3 billion and $1.5 billion in 2022, primarily for Lithium growth and capacity increases, primarily in Australia, Chile and Silver Peak, Nevada, as well as productivity and continuity of operations projects in all segments. Our La Negra, Chile plant is in the commissioning and qualification stage. Train I of our Kemerton, Western Australia plant was completed in December 2021, but due to the ongoing labor shortages and COVID-19 pandemic travel restrictions in Western Australia, Train II construction is now expected to be completed in the second half of 2022. Commercial sales volume from Train I will begin in 2022 and is expected to begin from Train II in 2023.
On September 30, 2021, the Company signed a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding equity of Tianyuan for approximately $200 million in cash. Tianyuan's operations include a recently constructed lithium processing plant strategically positioned near the Port of Qinzhou in Guangxi. The plant has designed annual conversion capacity of up to 25,000 metric tons of LCE and is capable of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. It currently is in the commissioning stage and is expected to begin commercial production in the first half of 2022. The Company expects the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, to close in the third quarter of 2022.
Net current assets were $233.1 million and $133.6 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively. The increase is primarily due to increases in inventory and accounts receivable balances from increased sales during 2022. Additional changes in the components of net current assets are primarily due to the timing of the sale of goods and other ordinary transactions leading up to the balance sheet dates. The additional changes are not the result of any policy changes by the Company, and do not reflect any change in either the quality of our net current assets or our expectation of success in converting net working capital to cash in the ordinary course of business.
On February 24, 2022, we increased our quarterly dividend rate to $0.395 per share, an increase from the quarterly rate of $0.39 per share paid in 2021. On February 24, 2022, we declared a cash dividend of $0.395, which was paid on April 1, 2022 to shareholders of record at the close of business as of March 18, 2022.
At March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, our cash and cash equivalents included $451.3 million and $374.0 million, respectively, held by our foreign subsidiaries. The majority of these foreign cash balances are associated with earnings that we have asserted are indefinitely reinvested and which we plan to use to support our continued growth plans outside the U.S. through funding of capital expenditures, acquisitions, research, operating expenses or other similar cash needs of our foreign operations. From time to time, we repatriate cash associated with earnings from our foreign subsidiaries to the U.S. for normal operating needs through intercompany dividends, but only from subsidiaries whose earnings we have not asserted to be indefinitely reinvested or whose earnings qualify as “previously taxed income” as defined by the Internal Revenue Code. There were no repatriations of cash from foreign operations during the first three months of 2022 or 2021.
While we continue to closely monitor our cash generation, working capital management and capital spending in light of continuing uncertainties in the global economy, we believe that we will continue to have the financial flexibility and capability to opportunistically fund future growth initiatives. Additionally, we anticipate that future capital spending, including business acquisitions, share repurchases and other cash outlays, should be financed primarily with cash flow provided by operations and cash on hand, with additional cash needed, if any, provided by borrowings. The amount and timing of any additional borrowings will depend on our specific cash requirements.
Long-Term Debt
We currently have the following notes outstanding:
| Issue Month/Year | Principal (in millions) | Interest Rate | Interest Payment Dates | Maturity Date | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2019 | €371.7 | 1.125% | November 25 | November 25, 2025 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2019 | €500.0 | 1.625% | November 25 | November 25, 2028 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2019(a) | $171.6 | 3.45% | May 15 and November 15 | November 15, 2029 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2014(a) | $425.0 | 4.15% | June 1 and December 1 | December 1, 2024 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| November 2014(a) | $350.0 | 5.45% | June 1 and December 1 | December 1, 2044 |
(a) Denotes senior notes.
Our senior notes are senior unsecured obligations and rank equally with all our other senior unsecured indebtedness from time to time outstanding. The notes are effectively subordinated to all of our existing or future secured indebtedness and to the existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries. As is customary for such long-term debt instruments, each series of notes outstanding has terms that allow us to redeem the notes before maturity, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of these notes to be redeemed, or (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal and interest thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on a semi-annual basis using the comparable government rate (as defined in the indentures governing these notes) plus between 25 and 40 basis points, depending on the series of notes, plus, in each case, accrued interest thereon to the date of redemption. Holders may require us to purchase such notes at 101% upon a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indentures. These notes are subject to typical events of default, including bankruptcy and insolvency events, nonpayment and the acceleration of certain subsidiary indebtedness of $40 million or more caused by a nonpayment default.
Our Euro notes issued in 2019 are unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and rank equally in right of payment to all our other unsecured senior obligations. The Euro notes are effectively subordinated to all of our existing or future secured indebtedness and to the existing and future indebtedness of our subsidiaries. As is customary for such long-term debt instruments, each series of notes outstanding has terms that allow us to redeem the notes before their maturity, in whole at any time or in part from time to time, at a redemption price equal to the greater of (i) 100% of the principal amount of the notes to be redeemed and (ii) the sum of the present values of the remaining scheduled payments of principal thereof and interest
thereon (exclusive of interest accrued to, but excluding, the date of redemption) discounted to the redemption date on an annual basis using the bond rate (as defined in the indentures governing these notes) plus between 25 and 35 basis points, depending on the series of notes, plus, in each case, accrued and unpaid interest on the principal amount being redeemed to, but excluding, the date of redemption. Holders may require us to purchase such notes at 101% upon a change of control triggering event, as defined in the indentures. These notes are subject to typical events of default, including bankruptcy and insolvency events, nonpayment and the acceleration of certain subsidiary indebtedness exceeding $100 million caused by a nonpayment default.
Our revolving, unsecured credit agreement dated as of June 21, 2018, as amended on August 14, 2019, May 11, 2020 and December 10, 2021 (the “2018 Credit Agreement”), currently provides for borrowings of up to $1.0 billion and matures on August 9, 2024. Borrowings under the 2018 Credit Agreement bear interest at variable rates based on an average LIBOR for deposits in the relevant currency plus an applicable margin which ranges from 0.910% to 1.500%, depending on the Company’s credit rating from Standard & Poor’s Ratings Services LLC (“S&P”), Moody’s Investors Services, Inc. (“Moody’s”) and Fitch Ratings, Inc. (“Fitch”). The applicable margin on the facility was 1.125% as of March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022 there were no borrowings outstanding under the 2018 Credit Agreement.
On August 14, 2019, the Company entered into the $1.2 billion 2019 Credit Facility with several banks and other financial institutions, which was amended and restated on December 15, 2020 and again on December 10, 2021. The lenders’ commitment to provide new loans under the amended 2019 Credit Facility permits up to four borrowings by the Company in an aggregate amount equal to $750 million. The 2019 Credit Facility terminates on December 9, 2022, with each such loan maturing 364 days after the funding of such loan. The Company can request that the maturity date of loans be extended for a period of up to four additional years, but any such extension is subject to the approval of the lenders. At the option of the Company, the borrowings under the 2019 Credit Facility bear interest at variable rates based on either the base rate or LIBOR for deposits in U.S. dollars, in each case plus an applicable margin which ranges from 0.000% to 0.375% for base rate borrowings or 0.875% to 1.375% for LIBOR borrowings, depending on the Company’s credit rating from S&P, Moody’s and Fitch. The applicable margin on the 2019 Credit Facility was 1.125% as of March 31, 2022. As of March 31, 2022 there was $250 million outstanding under the 2019 Credit Facility.
Borrowings under the under the 2019 Credit Facility and 2018 Credit Agreement (together the “Credit Agreements”) are conditioned upon satisfaction of certain conditions precedent, including the absence of defaults. The Company is subject to one financial covenant, as well as customary affirmative and negative covenants. The financial covenant requires that the Company’s consolidated net funded debt to consolidated EBITDA ratio (as such terms are defined in the Credit Agreements) be less than or equal to 3.50:1 for all remaining fiscal quarters, subject to adjustments in accordance with the terms of the Credit Agreements relating to a consummation of an acquisition where the consideration includes cash proceeds from issuance of funded debt in excess of $500 million. The Credit Agreements also contain customary default provisions, including defaults for non-payment, breach of representations and warranties, insolvency, non-performance of covenants and cross-defaults to other material indebtedness. The occurrence of an event of default under the Credit Agreements could result in all loans and other obligations becoming immediately due and payable and each such Credit Agreement being terminated. Certain representations, warranties and covenants under the 2018 Credit Agreement were conformed to those under the 2019 Credit Facility following the amendments to those agreements.
On May 29, 2013, we entered into agreements to initiate a commercial paper program on a private placement basis under which we may issue unsecured commercial paper notes (the “Commercial Paper Notes”) from time-to-time up to a maximum aggregate principal amount outstanding at any time of $750.0 million. The proceeds from the issuance of the Commercial Paper Notes are expected to be used for general corporate purposes, including the repayment of other debt of the Company. The Credit Agreements are available to repay the Commercial Paper Notes, if necessary. Aggregate borrowings outstanding under the Credit Agreements and the Commercial Paper Notes will not exceed the $1.75 billion current maximum amount available under the Credit Agreements. The Commercial Paper Notes will be sold at a discount from par, or alternatively, will be sold at par and bear interest at rates that will vary based upon market conditions at the time of issuance. The maturities of the Commercial Paper Notes will vary but may not exceed 397 days from the date of issue. The definitive documents relating to the commercial paper program contain customary representations, warranties, default and indemnification provisions. At March 31, 2022, we had $222.4 million of Commercial Paper Notes outstanding bearing a weighted-average interest rate of approximately 1.12% and a weighted-average maturity of 17 days. The Commercial Paper Notes are classified as Current portion of long-term debt in our consolidated balance sheets at March 31, 2022.
The non-current portion of our long-term debt amounted to $1.99 billion at March 31, 2022, compared to $2.00 billion at December 31, 2021. In addition, at March 31, 2022, we had availability to borrow $1.28 billion under our commercial paper program and the Credit Agreements, and $176.9 million under other existing lines of credit, subject to various financial covenants under our Credit Agreements. We have the ability and intent to refinance our borrowings under our other existing lines of credit with borrowings under the Credit Agreements, as applicable. Therefore, the amounts outstanding under those
lines of credit, if any, are classified as long-term debt. We believe that at March 31, 2022, we were, and currently are, in compliance with all of our long-term debt covenants.
Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements
In the ordinary course of business with customers, vendors and others, we have entered into off-balance sheet arrangements, including bank guarantees and letters of credit, which totaled approximately $86.3 million at March 31, 2022. None of these off-balance sheet arrangements has, or is likely to have, a material effect on our current or future financial condition, results of operations, liquidity or capital resources.
Other Obligations
Our contractual obligations have not significantly changed based on our ordinary business activities and projected capital expenditures noted above from the information we provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Total expected 2022 contributions to our domestic and foreign qualified and nonqualified pension plans, including the Albemarle Corporation Supplemental Executive Retirement Plan, are expected to approximate $12 million. We may choose to make additional pension contributions in excess of this amount. We have made contributions of $3.2 million to our domestic and foreign pension plans (both qualified and nonqualified) during the three-month period ended March 31, 2022.
The liability related to uncertain tax positions, including interest and penalties, recorded in Other noncurrent liabilities totaled $28.5 million at March 31, 2022 and $27.7 million at December 31, 2021. Related assets for corresponding offsetting benefits recorded in Other assets totaled $32.7 million at March 31, 2022 and $32.9 million at December 31, 2021. We cannot estimate the amounts of any cash payments associated with these liabilities for the remainder of 2022 or the next twelve months, and we are unable to estimate the timing of any such cash payments in the future at this time.
We are subject to federal, state, local and foreign requirements regulating the handling, manufacture and use of materials (some of which may be classified as hazardous or toxic by one or more regulatory agencies), the discharge of materials into the environment and the protection of the environment. To our knowledge, we are currently complying, and expect to continue to comply, in all material respects with applicable environmental laws, regulations, statutes and ordinances. Compliance with existing federal, state, local and foreign environmental protection laws is not expected to have a material effect on capital expenditures, earnings or our competitive position, but the costs associated with increased legal or regulatory requirements could have an adverse effect on our operating results.
Among other environmental requirements, we are subject to the federal Superfund law, and similar state laws, under which we may be designated as a potentially responsible party (“PRP”), and may be liable for a share of the costs associated with cleaning up various hazardous waste sites. Management believes that in cases in which we may have liability as a PRP, our liability for our share of cleanup is de minimis. Further, almost all such sites represent environmental issues that are quite mature and have been investigated, studied and in many cases settled. In de minimis situations, our policy generally is to negotiate a consent decree and to pay any apportioned settlement, enabling us to be effectively relieved of any further liability as a PRP, except for remote contingencies. In other than de minimis PRP matters, our records indicate that unresolved PRP exposures should be immaterial. We accrue and expense our proportionate share of PRP costs. Because management has been actively involved in evaluating environmental matters, we are able to conclude that the outstanding environmental liabilities for unresolved PRP sites should not have a material adverse effect upon our results of operations or financial condition.
Liquidity Outlook
We anticipate that cash on hand and cash provided by operating activities, divestitures and borrowings will be sufficient to pay our operating expenses, satisfy debt service obligations, fund any capital expenditures and share repurchases, make acquisitions, make pension contributions and pay dividends for the foreseeable future. Our main focus during the continued uncertainty surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic is to continue to maintain financial flexibility by continuing our cost savings initiative, while still protecting our employees and customers, committing to shareholder returns and maintaining an investment grade rating. Over the next three years, in terms of uses of cash, we will continue to invest in growth of the businesses and return value to shareholders. Additionally, we will continue to evaluate the merits of any opportunities that may arise for acquisitions of businesses or assets, which may require additional liquidity.
Our growth investments include the recently announced signing of a definitive agreement to acquire all of the outstanding equity of Tianyuan for approximately $200 million in cash. Tianyuan's operations include a recently constructed lithium processing plant that has designed annual conversion capacity of up to 25,000 metric tons of LCE and is capable of producing battery-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide. We expect the transaction, which is subject to customary closing conditions, to close in the third quarter of 2022. In addition, we announced agreements for strategic investments in China with
plans to build two battery grade lithium conversion plants, each initially targeting 50,000 metric tons per year. We expect construction of these conversion plants to begin in 2022 and be completed by the end of 2024.
Our cash flows from operations may be negatively affected by adverse consequences to our customers and the markets in which we compete as a result of moderating global economic conditions and reduced capital availability. The COVID-19 pandemic has not had a material impact on our liquidity to date; however, we cannot predict the overall impact in terms of cash flow generation as that will depend on the length and severity of the outbreak. As a result, we are planning for various economic scenarios and actively monitoring our balance sheet to maintain the financial flexibility needed.
Although we maintain business relationships with a diverse group of financial institutions as sources of financing, an adverse change in their credit standing could lead them to not honor their contractual credit commitments to us, decline funding under our existing but uncommitted lines of credit with them, not renew their extensions of credit or not provide new financing to us. While the global corporate bond and bank loan markets remain strong, periods of elevated uncertainty related to the COVID-19 pandemic or global economic and/or geopolitical concerns may limit efficient access to such markets for extended periods of time. If such concerns heighten, we may incur increased borrowing costs and reduced credit capacity as our various credit facilities mature. If the U.S. Federal Reserve or similar national reserve banks in other countries decide to tighten the monetary supply in response, for example, to improving economic conditions, we may incur increased borrowing costs (as interest rates increase on our variable rate credit facilities, as our various credit facilities mature or as we refinance any maturing fixed rate debt obligations), although these cost increases would be partially offset by increased income rates on portions of our cash deposits.
On February 6, 2017, Huntsman, a subsidiary of Huntsman Corporation, filed a lawsuit in New York state court against Rockwood, Rockwood Specialties, Inc., certain former executives of Rockwood and its subsidiaries—Seifollah Ghasemi, Thomas Riordan, Andrew Ross, and Michael Valente, and Albemarle. The lawsuit arises out of Huntsman’s acquisition of certain Rockwood subsidiaries in connection with a stock purchase agreement (the “SPA”), dated September 17, 2013. Before that transaction closed on October 1, 2014, Albemarle began discussions with Rockwood to purchase all outstanding equity of Rockwood and did so in a transaction that closed on January 12, 2015. Huntsman’s complaint asserted that certain technology that Rockwood had developed for a production facility in Augusta, Georgia, and which was among the assets that Huntsman acquired pursuant to the SPA, did not work, and that Rockwood and the defendant executives had intentionally misled Huntsman about that technology in connection with the Huntsman-Rockwood transaction. The complaint asserted claims for, among other things, fraud, negligent misrepresentation, and breach of the SPA, and sought certain costs for completing construction of the production facility.
On March 10, 2017, Albemarle moved in New York state court to compel arbitration, which was granted on January 8, 2018 (although Huntsman unsuccessfully appealed that decision). Huntsman’s arbitration demand asserted claims substantially similar to those asserted in its state court complaint, and sought various forms of legal remedies, including cost overruns, compensatory damages, expectation damages, punitive damages, and restitution. After a trial, the arbitration panel issued an award on October 28, 2021, awarding approximately $600 million (including interest) to be paid by Albemarle to Huntsman, in addition to the possibility of attorney’s fees, costs and expenses. Following the arbitration panel decision, Albemarle reached a settlement with Huntsman to pay $665 million in two equal installments, with the first payment made in December 2021. The second and final payment was made in May 2022.
In addition, as first reported in 2018, following receipt of information regarding potential improper payments being made by third-party sales representatives of our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, we promptly retained outside counsel and forensic accountants to investigate potential violations of the Company’s Code of Conduct, the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act, and other potentially applicable laws. Based on this internal investigation, we have voluntarily self-reported potential issues relating to the use of third-party sales representatives in our Refining Solutions business, within our Catalysts segment, to the DOJ, the SEC, and the DPP, and are cooperating with the DOJ, the SEC, and the DPP in their review of these matters. In connection with our internal investigation, we have implemented, and are continuing to implement, appropriate remedial measures. We have commenced discussions with the SEC about a potential resolution.
At this time, we are unable to predict the duration, scope, result, or related costs associated with the investigations. We also are unable to predict what action may be taken by the DOJ, the SEC, or the DPP, or what penalties or remedial actions they may ultimately seek. Any determination that our operations or activities are not, or were not, in compliance with existing laws or regulations could result in the imposition of fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief, or other losses. We do not believe, however, that any such fines, penalties, disgorgement, equitable relief, or other losses would have a material adverse effect on our financial condition or liquidity. However, an adverse resolution could have a material adverse effect on our results of operations in a particular period.
Overall, with generally strong cash-generative businesses and no significant long-term debt maturities before 2024, we believe we have, and will be able to maintain, a solid liquidity position.
We had cash and cash equivalents totaling $463.3 million at March 31, 2022, of which $451.3 million is held by our foreign subsidiaries. This cash represents an important source of our liquidity and is invested in bank accounts or money market investments with no limitations on access. The cash held by our foreign subsidiaries is intended for use outside of the U.S. We anticipate that any needs for liquidity within the U.S. in excess of our cash held in the U.S. can be readily satisfied with borrowings under our existing U.S. credit facilities or our commercial paper program.
Guarantor Financial Information
Albemarle Wodgina Pty Ltd Issued Notes
Albemarle Wodgina Pty Ltd (the “Issuer”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, issued $300.0 million aggregate principal amount of 3.45% Senior Notes due 2029 (the “3.45% Senior Notes”) in November 2019. The 3.45% Senior Notes are fully and unconditionally guaranteed (the “Guarantee”) on a senior unsecured basis by Albemarle Corporation (the “Parent Guarantor”). No direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Guarantor guarantee the 3.45% Senior Notes (such subsidiaries are referred to as the “Non-Guarantors”).
In 2019, we completed the acquisition of a 60% interest in MRL’s Wodgina hard rock lithium mine project (“Wodgina Project”) in Western Australia and formed an unincorporated joint venture with MRL, named MARBL Lithium Joint Venture, for the exploration, development, mining, processing and production of lithium and other minerals (other than iron ore and tantalum) from the Wodgina spodumene mine and for the operation of the Kemerton assets in Western Australia. We participate in the Wodgina Project through our ownership interest in the Issuer.
The Parent Guarantor conducts its U.S. Bromine and Catalysts operations directly, and conducts its other operations (other than operations conducted through the Issuer) through the Non-Guarantors.
The 3.45% Senior Notes are the Issuer’s senior unsecured obligations and rank equally in right of payment to the senior indebtedness of the Issuer, effectively subordinated to all of the secured indebtedness of the Issuer, to the extent of the value of the assets securing that indebtedness, and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of its subsidiaries. The Guarantee is the senior unsecured obligation of the Parent Guarantor and ranks equally in right of payment to the senior indebtedness of the Parent Guarantor, effectively subordinated to the secured debt of the Parent Guarantor to the extent of the value of the assets securing the indebtedness and structurally subordinated to all indebtedness and other liabilities of its subsidiaries.
For cash management purposes, the Parent Guarantor transfers cash among itself, the Issuer and the Non-Guarantors through intercompany financing arrangements, contributions or declaration of dividends between the respective parent and its subsidiaries. The transfer of cash under these activities facilitates the ability of the recipient to make specified third-party payments for principal and interest on the Issuer and/or the Parent Guarantor’s outstanding debt, common stock dividends and common stock repurchases. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Issuer or the Parent Guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Parent Guarantor and the Issuer on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Issuer and the Parent Guarantor and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary that is a Non-Guarantor. Each entity in the combined financial information follows the same accounting policies as described herein and in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Summarized Statement of Operations
| $ in thousands | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Year Ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Net sales(a) | $ | 502,092 | $ | 1,412,913 | |||||||
| Gross profit | 30,951 | 241,739 | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments(b)(c) | (141,698) | (607,995) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to the Parent Guarantor and the Issuer | (154,033) | (558,342) |
(a) Includes net sales to Non-Guarantors of $297.8 million and $715.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
(b) Includes intergroup expenses to Non-Guarantors of $34.7 million and $114.3 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
(c) The year ended December 31, 2021 includes the Parent Guarantor’s portion of the gain on sale of the FCS business on June 1, 2021 and the loss for the legacy Rockwood legal matter. In addition, includes Issuer’s loss related to anticipated cost overruns for MRL’s 40% interest in lithium hydroxide conversion assets being built in Kemerton.
Summarized Balance Sheet
| $ in thousands | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Current assets(a) | $ | 1,139,925 | $ | 961,003 | |||||||
| Net property, plant and equipment | 3,027,935 | 2,979,034 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent assets | 529,238 | 534,695 | |||||||||
| Current liabilities(b) | $ | 2,625,486 | $ | 2,329,212 | |||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,002,218 | 1,002,009 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities(c) | 7,155,892 | 7,008,857 |
(a) Includes receivables from Non-Guarantors of $691.8 million and $466.6 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(b) Includes current payables to Non-Guarantors of $1.23 billion and $1.11 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(c) Includes noncurrent payables to Non-Guarantors of $6.59 billion and $6.45 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
The 3.45% Senior Notes are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Non-Guarantors. The Non-Guarantors are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to the 3.45% Senior Notes or the Indenture under which the 3.45% Senior Notes were issued, or to make any funds available therefor, whether by dividends, loans, distributions or other payments. Any right that the Parent Guarantor has to receive any assets of any of the Non-Guarantors upon the liquidation or reorganization of any Non-Guarantor, and the consequent rights of holders of the 3.45% Senior Notes to realize proceeds from the sale of any of a Non-Guarantor’s assets, would be effectively subordinated to the claims of such Non-Guarantor’s creditors, including trade creditors and holders of preferred equity interests, if any, of such Non-Guarantor. Accordingly, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of the Non-Guarantors, the Non-Guarantors will pay the holders of their debts, holders of preferred equity interests, if any, and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the Parent Guarantor.
The 3.45% Senior Notes are obligations of the Issuer. The Issuer’s cash flow and ability to make payments on the 3.45% Senior Notes could be dependent upon the earnings it derives from the production from MARBL for the Wodgina Project. Absent income received from sales of its share of production from MARBL, the Issuer’s ability to service the 3.45% Senior Notes could be dependent upon the earnings of the Parent Guarantor’s subsidiaries and other joint ventures and the payment of those earnings to the Issuer in the form of equity, loans or advances and through repayment of loans or advances from the Issuer.
The Issuer’s obligations in respect of MARBL are guaranteed by the Parent Guarantor. Further, under MARBL pursuant to a deed of cross security between the Issuer, the joint venture partner and the manager of the project (the “Manager”), each of the Issuer, and the joint venture partner have granted security to each other and the Manager for the obligations each of the Issuer and the joint venture partner have to each other and to the Manager. The claims of the joint venture partner, the Manager and other secured creditors of the Issuer will have priority as to the assets of the Issuer over the claims of holders of the 3.45% Senior Notes.
Albemarle Corporation Issued Notes
In March 2021, Albemarle New Holding GmbH (the “Subsidiary Guarantor”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Albemarle Corporation, added a full and unconditional guarantee (the “Upstream Guarantee”) to all securities issued and outstanding by Albemarle Corporation (the “Parent Issuer”) and issuable by the Parent Issuer pursuant to the Indenture, dated as of January 20, 2005, as amended and supplemented from time to time (the “Indenture”). No other direct or indirect subsidiaries of the Parent Issuer guarantee these securities (such subsidiaries are referred to as the “Upstream Non-Guarantors”). See Long-term debt section above for a description of the securities issued by the Parent Issuer.
The current securities outstanding under the Indenture are the Parent Issuer’s unsecured and unsubordinated obligations and rank equally in right of payment with all other unsecured and unsubordinated indebtedness. With respect to any series of securities issued under the Indenture, the Upstream Guarantee is, and will be, an unsecured and unsubordinated obligation of the Subsidiary Guarantor, ranking pari passu with all other existing and future unsubordinated and unsecured indebtedness of the Subsidiary Guarantor.
For cash management purposes, the Parent Issuer transfers cash among itself, the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Upstream Non-Guarantors through intercompany financing arrangements, contributions or declaration of dividends between the respective parent and its subsidiaries. The transfer of cash under these activities facilitates the ability of the recipient to make specified third-party payments for principal and interest on the Parent Issuer and/or the Subsidiary Guarantor’s outstanding debt, common stock dividends and common stock repurchases. There are no significant restrictions on the ability of the Parent Issuer or the Subsidiary Guarantor to obtain funds from subsidiaries by dividend or loan.
The following tables present summarized financial information for the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Parent Issuer on a combined basis after elimination of (i) intercompany transactions and balances among the Parent Issuer and the Subsidiary Guarantor and (ii) equity in earnings from and investments in any subsidiary that is an Upstream Non-Guarantor. Each entity in the combined financial information follows the same accounting policies as described herein and in the Company’s Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Summarized Statement of Operations
| $ in thousands | Three Months Ended March 31, 2022 | Year Ended December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Net sales(a) | $ | 500,657 | $ | 1,412,913 | |||||||
| Gross profit | 35,615 | 259,314 | |||||||||
| Income (loss) before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments(b) | (99,576) | (368,737) | |||||||||
| Net income (loss) attributable to the Subsidiary Guarantor and the Parent Issuer(c) | (120,107) | (320,726) |
(a) Includes net sales to Non-Guarantors of $297.8 million and $715.6 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
(b) Includes intergroup expenses to Non-Guarantors of $26.0 million and $17.8 million for the three months ended March 31, 2022 and year ended December 31, 2021, respectively.
(c) The year ended December 31, 2021 includes the Parent Issuer’s portion of gain on sale of the FCS business on June 1, 2021 and the loss for the legacy Rockwood legal matter.
Summarized Balance Sheet
| $ in thousands | March 31, 2022 | December 31, 2021 | |||||||||
| Current assets(a) | $ | 1,182,936 | $ | 1,039,391 | |||||||
| Net property, plant and equipment | 769,075 | 754,818 | |||||||||
| Other non-current assets(b) | 1,639,772 | 1,634,883 | |||||||||
| Current liabilities(c) | $ | 2,545,777 | $ | 2,174,360 | |||||||
| Long-term debt | 1,726,637 | 1,755,026 | |||||||||
| Other noncurrent liabilities(d) | 6,390,844 | 6,404,958 |
(a) Includes receivables from Non-Guarantors of $776.1 million and $576.1 million at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(b) Includes noncurrent receivables from Non-Guarantors of $1.14 billion and $1.11 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(c) Includes current payables to Non-Guarantors of $1.22 billion and $1.08 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
(d) Includes noncurrent payables to Non-Guarantors of $5.81 billion and $5.82 billion at March 31, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively.
These securities are structurally subordinated to the indebtedness and other liabilities of the Upstream Non-Guarantors. The Upstream Non-Guarantors are separate and distinct legal entities and have no obligation, contingent or otherwise, to pay any amounts due pursuant to these securities or the Indenture under which these securities were issued, or to make any funds
available therefor, whether by dividends, loans, distributions or other payments. Any right that the Subsidiary Guarantor has to receive any assets of any of the Upstream Non-Guarantors upon the liquidation or reorganization of any Upstream Non-Guarantors, and the consequent rights of holders of these securities to realize proceeds from the sale of any of an Upstream Non-Guarantor’s assets, would be effectively subordinated to the claims of such Upstream Non-Guarantor’s creditors, including trade creditors and holders of preferred equity interests, if any, of such Upstream Non-Guarantor. Accordingly, in the event of a bankruptcy, liquidation or reorganization of any of the Upstream Non-Guarantors, the Upstream Non-Guarantors will pay the holders of their debts, holders of preferred equity interests, if any, and their trade creditors before they will be able to distribute any of their assets to the Subsidiary Guarantor.
Summary of Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates
There have been no significant changes in our critical accounting policies and estimates from the information we provided in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.
Recent Accounting Pronouncements
For a description of recent accounting pronouncements, see Item 1 Financial Statements – Note 19, “Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements” to the Notes to the Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.
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