greeksoup/ stock research

Arq, Inc.: Q4 FY2025 earnings call

What management said about Q4 FY2025, from the documents filed with the SEC on 10 March 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 new. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Full-year revenue rose 10%: Full-year 2025 revenue was $120.3 million, up from $109.0 million, driven primarily by improved ASP and product diversification into higher value end-markets. Source
  • Full-year net loss widened: Full-year net loss was $52.6 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, against $5.1 million a year earlier. The increase was mainly driven by the factors referenced above, especially the impairment charge. Source
  • GAC production paused for 2026: Arq is pausing GAC production and development to run an engineering and production process optimization review. No GAC production is expected in fiscal 2026. Source
  • Thermal oxidizer limits GAC output: Independent testing received in late January 2026 found the current thermal oxidizer supports about 15 million pounds of annual GAC output, and reaching the original 25 million pound target would need modifications. Source
  • Corbin idled, $45 million impairment: The Corbin facility is being temporarily idled, which makes Arq a single-plant business. A non-cash impairment of $45 million on Corbin assets was recorded in Q4 2025. Source
  • PAC performing better than expected: Management said PAC is now delivering better financial performance than previously expected, and that PAC has funded its own turnaround. Source
  • Full-year gross margin fell to 27.9%: Full-year gross margin was 27.9%, against 36.2%, with the reduction primarily driven by start-up costs associated with GAC production in Q3 and Q4 2025. Source
  • Eric Robinson named VP Operations: Eric Robinson, with more than 30 years of industrial facilities experience, was appointed VP Operations, effective immediately. He previously revitalized the Red River plant in 2012. Source
  • Nathan promoted to VP Finance: Anthony Nathan was promoted to VP Finance, overseeing strategic planning, financial analysis, budgeting and investor relations. Source
  • 2026 guidance excludes GAC contribution: Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance assumes no GAC contribution, given the operational changes outlined in the release. Source

“After evaluating our options, we have therefore concluded that the most prudent path forward is to pause”

Mr. Rasmus

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefiscal year 2026$120-125 millionNew
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefiscal year 2026$17-20 millionNew
PAC average selling price Source2026$0.88-0.91 per poundNew
PAC production volumes Source2026122-125 million poundsNew
Other chemicals and products share of revenue Source2026approximately 13-15% of total revenueNew
PAC contract visibility Source2026 volumes, with 2027 and 2028 visibility96%, with 75% through 2027 and 43% through 2028New

What changed from last quarter

  • New guidance: Inaugural full-year 2026 guidance was given for revenue and Adjusted EBITDA. Source
  • New guidance: Operational metrics were given for the first time for 2026, covering PAC selling price, production volume and other revenue share. Source
  • Guidance lowered: GAC nameplate timing, previously around mid-2026, is replaced by no GAC production expected in 2026. Source
  • New: GAC production and development were paused for an engineering and production process optimization review. Source
  • New: The Corbin facility is temporarily idled, and a non-cash impairment was recorded in Q4 2025. Source
  • New: GAC feedstock is moving from Corbin Wetcake to bituminous proven performance coal from other sources. Source
  • New: Eric Robinson was appointed VP Operations, effective immediately. Source
  • Ended: The chief operating officer role was eliminated. Source
  • Ended: Jay Voncannon ceased to serve as chief financial officer, effective immediately. Source
  • New: Anthony Nathan was promoted to VP Finance, with responsibility for strategic planning, financial analysis, budgeting and investor relations. Source

Full-year and fourth-quarter results

  • Full-year revenue rose 10%: Full-year 2025 revenue was $120.3 million, up from $109.0 million, driven primarily by improved ASP and product diversification into higher value end-markets. Source
  • Full-year net loss widened: Full-year net loss was $52.6 million, or $1.27 per diluted share, against $5.1 million a year earlier. The increase was mainly driven by the factors referenced above, especially the impairment charge. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $13.2 million: Full-year Adjusted EBITDA was $13.2 million versus $10.5 million, a non-GAAP measure. The company cited a continued focus on increasing revenue while lowering costs, including SG&A. Source
  • Fourth-quarter revenue up 9%: Fourth-quarter revenue was $29.4 million, an increase driven predominantly by enhanced volumes and pricing. Source
  • Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA fell to $0.3 million: Fourth-quarter Adjusted EBITDA was $0.3 million, against $3.8 million in the prior year period. Source

GAC production pause and review

  • GAC production paused for 2026: Arq is pausing GAC production and development to run an engineering and production process optimization review. No GAC production is expected in fiscal 2026. Source
  • Thermal oxidizer limits GAC output: Independent testing received in late January 2026 found the current thermal oxidizer supports about 15 million pounds of annual GAC output, and reaching the original 25 million pound target would need modifications. Source
  • Review sets scale before more capital: The review will set production scale, capital requirements and return profiles, which the company says must be finalized before it commits more investment. Source
  • 15 million pound case lacks acceptable returns: The company's analysis found a 15 million pound scenario does not give acceptable returns, and volumes above that level are required to generate economic returns. Source

“Our foundational PAC business delivered record performance in 2025 with revenues of approximately $120 million, up 10% year-over-year”

Mr. Rasmus

Corbin facility and feedstock

  • Corbin idled, $45 million impairment: The Corbin facility is being temporarily idled, which makes Arq a single-plant business. A non-cash impairment of $45 million on Corbin assets was recorded in Q4 2025. Source
  • Coal replaces Corbin wetcake feedstock: GAC feedstock is moving from Corbin Wetcake to bituminous coal from other sources, which the company expects to address previously announced design challenges. Source
  • Corbin wetcake alternatives advancing: Other uses for Corbin Wetcake, such as asphalt emulsion blending, are still advancing, the company said. Source

PAC business and products

  • PAC performing better than expected: Management said PAC is now delivering better financial performance than previously expected, and that PAC has funded its own turnaround. Source
  • Spare furnace capacity supports PAC: Because of GAC delays, additional furnace capacity can be used for PAC, which with efficiencies is expected to enable higher PAC volumes than previously anticipated. Source
  • Higher-margin applications beyond power: Management said the company is capturing higher-value, higher-margin applications beyond traditional power markets, alongside volume growth and pricing strength. Source

“The PAC business has funded its own turnaround while supporting strategic growth initiatives, demonstrating operational strength and market position durability”

Mr. Rasmus

Costs, gross margin and operating loss

  • Full-year gross margin fell to 27.9%: Full-year gross margin was 27.9%, against 36.2%, with the reduction primarily driven by start-up costs associated with GAC production in Q3 and Q4 2025. Source
  • Fourth-quarter gross margin fell to 13.6%: Fourth-quarter gross margin was 13.6% against 36.3%, which the company attributed to higher costs associated with GAC start-up. Source
  • SG&A reduced to $22.6 million: Full-year SG&A fell to $22.6 million from $28.7 million, a material reduction that partly offset higher operating expenses. Source
  • Fourth-quarter operating loss widened: Fourth-quarter operating loss was $51.2 million against operating income of $0.4 million a year earlier, mainly from the factors the company referenced. Source

Capital, cash and debt

  • Capex fell to $8.6 million: Full-year capital expenditure was $8.6 million against $85.2 million, as expansion work at Red River and Corbin concluded. Source
  • Cash fell to $15.0 million: Cash including restricted cash was $15.0 million at year-end against $22.2 million, largely reflecting increased spending on initial GAC production. Source
  • Total debt rose to $28.5 million: Total debt including financing leases was $28.5 million, up from $24.8 million, with the increase driven by higher use of the ABL Facility, which had $19.0 million drawn. Source

Leadership and organization

  • Eric Robinson named VP Operations: Eric Robinson, with more than 30 years of industrial facilities experience, was appointed VP Operations, effective immediately. He previously revitalized the Red River plant in 2012. Source
  • COO role eliminated, Williamson departing: The chief operating officer role was eliminated because Arq is becoming a single-plant business. Source
  • Nathan promoted to VP Finance: Anthony Nathan was promoted to VP Finance, overseeing strategic planning, financial analysis, budgeting and investor relations. Source
  • Hansen also principal financial officer: Stacia Hansen remains Chief Accounting Officer and will also act as principal financial officer. Source

2026 guidance assumptions

  • 2026 guidance excludes GAC contribution: Revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance assumes no GAC contribution, given the operational changes outlined in the release. Source
  • April turnaround included in guidance: Guidance includes the routine biennial two-week maintenance turnaround at the Red River plant, scheduled for April. Source
  • First detailed guidance for 2026: Arq said it is providing detailed operational and financial guidance for the first time, to enhance investor transparency. Source

Coming up, as management said on 10 March 2026

  • Williamson departs April 18: Deke Williamson leaves the company on April 18, 2026. Source
  • Further investment waits on review: The company will not commit further investment until the review determines scale, capital and returns. Source
  • Red River turnaround in April: A two-week biennial maintenance turnaround at the Red River plant is scheduled for April, and the 2026 guidance includes it. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
PAC volume FY 2025 Sourceover 117 million pounds
Fourth-quarter ASP change Sourceup approximately 7%
Consecutive quarters of ASP growth Sourcetwelfth consecutive quarter

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Management said later testing revealed another challenge from original design flaws, following the earlier feedstock change intended to resolve prior issues. Source
  • Operational: With Corbin idled, Arq operates a single plant, so production depends on Red River. Source
  • Financial: Management said the ultimate cost to reach nameplate capacity must be known before further capital is spent on the GAC project. Source
  • Regulatory: Parts of the PAC market are affected by regulatory regimes; management said the orderbook mitigates potential regulatory changes. Source
  • External: Litigation is ongoing with the original engineering consultant over design flaws affecting the thermal oxidizer. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Delayed: GAC production delays are acknowledged, and the earlier mid-2026 nameplate timing is no longer in place. Source
  • Ahead: Management said PAC performance is above earlier expectations. Source
  • Not stated: Management expects PAC output can be kept or raised until the GAC path is defined. Source

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.