Q3 2021 Highlights
(unless otherwise noted, all financial amounts in this news release are expressed in U.S. dollars)

/CNW/ - Neo Performance Materials Inc. ("Neo", the "Company") (TSX: NEO) released its third quarter 2021 financial results. The financial statements and management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") of these results can be viewed on Neo's web site at

www.neomaterials.com/investors/

TORONTO, Nov. 8, 2021 and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

  1. Q3 2021 revenue of $119.8 million higher by 53.9% YoY.
  2. Volumes in the quarter of 3,523 tonnes improved by 16.1% YoY.
  3. Operating income of $12.6 million in the quarter.
  4. Adjusted Net Income(1) of $9.8 million, or $0.26 per share.
  5. Adjusted EBITDA(1) of $17.7 million.
  6. Cash balance of $51.7 million after distributing $3.0 million in dividends to shareholders.
  7. A quarterly dividend of Cdn$0.10 per common share was declared on November 8, 2021 for shareholders of record at  December 20, 2021, with a payment date of December 30, 2021.

HIGHLIGHTS OF Q3 2021 CONSOLIDATED PERFORMANCE

Neo reported strong year-over-year ("YoY") gains in revenue, volumes, operating income, Adjusted EBITDA, and profitability in the quarter ended September 30, 2021, driven largely by increased demand for products across all three of its operating divisions, higher selling prices for rare earth materials, and continuing progress in several of the Company's strategic initiatives. 

Consolidated revenue in the quarter was $119.8 million, compared to $77.9 million in the third quarter of 2020; an increase of $42.0 million or 53.9%.  Neo reported a net income of $8.1 million, or $0.21 per share, which compared to $0.4 million, or $0.01 per share, in the corresponding prior-year period.  Adjusted Net Income(1) totaled $9.8 million, or $0.26 per share, which compared to $1.3 million, or $0.03 per share, in the third quarter of 2020.  Adjusted EBITDA(1) was $17.7 million, a 208% jump over Adjusted EBITDA of $5.7 million in the comparable prior-year period.

As of September 30, 2021, Neo had cash and cash equivalents of $51.7 million plus restricted cash of $4.0 million, compared to $72.2 million plus $4.2 million as at December 31, 2020, a change largely due to an increase in working capital driven by higher rare earth prices and higher-cost rare earth feedstock in inventory.  In the nine months ended September 30, 2021, Neo paid $9.2 million in dividends to its shareholders.  In addition, with the new credit facilities entered into in China in the third quarter, Neo has approximately $36.4 million available under its credit facilities with $5.5 million drawn as at September 30, 2021, compared to $2.4 million drawn as at December 31, 2020.

_______________________

(1) Neo reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "Adjusted Earnings per Share", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" and "EBITDA". Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this new release and in the MD&A, available on Neo's website at www.neomaterials.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

"Neo benefitted from strong demand for our products as the global economy continues to gain speed," said Constantine Karayannopoulos, CEO of Neo. "I am also pleased with the incremental growth we are seeing in new business areas, and I believe those initiatives hold promise for enhanced and sustainable growth over the long-term. Neo was also able to capitalize on a relatively robust rare earth pricing environment, largely driven by an expectation of rising global demand for such green technology applications as electrified transportation, renewable energy, and high-efficiency motors and other greenhouse-gas reducing technologies. I believe that Neo is extraordinarily well-positioned to deliver the highly engineered specialty materials needed by OEMs and their suppliers around the world for these technologies, and we look forward to expanding and diversifying our production capabilities as needed by these macro growth trends."

SELECTED FINANCIAL RESULTS

TABLE 1: Selected Consolidated Results


Quarter-over-Quarter
Comparison

Year-over-Year
Comparison


Q3 2021

Q3 2020

YTD Q3 2021

YTD Q3 2020

Volume (tonnes)

3,523

3,035

11,792

8,883

($000s)





Revenue

119,841

77,864

385,837

236,295

Operating income (loss)

12,558

1,137

47,161

(58,849)

EBITDA(1)

16,441

5,491

53,051

(44,990)

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

17,650

5,730

62,263

16,566

Adjusted EBITDA %(1)

14.7 %

7.4 %

16.1 %

7.0 %










_________________________

(1)Neo reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "Adjusted Earnings per Share", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" and "EBITDA". Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release and in the MD&A.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, consolidated revenues of $119.8 million and $385.8 million were 53.9% and 63.3% higher, respectively, than the corresponding periods of 2020.  All three business segments experienced an increase in revenue as volumes rose due to the economic recovery since the initial impact of COVID-19 in 2020, despite being negatively impacted by the semiconductor chip shortage in the automotive sector and by continuing global supply chain logistics challenges.  Consolidated volumes in the nine-month period ended September 30, 2021, were supported by progress in key strategic initiatives in all three segments, as well as by customer refilling of supply chains.  Selling prices for rare earth products, including Magnequench powders, rose significantly starting from the fourth quarter of 2020, through the third quarter of 2021, and early into the fourth quarter.  Some volatility in the second quarter of 2021 was seen before prices began rising again in the third quarter.  Rare earth prices in the third quarter of 2021 remain relatively high compared to more recent historical periods driven primarily by the magnetic elements which are critical in leading technologies such as the electrification of automobiles and other environmentally sustaining technologies.  Neo has benefited from these generally higher prices from both a lead-lag perspective (lower cost inventory on hand) and more dollar value margin available generally with higher prices.

MAGNEQUENCH SEGMENT RESULTS

TABLE 2: Selected Magnequench Results


Quarter-over-Quarter Comparison

Year-over-Year Comparison


Q3 2021

Q3 2020

YTD Q3 2021

YTD Q3 2020

Volume (tonnes)

1,374

1,095

4,608

3,390

($000s)





Revenue

60,063

31,620

192,856

100,413

Operating income

8,130

2,965

31,805

11,925

EBITDA(1)

9,773

5,559

39,240

19,323

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

10,503

5,244

38,872

18,524






_________________________

(1)Neo reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "Adjusted Earnings per Share", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" and "EBITDA". Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release and in the MD&A.

In the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, Magnequench saw broad volume increases across the majority of its applications, including key end markets such as solutions for electrified vehicles (including traction motors) and in other applications such as factory automation and home appliances.  2021 volumes also benefitted from customer inventory rebuilding.  Q3 volumes were adversely impacted by the slowdown in automotive production due to the global semiconductor chip shortage. 

Over the last few years, Magnequench has focused on key macro growth trends that are yielding positive sales volume growth in areas such as compression magnets and electrified-automotive applications, including traction motors and pumps.  Despite the slowdown in automotive, Magnequench is continuing to produce near-record volumes in the compression magnet sector.  Magnequench margins benefited from increased volumes and better absorption of fixed costs as well as the lead-lag impact of prices rising in rare earth components of its powder composition.  Although Magnequench has strategically structured most of its sales contracts to contain pass-through pricing provisions for rare earth raw materials, in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, Magnequench benefited significantly from the timing of implementation of these price increases with having some lower cost inventory on hand.

CHEMICALS & OXIDES ("C&O") SEGMENT RESULTS

TABLE 3: Selected C&O Results


Quarter-over-Quarter Comparison

Year-over-Year Comparison


Q3 2021

Q3 2020

YTD Q3 2021

YTD Q3 2020

Volume (tonnes)

2,106

1,929

6,972

5,330

($000s)





Revenue

45,677

36,031

152,322

94,889

Operating income

7,142

3,145

27,184

(31,629)

EBITDA(1)

8,099

4,150

22,091

(28,197)

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

8,059

3,896

29,712

6,847

_________________________

(1)Neo reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "Adjusted Earnings per Share", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" and "EBITDA". Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release and in the MD&A.

The C&O segment continues to see strong demand for various rare earth products, particularly its magnetic-based products, as the global economy continues to recover from the economic impacts of COVID-19.  Demand and pricing for rare earth magnetic elements continues to increase given their use in the electrification of automobiles and other environmentally sustainable technologies. Higher REE prices, and higher demand for magnetic rare earth products in particular, benefitted the rare earth separation business through higher-dollar value margins and the lead-lag impact of lower cost inventory on hand relative to selling prices.  In environmental catalysts, customer re-stocking of inventory levels positively affected volumes in the first three months of 2021, while the unit saw reduced volumes in Q3, both year-over-year and sequentially, primarily related to the slowdown in automotive production.  C&O's environmentally protective water treatment solutions business continues to perform well with higher volume and new customer adoption, although sales volumes were partially impacted by the challenges in global shipping and logistics availability.

RARE METALS SEGMENT RESULTS

TABLE 4: Selected Rare Metals Results


Quarter-over-Quarter Comparison

Year-over-Year Comparison


Q3 2021

Q3 2020

YTD Q3 2021

YTD Q3 2020

Volume (tonnes)

110

91

389

323

($000s)





Revenue

19,509

13,613

56,308

47,592

Operating income (loss)

2,074

(892)

4,168

(25,797)

EBITDA(1)

1,733

(535)

6,014

(23,362)

Adjusted EBITDA(1)

2,715

(179)

6,080

1,108






_________________________

(1)Neo reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "Adjusted Earnings per Share", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" and "EBITDA". Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this news release and in the MD&A.

Similar to Neo's Magnequench and C&O segments, the prior-year comparable period for the Rare Metals segment was also impacted by COVID-19, although more so after the first quarter of 2020 and continuing later into 2020.  For the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021, the end markets of Rare Metals exhibited some slower recovery levels.  The improvement in the Rare Metals business in the three- and nine-month periods ended September 30, 2021 was also attributed to progress made in several key strategic initiatives in the segment.  The Rare Metals segment has made key progress into selling more products outside of the aerospace industry and adding new customers, thereby participating in new growth initiatives while diversifying its total end market exposure.  Key progress continues to be made in expanding the capacity of key products (with minimal capital investment) and refocusing the sales pipeline and manufacturing capacity toward more profitable end products.  Sales prices in several end markets have recovered and gallium-based products are exhibiting more market demand.

EARNINGS CONFERENCE CALL

In order to comply with regulatory best practices, the Company anticipates holding its earnings conference call (the "Call") following the completion of the distribution of common shares of the Company in connection with the bought deal treasury and secondary offering (the "Offering") of its common shares. Neo expects the Offering to close on or around November 16, 2021, and will provide further notice on the timing of the Call.

NON-IFRS MEASURES

This news release refers to certain non-IFRS financial measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA", and "Adjusted EBITDA Margin".  These measures are not recognized measures under IFRS, do not have a standardized meaning prescribed by IFRS, and may not be comparable to similar measures presented by other companies. Rather, these measures are provided as additional information to complement IFRS financial measures by providing further understanding of Neo's results of operations from management's perspective. Neo's definitions of non-IFRS measures used in this news release may not be the same as the definitions for such measures used by other companies in their reporting.  Non-IFRS measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation nor as a substitute for analysis of Neo's financial information reported under IFRS.  Neo uses non-IFRS financial measures to provide investors with supplemental measures of its base-line operating performance and to eliminate items that have less bearing on operating performance or operating conditions and thus highlight trends in its core business that may not otherwise be apparent when relying solely on IFRS financial measures.  Neo believes that securities analysts, investors and other interested parties frequently use non-IFRS financial measures in the evaluation of issuers.  Neo's management also uses non-IFRS financial measures in order to facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period. For definitions of how Neo defines such financial measures, please see the "Non-IFRS Financial Measures" section of Neo's management's discussion and analysis filing for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, available on Neo's web site at www.neomaterials.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

TABLE 5: CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF FINANCIAL POSITION

($000s)

September 30, 2021


December 31, 2020

ASSETS




Current




Cash and cash equivalents

$

51,734


$

72,224

Restricted cash

3,964


4,219

Accounts receivable

68,838


51,851

Inventories

156,587


130,867

Income taxes receivable

1,491


2,186

Assets held for sale


415

Other current assets

24,760


13,889

Total current assets

307,374


275,651

Property, plant and equipment

73,599


74,322

Intangible assets

50,676


53,653

Goodwill

69,379


68,967

Investments

11,609


10,045

Deferred tax assets

3,481


3,040

Other non-current assets

3,275


864

Total non-current assets

212,019


210,891

Total assets

$

519,393


$

486,542





LIABILITIES AND EQUITY




Current




Bank advances and other short-term debt

$

5,485


$

2,428

Accounts payable and other accrued charges

68,216


79,106

Income taxes payable

5,857


2,945

Provisions

3,878


2,628

Lease obligations

1,439


1,297

Derivative liability

11,843


9,428

Other current liabilities

2,964


940

Total current liabilities

99,682


98,772

Employee benefits

2,259


2,358

Provisions

16,010


4,201

Deferred tax liabilities

13,926


13,970

Lease obligations

1,974


2,243

Other non-current liabilities

1,555


1,513

Total non-current liabilities

35,724


24,285

Total liabilities

135,406


123,057

Non-controlling interest

2,340


1,490

Equity attributable to equity holders of Neo Performance Materials Inc.

381,647


361,995

Total equity

383,987


363,485

Total liabilities and equity

$

519,393


$

486,542

____________________________

See accompanying notes to this table in Neo's Consolidated Financial Statements for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021, available on Neo's website at www.neomaterials.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

TABLE 6: CONSOLIDATED RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

Comparison of the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021 to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020:

($000s)

Three Months Ended
September 30,


Nine Months Ended
September 30,


2021


2020


2021


2020

Revenue

$

119,841


$

77,864


$

385,837


$

236,295

Costs of sales








Costs excluding depreciation and amortization

83,330


57,395


268,830


174,824

Depreciation and amortization

1,980


1,996


5,771


7,431

Gross profit

34,531


18,473


111,236


54,040

Expenses








Selling, general and administrative

13,347


10,938


41,024


37,589

Share-based compensation

1,198


973


2,761


916

Depreciation and amortization

1,908


1,797


5,798


5,851

Research and development

5,520


3,628


14,492


9,449

Impairment of assets




59,084


21,973


17,336


64,075


112,889

Operating income (loss)

12,558


1,137


47,161


(58,849)

Other income (expense)

462


(92)


(5,399)


(65)

Finance cost, net

(747)


(99)


(2,420)


(3,362)

Foreign exchange loss

(755)


(128)


(1,844)


(440)

Income (loss) from operations before income taxes
and equity income of associates

11,518


818


37,498


(62,716)

Income tax expense

(3,670)


(1,198)


(10,282)


(811)

Income (loss) from operations before equity income
of associates

7,848


(380)


27,216


(63,527)

Equity income of associates (net of income tax)

288


781


1,564


1,082

Net income (loss)

$

8,136


$

401


$

28,780


$

(62,445)

Attributable to:








Equity holders of Neo

$

8,036


$

423


$

28,442


$

(60,150)

Non-controlling interest

100


(22)


338


(2,295)


$

8,136


$

401


$

28,780


$

(62,445)

Earnings (Loss) per share attributable to equity holders of Neo:








Basic

$

0.21


$

0.01


$

0.75


$

(1.60)

Diluted

$

0.21


$

0.01


$

0.75


$

(1.60)

____________________________

See Management's Discussion and Analysis for the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021, available on Neo's website at www.neomaterials.com and on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

TABLE 7: RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO EBITDA, ADJUSTED EBITDA AND FREE CASH FLOW

($000s)

Three Months Ended
September 30,


Nine Months Ended
September 30,


2021


2020


2021


2020

Net income (loss)

$

8,136


$

401


$

28,780


$

(62,445)

Add back (deduct):








Finance cost, net

747


99


2,420


3,362

Income tax expense

3,670


1,198


10,282


811

Depreciation and amortization included in costs of sales

1,980


1,996


5,771


7,431

Depreciation and amortization included in operating expenses

1,908


1,797


5,798


5,851

EBITDA

16,441


5,491


53,051


(44,990)

Adjustments to EBITDA:








Other (income) expense  (1)

(462)


92


5,399


65

Foreign exchange loss (2)

755


128


1,844


440

Equity income of associates

(288)


(781)


(1,564)


(1,082)

Share and value-based compensation (3)

1,198


931


2,761


660

Impairment of assets (4)




59,084

Other costs (5)

6


(131)


772


2,389

Adjusted EBITDA

$

17,650


$

5,730


$

62,263


$

16,566

Adjusted EBITDA Margins

14.7 %


7.4 %


16.1 %


7.0 %

Less:








Capital expenditures

$

2,374


$

3,407


$

6,631


$

6,436

Free Cash Flow

$

15,276


$

2,323


$

55,632


$

10,130

Free Cash Flow Conversion (6)

86.5 %


40.5 %


89.4 %


61.1 %


Notes:

(1)

Represents other expenses resulting from non-operational related activities, including provisions for estimated damages for outstanding legal claims related to historic volumes, costs for disposal of historically generated naturally occurring radioactive materials ("NORM") and fair value remeasurement of equity securities.  These costs and recoveries are not indicative of Neo's ongoing activities. 

(2)

Represents unrealized and realized foreign exchange losses (gains) that include non-cash adjustments in translating foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities.

(3)

Represents share and value-based compensation expense in respect of the Plan, the Legacy Plan, the LTIP and the long-term value bonus plan. The long-term value bonus plan is included in selling, general, and administration expenses and has similar vesting criteria to the share-based plan and is settled in cash for non-executives and non-North Americans where implementation of a share settlement plan would have been prohibitively expensive in terms of administration and compliance.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, value-based compensation expense was nil, as the financial statement impact of the liquidity event was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2020.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, value-based compensation recovery was $(42) and $(256), respectively.  Neo has removed both the share and value-based compensation expense from EBITDA to provide comparability with historic periods and to treat it consistently with the share-based awards that they are intended to replace.

(4)

The negative economic impacts of COVID-19 were determined to be an impairment indicator as of June 30, 2020 for all Neo's Cash Generating Units ("CGUs").  In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the recoverable amount of Neo's CGUs was determined based on fair value less cost of disposal for the Magnequench segment and value in use for the C&O and the Rare Metals segments. As a result of the impairment test, Neo recognized an impairment charge of $59.1 million as of June 30, 2020, with $35.1 million attributable to the C&O segment and $24.0 million attributable to the Rare Metals segment. No impairment was recorded against the Magnequench segment.

(5)

These represent primarily legal, professional advisory fees and other transaction costs incurred with respect to non-operating capital structure related transactions and restructuring costs related to management team changes.  Neo has removed these charges to provide comparability with historic periods.

(6)

Calculated as Free Cash Flow divided by Adjusted EBITDA.

 

TABLE 8: RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME (LOSS) TO ADJUSTED NET INCOME (LOSS)

($000s)

Three Months Ended
September 30,


Nine Months Ended
September 30,


2021


2020


2021


2020

Net income (loss)

$

8,136


$

401


$

28,780


$

(62,445)

Adjustments to net income (loss):








Foreign exchange loss (1)

755


128


1,844


440

Impairment of assets (2)




59,084

Share and value-based compensation (3)

1,198


931


2,761


660

Other costs (income) (4)

6


(131)


772


2,389

Other items included in other (income) expense (5)

(260)



6,162


Tax impact of the above items

(43)


(38)


(1,341)


(3,546)

Adjusted net income (loss)

$

9,792


$

1,291


$

38,978


$

(3,418)









Attributable to:








Equity holders of Neo

$

9,692


$

1,313


$

38,640


$

(3,390)

Non-controlling interest

$

100


$

(22)


$

338


$

(28)









Weighted average number of common shares outstanding:












Basic

37,913,275


37,610,846


37,738,354


37,671,721

Diluted

38,228,888


37,653,807


38,084,902


37,671,721

Adjusted earnings (loss) per share (6) attributable to equity holders of Neo:












Basic

$

0.26


$

0.03


$

1.02


$

(0.09)

Diluted

$

0.25


$

0.03


$

1.01


$

(0.09)


Notes:

(1)

Represents unrealized and realized foreign exchange losses (gains) that include non-cash adjustments in translating foreign denominated monetary assets and liabilities.



(2)

The negative economic impacts of COVID-19 were determined to be an impairment indicator as of June 30, 2020 for all Neo's CGUs.  In accordance with IAS 36 Impairment of Assets, the recoverable amount of Neo's CGUs was determined based on fair value less cost of disposal for the Magnequench segment and value in use for the C&O and the Rare Metals segments. As a result of the impairment test, Neo recognized an impairment charge of $59.1 million as of June 30, 2020, with $35.1 million attributable to the C&O segment and $24.0 million attributable to the Rare Metals segment. No impairment was recorded against the Magnequench segment.



(3)

Represents share and value-based compensation expense in respect of the Plan, the Legacy Plan, the LTIP and the long-term value bonus plan. The long-term value bonus plan is included in selling, general, and administration expenses and has similar vesting criteria to the share-based plan and is settled in cash for non-executives and non-North Americans where implementation of a share settlement plan would have been prohibitively expensive in terms of administration and compliance.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, value-based compensation expense was nil, as the financial statement impact of the liquidity event was recorded in the year ended December 31, 2020.  For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2020, value-based compensation recovery was $(42) and $(256), respectively.  Neo has removed both the share and value-based compensation expense from net income to provide comparability with historic periods and to treat it consistently with the share-based awards that they are intended to replace.



(4)

These represent primarily legal, professional advisory fees and other transaction costs incurred with respect to non-operating capital structure related transactions and restructuring costs related to management team changes.  Neo has removed these charges to provide comparability with historic periods.



(5)

Represents other expenses resulting from non-operational related activities, including provisions for estimated damages for outstanding legal claims related to historic volumes, costs for disposal of historically generated NORM and fair value remeasurement of equity securities.  These costs and recoveries are not indicative of Neo's ongoing activities.



(6)

Neo reports non-IFRS measures such as "Adjusted Net Income", "Adjusted Earnings per Share", "Adjusted EBITDA", "Adjusted EBITDA Margin" and "EBITDA". Please see information on this and other non-IFRS measures in the "Non-IFRS Measures" section of this new release and in the MD&A, available on Neo's website www.neomaterials.comand on SEDAR at www.sedar.com.

 

About Neo Performance Materials

Neo manufactures the building blocks of many modern technologies that enhance efficiency and sustainability.  Neo's advanced industrial materials - magnetic powders and magnets, specialty chemicals, metals, and alloys - are critical to the performance of many everyday products and emerging technologies. Neo's products help to deliver the technologies of tomorrow to consumers today.  The business of Neo is organized along three segments: Magnequench, Chemicals & Oxides and Rare Metals. Neo is headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, Canada; with corporate offices in Greenwood Village, Colorado, US; Singapore; and Beijing, China. Neo operates globally with sales and production across 10 countries, being Japan, China, Thailand, Estonia, Singapore, Germany, United Kingdom, Canada, United States, and South Korea. For more information, please visit www.neomaterials.com.

Cautionary Statements Regarding Forward Looking Statements

This news release contains "forward-looking information" within the meaning of applicable securities laws in Canada. Forward-looking information may relate to future events or future performance of Neo. All statements in this release, other than statements of historical facts, with respect to Neo's objectives and goals, as well as statements with respect to its beliefs, plans, objectives, expectations, anticipations, estimates, and intentions, are forward-looking information. Specific forward-looking statements in this discussion include, but are not limited to, the following: expectations regarding certain of Neo's future results and information, including, among other things, revenue, expenses, sales growth, capital expenditures, and operations; statements with respect to current and future market trends that may directly or indirectly impact sales and revenue of Neo; expected use of cash balances; continuation of prudent management of working capital; source of funds for ongoing business requirements and capital investments; expectations regarding sufficiency of the allowance for uncollectible accounts and inventory provisions; analysis regarding sensitivity of the business to changes in exchange rates; impact of recently adopted accounting pronouncements; risk factors relating to intellectual property protection and intellectual property litigation; risk factors relating to national or international economies (including the impact of COVID-19), and other risks present in the jurisdictions in which Neo, its customers, its suppliers, and/or its logistics partners operate, and; expectations concerning any remediation efforts to Neo's design of its internal controls over financial reporting and disclosure controls and procedures. Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as "plans", "expects", "is expected", "budget", "scheduled", "estimates", "continues", "forecasts", "projects", "predicts", "intends", "anticipates" or "believes", or variations of, or the negatives of, such words and phrases, or state that certain actions, events or results "may", "could", "would", "should", "might" or "will" be taken, occur or be achieved. This information involves known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that may cause actual results or events to differ materially from those anticipated in such forward-looking information. Neo believes the expectations reflected in such forward-looking information are reasonable, but no assurance can be given that these expectations will prove to be correct and such forward-looking information included in this discussion and analysis should not be unduly relied upon. For more information on Neo, investors should review Neo's continuous disclosure filings that are available under Neo's profile at www.sedar.com.

SOURCE Neo Performance Materials, Inc.

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