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Mercer(MERC) - 2022 Q4 - Annual Report
MERCMercer(MERC)2023-02-16 21:42

Production Capacity and Operations - The company has a consolidated annual production capacity of approximately 2.3 million ADMTs of kraft pulp, with 88% being NBSK pulp[24]. - The solid wood segment has an aggregate capacity of approximately 960 MMfbm of lumber and 140,000 m³ of cross-laminated timber (CLT)[31]. - The company operates four modern pulp mills, which provide advantages in manufacturing costs and efficiency compared to older competitors' mills[25]. - The Stendal mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 740,000 ADMTs and generates 148 MW of electricity[27]. - The Peace River mill has a production capacity of approximately 475,000 ADMTs and generates 70 MW of electricity[27]. - The Friesau mill has an annual production capacity of approximately 550 MMfbm of lumber and 13 MW of electrical generation[5]. - The Torgau facility has an annual production capacity of approximately 410 MMfbm of lumber, 17 million pallets, and can produce up to 230,000 metric tonnes of biofuels[5]. - The Mercer Mass Timber facility represents approximately 20% of North American CLT capacity with an annual production capacity of 140,000 m³[33]. Financial Performance - In 2022, pulp production was 1,878.6 thousand ADMTs, while pulp sales reached 1,917.7 thousand ADMTs, generating revenues of 1,686.37million[26].Thecompanyproducedandsold751,720MWhofsurpluselectricityin2022,resultinginrevenuesof1,686.37 million[26]. - The company produced and sold 751,720 MWh of surplus electricity in 2022, resulting in revenues of 167.52 million from electricity sales[29]. - In 2022, the company generated 12.23millioninrevenuefromchemicalsproducedasabyproductofpulpproduction[29].Lumberproductionfor2022was442.2MMfbm,aslightdecreasefrom447.9MMfbmin2021[35].Lumberrevenuesfor2022were12.23 million in revenue from chemicals produced as a by-product of pulp production[29]. - Lumber production for 2022 was 442.2 MMfbm, a slight decrease from 447.9 MMfbm in 2021[35]. - Lumber revenues for 2022 were 288,002,000, down from 293,166,000in2021[35].Pulpsegmentrevenuesfor2022totaled293,166,000 in 2021[35]. - Pulp segment revenues for 2022 totaled 1,866.1 million, a 26% increase from 1,483.1millionin2021[119].Solidwoodsegmentrevenuesfor2022reached1,483.1 million in 2021[119]. - Solid wood segment revenues for 2022 reached 408.5 million, up from 313.5millionin2021[121].CapitalExpendituresandInvestmentsCapitalexpendituresfor2022amountedto313.5 million in 2021[121]. Capital Expenditures and Investments - Capital expenditures for 2022 amounted to 177.8 million, compared to 158.7millionin2021[132].In2023,totalcapitalexpendituresareexpectedtobebetween158.7 million in 2021[132]. - In 2023, total capital expenditures are expected to be between 175.0 million and 200.0million[138].TheTorgaufacilitywasacquiredforapproximately200.0 million[138]. - The Torgau facility was acquired for approximately 263.2 million on September 30, 2022[43]. - The company is investing in a pilot lignin plant at the Rosenthal mill to explore commercial opportunities for lignin[143]. - Total capital expenditures on environmental projects were approximately 4.8millionin2022,4.8 million in 2022, 8.4 million in 2021, and are expected to be approximately 13.8millionin2023[145].MarketandPricingTheaverageEuropeanlistpriceforNBSKpulpfluctuatedbetweenapproximately13.8 million in 2023[145]. Market and Pricing - The average European list price for NBSK pulp fluctuated between approximately 790 per ADMT in 2016 and 1,500perADMTin2022[61].NBSKpulplistpricesinEuropeincreasedfrom1,500 per ADMT in 2022[61]. - NBSK pulp list prices in Europe increased from 1,260/ADMT in 2021 to 1,425/ADMTin2022,whileNorthAmericasawanincreasefrom1,425/ADMT in 2022, while North America saw an increase from 1,450/ADMT to 1,720/ADMT[63].InChina,thenetpriceforNBSKpulprosefrom1,720/ADMT[63]. - In China, the net price for NBSK pulp rose from 760/ADMT in 2021 to 885/ADMTin2022[63].In2022,energysalesfromGermanmillsamountedtoapproximately885/ADMT in 2022[63]. - In 2022, energy sales from German mills amounted to approximately 168.2 million, generating 694,124 MWh of electricity[87]. - Canadian mills sold approximately 167,178 MWh of renewable electricity in 2022, resulting in proceeds of approximately $25.0 million[89]. Fiber and Production Costs - Fiber costs represented about 50% of pulp cash production costs in 2022, while sawlogs accounted for approximately 75% of lumber cash production costs[91]. - In 2022, the German pulp mills consumed approximately 4.7 million m³ of fiber, with 58% being pulp logs and 42% sawmill wood chips[100]. - The Stendal mill's fiber consumption consisted of approximately 67% spruce, 31% pine, and 2% other species in 2022[101]. - The Friesau mill and Torgau facility utilize sawlogs and waste wood, achieving fiber utilization and logistics synergies[71]. - Wood fiber accounted for approximately 75% of cash costs for lumber production in 2022[104]. - In 2022, Canadian mills consumed about 4.3 million m³ of fiber, with 47% from sawmill wood chips and 53% from pulp logs[108]. Sustainability and Environmental Initiatives - The company is actively engaged in wood certification processes to ensure sustainable sourcing of fiber, which may impact operating costs if market demands change[97]. - The company has a commitment to sustainability, enhancing environmental tracking and reporting systems across all facilities[192]. - The company has validated its greenhouse gas reduction targets with the Science Based Target Initiative, aiming for a trajectory well below a 2 degrees Celsius increase[192]. - The New German Facility includes sustainability-linked terms, allowing for interest rate adjustments of up to 0.05% per annum based on sustainability targets[202]. - The focus on climate change has generated a substantial increase in demand for carbon neutral or green energy[159]. - The company is exploring initiatives to enhance the generation and sales of surplus green energy and chemical by-products[161]. Workforce and Corporate Strategy - The company employs approximately 3,320 people, with 2,315 in German operations, 910 in Canadian operations, and 60 in U.S. operations[172]. - The pulp segment employs approximately 1,806 people, while the solid wood segment employs approximately 1,429 people[172]. - The corporate strategy includes sustainable growth through acquisitions and targeted capital expenditures[44]. - The company recognizes the importance of maintaining competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain talent[174]. - The company aims for women to comprise 30% of new hires by 2030, currently holding 30% of board positions and 25% of senior management roles[183]. - The company has partnered with a global management consulting firm to advance gender parity and diversity in its workforce[186]. Regulatory and Compliance - The Canadian federal government began phasing in a federal carbon tax pricing system as of January 1, 2023, affecting several provinces and territories[153]. - The company believes it has obtained all required environmental permits and is in material compliance with applicable environmental laws and regulations[149]. - As of December 31, 2022, all subsidiaries are restricted, affecting the company's credit rating and borrowing costs[196][435]. - The company is rated B+ by S&P and Ba3 by Moody's, with stable outlooks confirmed in December 2022[436]. Health and Safety - The company has implemented a "Road to Zero" health and safety program aimed at achieving zero workplace incidents[177].