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AMG Critical Materials N.V. Announces Interim Dividend

Amsterdam, 26 July 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Critical Materials N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) declares an interim dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share, from an interim dividend of €0.30 per ordinary share in the prior year.

The interim dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share, in respect of the period from January 1, 2023 to June 30, 2023, is payable on August 9, 2023 to shareholders of record as of August 1, 2023. The ex-dividend date will be July 31, 2023. Dutch withholding tax will be deducted from the dividend at a rate of 15%.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG’s mission is to provide critical materials and related process technologies to advance a less carbon-intensive world. To this end, AMG is focused on the production and development of energy storage materials such as lithium, vanadium, and tantalum. In addition, AMG’s products include highly engineered systems to reduce CO2 in aerospace engines, as well as critical materials addressing CO2 reduction in a variety of other end use markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,600 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Critical Materials N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG’s Lithium Operations Continue to Drive Record Earnings with the Fourth Straight Quarter Exceeding $100 Million of EBITDA

Amsterdam, 26 July 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Critical Materials N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) reported second quarter 2023 revenue of $439 million, a 4% increase versus the second quarter of 2022. Second quarter 2023 EBITDA of $107 million was 32% higher than the second quarter of 2022.

In 000’s US dollars Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22 Change
Revenue $439,319 $424,094         4%
EBITDA (1) 107,453 81,126         32%
Cash from operating activities 59,975 39,505         52%
Net income attributable to shareholders 42,763 29,631         44%
EPS – Fully diluted 1.28 0.91
Return on Capital Employed         35.7%         25.5%

Note:
(1)   EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “This is the fourth straight quarter in which AMG has exceeded $100 million of EBITDA. The $26 million, or 32%, EBITDA increase over the second quarter of 2022 was driven largely by our Clean Energy Materials segment, specifically AMG Lithium’s Brazilian operation with an EBITDA contribution of $89 million.

AMG’s liquidity as of June 30, 2023 was $586 million, with $391 million of unrestricted cash and $195 million of revolving credit availability. The Company will pay an interim 2023 dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share on or around August 9, 2023, to shareholders of record on August 1, 2023.

AMG Engineering signed $167 million in new orders during the second quarter of 2023, driven by strong orders of remelting and induction furnaces, representing a 2.48x book to bill ratio. AMG’s order backlog of $337 million as of June 30, 2023, which is the highest in AMG’s history. This is largely driven by the US aerospace market. Our second quarter 2023 US order intake has essentially doubled from our second quarter 2022 US order intake.

We continue to drive our lithium strategy forward and are pleased to announce that we have signed a mandate letter with KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH and with Citi to structure and arrange the financing for the construction of our proposed technical-grade lithium chemical plant in Brazil. The financing structure is expected to cover all the funding requirements and be supported by Euler Hermes (the German Export Credit Agency representing its government) under its Untied Loan Guarantee program for projects which deliver critical raw materials into Germany. This proposed financing is a cornerstone of our lithium strategy to be the premier supplier of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in Europe, and another important step towards an independent and sustainable lithium supply chain for Europe. In addition, this project conforms with AMG Brazil’s commitment to upgrade its operations to produce a higher value product, while significantly contributing to reducing CO2 emissions by lowering total volumes shipped.”

Strategic Highlights

Lithium

  • The lithium concentrate production expansion project in AMG Brazil is progressing as planned.
  • AMG signed a mandate letter with KfW IPEX-Bank GmbH and Citi to structure and arrange the financing for the construction of our proposed technical-grade lithium chemical plant in Brazil. The financing structure is expected to cover all the funding requirements and be supported by Euler Hermes (the German Export Credit Agency representing its government) under its Untied Loan Guarantee program for projects which deliver critical raw materials into Germany. This proposed financing is a cornerstone of our strategy to be the premier supplier of battery-grade lithium hydroxide in Europe.
  • AMG Lithium’s hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld, Germany, Europe’s first, is expected to start commissioning for the first 20,000-ton module expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • AMG Lithium signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding (“MOU”) in May 2023 with Fortum Battery Recycling Oy (“Fortum”), a Nordic clean energy provider. Fortum’s new commercial scale hydrometallurgical plant is able to efficiently recover valuable metals from old electric vehicle lithium-ion batteries. The lithium product recovered by Fortum will be delivered to AMG Lithium for further processing.

Vanadium

  • The new vanadium spent catalyst recycling facility in Zanesville, Ohio, is currently running at full capacity and targeting full run rate production for the second half of 2023.
  • AMG’s innovative lithium vanadium battery (“LIVA”) projects for industrial power management applications outlined at our Capital Markets Day are under various stages of construction.
  • In January 2023, AMG started building a vanadium electrolyte plant at its subsidiary, AMG Titanium, in Nuremberg, Germany. The target capacity is 6,000 m³ vanadium electrolyte, which will serve the electricity storage market. Production is expected to start at the end of this year.
  • Shell & AMG Recycling B.V. (“SARBV”) project development in the Middle East are progressing. The Supercenter project in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia is completing the FEL3 feasibility study later this year.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenue increased by 4% to $439 million in the second quarter of 2023 from $424 million in the second quarter of 2022.
  • EBITDA was $107 million in the second quarter of 2023, up 32% versus the second quarter 2022 EBITDA of $81 million.
  • Annualized return on capital employed was 35.7% for the first six months of 2023, compared to 25.5% for the same period in 2022.
  • Cash from operations was $60 million for the second quarter of 2023, compared to $40 million in the second quarter of 2022, driven by the high profitability of AMG Lithium in Brazil.
  • Net income attributable to shareholders for the second quarter of 2023 was $43 million, yielding $1.28 diluted earnings per share compared to $0.91 in the same period in 2022.
  • AMG’s liquidity as of June 30, 2023 was $586 million, with $391 million of unrestricted cash and $195 million of revolving credit availability.
  • AMG declares an interim dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share, to be paid in the third quarter of 2023.

Key Figures

In 000’s US dollars
Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22 Change
Revenue $439,319 $424,094         4%
Gross profit 127,534 102,240         25%
Gross margin         29.0%         24.1%
Operating profit 78,167 65,246         20%
Operating margin         17.8%         15.4%
Net income attributable to shareholders 42,763 29,631         44%
EPS – Fully diluted 1.28 0.91         41%
EBIT (1) 93,780 69,763         34%
EBITDA (2) 107,453 81,126         32%
EBITDA margin         24.5%         19.1%
Cash from operating activities 59,975 39,505         52%

Notes:

(1)   EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes. EBIT excludes restructuring, asset impairment, inventory cost adjustments, environmental provisions, exceptional legal expenses and other exceptional items, equity-settled share-based payments, and strategic expenses.
(2)   EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Operational Review

AMG Clean Energy Materials

Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22 Change
Revenue $208,487 $159,762         30%
Gross profit 95,985 60,821         58%
Operating profit 74,378 49,704         50%
EBITDA 95,974 58,232         65%

AMG Clean Energy Materials’ revenue increased 30% compared to the second quarter of 2022, to $208 million, driven mainly by increased sales volumes and increased prices in lithium concentrates.

Gross profit for the quarter increased 58% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the higher sales volumes across the segment as well as higher lithium pricing.

SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2023 were higher than the same period in 2022 at $21 million, mainly driven by the increase in headcount related to the lithium and vanadium expansion projects, as well as higher employee benefit costs.

The second quarter 2023 EBITDA increased 65%, to $96 million, from $58 million in the second quarter of 2022, due to the improved gross profit as noted above.

AMG Vanadium’s production was negatively impacted by a defective fan provided by a supplier at our new Zanesville facility. AMG has commenced an arbitration claim seeking compensatory damages, which include costs incurred and lost profitability.

During the second quarter of 2023, a total of 28,870 dry metric tons (“dmt”) of lithium concentrates was sold. The second quarter experienced increased sales volumes due to shipping schedule variances which will negatively impact the third quarter. The average realized sales price was $3,633/dmt CIF China for the quarter. The average cost per ton for the quarter was $547/dmt CIF China. The cost per ton is higher than the first quarter due to lower volumes and pricing in tantalum concentrate in the quarter. The additional lithium concentrate shipments and slightly higher costs in tantalum concentrate resulted in quarterly EBITDA for AMG Brazil of $89 million.

AMG Critical Minerals

Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22 Change
Revenue $57,271 $103,416         (45%)
Gross profit 7,806 14,028         (44%)
Operating profit 169 7,086         (98%)
EBITDA 1,532 9,069         (83%)

AMG Critical Minerals’ revenue for the second quarter of 2023 decreased by 45%, to $57 million, mainly due to lower volumes across the segment largely driven by the silicon metal plant operating one furnace during the quarter, as discussed in detail below. The segment also suffered from a slowdown in the European industrial economy.

Gross profit of $8 million in the second quarter was 44% lower compared to the second quarter of 2022, largely due to the lower volumes in the current quarter.

SG&A expenses in the second quarter of 2023 increased by 8%, to $8 million, compared to the same period in 2022. This was largely driven by higher professional fees in the current quarter.

The second quarter 2023 EBITDA decreased 83% compared to the same period in 2022, to $2 million, due to the lower gross profit as noted above.

AMG Silicon operated one of four furnaces throughout the second quarter and plans to operate one furnace for the remainder of 2023. The operational parameters of the silicon business will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis. Due to the noted interruptions in silicon operations, the financial impact of the business will be excluded from EBITDA during this period of abnormal operations. However, AMG Silicon generated $9 million in cash flow from operating activities during the quarter driven by the receipt of energy sales made in the fourth quarter of 2022.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies

Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22 Change
Revenue $173,561 $160,916         8%
Gross profit 23,743 27,391         (13%)
Operating profit 3,620 8,456         (57%)
EBITDA 9,947 13,825         (28%)

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ second quarter 2023 revenue increased by $13 million, or 8%, compared to the same period in 2022. This improvement was driven by strong revenues in our engineering unit, as well as higher sales volumes of titanium alloys and chrome metal, partially offset by lower chrome metal pricing.

SG&A expenses increased by 8% in the second quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, due to additional personnel at AMG Engineering and AMG LIVA corresponding to the record order backlog and business development, respectively.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ EBITDA was $10 million during the quarter compared to $14 million in the same period of 2022. The decrease was primarily due to lower chrome prices in the second quarter of 2023 partially offset by higher profitability in Engineering and Titanium.

AMG Engineering signed $167 million in new orders during the second quarter of 2023, driven by strong orders of remelting and induction furnaces, representing a 2.48x book to bill ratio. Order backlog was $337 million as of June 30, 2023, the highest in AMG’s history.

Financial Review

Tax

AMG recorded an income tax expense of $27 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to $23 million in the same period in 2022. This variance was mainly driven by higher profitability in AMG Lithium at its Brazil operation, offset by US tax expense and movements in the Brazilian real. The effects of the Brazilian real caused a $2 million tax benefit in the second quarter of 2023, compared to a $4 million tax expense in the same period in 2022. Fluctuations in the Brazilian real exchange rate impact the valuation of the Company’s net deferred tax positions related to our operations in Brazil.

AMG paid taxes of $35 million in the second quarter of 2023, compared to tax payments of $9 million in the second quarter of 2022. The higher cash taxes in the current quarter were a result of tax payments tracking the consistent upward trend in Brazil results.

Exceptional Items

AMG’s second quarter 2023 gross profit includes exceptional items, which are not included in the calculation of EBITDA.

A summary of exceptional items included in gross profit in the second quarters of 2023 and 2022 are below:

Exceptional items included in gross profit

Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22 Change
Gross profit $127,534 $102,240         25%
Inventory cost adjustment         3,678         — N/A
Restructuring expense         626         41         1427%
Silicon’s partial closure         (1,011)         — N/A
Strategic project (reversal) expense         (55)         833 N/A
Gross profit excluding exceptional items 130,772 103,114         27%

AMG Vanadium had a $3.7 million non-cash expense during the second quarter of 2023. This is a result of inventory cost adjustments associated with declining prices and inventory specification issues due to the acquisition and testing of global refinery waste which has been adjusted in EBITDA.

SG&A

AMG’s second quarter 2023 SG&A expenses were $49 million compared to $37 million in the second quarter of 2022, with the increase largely attributable to higher personnel costs driven by increased hiring in our Lithium, Engineering, and LIVA businesses. It was also driven by a one-time pension expense of $6.7 million due to the restructuring of executive employee benefit plans.

Liquidity

June 30, 2023 December 31, 2022 Change
Senior secured debt $338,505 $348,622         (3%)
Cash & cash equivalents 391,251 346,043         13%
Senior secured net (cash) debt (52,746) 2,579 N/A
Other debt 14,987 14,959         —%
Net (cash) debt excluding municipal bond (37,759) 17,538 N/A
Municipal bond debt 319,124 319,244         —%
Restricted cash 1,440 6,920         (79%)
Net debt 279,925 329,862         (15%)

AMG ended the second quarter in a $280 million net debt position. This decrease versus year-end 2022 was mainly due to higher cash balances from strong operating cash flow.

AMG continued to maintain a strong balance sheet and adequate sources of liquidity during the second quarter. As of June 30, 2023, the Company had $391 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $195 million available on its revolving credit facility. As such, AMG had $586 million of total liquidity as of June 30, 2023.

Net Finance Costs

AMG’s second quarter 2023 net finance cost was $7 million compared to $12 million in the second quarter of 2022. This variance was mainly driven by higher interest income earned, due to the overall increase in global interest rates, and an increase in cash and cash equivalents balances as well as foreign exchange losses in the prior period. Additionally, in today’s rising rate environment, AMG continues to benefit from its low-cost fixed-rate debt facilities. AMG has an average interest rate charge across its two main debt instruments of 5%.

Outlook

Given the global economic uncertainty and the slowdown in China, current spot prices across AMG’s critical materials portfolio are significantly below the prices we experienced when we announced our initial guidance for 2023 in November 2022. The price of lithium carbonate in November 2022, the date of our $400 million EBITDA guidance, has now almost halved and our other relevant portfolio prices are down an average of 25%.

Therefore, we have changed our full year EBITDA guidance for 2023 from “exceeding $400 million in EBITDA” to “a range between $350 million to $380 million in EBITDA.” An EBITDA in this range represents the highest EBITDA in the history of AMG.

As previously disclosed, third quarter profitability will be negatively impacted by lower volumes associated with the spodumene expansion project. Volumes will recover in the fourth quarter as the project begins to ramp up.

Regarding our long-term guidance, we are extremely pleased with the advancement of our strategic projects. We are moving forward with our lithium concentrate expansion in Brazil. We’ve signed a mandate letter to fund the chemical upgrader in Brazil, and our lithium hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld, Germany, is under construction, with commissioning for the first 20,000-ton module expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.

These transformational projects in lithium, our newly complete ferrovanadium spent catalyst recycling facility in Ohio, and the continued ramp-up in our AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment will drive increased volumes across our Clean Energy Materials segment and confirm our confidence in our long-term guidance. Our long-term guidance therefore remains unchanged at an EBITDA level of $650 million, or more, in 5 years, or earlier.

Profit for the period to adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

Q2 ‘23 Q2 ‘22
Profit for the period $43,573 $29,879
Income tax expense 26,552 23,156
Net finance cost 7,282 12,211
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 1,495 1,372
Restructuring expense 626 41
Pension adjustment 6,700         —
Silicon’s partial closure (362)         —
Inventory cost adjustment 3,678         —
Strategic project expense (1) 3,476 3,107
Share of loss of associates 760         —
Others         — (3)
EBIT 93,780 69,763
Depreciation and amortization 13,673 11,363
EBITDA 107,453 81,126

Notes:
(1)   The Company is in the initial development and ramp-up phases for several strategic expansion projects, including AMG Vanadium’s expansion project, the joint venture with Shell, Hybrid Lithium Vanadium Redox Flow Battery System, and the lithium expansion in Germany, which incurred project expenses during the quarter but are not yet operational. AMG is adjusting EBITDA for these exceptional charges.

AMG Critical Materials N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Income Statement
For the quarter ended June 30    
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
  Unaudited Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue         439,319         424,094
Cost of sales         (311,785)         (321,854)
Gross profit         127,534         102,240
Selling, general and administrative expenses         (49,420)         (37,034)
Other income, net         53         40
Net other operating income         53         40
Operating profit         78,167         65,246
Finance income         5,550         2,081
Finance cost         (12,832)         (14,292)
Net finance cost         (7,282)         (12,211)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures         (760)         
Profit before income tax         70,125         53,035
Income tax expense         (26,552)         (23,156)
Profit for the period         43,573         29,879
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company         42,763         29,631
Non-controlling interests         810         248
Profit for the period         43,573         29,879
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share         1.33         0.93
Diluted earnings per share         1.28         0.91

 

AMG Critical Materials N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Income Statement
For the six months ended June 30    
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
  Unaudited Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue         889,909         827,957
Cost of sales         (622,533)         (650,523)
Gross profit         267,376         177,434
Selling, general and administrative expenses         (89,780)         (74,496)
Other income, net         594         122
Net other operating income         594         122
Operating profit         178,190         103,060
Finance income         11,026         2,380
Finance cost         (24,925)         (23,510)
Net finance cost         (13,899)         (21,130)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures         (1,792)         (500)
Profit before income tax         162,499         81,430
Income tax expense         (62,479)         (21,667)
Profit for the period         100,020         59,763
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company         98,984         58,746
Non-controlling interests         1,036         1,017
Profit for the period         100,020         59,763
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share         3.08         1.84
Diluted earnings per share         3.01         1.81

 

 

AMG Critical Materials N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
In thousands of US dollars June 30, 2023 Unaudited December 31, 2022
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 851,805 797,611
Goodwill and other intangible assets 41,235 41,404
Derivative financial instruments 31,839 33,042
Equity-accounted investees 16,147         —
Other investments 31,339 29,324
Deferred tax assets 37,924 37,181
Restricted cash 381 5,875
Other assets 10,445 8,612
Total non-current assets         1,021,115         953,049
Inventories         252,435         277,311
Derivative financial instruments         2,412         3,516
Trade and other receivables         179,727         162,548
Other assets         117,828         121,834
Current tax assets         6,627         7,289
Restricted cash         1,059         1,045
Cash and cash equivalents         391,251         346,043
Total current assets         951,339         919,586
Total assets         1,972,454         1,872,635

 

AMG Critical Materials N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(continued)
In thousands of US dollars June 30, 2023 Unaudited December 31, 2022
Equity
Issued capital         853         853
Share premium         553,715         553,715
Treasury shares         (10,730)         (14,685)
Other reserves         (39,334)         (44,869)
Retained earnings (deficit)         90,543         (4,461)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company         595,047         490,553
Non-controlling interests         35,185         27,296
Total equity         630,232         517,849
Liabilities
Loans and borrowings         658,722         661,270
Lease liabilities         43,912         44,224
Employee benefits         127,827         117,160
Provisions         12,969         12,361
Deferred revenue         20,000         20,000
Other liabilities         3,931         15,009
Derivative financial instruments         191         284
Deferred tax liabilities         18,515         27,269
Total non-current liabilities         886,067         897,577
Loans and borrowings         5,778         15,164
Lease liabilities         4,892         4,710
Short-term bank debt         8,116         6,391
Deferred revenue         14,533         28,277
Other liabilities         71,088         69,917
Trade and other payables         245,889         240,101
Derivative financial instruments         2,711         7,746
Advance payments from customers         51,947         51,054
Current tax liability         38,778         23,548
Provisions         12,423         10,301
Total current liabilities         456,155         457,209
Total liabilities         1,342,222         1,354,786
Total equity and liabilities         1,972,454         1,872,635

 

AMG Critical Materials N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the six months ended June 30
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
  Unaudited Unaudited
Cash from operating activities
Profit for the period         100,020         59,763
Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash flows:
Non-cash:
Income tax expense         62,479         21,667
Depreciation and amortization         26,640         21,890
Asset impairment reversal         (767)         —
Net finance cost         13,899         21,130
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures         1,792         500
Loss on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment         35         33
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions         2,964         2,752
Movement in provisions, pensions, and government grants         8,104         (2,917)
Working capital and deferred revenue adjustments         3,901         (63,774)
Cash generated from operating activities         219,067         61,044
Finance costs paid, net         (9,716)         (12,153)
Income tax paid         (55,981)         (13,040)
Net cash from operating activities         153,370         35,851
Cash used in investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment         26         93
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangibles         (69,291)         (82,608)
Investments in associates and joint ventures         (17,939)         (500)
Use of restricted cash         5,480         51,252
Interest received on restricted cash         30         76
Capitalized borrowing cost paid         (8,366)         (8,321)
Other         (1)         8
Net cash used in investing activities         (90,061)         (40,000)

 

AMG Critical Materials N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(continued)
For the six months ended June 30
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
Unaudited Unaudited
Cash used in financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt         2,041         152
Repayment of borrowings         (12,755)         (8,437)
Net repurchase of common shares         (6,960)         (1,523)
Dividends paid         (14,087)         (10,098)
Payment of lease liabilities         (2,659)         (2,588)
Advanced contributions         14,000         —
Net cash used in financing activities         (20,420)         (22,494)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents         42,889         (26,643)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1         346,043         337,877
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held         2,319         (10,476)
Cash and cash equivalents at June 30         391,251         300,758

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG’s mission is to provide critical materials and related process technologies to advance a less carbon-intensive world. To this end, AMG is focused on the production and development of energy storage materials such as lithium, vanadium, and tantalum. In addition, AMG’s products include highly engineered systems to reduce CO2 in aerospace engines, as well as critical materials addressing CO2 reduction in a variety of other end use markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,600 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Critical Materials N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG Announces Results of the Annual General Meeting

Amsterdam, 4 May 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that during its Annual General Meeting held on May 4, 2023, shareholders approved all agenda items presented, including the reappointment of Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch as Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Management Board for an additional term of two years, with effect from May 4, 2023.

During the meeting, Professor Steve Hanke and Mr. Herb Depp were reappointed as independent members of the Supervisory Board for terms of two years each, beginning May 4, 2023.

Ms. Dagmar Bottenbruch has decided to step down from AMG’s Supervisory Board in view of other pressing priorities in her career, having served on AMG’s Supervisory Board since 2019. Given the vacancy created by the departure of Ms. Bottenbruch, Dr. Anne Roby was appointed as an independent member of the Supervisory Board for a term of four years beginning May 4, 2023.

Approval was also granted for the Company’s articles of association to be amended to accommodate the name change of the Company to ”AMG Critical Materials N.V.” The reason for the change from AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. is explained in the Letter to Shareholders of the 2022 Annual Report.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG’s mission is to provide critical materials and related process technologies to advance a less carbon-intensive world. To this end, AMG is focused on the production and development of energy storage materials such as lithium, vanadium, and tantalum. In addition, AMG’s products include highly engineered systems to reduce CO2 in aerospace engines, as well as critical materials addressing CO2 reduction in a variety of other end use markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,600 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

 

Attachment

AMG Announces Final 2022 Dividend

Amsterdam, 4 May 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that during the Annual General Meeting, held on May 4, 2023, AMG’s shareholders approved the payment of a dividend of €0.70 per ordinary share over the financial year 2022. The interim dividend of €0.30, paid on August 10, 2022, was deducted from the amount distributed to shareholders. The final dividend per ordinary share therefore amounts to €0.40.

Payment of the final dividend will be completed on or around May 11, 2023, to shareholders of record on May 9, 2023. The ex-dividend date is May 8, 2023. Dutch withholding tax will be deducted from the dividend at a rate of 15%.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG’s mission is to provide critical materials and related process technologies to advance a less carbon-intensive world. To this end, AMG is focused on the production and development of energy storage materials such as lithium, vanadium, and tantalum. In addition, AMG’s products include highly engineered systems to reduce CO2 in aerospace engines, as well as critical materials addressing CO2 reduction in a variety of other end use markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,600 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG’s Lithium Operations Continue to Drive Record Earnings

Amsterdam, 3 May 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) reported first quarter 2023 revenue of $451 million, a 12% increase versus the same period in 2022. First quarter 2023 EBITDA of $118 million was more than double the EBITDA of $55 million for the first three months of last year, and represents an all-time high for AMG’s quarterly EBITDA.

In 000’s US dollars Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22 Change
Revenue $450,590 $403,863         12%
EBITDA (1) 118,111 54,760         116%
Cash from (used in) operating activities 93,395 (3,654) N/A
Net income attributable to shareholders 56,221 29,115         93%
EPS – Fully diluted 1.72 0.89         93%
Return on Capital Employed         37.9%         19.8%

Note:
(1) EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “I am pleased to announce that AMG will change its name, subject to the approval of our shareholders in the upcoming Annual General Meeting, from AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. to AMG Critical Materials N.V. We have also achieved new record earnings and operating cash flow.

This is the third straight quarter in which AMG has exceeded $100 million of EBITDA. The $63 million, or 116%, EBITDA increase over the first quarter of 2022 was driven largely by our Clean Energy Materials segment, specifically AMG Lithium and its Brazil operation with an EBITDA contribution of $92 million.

AMG’s liquidity as of March 31, 2023 was $555 million, with $360 million of unrestricted cash and $195 million of revolving credit availability. The Company will pay its final 2022 declared dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share on or around May 11, 2023, to shareholders of record on May 9, 2023.

The record results are due to our recent expansion projects. The profitability going forward is also driven by the strategic projects coming on stream in 2023 and 2024, in particular our lithium concentrate expansion and our first lithium hydroxide refinery module in Bitterfeld. We thereby confirm our guidance for 2023 to exceed $400 million in EBITDA.”

Strategic Highlights

Lithium

  • The lithium concentrate production expansion project in AMG Brazil is progressing as planned.
  • AMG Lithium’s hydroxide refinery in Bitterfeld, Germany, Europe’s first, is under construction, with commissioning for the first 20,000-ton module expected in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • Regarding its development of solid state battery materials, AMG Lithium GmbH has engaged in a joint production with Fraunhofer Institute, Münster University, Wacker, and Schunk to develop next generation solid-state batteries based on lithium-sulfur technology. AMG Lithium will provide lithium sulfide and solid electrolytes for this project.
  • AMG has a 25% shareholding in Zinnwald Lithium PLC and is supporting the Zinnwald Board to accelerate the development of its lithium project in Eastern Germany.

Vanadium

  • The new vanadium spent catalyst recycling facility in Zanesville, Ohio, continues to progress, with the roaster operating at its design capacity and the melt shop targeting full production capacity later in the second quarter of this year.
  • AMG’s innovative lithium vanadium battery (“LIVA”) projects for industrial power management applications outlined at our Capital Markets Day are being executed as planned.
  • AMG has completed the expansion of its vanadium oxide (“V2O5”) production in Nuremberg, either using gasification ash or spent catalyst as alternative feed. V2O5 is increasingly destined for the LIVA battery market.
  • In January 2023, AMG started building a vanadium electrolyte plant at its subsidiary, AMG Titanium, in Nuremberg, Germany. The target capacity is 6,000 m³ vanadium electrolyte, which will serve the electricity storage market. Production is expected to start at the end of this year.
  • Shell & AMG Recycling B.V. (“SARBV”) continues to advance its projects in the Middle East including the first phase of the Supercenter project based on long-term supply agreements with ARAMCO. Front end engineering design for the first phase of the project, the conversion of gasification ash into V2O5, began in late 2022 and will be completed in the fourth quarter of 2023.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenue increased by 12% to $451 million in the first quarter of 2023 from $404 million in the first quarter of 2022.
  • EBITDA was $118 million in the first quarter of 2023, up 116% versus the first quarter 2022 EBITDA of $55 million.
  • Annualized return on capital employed was 37.9% for the first quarter of 2023, compared to 19.8% for the first three months of 2022.
  • Cash from operating activities was $93 million in the first quarter of 2023, an increase of $97 million over the same period in 2022.
  • Net income attributable to shareholders for the first three months of 2023 was $56 million, yielding $1.72 diluted earnings per share compared to $0.89 for the same period in 2022.
  • AMG’s liquidity as of March 31, 2023 was $555 million, with $360 million of unrestricted cash and $195 million of revolving credit availability.
  • The Company will pay its final 2022 declared dividend of €0.40 per ordinary share on or around May 11, 2023, to shareholders of record on May 9, 2023.

Key Figures

In 000’s US dollars
Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22 Change
Revenue $450,590 $403,863         12%
Gross profit 139,842 75,194         86%
Gross margin         31.0%         18.6%
Operating profit 100,023 37,814         165%
Operating margin         22.2%         9.4%
Net income attributable to shareholders 56,221 29,115         93%
EPS – Fully diluted 1.72 0.89         93%
EBIT (1) 105,144 44,233         138%
EBITDA (2) 118,111 54,760         116%
EBITDA margin         26.2%         13.6%
Cash from (used in) operating activities 93,395 (3,654) N/A

Notes:

(1) EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes. EBIT excludes restructuring, asset impairment, inventory cost adjustments, environmental provisions, exceptional legal expenses and other exceptional items, equity-settled share-based payments, and strategic expenses.
(2) EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Operational Review

AMG Clean Energy Materials

Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22 Change
Revenue $219,080 $143,659         53%
Gross profit 108,957 39,004         179%
Operating profit 95,643 28,219         239%
EBITDA 106,137 37,227         185%

AMG Clean Energy Materials’ revenue increased 53% compared to the first quarter of 2022, to $219 million, driven mainly by higher prices in tantalum and lithium concentrates, as well as increased sales volumes of vanadium and tantalum concentrate.

Gross profit for the quarter increased 179% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the increased price environment.

SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2023 were 23% higher than the same period in 2022, largely due to higher personnel costs and variable compensation expense mainly driven by the increase in headcount related to the lithium and vanadium expansion projects.

The first quarter 2023 EBITDA increased 185%, to $106 million, from $37 million in the first quarter of 2022, due to the improved gross profit as noted above.

During the first quarter of 2023, a total of 20,509 dry metric tons (“dmt”) of lithium concentrates was sold. The average realized sales price was $4,846/dmt CIF China for the quarter. The average cost per ton for the quarter was $338/dmt CIF China. This exceptional cost per ton result was driven by high sales volumes of tantalum concentrate in the quarter, and drove a quarterly EBITDA figure for AMG Brazil of $92 million.

AMG Critical Minerals

Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22 Change
Revenue $62,929 $106,909         (41%)
Gross profit 7,266 13,002         (44%)
Operating profit 635 5,647         (89%)
EBITDA 2,550 7,883         (68%)

AMG Critical Minerals’ revenue for the first quarter of 2023 decreased by $44 million, or 41%, to $63 million, mainly due to lower volumes across the segment which was primarily driven by the silicon metal plant care and maintenance plan for the first two months of 2023 prior to restarting and operating one furnace in March discussed in detail below. The segment also suffered from a slowdown in the European industrial economy.

Gross profit of $7 million in the first quarter was $6 million lower compared to the first quarter of 2022, largely due to the lower volumes in the first three months of this year.

SG&A expenses in the first quarter of 2023 decreased by 3%, to $7 million, compared to the same period in 2022. This was driven by lower personnel costs and variable compensation expense in the current quarter due to the interruptions in AMG Silicon’s operations earlier this quarter.

The first quarter 2023 EBITDA decreased 68% compared to the same period in 2022, to $3 million, due to the lower gross profit as noted above.

As of March 1, 2023, AMG’s silicon metal plant in Pocking, Germany, restarted operating one furnace. AMG Silicon is operating one furnace throughout the second quarter and plans to operate one furnace in the third quarter. The operational parameters of the silicon business will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be adjusted as appropriate in line with favorable and predictable market conditions. Due to the noted interruptions in silicon operations, the financial impact of the business will be excluded from EBITDA during this period of abnormal operations. However, AMG Silicon generated $11 million in cash flow from operating activities during the quarter driven by the receipt of energy sales made in the fourth quarter of 2022. The financial impact of the care and maintenance program does not significantly impact AMG’s overall projected 2023 financial results.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies

Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22 Change
Revenue $168,581 $153,295         10%
Gross profit 23,619 23,188         2%
Operating profit 3,745 3,948         (5%)
EBITDA 9,424 9,650         (2%)

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ first quarter 2023 revenue increased by $15 million, or 10%, compared to the same period in 2022. This improvement was driven by higher sales volumes of titanium alloys and chrome metal.

SG&A expenses increased by 3% in the first quarter of 2023 compared to the same period in 2022, due to an increase in personnel costs and higher variable compensation expense in the current quarter.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ EBITDA was $9 million during the quarter compared to $10 million in the same period of 2022. The slight decrease was due to lower sequential chrome prices in the first quarter, partially offset by stronger profitability from our Engineering business.

AMG Engineering signed $76 million in new orders during the first quarter of 2023, driven by strong orders of remelting, turbine blade and heat treatment furnaces, representing a 1.21x book to bill ratio. Order backlog was $237 million as of March 31, 2023, the highest since March 31, 2020.

Financial Review

Tax

AMG recorded an income tax expense of $36 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to a tax benefit of $1 million in the first quarter of 2022. This variance was mainly driven by higher profitability in AMG Lithium at its Brazil operation coupled with movements in the Brazilian real. The effects of the Brazilian real caused a $2 million tax expense in the first three months of 2023, compared to a $15 million benefit in the same period in 2022. Fluctuations in the Brazilian real exchange rate impact the valuation of the Company’s net deferred tax positions related to our operations in Brazil.

AMG paid taxes of $21 million in the first quarter of 2023, compared to tax payments of $4 million in the first quarter of 2022. The higher cash payments this quarter were largely a result of higher profitability in Brazil.

Exceptional Items

AMG’s first quarter 2023 gross profit includes exceptional items, which are not included in the calculation of EBITDA.

A summary of exceptional items included in gross profit in the first quarters of 2023 and 2022 are below:

Exceptional items included in gross profit

Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22 Change
Gross profit $139,842 $75,194 86%
Inventory cost adjustment 510 N/A
Restructuring (reversal) expense (263) 141 N/A
Asset impairment reversal (767) N/A
Silicon’s partial closure (156) N/A
Strategic project (reversal) expense (51) 2,265 N/A
Gross profit excluding exceptional items 139,115 77,600 79%

The asset impairment reversal during the first quarter of 2023 was due to an insurance recovery on previously impaired machinery and equipment.

SG&A

AMG’s first quarter 2023 SG&A expenses were $40 million compared to $37 million in the first quarter of 2022, with the increase largely attributable to higher personnel costs and variable compensation expense mainly driven by the increase in headcount related to the lithium and vanadium expansion projects in our Clean Energy Materials segment.

Liquidity

March 31, 2023 December 31, 2022 Change
Senior secured debt $339,061 $348,622         (3%)
Cash & cash equivalents 359,525 346,043         4%
Senior secured net (cash) debt         (20,464) 2,579 N/A
Other debt 14,801 14,959         (1%)
Net (cash) debt excluding municipal bond         (5,663) 17,538 N/A
Municipal bond debt 319,185 319,244         —%
Restricted cash 2,911 6,920         (58%)
Net debt 310,611 329,862         (6%)

AMG ended the quarter in a $311 million net debt position. This decrease versus year-end 2022 was mainly due to $10 million of debt repayment and higher unrestricted cash of $14 million, offset by the utilization of restricted cash associated with the municipal bond.

AMG continued to maintain a strong balance sheet and adequate sources of liquidity during the first quarter. As of March 31, 2023, the Company had $360 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $195 million available on its revolving credit facility. As such, AMG had $555 million of total liquidity as of March 31, 2023.

Net Finance Costs

AMG’s first quarter 2023 net finance cost was $7 million compared to $9 million in the first quarter of 2022. This variance was mainly driven by foreign exchange gains of $2 million during the quarter primarily due to non-cash intergroup balances.

AMG capitalized $2 million of interest costs in the first quarter of 2023 versus $4 million in the same period in 2022. This decrease is mainly driven by the interest associated with the expansion projects in AMG Lithium and Brazil operations compared to a higher capitalized interest associated with the Company’s tax-exempt municipal bond supporting the vanadium expansion in Ohio in prior year.

Outlook

AMG reaffirms its guidance for the full year 2023 to exceed $400 million EBITDA.

Regarding AMG’s 5-year guidance, the outstanding progress we have made with our strategic growth projects and given the compelling long-term supply and demand dynamics in the lithium market, we are issuing new guidance to achieve $650 million EBITDA, or more, in 5 years or earlier.

Profit for the period to adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

Q1 ‘23 Q1 ‘22
Profit for the period $56,447 $29,884
Income tax expense (benefit) 35,927 (1,489)
Net finance cost 6,617 8,919
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 1,469 1,380
Restructuring (reversal) expense (263) 141
Silicon’s partial closure 547
Inventory cost adjustment 510
Asset impairment reversal (767)
Strategic project expense (1) 3,625 4,796
Share of loss of associates 1,032 500
Others 102
EBIT 105,144 44,233
Depreciation and amortization 12,967 10,527
EBITDA 118,111 54,760

Notes:
(1) The Company is in the initial development and ramp-up phases for several strategic expansion projects, including AMG Vanadium’s expansion project, the joint venture with Shell, Hybrid Lithium Vanadium Redox Flow Battery System, and the lithium expansion in Germany, which incurred project expenses during the quarter but are not yet operational. AMG is adjusting EBITDA for these exceptional charges.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Income Statement
For the quarter ended March 31    
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
  Unaudited Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue 450,590 403,863
Cost of sales         (310,748)         (328,669)
Gross profit 139,842 75,194
Selling, general and administrative expenses         (40,360)         (37,462)
Other income, net 541 82
Net other operating income 541 82
Operating profit 100,023 37,814
Finance income 5,476 299
Finance cost         (12,093)         (9,218)
Net finance cost         (6,617)         (8,919)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures         (1,032)         (500)
Profit before income tax 92,374 28,395
Income tax (expense) benefit         (35,927) 1,489
Profit for the period 56,447 29,884
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 56,221 29,115
Non-controlling interests 226 769
Profit for the period 56,447 29,884
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share 1.76 0.91
Diluted earnings per share 1.72 0.89

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
In thousands of US dollars March 31, 2023 Unaudited December 31, 2022
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 833,444 797,611
Goodwill and other intangible assets 41,757 41,404
Derivative financial instruments 28,015 33,042
Other investments 46,213 29,324
Deferred tax assets 36,813 37,181
Restricted cash 1,860 5,875
Other assets 9,245 8,612
Total non-current assets 997,347 953,049
Inventories 266,214 277,311
Derivative financial instruments 2,951 3,516
Trade and other receivables 189,983 162,548
Other assets 116,434 121,834
Current tax assets 7,912 7,289
Restricted cash 1,051 1,045
Cash and cash equivalents 359,525 346,043
Total current assets 944,070 919,586
Total assets 1,941,417 1,872,635

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(continued)
In thousands of US dollars March 31, 2023 Unaudited December 31, 2022
Equity
Issued capital 853 853
Share premium 553,715 553,715
Treasury shares         (10,730)         (14,685)
Other reserves         (43,449)         (44,869)
Retained earnings (deficit) 60,898         (4,461)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company 561,287 490,553
Non-controlling interests 34,376 27,296
Total equity 595,663 517,849
Liabilities
Loans and borrowings 660,246 661,270
Lease liabilities 44,020 44,224
Employee benefits 118,734 117,160
Provisions 12,512 12,361
Deferred revenue 20,000 20,000
Other liabilities 4,157 15,009
Derivative financial instruments 171 284
Deferred tax liabilities 25,777 27,269
Total non-current liabilities 885,617 897,577
Loans and borrowings 5,948 15,164
Lease liabilities 4,720 4,710
Short-term bank debt 6,853 6,391
Deferred revenue 37,719 28,277
Other liabilities 68,572 69,917
Trade and other payables 231,407 240,101
Derivative financial instruments 4,705 7,746
Advance payments from customers 44,446 51,054
Current tax liability 41,343 23,548
Provisions 14,424 10,301
Total current liabilities 460,137 457,209
Total liabilities 1,345,754 1,354,786
Total equity and liabilities 1,941,417 1,872,635

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the quarter ended March 31
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
  Unaudited Unaudited
Cash from (used in) operating activities
Profit for the period 56,447 29,884
Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash flows:
Non-cash:
Income tax expense (benefit) 35,927         (1,489)
Depreciation and amortization 12,967 10,527
Asset impairment reversal         (767)         —
Net finance cost 6,617 8,919
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures 1,032 500
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment 9         (55)
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 1,469 1,380
Movement in provisions, pensions, and government grants 2,755         (1,685)
Working capital and deferred revenue adjustments 4,905         (41,819)
Cash generated from operating activities 121,361 6,162
Finance costs paid, net         (7,012)         (5,917)
Income tax paid         (20,954)         (3,899)
Net cash from (used in) operating activities 93,395         (3,654)
Cash used in investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment         — 59
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangibles         (44,718)         (43,763)
Investments in associates and joint ventures         (17,500)         (500)
Use of restricted cash 4,009 31,295
Interest received on restricted cash 19 9
Capitalized borrowing cost paid         (5,739)         (7,886)
Other 3 8
Net cash used in investing activities         (63,926) (20,778)

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(continued)
For the quarter ended March 31
In thousands of US dollars 2023 2022
Unaudited Unaudited
Cash used in financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt 423 1,835
Repayment of borrowings         (10,750)         (1,718)
Net repurchase of common shares         (6,672)         (1,523)
Payment of lease liabilities         (1,316) (1,291)
Net cash used in financing activities         (18,315)         (2,697)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 11,154         (27,129)
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 346,043 337,877
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held 2,328         (2,266)
Cash and cash equivalents at March 31 359,525 308,482

 

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO2 reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,600 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Announces Finalization of 25% Shareholding in Zinnwald Lithium Plc

Amsterdam, 23 March 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that Zinnwald Lithium Plc (“Zinnwald”) (ZNWD, AIM) will issue 118,996,738 newly issued ordinary shares to AMG for a total subscription amount of £12,387,560.40 resulting in a 25.13% shareholding.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About Zinnwald

Zinnwald is an AIM quoted, lithium development company focused on becoming an important supplier to Europe’s fast-growing battery sector. The Company owns the integrated Zinnwald Lithium Project in Germany, a development-stage project with attractive economics and approved mining licence. A PEA published in September 2022, highlighted the positive economics of the Project with a Pre-tax NPV8 of US$1,605m, IRR of 39.0%, $192m EBITDA and a payback of just 3.3 years. The Project is located in the heart of Europe’s chemical and automotive industries and has the potential to be one of Europe’s more advanced battery grade lithium projects.

About AMG

AMG’s mission is to provide critical materials and related process technologies to advance a less carbon-intensive world. To this end, AMG is focused on the production and development of energy storage materials such as lithium, vanadium, and tantalum. In addition, AMG’s products include highly engineered systems to reduce CO2 in aerospace engines, as well as critical materials addressing CO2 reduction in a variety of other end use markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,400 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Announces 25% Shareholding in Zinnwald Lithium Plc

Amsterdam, 22 March 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) is pleased to announce that it has agreed with Zinnwald Lithium Plc (“Zinnwald”) (ZNWD, AIM) to subscribe for up to 124 million newly issued ordinary shares as a cornerstone investor to Zinnwald’s accelerated book build. The shares will be subscribed for at a 10% premium to the 20-day Volume Weighted Average Price (“VWAP”) as of the close of market on March 20, 2023, that is, a price of 10.41 pence per share. Upon admission of the newly issued ordinary shares, expected on March 29, AMG will become a 25% shareholder of Zinnwald.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, AMG’s CEO, commented, “AMG’s investment in Zinnwald is a valuable strategic opportunity. As a partner with Zinnwald, together we will pursue a definitive feasibility study for their project in Eastern Germany. Establishing a raw material base in Germany close to our Bitterfeld operations has obvious logistical and strategic benefits for AMG, and we look forward to working with Zinnwald on this exciting project.”

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About Zinnwald

Zinnwald is an AIM quoted, lithium development company focused on becoming an important supplier to Europe’s fast-growing battery sector. The Company owns the integrated Zinnwald Lithium Project in Germany, a development-stage project with attractive economics and approved mining licence. A PEA published in September 2022, highlighted the positive economics of the Project with a Pre-tax NPV8 of US$1,605m, IRR of 39.0%, $192m EBITDA and a payback of just 3.3 years. The Project is located in the heart of Europe’s chemical and automotive industries and has the potential to be one of Europe’s more advanced battery grade lithium projects.

About AMG

AMG’s mission is to provide critical materials and related process technologies to advance a less carbon-intensive world. To this end, AMG is focused on the production and development of energy storage materials such as lithium, vanadium, and tantalum. In addition, AMG’s products include highly engineered systems to reduce CO2 in aerospace engines, as well as critical materials addressing CO2 reduction in a variety of other end use markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,400 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG’s Low-Cost Lithium Operations Drive AMG to Record-Setting Full Year Earnings

Amsterdam, 22 February 2023 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) reported fourth quarter 2022 revenue of $390 million, an 18% increase versus the fourth quarter of 2021. Fourth quarter 2022 EBITDA of $104 million was more than double the fourth quarter of 2021, and drove AMG to a record-setting full year EBITDA of $343 million.

In 000’s US dollars FY ‘22 FY ‘21 Change
Revenue $1,642,774 $1,204,666         36%
EBITDA (1) 342,550 136,676         151%
Cash from operating activities 167,567 90,788 85%
Net income attributable to shareholders 187,589 13,771
EPS – Fully diluted 5.73 0.44
Return on Capital Employed         30.8%         11.9%

Note:
(1)   EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “AMG’s full year 2022 EBITDA, revenue, gross profit, operating cash flows, return on capital employed, and net income were the highest in the company’s history by significant margins. This result is due to the AMG Clean Energy Materials segment, specifically AMG Lithium and its Brazil operation with an EBITDA contribution of $215 million, or 63% of the total EBITDA for the year. Moreover, AMG exceeded $100 million of EBITDA for the second straight quarter. EBITDA for the fourth quarter of 2022 was $104 million compared to $44 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, an increase of $60 million, or 137%. Our Enabling CO2 Reduction Portfolio (ECO2RP) in 2022 enabled 99.4 million tons of CO2 reduction, 26% more than the 79.0 million tons of enabled CO2 reduction in 2021.”

Outlook

AMG reaffirms its guidance for the full year 2023 to exceed $400 million EBITDA.

AMG anticipates the Company will increase overall staffing from about 3,400 at the end of 2022 by 5% due to the hiring associated with the ramp-up of the vanadium expansion in Ohio and the lithium expansion in Germany.

Capital expenditures for 2023 are expected to be between $175 million and $200 million, mainly driven by the lithium concentrate expansion in Brazil and expenditures related to the construction of the lithium hydroxide plant in Germany.

With regard to financing in 2023, AMG refinanced its $350 million term loan and $200 million revolver in November 2021, extending revolver and term loan maturities to 2026 and 2028, respectively. AMG has no significant near-term debt maturities. And although we look to consistently optimize our financial structure, our current liquidity of $532 million can fully fund all of the approved capital expansion projects and all other financial obligations.

In addition, we reaffirm our two-pronged commitment to reduce our CO2 emissions and increase our enabled CO2 savings through 2030.

Strategic Highlights

Lithium

  • The spodumene production expansion project in AMG Brazil is progressing. The project will solidify AMG’s low-cost position. The objective is to be at full capacity in the second half of 2023.
  • The AMG Lithium refinery in Bitterfeld, Germany, Europe’s first lithium hydroxide refinery, is under construction, and commissioning for the first 20,000-ton module of the battery-grade lithium hydroxide upgrader will commence in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • AMG Lithium has signed a non-binding memorandum of understanding with FREYR Battery, the basis of which is for AMG Lithium to supply FREYR between 3,000 to 5,000 tons per annum of battery-grade lithium hydroxide.
  • AMG Brazil, JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (“JXNMM”) and TANIOBIS GmbH announced a strategic partnership in December 2022 for the production and supply of tantalum concentrate from AMG’s Mibra Mine in Brazil. JXNMM will invest in the expansion of tantalum concentrate production that is occurring in combination with AMG’s already announced expansion of spodumene capacity. All tantalum pre-concentrate will be sold to TANIOBIS, providing long-term stability in tantalum sales and corresponding by-product credits to lithium production costs for AMG Brazil.

Vanadium

  • AMG finalized the completion of the new vanadium spent catalyst recycling facility in Zanesville, Ohio. Operations began on October 29, 2022, and we are targeting full production capacity in the second quarter of 2023.
  • Shell & AMG Recycling B.V. (“SARBV”) is advancing its projects in the Middle East, in particular the first phase of the Supercenter project based on long-term supply agreements with Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Aramco”). Plant design optimization, site selection and permitting activities are progressing and the FEL3 partnering with Hatch began in December 2022.
  • AMG LIVA put its first industrial battery – the Hybrid Energy Storage System (“HESS”) – into fully automatic operation mode in AMG Graphite’s plant in Hauzenberg in November 2022.
  • AMG LIVA sold its first HESS to a third party in December 2022 to Wipotec GmbH, a leading global provider of intelligent weighing and inspection technology located in Southern Germany. The battery will be integrated into the facility’s power system.
  • In January 2023, AMG approved building a vanadium electrolyte plant at its subsidiary, AMG Titanium, in Nuremberg, Germany. The target capacity is 6,000 m³ vanadium electrolyte. Basic engineering for the plant was completed in November, CAPEX is expected to be $15 million, and production is expected to start at the end of 2023.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenue increased by 18% to $390 million in the fourth quarter of 2022 from $330 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. On a full year basis, revenue increased by 36%.
  • EBITDA was $104 million in the fourth quarter of 2022, up 137% versus the fourth quarter 2021 EBITDA of $44 million. Full year EBITDA of $343 million is 151% higher than the prior year.
  • Annualized return on capital employed was 30.8% for 2022, more than double the 11.9% for 2021.
  • Cash flow from operations was $168 million for full year 2022, compared to $91 million in 2021, driven by the high profitability of AMG Lithium in Brazil.
  • Net income attributable to shareholders for full year 2022 was $188 million, yielding $5.73 diluted earnings per share compared to $0.44 in 2021.
  • AMG’s liquidity as of December 31, 2022 was $532 million, with $346 million of unrestricted cash and $186 million of revolving credit availability.
  • The total 2022 dividend proposed is €0.70 per ordinary share, including the interim dividend of €0.30, paid on August 10, 2022.

Key Figures

In 000’s US dollars
Q4 ‘22 Q4 ‘21 Change FY ‘22 FY ‘21 Change
Revenue $390,004 $330,360         18% $1,642,774 $1,204,666         36%
Gross profit 119,981 61,797         94% 409,486 208,243         97%
Gross margin         30.8%         18.7%         24.9%         17.3%
Operating profit 82,319 22,295         269% 307,059 57,141         437%
Operating margin         21.1%         6.7%         18.7%         4.7%
Net income
attributable to
shareholders
60,697 5,705         964% 187,589 13,771         1,262%
EPS – Fully diluted 1.85 0.18         928% 5.73 0.44         1,202%
EBIT (1) 91,719 32,678         181% 297,251 92,991         220%
EBITDA (2) 104,061 43,885         137% 342,550 136,676         151%
EBITDA margin         26.7%         13.3%         20.9%         11.3%
Cash from
operating activities
56,969 30,225         88% 167,567 90,788         85%

Notes:

(1)   EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes. EBIT excludes restructuring, asset impairment, inventory cost adjustments, environmental provisions, exceptional legal expenses and other exceptional items, equity-settled share-based payments, and strategic expenses.
(2)   EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Operational Review

AMG Clean Energy Materials

Q4 ‘22 Q4 ‘21 Change FY ‘22 FY ‘21 Change
Revenue $176,065 $115,405         53% $667,804 $381,475         75%
Gross profit 81,583 27,950         192% 267,862 75,095         257%
Gross profit before
non-recurring items
82,784 29,038         185% 273,417 80,264         241%
Operating profit 69,779 16,301         328% 222,590 22,476         890%
EBITDA 80,347 25,753         212% 259,480 66,622         289%

AMG Clean Energy Materials’ revenue increased 53% compared to the fourth quarter of 2021, to $176 million, driven mainly by higher prices in vanadium, tantalum and lithium concentrates, as well as increased sales volumes of vanadium and tantalum concentrate. The higher prices and volumes in 2022 propelled revenue for the segment 75% higher than in 2021.

Gross profit before non-recurring items for the quarter increased 185% compared to the same period in the prior year. The segment’s full year 2022 gross profit before non-recurring items grew 241% compared to 2021, primarily due to the increased price environment.

SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 were in line with the same period in 2021 at $12 million. Full year 2022 SG&A expenses were 11% higher than in 2021, largely due to increased professional fees associated with strategic projects during 2022 offset by lower share-based compensation.

The fourth quarter 2022 EBITDA increased 212%, to $80 million, from $26 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, due to the improved gross profit as noted above. The segment’s full year 2022 EBITDA of $259 million was 289% higher than the 2021 EBITDA, largely driven by the lithium business. Vanadium profitability was impacted in the fourth quarter of 2022 by a sequential drop in index prices of 16% from the third quarter and the impact of start-up costs for Zanesville.

During the fourth quarter of 2022, a total of 21,329 dry metric tons (“dmt”) of spodumene was sold. The average realized sales price was $3,682/dmt CIF China for the quarter. The average cost per ton for the quarter was $228/dmt CIF China. This exceptional cost per ton result was driven by high sales volumes of tantalum concentrate in the quarter, and drove a quarterly EBITDA figure for AMG Brazil of $73 million.

For the full year 2022, a total of 86,713 dmt of spodumene was sold. The average realized sales price was $2,805/dmt CIF China and the average cost per ton for the full year was $461/dmt CIF China. Total EBITDA for AMG Brazil was $215 million.

AMG Critical Minerals

Q4 ‘22 Q4 ‘21 Change FY ‘22 FY ‘21 Change
Revenue $69,242 $79,422         (13%) $364,502 $308,523         18%
Gross profit 19,017 11,189         70% 46,721 48,735         (4%)
Gross profit before
non-recurring items
18,641 11,379         64% 57,928 48,690         19%
Operating profit 10,961 2,584         324% 63,995 20,181         217%
EBITDA 14,001 6,459         117% 38,280 31,200         23%

AMG Critical Minerals’ revenue for the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased by $10 million, or 13%, to $69 million, mainly due to lower volumes across the segment. On a full year basis, revenue increased by 18% compared to 2021.

Gross profit before non-recurring items of $19 million in the fourth quarter was 64% higher compared to the fourth quarter of 2021. The segment’s full year 2022 gross profit before non-recurring items was 19% higher than in 2021, largely driven by the improved price environment and favorable energy contracts for silicon production in the fourth quarter.

SG&A expenses in the fourth quarter of 2022 decreased by 20%, to $7 million, compared to the same period in 2021. This was largely driven by lower share-based compensation expense in the current quarter associated with a reversal recorded in the prior year. Full year 2022 SG&A expenses were slightly lower than 2021 by $0.6 million.

The fourth quarter 2022 EBITDA increased 117% compared to the same period in 2021, to $14 million, due to improved gross profit as noted above and favorable energy contracts at AMG Silicon in the quarter. Improved prices during 2022 led to a 23% increase in full year EBITDA for the segment compared to 2021.

Effective January 1, 2023, AMG placed its silicon metal plant in Pocking, Germany, on care and maintenance. The plant will restart and operate one furnace in March of 2023. The operational parameters of the silicon business will continue to be reviewed on an ongoing basis and will be adjusted as appropriate in line with favorable and predictable market conditions. Due to the noted interruptions in silicon operations, the financial impact of the business will be excluded from EBITDA during this period of abnormal operations. The financial impact of the care and maintenance program does not significantly impact AMG’s overall projected 2023 financial results.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies

Q4 ‘22 Q4 ‘21 Change FY ‘22 FY ‘21 Change
Revenue $144,697 $135,533         7% $610,468 $514,668         19%
Gross profit 19,381 22,658         (14%) 94,903 84,413         12%
Gross profit before
non-recurring items
20,745 22,388         (7%) 96,449 84,309         14%
Operating profit 1,579 3,410         (54%) 20,474 14,484         41%
EBITDA 9,713 11,673         (17%) 44,790 38,854         15%

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ fourth quarter 2022 revenue increased by $9 million, or 7%, compared to the same period in 2021. This improvement was driven by higher sales volumes of titanium aluminides and higher prices for chrome metal. Full year 2022 revenue was 19% higher than the prior year and gross profit before non-recurring items for 2022 of $96 million was 14% higher than the $84 million in 2021, due largely to the improved price environment versus the prior year associated with the continued recovery of the aerospace market post pandemic.

During the first half of the year, market disruptions associated with the Russian invasion of Ukraine impacted the chrome metal supply chain, creating a dramatic increase in the price of raw materials and limited availability. To protect against operational interruptions, the Company secured additional raw material volumes at market conditions at fixed prices. In the fourth quarter, the disruptions to the supply chain were alleviated and the prices fell dramatically. This resulted in the company’s chrome margins being negatively impacted in the fourth quarter and an inventory write-down of $1.6 million.

SG&A expenses decreased by 7% in the fourth quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, due to lower share-based expense in the current quarter associated with a reversal in the prior year.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ EBITDA was $10 million during the quarter compared to $12 million in the same period of 2021. The decrease is due to the chrome market dislocation noted above, offset by stronger profitability from our Engineering business. Full year 2022 EBITDA for the segment of $45 million was 15% higher than 2021. This was primarily due to the continued recovery in the aerospace sector in 2022.

AMG Engineering signed $67 million in new orders during the fourth quarter of 2022, driven by strong orders of turbine blade and induction furnaces, representing a 1.28x book to bill ratio. In January 2023, the Company’s strong order intake continued with $44 million in new orders, mainly due to turbine blade coater sales. Order backlog was $220 million as of December 31, 2022, the highest since March 31, 2020.

Financial Review

Tax

AMG recorded an income tax expense of $84 million in 2022, compared to $9 million in 2021. This variance was mainly driven by enhanced operating results in AMG Lithium at its Brazil operation coupled with movements in the Brazilian real. The effects of the Brazilian real caused a $7 million benefit in 2022, compared to a $4 million tax benefit in 2021. Fluctuations in the Brazilian real exchange rate impact the valuation of the Company’s net deferred tax positions related to our operations in Brazil.

AMG paid taxes of $42 million in 2022, compared to tax payments of $10 million in 2021. The higher cash payments in 2022 were largely a result of improved operating results.

Exceptional Items

AMG’s fourth quarter and full year 2022 gross profit includes exceptional items, which are not included in the calculation of EBITDA.

A summary of exceptional items included in gross profit in 2022 and 2021 are below:

Exceptional items included in gross profit

Q4 ‘22 Q4 ‘21 Change FY ‘22 FY ‘21 Change
Gross profit $119,981 $61,797         94% $409,486 $208,243         97%
Inventory cost adjustment         1,589         — N/A         1,589         1,164         37%
Restructuring expense (reversal)         389         (140) N/A         582         522         11%
Asset impairment (reversal) expense         (990)         153 N/A         10,597         (711) N/A
Strategic project expense         1,201         1,501         (20%)         5,540         4,045         37%
Others         —         (506) N/A         —         — N/A
Gross profit excluding exceptional items 122,170 62,805         95% 427,794 213,263         101%

Energy Costs

Total energy costs were $16 million higher in 2022 versus 2021 due to the increases in gas and electricity costs during the year. The majority of this increase was at our silicon business in Germany, but that business benefited from fully hedged power costs. Other business units benefited from long-term electricity contracts that have no price escalation clauses, and the business units that did experience energy cost increases were able to pass through most of these increased costs to their customers.

SG&A

AMG’s fourth quarter 2022 SG&A expenses were $37 million compared to $40 million in the fourth quarter of 2021, with the decrease due to lower share-based compensation expense associated with a reversal in the prior year.

Full year 2022 SG&A expenses were $148 million, 6% higher than in 2021, with the variance due to increased professional fees associated with strategic projects during the current period, offset by lower share-based compensation expense.

Liquidity

December 31, 2022 December 31, 2021 Change
Senior secured debt $348,622 $371,897         (6%)
Cash & cash equivalents 346,043 337,877         2%
Senior secured net debt 2,579 34,020         (92%)
Other debt 14,959 24,398         (39%)
Net debt excluding municipal bond 17,538 58,418         (70%)
Municipal bond debt 319,244 319,476         —%
Restricted cash 6,920 93,434         (93%)
Net debt 329,862 284,460         16%

AMG ended the year in a $330 million net debt position. This increase was mainly due to the significant investment in growth initiatives during the year, particularly at our Zanesville facility, which utilized the restricted cash associated with the municipal bond. This use of restricted cash was offset by $34 million of debt repayment and higher unrestricted cash.

AMG continued to maintain a strong balance sheet and adequate sources of liquidity during the fourth quarter. As of December 31, 2022, the Company had $346 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $186 million available on its revolving credit facility. As such, AMG had $532 million of total liquidity as of December 31, 2022.

Net Finance Costs

AMG’s fourth quarter 2022 net finance income was $4 million compared to a cost of $13 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. This variance was mainly driven by foreign exchange gains of $10 million during the quarter primarily due to non-cash intergroup balances.

AMG capitalized $1 million of interest costs in the fourth quarter of 2022 versus $4 million in the same period in 2021, driven by interest associated with the Company’s tax-exempt municipal bond supporting the vanadium expansion in Ohio. This decrease is due to a portion of the municipal bond interest costs which are no longer being capitalized due to the ramp-up of production at our Zanesville facility.

Final Dividend Proposal

AMG intends to declare a dividend of €0.70 per ordinary share over the financial year 2022. The interim dividend of €0.30, paid on August 10, 2022, will be deducted from the amount to be distributed to shareholders. The proposed final dividend per ordinary share therefore amounts to €0.40.

A proposal to resolve upon the final dividend distribution will be included on the agenda for the Annual General Meeting to be held on May 4, 2023.
Profit for the period to adjusted EBITDA reconciliation

Q4 ‘22 Q4 ‘21 FY ‘22 FY ‘21
Profit for the period $62,669 $4,139 $190,771 $13,779
Income tax expense 23,827 5,293 84,097 8,707
Net finance (income) cost (4,177) 12,644 30,941 33,602
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 1,414 6,883 5,552 10,206
Restructuring expense (reversal) 389 (140) 582 522
Net contract settlements (1) 971 (45,436)
Inventory cost adjustment 1,589 1,589 1,164
Asset impairment (reversal) expense (1) (990) 153 10,597 (711)
Environmental provision 143 230 133 11,941
Strategic project expense (2) 5,885 3,769 17,070 12,157
Share of loss of associates 219 1,250 1,053
Others (1) (512) 105 571
EBIT 91,719 32,678 297,251 92,991
Depreciation and amortization 12,342 11,207 45,299 43,685
EBITDA 104,061 43,885 342,550 136,676

Notes:
(1)   Associated with the silicon metal shutdown, AMG recorded income from the sale of an existing supply contract which positively impacted operating profit for the year. This income was offset by a settlement with a major customer and an impairment of existing assets.
(2)   The Company is in the initial development and ramp-up phases for several strategic expansion projects, including AMG Vanadium’s expansion project, the joint venture with Shell, Hybrid Lithium Vanadium Redox Flow Battery System, and the lithium expansion in Germany, which incurred project expenses during the quarter but are not yet operational. AMG is adjusting EBITDA for these exceptional charges.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Consolidated Income Statement
For the quarter ended December 31    
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
  Unaudited Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue         390,004         330,360
Cost of sales         (270,023)         (268,563)
Gross profit         119,981         61,797
Selling, general and administrative expenses         (36,579)         (39,501)
Environmental expense         (143)         (230)
Other expenses         (940)         —
Other income         —         229
Net other operating expense         (1,083)         (1)
Operating profit         82,319         22,295
Finance income         5,459         1,107
Finance cost         (1,282)         (13,751)
Net finance income (cost)         4,177         (12,644)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures                  (219)
Profit before income tax         86,496         9,432
Income tax expense         (23,827)         (5,293)
Profit for the period         62,669         4,139
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company         60,697         5,705
Non-controlling interests         1,972         (1,566)
Profit for the period         62,669         4,139
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share         1.90         0.18
Diluted earnings per share         1.85         0.18
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Consolidated Income Statement
For the year ended December 31    
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
  Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue         1,642,774         1,204,666
Cost of sales         (1,233,288)         (996,423)
Gross profit         409,486         208,243
Selling, general and administrative expenses         (147,963)         (139,576)
Environmental expense         (133)         (11,941)
Other expenses         (14,411)         —
Other income         60,080         415
Net other operating income (expense)         45,536         (11,526)
Operating profit         307,059 57,141
Finance income         9,061         1,938
Finance cost         (40,002)         (35,540)
Net finance cost         (30,941)         (33,602)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures         (1,250)         (1,053)
Profit before income tax         274,868         22,486
Income tax expense         (84,097)         (8,707)
Profit for the period         190,771         13,779
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company         187,589         13,771
Non-controlling interests         3,182         8
Profit for the period         190,771         13,779
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share         5.87         0.44
Diluted earnings per share         5.73         0.44
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
In thousands of US dollars December 31, 2022 Unaudited December 31, 2021
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 797,611 693,624
Goodwill and other intangible assets 41,404 44,684
Derivative financial instruments 33,042 95
Other investments 29,324 29,830
Deferred tax assets 37,181 52,937
Restricted cash 5,875 85,023
Other assets 8,612 8,471
Total non-current assets         953,049         914,664
Inventories         277,311         218,320
Derivative financial instruments         3,516         4,056
Trade and other receivables         162,548         145,435
Other assets         121,834         65,066
Current tax assets         7,289         5,888
Restricted cash         1,045         8,411
Cash and cash equivalents         346,043         337,877
Total current assets         919,586         785,053
Total assets         1,872,635         1,699,717
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(continued)
In thousands of US dollars December 31, 2022 Unaudited December 31, 2021
Equity
Issued capital         853         853
Share premium         553,715         553,715
Treasury shares (14,685) (16,596)
Other reserves (44,869) (96,421)
Retained earnings (deficit) (4,461) (173,117)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company         490,553         268,434
Non-controlling interests         27,296         25,718
Total equity         517,849         294,152
Liabilities
Loans and borrowings         661,270         675,384
Lease liabilities         44,224         45,692
Employee benefits         117,160         162,628
Provisions         12,361         14,298
Deferred revenue         20,000         22,341
Other liabilities         15,009         11,098
Derivative financial instruments         284         2,064
Deferred tax liabilities         27,269         5,617
Total non-current liabilities         897,577         939,122
Loans and borrowings         15,164         27,341
Lease liabilities         4,710         4,857
Short-term bank debt         6,391         13,046
Deferred revenue         28,277         18,478
Other liabilities         69,917         80,672
Trade and other payables         240,101         252,765
Derivative financial instruments         7,746         6,010
Advance payments from customers         51,054         35,091
Current tax liability         23,548         10,586
Provisions         10,301         17,597
Total current liabilities         457,209         466,443
Total liabilities         1,354,786         1,405,565
Total equity and liabilities         1,872,635         1,699,717
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the year ended December 31
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
  Unaudited
Cash from operating activities
Profit for the period         190,771         13,779
Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash flows:
Non-cash:
Income tax expense         84,097         8,707
Depreciation and amortization         45,299         43,685
Asset impairment expense (reversal)         10,597         (711)
Net finance cost         30,941         33,602
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures         1,250         1,053
Gain on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment         (592)         (65)
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions         5,552         10,028
Movement in provisions, pensions, and government grants         (11,982)         (10,184)
Working capital and deferred revenue adjustments1         (123,281)         22,747
Cash generated from operating activities         232,652         122,641
Finance costs paid, net         (23,289)         (21,950)
Income tax paid         (41,796)         (9,903)
Net cash from operating activities         167,567         90,788
Cash used in investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment         2,538         1,029
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangibles         (174,516)         (162,240)
Acquisitions of subsidiaries         —         (458)
Investments in associates and joint ventures         (1,250) (1,000)
Use of restricted cash         86,514         115,485
Interest received on restricted cash         250         39
Capitalized borrowing cost paid         (16,652)         (15,838)
Other         12         30
Net cash used in investing activities         (103,104) (62,953)

(1) Includes outstanding receivables related to silicon energy credits.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(continued)
For the year ended December 31
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
Unaudited
Cash (used in) from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt         82         352,152
Payment of transaction costs related to debt         —         (7,630)
Repayment of borrowings         (33,863)         (342,781)
Proceeds from issuance of common shares         —         123,627
Net repurchase of common shares         (1,523)         (2,058)
Dividends paid         (19,885)         (7,598)
Payment of lease liabilities         (5,101) (5,313)
Advanced contributions         11,000         —
Contributions by non-controlling interests         —         667
Net cash (used in) from financing activities         (49,290)         111,066
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents         15,173         138,901
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1         337,877         207,366
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held         (7,007)         (8,390)
Cash and cash equivalents at December 31         346,043         337,877

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO2 reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,400 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

Attachment

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. Announces Tantalum Strategic Partnership with Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation

Amsterdam, 22 December 2022 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”) announces strategic partnership between AMG Brasil SA, JX Nippon Mining & Metals Corporation (“JXNMM”) and TANIOBIS GmbH for the production and supply of tantalum concentrate from AMG’s Mibra Mine located in the state of Minas Gerais in Brazil. JXNMM will invest in the expansion of tantalum concentrate production that is occurring in combination with AMG’s already announced expansion of spodumene capacity. All tantalum pre-concentrate will be processed at Mibra Mine and subsequently sold to TANIOBIS.

This partnership achieves greater vertical integration in tantalum for JXNMM and provides long-term stability in tantalum sales and corresponding by-product credits to lithium production costs for AMG Brasil.

“This agreement strengthens and builds upon the long-standing relationship between AMG Brasil, a renowned producer of conflict-free tantalum ore, and TANIOBIS, a global leading supplier of high-quality tantalum powders. I am excited to partner with JX Nippon Mining and Metals, and I believe this is the first step in the development of other mutually beneficial opportunities,” said Fabiano Costa, President of AMG Brasil SA.

“This partnership in tantalum business will further contribute a stable supply of advanced materials to the market with a transparent supply chain, as well as strengthen the partners’ integral business relationship in tantalum value chain,” said Nobuharu Masaki, Executive Officer, General Manager of Mineral Resources Division of JXNMM.

“Through our strong partnership among AMG Brasil, JXNMM, and TANIOBIS, we can fulfil our mission to enhance the stable supply of tantalum to the market. At the same time, we believe we can develop our overall tantalum relevant market with the steady growth in order to serve for the better world. I am really excited to go for our joint journey together with a great partner such as AMG Brasil,” said Kazuyuki Marukawa, Vice Chairman of TANIOBIS GmbH.

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO2 reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.        +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

 

Attachment

Lithium Performance Drives AMG to All-time Record Earnings and Increased Full Year Guidance

Amsterdam, 2 November 2022 (Regulated Information) AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. (“AMG”, EURONEXT AMSTERDAM: “AMG”), a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO2 reduction trends, reported third quarter 2022 revenue of $425 million, a 36% increase versus the third quarter of 2021. Third quarter 2022 EBITDA of $103 million was the highest in AMG’s history, and a 210% increase versus the third quarter of 2021.

Dr. Heinz Schimmelbusch, Chairman of the Management Board and CEO, said, “This outstanding result was largely driven by AMG Lithium. The continued strength in both lithium demand and our low-cost position led to improved profitability in AMG Lithium in Brazil. The mission of AMG Lithium is to be the number one producer of electric vehicle battery materials in Europe by expanding production of battery-grade hydroxide, vertically integrating its Brazilian spodumene production and pursuing additional mineral resources.”

Outlook

Given the strong performance to date and the visibility into year end, AMG is increasing its EBITDA guidance for the full year 2022 to $320 million or higher, from a previous range of between $280 million and $300 million.

Important parameters for 2023 guidance are first and foremost the startup of the expanded production of lithium concentrate in Brazil in the second half of 2023; the market conditions primarily in lithium; and the ramp-up of the Zanesville refinery to full production. In view of this, AMG’s EBITDA guidance for 2023 is to exceed $400 million. It is important to note that since the increase of spodumene production will occur in the latter half of the year, 2023 EBITDA development will be back-end weighted.

Strategic Highlights

Lithium

  • The project to expand the spodumene production in AMG Brazil is under construction. The objective is to be at full capacity in the second half of 2023.
  • The AMG Lithium refinery in Bitterfeld, Germany, Europe’s first lithium hydroxide refinery, is under construction, and commissioning for the first 20,000-ton module of the battery-grade lithium hydroxide upgrader will commence in the fourth quarter of 2023.
  • AMG Lithium’s battery-grade hydroxide refinery has signed a binding supply agreement with EcoPro, a leading South Korean cathode paste producer, for an initial three-year term to deliver a minimum of 5,000 tons per annum of battery-grade lithium hydroxide to EcoPro’s cathode materials production plant in Debrecen, Hungary.
  • AMG has negotiated a strategic tolling contract for our spodumene production as well as third-party spodumene to supply technical-grade hydroxide to Bitterfeld.
  • AMG has consolidated its lithium value chain under one legal entity and is currently aligning its lithium management and governance structures to further increase the long-term value of its lithium activities. Accordingly, we are preparing a re-segmentation of AMG to be approved by the Supervisory Board in December and become effective on January 1, 2023.

Vanadium

  • The new vanadium spent catalyst recycling facility in Zanesville, Ohio, which started operating on October 29, 2022, is a clear manifestation of AMG’s industry leadership in the recycling of hazardous refinery waste globally. We are extremely pleased about the successful startup of both the roaster and the melt shop, and we expect the ramp-up to full production to take between three to four months.
  • Shell & AMG Recycling B.V. (“SARBV”) and its partner, the United Company for Industry (“UCI”), continue to advance the first project of the Supercenter in conjunction with Saudi Arabian Oil Company (“Aramco”). Plant design optimization, site selection and permitting activities are progressing and the FEL3 partnering with Hatch is expected to begin later this month. The SARBV-UCI-Aramco consortium are also developing a pipeline of projects which will conclude with the deployment of AMG’s LIVA Hybrid Energy Storage System technology.
  • AMG’s innovative lithium vanadium battery (“LIVA”) for industrial power management applications has successfully started up at our plant in Hauzenberg, Germany.

Financial Highlights

  • Revenue increased by 36% to $425 million in the third quarter of 2022 from $312 million in the third quarter of 2021.
  • EBITDA was a record $103 million in the third quarter of 2022, up 210% versus the third quarter 2021 EBITDA of $33 million.
  • Annualized return on capital employed was 29.5% for the first nine months of 2022, more than double the 10.4% for the same period in 2021.
  • Cash flow from operations was $75 million for the third quarter 2022, driven by the high profitability of AMG Lithium in Brazil.
  • Net income attributable to shareholders for the third quarter of 2022 was $68 million, yielding $2.09 diluted earnings per share, compared to $0.02 diluted loss per share in the third quarter of 2021.
  • AMG’s liquidity as of September 30, 2022 was $489 million, with $306 million of unrestricted cash and $183 million of revolving credit availability.

Key Figures

In 000’s US dollars
Q3 ‘22 Q3 ‘21 Change
Revenue $424,813 $311,946 36%
Gross profit 112,071 51,083 119%
Gross margin 26.4% 16.4%
Operating profit 121,680 17,346 601%
Operating margin 28.6% 5.6%
Net income (loss) attributable to shareholders 68,146 (599) N/A
EPS – Fully diluted 2.09 (0.02) N/A
EBIT (1) 91,536 22,475 307%
EBITDA (2) 102,603 33,051 210%
EBITDA margin 24.2% 10.6%
Cash from operating activities 74,747 17,635 324%

Notes:
(1) EBIT is defined as earnings before interest and income taxes. EBIT excludes restructuring, asset impairment, inventory cost adjustments, environmental provisions, exceptional legal expenses and other exceptional items, equity-settled share-based payments, and strategic expenses.
(2) EBITDA is defined as EBIT adjusted for depreciation and amortization.

Operational Review

AMG Clean Energy Materials

Q3 ‘22 Q3 ‘21 Change
Revenue $188,318 $105,308 79%
Gross profit 86,454 20,120 330%
Gross profit before non-recurring items 87,710 21,721 304%
Operating profit 74,888 9,985 650%
EBITDA 83,674 18,029 364%

AMG Clean Energy Materials’ revenue increased 79% compared to the third quarter of 2021, to $188 million, driven mainly by higher prices in vanadium, tantalum and lithium concentrates, as well as increased sales volumes of lithium concentrate. Sales volumes were up due to shipping schedule variances from AMG Brazil. This increase in the third quarter of 2022 includes a catch up from the second quarter as well as additional volumes that shipped in the third quarter that were planned for the fourth quarter.

Gross profit before non-recurring items for the quarter increased 304% compared to the same period in the prior year, primarily due to the increased price environment.

SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2022 were $12 million, 15% higher than the third quarter of 2021, largely due to strategic project costs and higher variable compensation expense in the current quarter.

The third quarter 2022 EBITDA increased 364%, to $84 million, from $18 million in the third quarter of 2021, due to the improved gross profit as noted above.

AMG Critical Minerals

Q3 ‘22 Q3 ‘21 Change
Revenue $84,935 $79,392 7%
Gross profit 674 10,660 (94%)
Gross profit before non-recurring items 12,210 10,843 13%
Operating profit 40,301 4,028 901%
EBITDA 7,327 6,509 13%

AMG Critical Minerals’ revenue increased by $6 million, or 7%, to $85 million, driven by higher sales prices in all three businesses.

Gross profit before non-recurring items of $12 million in the third quarter was 13% higher compared to the third quarter of 2021. The higher revenue was due to the improved price environment, partially offset by increased raw material prices as well as the ongoing rise in energy and shipping costs.

SG&A expenses in the third quarter of 2022 slightly increased by 3%, to $7 million, compared to the same period in 2021.

Despite ongoing inflationary pressures, the third quarter 2022 EBITDA increased 13% compared to the same period in 2021.

Effective January 1, 2023, AMG will place its silicon metal plant in Pocking, Germany, on care and maintenance due to external economic factors and will review this decision on a quarterly basis. The overall EBITDA effect, should there be a shutdown longer than one quarter, is immaterial to AMG’s overall projected 2023 results.

Associated with this shutdown, AMG recorded income from the sale of an existing supply contract which positively impacted operating profit for the quarter. This income was offset by a settlement with a major customer and an impairment of existing assets. The future proceeds are also available to offset potential restructuring expenses in the future. The cost associated with retaining current employees for care and maintenance will be recorded as incurred in accordance with accounting standards.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies

Q3 ‘22 Q3 ‘21 Change
Revenue $151,560 $127,246 19%
Gross profit 24,943 20,303 23%
Gross profit before non-recurring items 24,990 20,293 23%
Operating profit 6,491 3,333 95%
EBITDA 11,602 8,513 36%

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ third quarter 2022 revenue increased by $24 million, or 19%, compared to the same period in 2021. This improvement was due to increased titanium alloys sales, as well as higher titanium alloy and chrome metal pricing. Third quarter 2022 gross profit before non-recurring items increased by $5 million, or 23%, to $25 million due to the higher volumes and prices.

SG&A expenses increased by 9% in the third quarter of 2022 compared to the same period in 2021, mainly driven by higher share-based and variable compensation expense and higher professional fees in the current quarter.

AMG Critical Materials Technologies’ EBITDA increased to $12 million during the quarter, compared to $9 million in the third quarter of 2021. This was primarily due to higher profitability in chrome metal and titanium alloys.

AMG Engineering signed $93 million in new orders during the third quarter of 2022, driven by strong orders of remelting, induction and heat treatment furnaces, representing a 1.73x book to bill ratio. Order backlog was $211 million as of September 30, 2022, 17% greater than the $181 million as of June 30, 2022.

Financial Review

Tax

AMG recorded an income tax expense of $39 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to $10 million in the same period in 2021. This variance was mainly driven by enhanced operating results coupled with movements in the Brazilian real. The effects of the Brazilian real caused a $2 million deferred tax benefit in the third quarter of 2022 (2021: $8 million tax expense). Fluctuations in the Brazilian real exchange rate impact the valuation of the Company’s net deferred tax positions related to our operations in Brazil.

AMG paid taxes of $10 million in the third quarter of 2022, compared to tax payments of $4 million in the third quarter of 2021.

Exceptional Items

AMG’s third quarter 2022 gross profit includes exceptional items, which are not included in the calculation of EBITDA.

A summary of exceptional items included in gross profit in the third quarters of 2022 and 2021 are below:

Exceptional items included in gross profit

Q3 ‘22 Q3 ‘21 Change
Gross profit $112,071 $51,083 119%
Restructuring expense 11 261 (96%)
Asset impairment expense (reversal) 11,587 (88) N/A
Strategic project expense 1,241 1,095 13%
Others 506 N/A
Gross profit excluding exceptional items 124,910 52,857 136%

Energy Costs

Total energy costs were $5 million higher in the third quarter of 2022 versus the same period in 2021 due to significant increases in gas and electricity costs during the quarter. The majority of this increase was at our silicon business in Germany, but that business benefited from fully hedged power costs. Other business units benefited from long-term electricity contracts that have no price escalation clauses, and the business units that did experience energy cost increases were able to pass through most of these increased costs to their customers.

SG&A

AMG’s third quarter 2022 SG&A expenses were $37 million compared to $34 million in the third quarter of 2021, with the variance largely driven by higher compensation expense due to higher profitability forecasted for the year and increased professional fees associated with strategic projects.

Net Other Operating Income

AMG recorded a net contract settlement benefit of $46 million associated with the cancellation of a supply contract for AMG Silicon, offset by a settlement with a major customer.

Liquidity

September 30, 2022 December 31, 2021 Change
Senior secured debt $357,685 $371,897 (4%)
Cash & cash equivalents 306,416 337,877 (9%)
Senior secured net debt 51,269 34,020 51%
Other debt 14,926 24,398 (39%)
Net debt excluding municipal bond 66,195 58,418 13%
Municipal bond debt 319,304 319,476 — %
Restricted cash 17,069 93,434 (82%)
Net debt 368,430 284,460 30%

AMG had a net debt position of $368 million as of September 30, 2022. This increase was mainly due to the significant investment in growth initiatives during the quarter.

AMG continued to maintain a strong balance sheet and adequate sources of liquidity during the third quarter. As of September 30, 2022, the Company had $306 million in unrestricted cash and cash equivalents and $183 million available on its revolving credit facility. As such, AMG had $489 million of total liquidity as of September 30, 2022.

Net Finance Costs

AMG’s third quarter 2022 net finance costs were $14 million compared to $8 million in the third quarter of 2021. This increase was mainly driven by foreign exchange losses of $6 million during the quarter primarily due to non-cash intergroup balances.

AMG capitalized $2 million of interest costs in the third quarter of 2022 versus $4 million in the same period in 2021, driven by interest associated with the Company’s tax-exempt municipal bond supporting the vanadium expansion in Ohio. This decrease is due to a portion of the municipal bond interest costs which are no longer being capitalized due to the ramp-up of production at our Zanesville facility.

Profit (loss) for the period to EBITDA reconciliation

Q3 ‘22 Q3 ‘21
Profit (loss) for the period $68,339 ($310)
Income tax expense 38,603 9,904
Net finance cost 13,988 7,543
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 1,386 1,015
Restructuring expense 11 261
Net contract settlements (46,407)
Asset impairment expense (reversal) 11,587 (88)
Strategic project expense (1) 3,282 3,311
Share of loss of associates 750 209
Others (3) 630
EBIT 91,536 22,475
Depreciation and amortization 11,067 10,576
EBITDA 102,603 33,051

(1) The Company is in the initial development and ramp-up phases for several strategic expansion projects, including AMG Vanadium’s expansion project, the joint venture with Shell, Hybrid Lithium Vanadium Redox Flow Battery System, and the lithium expansion in Germany, which incurred project expenses during the quarter but are not yet operational. AMG is adjusting EBITDA for these exceptional charges.

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Income Statement
For the quarter ended September 30
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
Unaudited Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue 424,813 311,946
Cost of sales (312,742) (260,863)
Gross profit 112,071 51,083
Selling, general and administrative expenses (36,888) (33,750)
Other income, net 46,497 13
Net other operating income 46,497 13
Operating profit 121,680 17,346
Finance income 1,222 357
Finance cost (15,210) (7,900)
Net finance cost (13,988) (7,543)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures (750) (209)
Profit before income tax 106,942 9,594
Income tax expense (38,603) (9,904)
Profit (loss) for the period 68,339 (310)
Profit (loss) attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 68,146 (599)
Non-controlling interests 193 289
Profit (loss) for the period 68,339 (310)
Earnings (loss) per share
Basic earnings (loss) per share 2.13 (0.02)
Diluted earnings (loss) per share 2.09 (0.02)
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Income Statement
For the nine months ended September 30
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
Unaudited Unaudited
Continuing operations
Revenue 1,252,770 874,306
Cost of sales (963,265) (727,860)
Gross profit 289,505 146,446
Selling, general and administrative expenses (111,384) (100,075)
Environmental expense (11,711)
Other income, net 46,619 186
Net other operating income (expense) 46,619 (11,525)
Operating profit 224,740 34,846
Finance income 3,602 831
Finance cost (38,720) (21,789)
Net finance cost (35,118) (20,958)
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures (1,250) (834)
Profit before income tax 188,372 13,054
Income tax expense (60,270) (3,414)
Profit for the period 128,102 9,640
Profit attributable to:
Shareholders of the Company 126,892 8,066
Non-controlling interests 1,210 1,574
Profit for the period 128,102 9,640
Earnings per share
Basic earnings per share 3.97 0.26
Diluted earnings per share 3.91 0.26

 

AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
In thousands of US dollars September 30, 2022 Unaudited December 31, 2021
Assets
Property, plant and equipment 748,398 693,624
Goodwill and other intangible assets 40,241 44,684
Derivative financial instruments 34,753 95
Other investments 26,218 29,830
Deferred tax assets 32,824 52,937
Restricted cash 11,841 85,023
Other assets 8,709 8,471
Total non-current assets 902,984 914,664
Inventories 273,804 218,320
Derivative financial instruments 5,689 4,056
Trade and other receivables 160,789 145,435
Other assets 123,329 65,066
Current tax assets 8,621 5,888
Restricted cash 5,228 8,411
Cash and cash equivalents 306,416 337,877
Total current assets 883,876 785,053
Total assets 1,786,860 1,699,717
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Financial Position
(continued)
In thousands of US dollars September 30,2022 Unaudited December 31, 2021
Equity
Issued capital 853 853
Share premium 553,715 553,715
Treasury shares (14,906) (16,596)
Other reserves (54,829) (96,421)
Retained earnings (deficit) (66,832) (173,117)
Equity attributable to shareholders of the Company 418,001 268,434
Non-controlling interests 23,978 25,718
Total equity 441,979 294,152
Liabilities
Loans and borrowings 662,181 675,384
Lease liabilities 39,318 45,692
Employee benefits 105,256 162,628
Provisions 14,031 14,298
Deferred revenue 20,541 22,341
Other liabilities 5,260 11,098
Derivative financial instruments 1,014 2,064
Deferred tax liabilities 16,263 5,617
Total non-current liabilities 863,864 939,122
Loans and borrowings 23,844 27,341
Lease liabilities 4,161 4,857
Short-term bank debt 5,890 13,046
Deferred revenue 22,713 18,478
Other liabilities 67,971 80,672
Trade and other payables 262,143 252,765
Derivative financial instruments 15,749 6,010
Advance payments from customers 40,766 35,091
Current tax liability 26,524 10,586
Provisions 11,256 17,597
Total current liabilities 481,017 466,443
Total liabilities 1,344,881 1,405,565
Total equity and liabilities 1,786,860 1,699,717
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
For the nine months ended September 30
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
Unaudited Unaudited
Cash from operating activities
Profit for the period 128,102 9,640
Adjustments to reconcile net profit to net cash flows:
Non-cash:
Income tax expense 60,270 3,414
Depreciation and amortization 32,957 32,478
Asset impairment expense (reversal) 11,587 (864)
Net finance cost 35,118 20,958
Share of loss of associates and joint ventures 1,250 834
Loss (gain) on sale or disposal of property, plant and equipment 12 (96)
Equity-settled share-based payment transactions 4,138 3,143
Movement in provisions, pensions, and government grants (7,532) (3,267)
Working capital and deferred revenue adjustments (113,601) 17,908
Cash generated from operating activities 152,301 84,148
Finance costs paid, net (19,014) (14,960)
Income tax paid (22,689) (8,625)
Net cash from operating activities 110,598 60,563
Cash used in investing activities
Proceeds from sale of property, plant and equipment 151 1,071
Acquisition of property, plant and equipment and intangibles (134,244) (125,366)
Investments in associates and joint ventures (1,250) (1,000)
Change in restricted cash 76,365 94,092
Interest received on restricted cash 179 33
Capitalized borrowing cost (15,307) (15,608)
Other 12 (428)
Net cash used in investing activities (74,094) (47,206)
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V.
Condensed Interim Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows
(continued)
For the nine months ended September 30
In thousands of US dollars 2022 2021
Unaudited Unaudited
Cash (used in) from financing activities
Proceeds from issuance of debt 83 2,644
Payment of transaction costs related to debt (390)
Repayment of borrowings (23,948) (8,047)
Net (repurchase of) proceeds from issuance of common shares (1,523) 121,569
Dividends paid (19,885) (7,598)
Payment of lease liabilities (3,738) (3,939)
Contributions by non-controlling interests 648
Net cash (used in) from financing activities (49,011) 104,887
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (12,507) 118,244
Cash and cash equivalents at January 1 337,877 207,366
Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash held (18,954) (6,156)
Cash and cash equivalents at September 30 306,416 319,454

This press release contains inside information within the meaning of Article 7(1) of the EU Market Abuse Regulation.

This press release contains regulated information as defined in the Dutch Financial Markets Supervision Act (Wet op het financieel toezicht).

About AMG

AMG is a global critical materials company at the forefront of CO2 reduction trends. AMG produces highly engineered specialty metals and mineral products and provides related vacuum furnace systems and services to the transportation, infrastructure, energy, and specialty metals & chemicals end markets.

AMG Clean Energy Materials segment combines AMG’s recycling and mining operations, producing materials for infrastructure and energy storage solutions while reducing the CO2 footprint of both suppliers and customers. AMG Clean Energy Materials segment spans the vanadium, lithium, and tantalum value chains. AMG Critical Materials Technologies segment combines AMG’s leading vacuum furnace technology line with high-purity materials serving global leaders in the aerospace sector. AMG Critical Minerals segment consists of AMG’s mineral processing operations in antimony, graphite, and silicon metal.

With approximately 3,300 employees, AMG operates globally with production facilities in Germany, the United Kingdom, France, the United States, China, Mexico, Brazil, India, Sri Lanka, and Mozambique, and has sales and customer service offices in Japan (www.amg-nv.com).

For further information, please contact:
AMG Advanced Metallurgical Group N.V. +1 610 975 4979
Michele Fischer
mfischer@amg-nv.com

Disclaimer

Certain statements in this press release are not historical facts and are “forward looking.” Forward looking statements include statements concerning AMG’s plans, expectations, projections, objectives, targets, goals, strategies, future events, future revenues or performance, capital expenditures, financing needs, plans and intentions relating to acquisitions, AMG’s competitive strengths and weaknesses, plans or goals relating to forecasted production, reserves, financial position and future operations and development, AMG’s business strategy and the trends AMG anticipates in the industries and the political and legal environment in which it operates and other information that is not historical information. When used in this press release, the words “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “plans,” “may,” “will,” “should,” and similar expressions, and the negatives thereof, are intended to identify forward looking statements. By their very nature, forward-looking statements involve inherent risks and uncertainties, both general and specific, and risks exist that the predictions, forecasts, projections and other forward-looking statements will not be achieved. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release. AMG expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statement contained herein to reflect any change in AMG’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions, or circumstances on which any forward-looking statement is based.

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