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Arq, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 10 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 3 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue rose 5% on pricing and volume: Revenue was $29.9 million against $28.6 million a year earlier. Management attributed the increase predominantly to higher pricing and volumes. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $5.8 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $5.8 million against $3.7 million a year earlier. Management cited core PAC profitability and pricing and cost discipline, with no GAC production expense in the period. Source
  • Gross margin rose to 38.5%: Gross margin was 38.5% against 33.3% a year earlier. Cost of revenue fell about 4% to $18.4 million, with the Red River turnaround completed during the quarter. Source
  • PAC for PFAS in customer testing: PAC for PFAS is in customer testing. Management said it could add material volume, pricing and margin from 2027 onward, as an interim step before any GAC product. Source
  • Cash and restricted cash $12.1 million: Cash and restricted cash were $12.1 million at June 30, including $11.2 million restricted. Unrestricted cash was $3.0 million at July 1 and about $3.1 million at July 31. Source
  • Total debt up on revolver borrowings: Total debt including financing leases was $30.7 million, up from $28.5 million at year-end. The increase was mainly revolver borrowings from MidCap Financial, totaling $21.4 million. Source
  • Strategic review broadened beyond GAC: The review now covers the existing business, focused on furnace throughput and unit costs. The GAC component is not fully complete, per the release. Source
  • GAC cost estimates carry wide contingencies: Two independent engineering consultants gave cost estimates to finish the GAC conversion. The estimates include wide contingencies that remain subject to revision. Source

“The second quarter demonstrated the earning power of our foundational PAC business,”

Bob Rasmus, CEO of Arq

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Revenue Sourcefull-year 2026$120-125 millionKept
Adjusted EBITDA Sourcefull-year 2026$17-20 millionKept
Capital expenditures Sourcefull-year 2026$8 to $10 millionKept
GAC conversion construction and commissioning Sourcenot statedaround 12 months

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: Full-year 2026 revenue and Adjusted EBITDA guidance was reaffirmed at the same ranges as the first-quarter release. Source
  • New: Shimon Steinmetz was appointed Chief Financial Officer in May 2026 and started in July 2026. Source
  • New: The company advanced a new product, PAC for PFAS, described as a highly engineered powdered activated carbon for PFAS situations. Source
  • New: The strategic optimization review was extended from the Red River GAC facility to a broader assessment of the existing business. Source

Results and growth drivers

  • Revenue rose 5% on pricing and volume: Revenue was $29.9 million against $28.6 million a year earlier. Management attributed the increase predominantly to higher pricing and volumes. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA rose to $5.8 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $5.8 million against $3.7 million a year earlier. Management cited core PAC profitability and pricing and cost discipline, with no GAC production expense in the period. Source
  • Net loss narrowed to $0.7 million: Net loss was $0.7 million, or $0.02 per diluted share, against a restated prior-year net loss of $2.4 million, or $0.06 per diluted share. Source
  • Ninth straight quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA: The company reported its ninth consecutive quarter of positive Adjusted EBITDA, which it attributed to the foundational PAC business. Source

Margins and costs

  • Gross margin rose to 38.5%: Gross margin was 38.5% against 33.3% a year earlier. Cost of revenue fell about 4% to $18.4 million, with the Red River turnaround completed during the quarter. Source
  • Turnaround costs capitalized, finished under budget: About $3.1 million of planned major maintenance costs for the biennial Red River turnaround was capitalized. The turnaround was completed in April 2026, materially under budget. Source
  • SG&A rose on severance and recruiting: SG&A rose to $6.8 million from $5.9 million, mainly from severance and recruiting costs tied to recent leadership changes. Source
  • R&D fell on absent GAC ramp-up costs: R&D was $1.0 million, down 64% from $2.7 million, because GAC ramp-up expenses incurred in the second quarter of 2025 did not recur. Source

“I have been clear that we will remain highly disciplined on any further capital spending.”

Bob Rasmus, CEO of Arq

Products and customers

  • PAC for PFAS in customer testing: PAC for PFAS is in customer testing. Management said it could add material volume, pricing and margin from 2027 onward, as an interim step before any GAC product. Source
  • Corbin Wetcake asphalt trials show benefits: Paving tests with a leading U.S. asphalt company continue. NCAT Test Track trials indicated that Corbin Wetcake as an additive had positive effects on multiple performance metrics. Source
  • Corbin monetization talks continue: The company is in discussions with multiple parties to monetize the Corbin Facility and related technologies, which management described as a potential funding source. Source

Demand and seasonality

  • Warm summer start supports PAC view: Management pointed to a warm start to the summer and favorable seasonal demand dynamics as it stated confidence in the PAC business for the rest of the year. Source
  • GAC market view tied to EPA deadline: Management said GAC market fundamentals remain favorable ahead of the EPA's April 2027 PFAS monitoring deadline, after which utilities above 4 parts per trillion must report PFAS numbers publicly. Source

“we remain closely aligned with our shareholders and confident in the opportunities ahead for further growth.”

Bob Rasmus, CEO of Arq

Capital, cash and debt

  • Capex fell to $1.2 million: Capital expenditures were $1.2 million, against $1.9 million in the prior year period, when spending on completing the GAC facility was higher. Source
  • Cash and restricted cash $12.1 million: Cash and restricted cash were $12.1 million at June 30, including $11.2 million restricted. Unrestricted cash was $3.0 million at July 1 and about $3.1 million at July 31. Source
  • Total debt up on revolver borrowings: Total debt including financing leases was $30.7 million, up from $28.5 million at year-end. The increase was mainly revolver borrowings from MidCap Financial, totaling $21.4 million. Source
  • Operating cash use narrowed in first half: Net cash used in operating activities was $2.7 million for the six months to June 30, 2026, against $5.3 million a year earlier. Source

Strategy and investment

  • Strategic review broadened beyond GAC: The review now covers the existing business, focused on furnace throughput and unit costs. The GAC component is not fully complete, per the release. Source
  • Near-term capacity gains identified: The broader assessment has already identified near-term opportunities to increase capacity and profitability, according to the release. Source
  • GAC cost estimates carry wide contingencies: Two independent engineering consultants gave cost estimates to finish the GAC conversion. The estimates include wide contingencies that remain subject to revision. Source

Leadership and alignment

  • CFO appointed, started July 2026: Shimon Steinmetz was named Chief Financial Officer in May 2026 and started in July 2026. Source
  • Executive transition costs added back: Executive transition and severance costs of $0.8 million were added back to Adjusted EBITDA. They cover the CFO, COO and CAO transitions. Source
  • Board and management hold over 20%: The first-quarter release said Board and management ownership had risen to more than 20% after recent share purchases.

Coming up, as management said on 10 August 2026

  • PAC for PFAS volume from 2027: Management said PAC for PFAS could contribute material volume, pricing and margin from 2027 onward, subject to ongoing customer testing. Source

Risks management discussed

  • Financial: GAC cost estimates include wide contingencies still subject to revision, and the GAC component of the review is not fully complete. Source
  • Financial: Unrestricted cash at quarter-end reflected the timing of borrowings and receipts, so the June 30 balance differs from later readings. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Met: The company said the turnaround was completed under budget and without disrupting customer supply. Source
  • Not stated: The prior release set a goal of completing the review and having a go-forward GAC strategy by Q3 2026. The current release does not restate that date.

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.