Borregaard Asa

Good morning everyone and welcome to the fourth quarter 2025 presentation for Borgard. My name is Tom-Erik Foss Jakobsen. I'm the CEO of the company and I'll be joined today by our CFO Per-Bjarne Lyngstad. Together we will take you through this agenda. I will start with the key highlights for the quarter and give an update on the market situation across our business segments. I'll then summarize the outlook for 2026 and finally present our dividend proposal for 2025 before handing over to Per Bjarne. And he will then take you through the financial performance in more detail. And before we begin, I'd also like to remind those of you that watch the webcast live that you are welcome to submit questions anytime during the presentation and we will address them at the end. Let's begin with the highlights for the quarter. EBITDA came in at 405 million NOK, slightly up from 398 million in the same quarter 2024. BioSolutions delivered a solid quarter supported by high bio-vendoring deliveries and continued growth in sales to agriculture. A trend we have now seen for the two last years. Biomaterials delivered good results driven by higher specialty cellulose prices and increased sales volume. In fine chemicals, our fine chemical intermediates delivered a strong performance. Bioethanol sales prices remained at the lower levels that we've been seeing throughout the year. Wood and energy costs were down in the quarter and partly offset the increases we saw in other costs. We also recorded impairments of in total 245 million NOC of the bio-based startups we are invested in. This is due to delays and increased capital needs. In a coming period, we will focus on our current positions in bio-based startups. We had a strong cash flow in the fourth quarter. Looking at the full year, we delivered another all-time high EBITDA, reaching 1878 million NOC, just etching past last year's record of 1874 million. In biosolutions, sales to agriculture were strong throughout the year, and we also saw higher sales of biovanilin products. In biomaterials, sales prices increased and the product mix improved, supported by higher sales of high purity cellulose. Fine chemical intermediates also delivered a strong result. And again, sales prices for advanced bioethanol declined significantly during the year, mainly due to a significant increase in market supply driven by favorable incentive schemes in Europe. Wood costs increased during the year, and the increase in other costs exceeded general inflation. Net currency effects were positive. The cash flow was strong in 2025. Overall, we are pleased to present another all-time high EBITDA, driven by a strong momentum across our business segments. And this is despite the sharp decline we have seen in the advanced bioethanol sales prices and higher costs. Now let's turn to the fourth quarter in BioSolutions. This was a solid quarter with the average price in sales currency 6% above Q4 2024, driven by an improved product mix. We saw high deliveries by Vanlin and continued growth in sales to agriculture. The anti-jumping duties on Vanlin from China continued to have a positive, though limited, impact on our Vanlin business. The average gross sales prices in NOK are impacted by a weaker US dollar compared to Q4 2024. Sales volume was 3% lower than the same quarter last year, which was at the high end of our Q4 guidance and on level with what we see as a more normal fourth quarter volume. For the full year, BioSolutions delivered solid performance. Average price in sales currency increased 2% and sales volume increased 1% compared to 2024. Strong sales to agriculture continued across both speciality and industrial applications. We saw rising demand for multi-active ingredient solutions in crop protection and the reauthorization of Borgar's lignin for use in EU animal feed helped us gain additional business. We also recorded higher demand for biovanilin and a positive but overall limited impact from the anti-dumping duties on the vanilin from China in both the US and EU. The average gross sales prices in Norwegian kroner are impacted again by a weaker US dollar compared to the previous year. Moving on to buy materials and the fourth quarter. This was a strong quarter with the average price in sales currency up 6%, primarily driven by price increases. The average gross sales prices in Norwegian kronor were impacted by a weaker dollar compared to Q4 previous year. Sales volume increased 5% compared to the same quarter, 2024. As we informed last quarter, specialty cellulose exports from Norway and Brazil are subject to an ongoing US anti-dumping investigation. A preliminary decision is delayed and now expected at the end of May 2026, with a final decision towards the end of 2026. And here, any duties may apply retroactively for up to 90 days. Looking at the full year for biomaterials, the segment delivered a solid result, with average sales prices up 9% and sales volume down 9% compared to 2024. The main drivers here were increased sales prices and an improved product mix, including increased sales of high purity cellulose to regulated applications, food, pharma, personal care, and also to bio-based plastics. The highly specialized share increased with 4% from 83% to 87%. The average gross sales prices in Norwegian kronor were also here impacted by the weaker US dollar compared to previous year. Sales to the construction segment declined as the European cellulose ET producers, typically our customers, were negatively impacted by increased imports from Chinese cellulose ET producers. And they're based on cotton linters as their raw material. The disruption we had in specialty cellulose production in Q3 2025 also affected the sales volume in the quarter. Now moving to fine chemicals Q4 and full year. We continue to see a significant decline in sales prices for the advanced bioethanol throughout the year. And this was due to the significant increase in market supply driven by the favorable incentive schemes in Europe. Prices have now returned to levels that we considered normal before these incentives were introduced. For fine chemical intermediates, we saw higher sales prices and a strong product mix, both in the quarter and for the full year. Then I would like to share our outlook for 2026. In biosolutions, we expect the sales volume to be approximately 340,000 tons with continued growth in the agriculture segment. First quarter sales volumes are expected to be around 80,000 tons. In biomaterials, the full year sales volume is forecast to be in the range of 155,000 to 160,000 tons. Sales volume of highly specialized grades is expected to be slightly above the 2025 level. The average sales prices in sales currency is expected to be 3-4% lower in the first half of 2026 compared to the second half of 2025, and this is partly due to a mix on customers and products. The European cellulose ET producers are expected to continue facing competition from the Chinese cellulose ET producers within the construction segment. First quarter sales volume in biomaterials is expected to be in the range of 37 to 39,000 tons. In fine chemicals, sales prices for bioethanol are expected to be largely in line with the levels we have seen in 2025. Sales volume for fine chemical intermediates is expected to increase compared to 2025. On the cost side, the wood costs in the first half of 2026 are expected to be around 15% lower than in the first half of 2025. We continue to monitor global uncertainty related to tariffs, war and geopolitical tensions, which may affect our markets and costs. The final outcome of the US anti-dumping case may also affect several specialty cellulose markets. Before I conclude, I would like to present the dividend proposal for 2025. board of directors has decided to adjust the dividend policy to a target range of 40 to 60 percent of the net profit compared to the previous range of 30 to 50 percent we will continue to pay regular and progressive dividends reflecting expected long-term earnings and cash flows for 2025 The board proposes a dividend of 4.75 NOK per share, an increase of 0.5 NOK, or plus 12%, compared to last year. This represents 55% of our net earnings before impairments, corresponding to a dividend yield of 2.4%, based on the year and share price. The total payment amounts to 474 million kroner. With that, I will hand over to our CFO, Per-Bjørn Lyngstad, who will take you through the financial performance and key figures for the quarter and for the full year. Thank you.

Thank you, Tommy-Erik, and good morning, everyone. Borregaard's operating revenues in the fourth quarter were 5% higher compared with the fourth quarter of 2024, mainly as a result of higher sales prices and sales volume in biomaterials. EBITDA increased to 405 million NOK, 7 million about the fourth quarter of 2024. Biomaterials had an improved result, while biosolutions and fine chemicals had a lower result. Net currency effects were slightly positive by 5 million NOK compared with the fourth quarter of 2024. An 8% weaker US dollar compared to the Norwegian kroner was offset by reduced hedging losses. The EBITDA margin ended at 22.1% in the fourth quarter, 0.7 percentage points below the corresponding quarter in 2024. In the quarter, as Tomeric has mentioned, Beauregard has recorded a NOK 245 million of impairments on investments in bio-based startups. Excluding the impairment, earnings per share ended at NOK 1.64 compared with 1.30 in the fourth quarter of 2024. As I said, Border Guard has made impairments totaling 245 million NOK on its investments in bio-based startups. The impairments reflect recent development in these companies and is recorded under financial items in our profit and loss statement. The major part, NOK 225 million, is an impairment of the investment in Algenor. The recent information indicated project delays and additional capital needs. The impairment is based on an impairment test in accordance with IFRS. After the impairment, the remaining book value of Alginor is 250 million NOK, about 10 kroner per share. In addition, a total impairment of 20 million NOK has been made on the investments in Café Bueno and Lignovations. The Danish bioscience company Café Bueno faces delays in its project and Boregard has decided not to exercise its warrants to subscribe for additional shares. But we will participate in a minor convertible loan to the company. The Austrian technology startup Lingnovations has also had delays and consequently faced lack of funding. On the 27th of January 2026, Boregard received a notice of decision from the Financial Supervisory Authority of Norway, following their regulatory financial reporting review of Boregard's financial statements for 2024. Boregard has been required to perform a new calculation of the value of Alginor at the end of 2024. If a correction is deemed necessary, figures for 2024 will be restated in Boregard's annual report for 2025. Boregard is currently in the process of preparing documentation for the valuation at year-end 2024, as requested by the Financial Supervisory Authority. Then turning to the full year for Beauregard. Operating revenues increased by 1% to 7.7 billion NOK. EBITDA had a marginal 4 million NOK improvement and ended at 1,878,000,000. Both biosolutions and biomaterials had an improved result, whereas fine chemicals had lower results compared with 2024. Strong sales to agriculture and higher sales of biovalent in biosolutions, increased sales prices and improved product mix for biomaterials, and positive net currency effects contributed strongly to the all-time high EBITDA in 2025. The result was negatively impacted by a significant reduction in bioethanol sales prices and cost increases exceeding the general inflation. The additional cost increases were mainly related to increased manning in Norway mainly and also in the US, in addition to higher costs for certain chemicals and insurance and reduced government grants among other things. EBITDA margin ended at 24.3%, close to the margin in 2024. Return on capital employed ended at 15.7% below the 2024 level, but above our targeted level of minimum 15% pre-tax. Excluding the impairment, earnings per share were 8.67 compared with 8.24 in 2024. Operating revenues in BioSolutions were in line with the fourth quarter of 2024, and 4% above for the full year. EBITDA was 245 million NOK in the fourth quarter, compared with 251 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. High deliveries of biovalent and sustained growth in sales to agriculture were more than offset by increased costs at the US manufacturing sites, in addition to general cost inflation. The net currency effects were very insignificant in the quarter. For the full year, EBITDA reached an all-time high of 1,209,000,000 NOK, 105 million higher than in 2024. Strong sales to agriculture also for the full year were the main driver of the improved result. This was partly offset by increased costs. The same explanations as for the quarter with the US manufacturing sites and the general cost inflation. The net currency impact was positive compared with 2024. The fourth quarter EBITDA margin was 24.3%, 0.7 percentage points below the margin in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year, the EBITDA margin was strong and improved to 27.5%, 1.5 percentage points higher than in 2024. In biomaterials, operating revenues in the fourth quarter were 11% above the fourth quarter of 2024 as a result of higher sales prices and sales volume. For the full year, higher sales prices were the main contributor to a 3% increase in operating revenues. EBITDA reached 127 million NOC in the fourth quarter, 25 million above the same quarter in 2024. The improved result was due to higher sales prices and increased sales volume, together with the lower wood and energy costs in the quarter. This was partly offset by an increase in other costs, including certain chemicals, costs of the anti-dumping case in the US and the general inflation. Net currency effects were positive in the quarter. For the full year, EBITDA ended at 495 million NOK, an improvement of 61 million compared with 2024. For the full year, higher sales prices and improved product mix were the main reasons for the improved result, partly offset by lower sales volume and higher wood cost, and the net currency effects were positive for the full year. The EBITDA margin ended at 18.7% in the fourth quarter, two percentage points above the same quarter in 2024. For the full year, the EBITDA margin was 18.4%, close to two percentage points also there above 2024. Improved product mix and sales prices for fine chemical intermediates, partly offset by lower bioethanol sales prices, were the main reasons for a 13% increase in operating revenues for fine chemicals in the fourth quarter. For the full year, operating revenues decreased by 16% due to lower sales prices for Beauregard's advanced bioethanol. EBITDA was 33 million NOK in the fourth quarter, compared with 45 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. Lower sales prices for bioethanol were partly offset by a strong result for fine chemical intermediates. Fine chemical intermediates had a favorable product mix and increased sales prices in the quarter. Net currency effects were insignificant for fine chemicals in the quarter. For the full year, EBITDA ended at 174 million NOC, 162 million lower than in the fourth quarter of 2024. The reduced result for the full year was due to lower sales prices for our advanced bioethanol. Fine chemical intermediates improved compared with 2024 due to improved product mix and increased sales prices. The net currency impact was positive for fine chemicals for the full year. The EBITDA margin was 21% in the fourth quarter, about 11 percentage points below the same quarter of 2024. The EBITDA margin for the full year was 26% compared with 42% in 2024. The net currency impact on EBITDA was positive by 5 million NOK compared with the corresponding quarter in 2024. Driven by a weaker dollar, the Norwegian kroner strengthened by about 6% in the quarter using Beauregard's currency basket. Hedging losses were 24 million NOK in the fourth quarter compared with a loss of 93 million in the fourth quarter of 2024. For the full year, the net currency impact on EBITDA was positive by about 115 million NOK. Hedging losses amounted to 174 million NOK, compared with a loss of 365 million in 2024. Using currency rates as of yesterday, the net currency impact for the full year 2026 is estimated to be positive by about 55 million NOK compared with 2025. The corresponding impact for the first quarter this year is estimated to be negative by about 5 million NOK compared with the first quarter of 2025. Border Guard had a strong cash flow from operating activities of 419 million NOK in the fourth quarter, with a positive impact from a reduced net working capital. Also for the full year, the cash flow from operating activities was strong and close to 1.4 billion NOK, an improvement of close to 300 million compared with 2024. A more favorable development in networking capital was the main reason for the strong cash flow from operating activities. Investments were 383 million NOK in the fourth quarter. The largest expenditures in 2025 were related to environmental investments and the bottlenecking at the Sarsborg site, specialisation projects within biosolutions and participation in capital raises in Alginor. Net interest bearing debt increased by 18 million NOK in the fourth quarter. For the full year, net interest bearing debt was reduced by 150 million NOK to 2.9 billion NOK. At the end of 2025, Beauregard is well capitalized with an equity ratio of 61% and a leverage ratio of 1.11 compared with 1.2 at the end of 2024. Finally, I'll go through an updated investment forecast for 2026 and 2027. Boregard has a financial objective to keep replacement investment at depreciation level, excluding depreciation from leasing. In 2025 to 2027, targeted CO2 and COD reductions and general cost increases explain replacement investments above target level. These environmental investments will also support specialization and value growth investments. The largest project is the de-bottlenecking at the Salzburg site, where we now expect the production output to increase gradually from the second quarter of 2027 instead of the second half of 2026. The delay is due to unforeseen challenges with a building's layout. However, the cost estimate for the project is unchanged at about 800 million NOK. The delay in the de-bottlenecking project is the main reason for lower than expected investments in 2025 and a slight increase in the forecast for 2027. Additional investments in biobased startups are not included in this forecast. There are of course uncertainties in these estimates related to final decision, execution time, payment schedules, among others. And that concludes today's presentation. Tomerik and I will now be ready to answer any questions, both from the audience present here in Oslo and from those who follow the webcast. Our Vice President Finance, Veronica Skevik-Frey, will moderate the webcast questions.

We have received some questions. The first one is related to US legal costs. It comes from Mr. Niklas Gehin at DNB Carnegie. Could you give us a ballpark figure on how much you have spent on US legal costs in Q4 and how much is the total sum that you expect to use?

We have now passed in total 10 million NOK in costs for this investigation, most of it in the fourth quarter. We have answered a lot of questionnaires, so hopefully that process is coming towards the end. It's still difficult to estimate how much more, but it will be somewhere, I think, between 15 and 20 million as the end cost here. as our best estimator today.

Thank you. Next question is regarding the specialty cell loss competition from China. It comes from Mr. Magnus Rasmussen from SEB. Has the competition from China on specialty cell loss intensified in recent months, or is it on par with 2025?

I would say that there has always been some imports from China, either cotton linters as a raw material, cotton linter pulp, to blend in, but also exports of cellulose ethers in the low-end segments, typically construction, because it's a non-GMO origin and cannot be used for other applications. But I think we have gradually seen over the past five years that exports have been gradually increasing. But now, over the last year, also with tariffs in the US and also with low construction activity in China, we see what we see in many other industries, that the overcapacity in China is being exported. And now it can't be exported to the US without tariffs. Even more is coming into Europe. So I think we definitely are seeing an increasing trend of imports of the cellulose ether products from China into Europe.

But also remember that Borregaard's strategy has been to move more of our cellulose production going into eaters to food and pharma applications. And we have succeeded quite well with that over the last years also. So that's been our strategy. We've seen this coming and we've changed our strategy.

Yeah. And it proves why this strategy is very sensible. Yeah.

Thank you. Next question is related to developments in markets within biosolutions. And it also comes from Mr. Magnus Rasmussen from SEB. You continue to refer to strong agriculture markets in biosolutions and improvements in biovanillin. Yet, except from Q1 EBITDA in 2025, has not been much stronger than 2024. What can you say about the developments in other markets than agriculture and biovanillin?

Yeah, I think first we have to bear in mind what has been said here on the cost side for Borgaard and for Biosolutions. We have seen significantly increased costs throughout the year. And specifically Biosolutions, it was mentioned both the wood cost, but also that we have costs in the US and that they exceeded the general inflation, the other costs. But on the market side, agriculture is clearly one of the main driving segments for the growth. We have said before, this is roughly 1,000 customers, 200 products, so there's definitely a mix also within that portfolio. We have also seen weaknesses in certain markets. I would say construction market should be no surprise that there are weaknesses in certain markets within construction. And also oil throughout the year 2025 has been weaker.

Thank you. Next question is related to the price reduction in specialty cellulose and mix effects. It comes from Mr. Elliot Johns at Danske Bank. With regards to biomaterials, 3 to 4% price declines in the first half versus second half last year. Can you shed some more light on the mix effect? And if you only partly Due to mix, what are the other reasons for the drop?

First of all, it's important to notice that we are referring to that this is partly explained by mix, which means mix of products and customers. We sold about 146,000 tons in 2025. We have in our outlook that we'll sell 10 to 15,000 tons more. So that means also an additional volume with a mix with different pricing. And also within the construction segment to sales heaters, we have done some selective price adjustments. And we also have the 45,000 tons we need to sell to the market during the year from the production disruption we had in last quarter. And I think these things together explains why the average sales price will be impacted in the range of 3-4%.

Thank you. Next question, and so far the last I have here, also comes from Mr. Elliot Johns from Danske Bank related to costs. With regards to costs excluding wood and energy that have exceeded inflation this year, 2025, can you provide some more rationale as to why this is and how do you expect this to develop in 2026?

I mentioned a few key factors there. Manning is one. We have increased our manning, mainly in Norway, but also in the US entities. So that gives an increase above inflation. We have had quite an increase in insurance premiums. That's also due to that we have chosen to improve our coverage on some of the insurance. And then we have gotten less grants to our innovation activities in 2025, which normally is booked as a reduction in fixed costs. So these are some of the explanation. It's a lot of different things on the cost side, but we've seen also we have, in addition to manning at the US manufacturing sites, the upgrading of the facility in Wisconsin and also an upgrade of the competence in the organization has led to additional costs there.

Thank you. There are no more questions on the web. So I'm not sure if there are any questions from the audience.

That concludes our presentation. Thank you very much.

Thank you.