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PureCycle Technologies, Inc.: Q3 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q3 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 4 November 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised, 5 new, 1 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Revenue lower than second quarter: Revenue was $2.3 million, compared with $4.5 million in the second quarter and $2.4 million a year earlier. Management attributed the result to operational issues and New Jersey delays. Source
  • Net income reflects warrant gain: Net income of $6.9 million included a $58.6 million non-cash gain from the change in fair value of warrants. Source
  • Food-contact programs pushed into 2027: About 15 food-contact programs moved into 2027 and in many cases beyond, following the New Jersey exemption extension. Source
  • Operational issues limited output: Operational issues limited Q3 production; management says they were resolved and production is now in line with current commercial demand. Source
  • Monthly spending below guided range: Q3 monthly operations spending was $7.8 million, excluding about $2.7 million per month of materials purchases. Source
  • Cost reductions set for Q4 and Q1: Measures include more in-house maintenance, fewer contractors, consolidated roles, sized logistics and storage, and on-site nitrogen supply in 2027. Source
  • Liquidity lower than second quarter: Total liquidity was $193 million at quarter-end, compared with $236.9 million at the end of the second quarter. Source
  • Financing terms under negotiation: Final financing terms remain under negotiation; the prior target was financial close by year-end. Source
  • Discretionary growth spending on hold: Growth projects reached internal milestones, and discretionary spending waits for commercial progress at Ironton before further investment. Source

“The third quarter fell short of our plan.”

Dustin Olson, Chief Executive Officer of PureCycle Technologies

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Full-year 2026 project spend SourceFull year 2026approximately $51 millionRaised from $45 to $50 million
Fourth-quarter 2026 project spend SourceQ4 2026approximately $4 millionNew
Fourth-quarter 2026 debt service SourceQ4 2026approximately $9.4 millionNew
2027 project and growth spending Source2027directionally lower than 2026; range to be provided with fourth-quarter resultsNew
Thailand total project cost SourceProject total$250 million rangeKept
Branded program volume at full ramp SourceAt full rampapproximately 45-55 million pounds per yearNew
Hot-lid program volume SourceOnce fully rampedapproximately 7 - 8 million pounds per yearNew
Food-contact program volume Source2027 and beyondabout 15 programs; approximately 50 million pounds of expected annual volume

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Full-year 2026 project spend estimate raised to about $51 million from the $45 to $50 million range given in August. Source
  • Guidance lowered: Two quick-service restaurant cold-cup launches planned for 2026 moved to 2027 after the New Jersey exemption extension. Source
  • New guidance: A 2027 project spend range was not previously given; management will provide it with fourth-quarter results. Source
  • Guidance kept: The Thailand total project cost estimate remains in the $250 million range. Source
  • New: Railcar shipments of hot-lid resin began in October to a large customer. Source
  • New: The construction permit for the Rayong, Thailand site was issued in September. Source
  • New: Long-term feedstock agreement with WM for up to 25 million pounds per year of waste polypropylene bales over three years, beginning November 2026. Source
  • New: Fernando Musa appointed Executive Chairman of the Board, effective November 3, 2026. Source
  • Ended: Dan Coombs stepped down as Chairman and remains a member of the Board. Source
  • New: The $200 million revolving credit facility maturity was extended to September 30, 2028; the facility remains undrawn. Source
  • New: New cost reduction measures take effect in Q4 2026 and Q1 2027. Source
  • New: Growth projects reached internal milestones, and discretionary growth spending is on hold. Source
  • Ended: Equipment financing payments concluded in September 2026. Source
  • New: Primary sales and marketing effort moved to non-food applications. Source

Results and production

  • Revenue lower than second quarter: Revenue was $2.3 million, compared with $4.5 million in the second quarter and $2.4 million a year earlier. Management attributed the result to operational issues and New Jersey delays. Source
  • Net income reflects warrant gain: Net income of $6.9 million included a $58.6 million non-cash gain from the change in fair value of warrants. Source
  • Operating loss narrowed year over year: The operating loss was $37.5 million, compared with $38.9 million in the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Adjusted EBITDA improved by $0.6 million: Adjusted EBITDA was $(28.0) million, compared with $(28.6) million a year earlier. Source

Customers and commercial programs

  • P&G products reached shelves: Downy and Tide caps are on shelves, first Tide deliveries came in October, and Gain caps are a new application. Source
  • Shampoo and deodorant qualifications advance: Resin is qualified for shampoo closures at a large cosmetics company, and a personal care company approved a white grade for deodorant sticks. Source
  • Branded sales ramp underway: Management said the branded sales ramp is underway despite the New Jersey delay, citing a diverse pipeline and product flexibility. Source
  • Some brands deferred, others continue: Management said some brands continue on their own timetable, while others have deferred. Source

“More of what decides our success is now within our control, and we are confident in the path ahead.”

Dustin Olson, Chief Executive Officer of PureCycle Technologies

New Jersey exemption and timing

  • Food-contact programs pushed into 2027: About 15 food-contact programs moved into 2027 and in many cases beyond, following the New Jersey exemption extension. Source
  • Sales effort shifted to non-food uses: The primary sales and marketing effort moved to non-food applications, where the January 2027 compliance date still applies. Source
  • Two QSR cold-cup programs qualified: Two QSR cold-cup programs are qualified; term sheet conditions are agreed and the supply agreement is being negotiated. Source

Ironton operations and production

  • Production rose 14% from second quarter: Production rose about 14% from the second quarter but remained below the third quarter of 2025. Source
  • Operational issues limited output: Operational issues limited Q3 production; management says they were resolved and production is now in line with current commercial demand. Source
  • On-site compounding runs around the clock: Compounding moved to 24/7 availability, and more than 20 grades are formulated in-house to meet customer specifications. Source
  • Production set to follow shipments: Management said production is designed to rise with shipments as programs convert, with consistent supply to each specification as the priority. Source
  • Incremental cost and efficiency work: Management said incremental improvements at Ironton continued to reduce costs and raise operating efficiency. Source

Operations spending and costs

  • Monthly spending below guided range: Q3 monthly operations spending was $7.8 million, excluding about $2.7 million per month of materials purchases. Source
  • Cost reductions set for Q4 and Q1: Measures include more in-house maintenance, fewer contractors, consolidated roles, sized logistics and storage, and on-site nitrogen supply in 2027. Source
  • Project spend totals for 2026: Project spend was $13.0 million in the third quarter and $47.6 million for the first nine months of 2026. Source

Liquidity and capital structure

  • Liquidity lower than second quarter: Total liquidity was $193 million at quarter-end, compared with $236.9 million at the end of the second quarter. Source
  • Available liquidity includes revolver: Including the undrawn $200 million revolving credit facility, available liquidity was $393 million at quarter-end. Source
  • Potential sources outside planning: Management lists about $76 million of revenue bonds held by the Company as a potential source that is not assumed in liquidity planning. Source
  • Debt payments due in Q4 and January: Fourth-quarter debt service is about $9.4 million, and the first coupon on the 4.75% convertible notes is due in January 2027. Source

Thailand growth project

  • Construction permit issued in September: The Rayong permit was issued in September; groundbreaking will be scheduled once the timing of financial close is clear. Source
  • Financing terms under negotiation: Final financing terms remain under negotiation; the prior target was financial close by year-end. Source
  • Investment to date in Rayong: More than $85 million has been invested in equipment and engineering for the Rayong project to date. Source
  • Discretionary growth spending on hold: Growth projects reached internal milestones, and discretionary spending waits for commercial progress at Ironton before further investment. Source

Leadership and board

  • Musa named Executive Chairman: Fernando Musa, a Board member since 2021, became Executive Chairman effective November 3, 2026; he previously led Braskem. Source
  • Coombs steps down as Chairman: Dan Coombs stepped down as Chairman and remains a Board member; Dustin Olson continues as Chief Executive Officer. Source
  • Musa's experience cited for ramp: Management said Musa's experience with polypropylene production and sales to brands is directly relevant to the Ironton ramp. Source

Coming up, as management said on 4 November 2026

  • Fourth-quarter results call date: The date of the fourth-quarter 2026 results call will be announced separately. Source
  • Shampoo closure shipments start in Q4: Shipments to a large global cosmetics company for shampoo closures are expected to begin in the fourth quarter. Source
  • Deodorant white-grade final trial: The final trial for the white grade for deodorant sticks is scheduled for this month. Source
  • Warrant proceeds if exercised: About $272 million could come from March 2027 warrants if exercised at $11.50; the company does not assume this in liquidity planning. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Ironton PureFive resin production (million lbs) Source5.2 in Q3 2026; 4.5 in Q2 2026; 7.3 in Q3 2025
Other production (million lbs) Source0.9 in Q3 2026; 0.1 in Q2 2026; 0.6 in Q3 2025
Feedstock processed (million lbs) Source5.8 in Q3 2026; 5.0 in Q2 2026; 8.1 in Q3 2025

Risks management discussed

  • Operational: Operational issues limited Q3 production; management says they were resolved. Source
  • Regulatory: Non-food program timing depends on the January 2027 compliance date, and food-contact timing depends on the New Jersey exemption. Source
  • Demand: Customer timing varies: some brands proceed on their own timetable and others have deferred. Source
  • Financial: Available capital is limited to cash, marketable securities and the undrawn revolver, while Thailand financing terms remain under negotiation. Source

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Prior guidance for monthly operations spending was $8.0 to $9.0 million; third-quarter spending was below that range. Source
  • Delayed: Launches planned for 2026 moved to 2027 after the New Jersey extension; management refers to the New Jersey delays. Source
  • Not stated: The second-quarter plan was to expand compounding to 24/7 in Q4; the third-quarter documents report the transition to 24/7 availability.
  • Not stated: The second-quarter target for Vicks ZzzQuil lids was Q4 2026; the third-quarter documents say the lids are in commercial production. Source
  • Not stated: The second-quarter target was financial close by year-end; the third-quarter documents say final terms are under negotiation.
  • Not stated: The second-quarter documents expected groundbreaking in 2H 2026; the third-quarter documents say it will be scheduled once financial close timing is clear.

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.