Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc. Announces Third Quarter 2012 Financial Results

NINGBO, China, Nov. 20, 2012 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc. (OTCQB: KEYP), ("Keyuan" or "the Company"), an independent manufacturer and supplier of various petrochemical products in China, today announced the Company's financial results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2012.

"We are pleased that our first nine months 2012 revenue benefited from solid customer demands and the improvement of production efficiency," commented Mr. Chunfeng Tao, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Keyuan Petrochemicals Inc. "Although our margins were negatively impacted by extreme fluctuations in international oil prices and the industry environment, I believe Keyuan's core earnings potential will continue to improve as a result of our engagement with research institutes, our initiatives on major projects, and our SBS facility ramping into commercial production."

Financial Summary

(a) Net (loss) attributable to KEYP common stockholders.

YTD 2012 Financial Results

(a)     Net Income attributable to KEYP common stockholders.

Sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were approximately $164.3 million compared to sales of $164.7 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of $0.4 million, or 0.2%. The decrease was due to the decrease of sales volume as a result of market downturn coupled with production lost of 30,000 metric tons (MT) caused by a suspension of production This suspension was due to a 15-day facilities shutdown for routine inspection and maintenance. During the three months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 155,249 MT of petrochemical products at an average price of $1,059 per MT, compared to sales of 162,552 MT at an average price of $1,013 per MT in the three months ended September 30, 2011. This represents an increase of approximately 4.5% in the average sales price and a decrease of approximately 4.5% in overall products sold.

Sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 were approximately $532.1 million compared to sales of $462.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of $69.8 million, or 15.1%. The increase in our sales was due to the increase of sales volume coupled with the higher average sales price of our products. During the nine months ended September 30, 2012, we sold 482,210 MT of petrochemical products at an average price of $1,103 per MT, as compared to sales of 447,706 MT at an average price of $1,033 per MT in the nine months ended September 30, 2011. This represents an increase of approximately 6.8% in the average sales price and an increase of approximately 7.7% in overall petrochemical products sold.

Overall cost of sales was approximately $160.5 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, or 97.7% of sales, as compared to cost of sales of approximately $168.0 million, or 102% of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2011. For the three months ended September 30, 2012, our average cost of finished product was $1,034 per MT, the same as three months ended September 30, 2011.

Our overall cost of sales was approximately $512.3 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, or 96.3% of sales, as compared to cost of sales of approximately $451.2 million, or 97.6% of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2011.  For the nine months ended September 30, 2012, our average cost of finished product was $1,062 per MT, as compared to an average cost of $1,008 per MT for the nine months ended September 30, 2011, an increase of 5.4%. The increase was mainly caused by the increase in raw material prices. We use fuel oil as raw material for production, which is a product of heavy crude oil. For crude oil, the average Brent oil price for the nine months ended September, 2012 was $110 per barrel, as compared to the price of $100 during the same period of 2011, an increase of 10%.

Gross profit for the three months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $3.9 million as compared to gross loss of $3.4 million for the comparable period in 2011. Our gross margin increased from negative 2.1% for the three months ended September 30, 2011 to positive 2.4% for the three months ended September 30, 2012. Even though both periods are negatively impacted by the suspension of production, the average price in 2012 is a little higher compared to the same period in 2011, while the average cost was similar.

Gross profit for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $19.8 million as compared to $11.1 million for the comparable period in 2011. Our gross margin has increased from 2.4% for the nine months ended September 30, 2011 to 3.7% for the nine months ended September 30, 2012.  The increase in the gross margin is mainly due to the increase in sales price during the nine months ended September 30, 2012.

Operating expenses were approximately $2.4 million, or 1.5% of sales for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $5.3 million, or 3.2% of sales, for the three months ended September 30, 2011, a decrease of approximately $2.9 million.  The decrease of the expenses was due to a substantial decrease in general and administrative expenses. General and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2012 were $2.1 million, as compared to general and administrative expenses of $5.2 million for the three months ended September 30, 2011. Expenses in 2011 included various legal, consulting and internal expenses related to the independent investigation that took place in 2011.

Operating expenses were approximately $8.3 million, or 1.6 % of sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to $13.8 million, or 3.0 % of sales for the comparable period in 2011, a decrease of approximately $5.5 million. The decrease in the expenses was due to the decreases in share-based compensation and various legal, consulting and internal expenses related to the independent investigation.

Net loss was approximately $6.9 million for the three months ended September 30, 2012, as compared to a net loss of approximately $10.7 million in the same period in 2011, a decrease of $3.8 million, or 36%. The decrease was mainly due to a higher yield rate and decreased legal, consulting and investigation expenses. The net loss for the three months ended September 30, 2012 reflects the results of a 15-day facilities shutdown for routine inspection and maintenance, the fluctuation in exchange rates and the persistent impact of the market downturn. 

Net loss for the nine months ended September 30, 2012 was approximately $4.0 million, as compared to a net loss of approximately $7.3 million in the same period in 2011, a decrease of $3.3 million, or 45%.

Business updates

The second line in our SBS production facility entered into commercial production in early August 2012. As of September 30, 2012, the Company has produced about 18,869 MT of SBS. The design capacity of the SBS facility allows for production of up to 70,000 MT per year.  We expect to generate net profit margins of 10% from our production of SBS once the facility reaches normal production levels. Based upon the Company's realized utilization rate in the past nine months, the SBS facility is anticipated to achieve an average 50% utilization rate towards the end of 2012.

We are planning to expand our facility to include additional storage capacity, a raw material pre-treatment facility, an asphalt production and an ABS production facility. We have a total of 100,000 MT of storage capacity, consisting of 50,000 MT of storage capacity for raw materials and 50,000 MT for finished products. As part of our expansion plan, we intend to add 180,000 MT of new storage capacity in 2012, after which our total storage capacity will be 280,000 MT. The Company entered into the first phase of construction of new storage capacity in August 2012. In addition, we also entered into a cooperation agreement with Fanchenggang City to build an ABS production facility with an estimated annual production of 400,000 MT ABS upon completion.

The actual and estimated schedule of our expansion plan is as follows:

• Completed SBS facility in September 2011(achieved)
  
• Completed trial production and began SBS production and sales in the fourth quarter of 2011 (achieved)
  
• Complete storage capacity expansion, pretreatment facility and asphalt by June 30, 2013
  
• Complete first phase construction of an ABS facility by the end of 2013

However, management is re-evaluating the effectiveness and feasibility of the expansion projects based on the long-term development and the industry environment and our scheduled expansion plan may be adjusted when the evaluation results are available.

Other events: Share buyback plan

With a strong belief in Company's growth and fundamental strength, the Company, on September 18th, 2012, announced that its Board of Directors has authorized the repurchase of $2 million of the Company's common stock up to $1.50 per share. The Company's common stock may be purchased from time to time in the open market or in privately negotiated transactions. The timing and amount of any shares repurchased will be determined by the Company's management based on its evaluation of market conditions and other factors.

About Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc.

Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc., established in 2007 and operating through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Keyuan Plastics, Co. Ltd., is located in Ningbo, China and is a leading independent manufacturer and supplier of various petrochemical products. Having commenced production in October 2010, Keyuan's operations include an annual petrochemical manufacturing design capacity of 720,000 MT for a variety of petrochemical products, with facilities for the storage and loading of raw materials and finished goods, and a technology that supports the manufacturing process with low raw material costs and high utilization and yields. In order to meet increasing market demand, Keyuan plans to expand its manufacturing capacity to include a SBS production facility which was completed in September 2011. One SBS production line began commercial production in December 2011 and the second line began commercial production in August, 2012. The Company plans to add additional storage capacity, a raw material pre-treatment facility, an asphalt production facility, and an ABS production facility. The company entered into the first phase of construction of new storage capacity since August 2012.

Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Information

This press release may contain certain "forward-looking statements" relating to the business of Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc., and its subsidiary companies. All statements, other than statements of historical fact included herein are "forward-looking statements" including statements regarding the impact of the proceeds from the private placement on the Company's short term business and operations, the general ability of the Company to achieve its commercial objectives, including the ability of the Company to sustain growth; the business strategy, plans and objectives of the Company and its subsidiaries; and any other statements of non-historical information. These forward looking statements are often identified by the use of forward-looking terminology such as "believes," "expects" or similar expressions, involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties. Although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in these forward-looking statements are reasonable, they do involve assumptions, risks and uncertainties, and these expectations may prove to be incorrect. Investors should not place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this press release. The Company's actual results could differ materially from those anticipated in these forward-looking statements as a result of a variety of factors, including those discussed in the Company's periodic reports that are filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and available on its website (http://www.sec.gov ). All forward-looking statements attributable to the Company or persons acting on its behalf months are expressly qualified in their entirety by these factors. Other than as required under the securities laws, the Company does not assume a duty to update these forward-looking statements.

For more information, please contact:

US Contact Information:

Jim Jiang
Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc
Phone: +001-1-646-705-1386
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.keyuanpetrochemicals.com

Company Contact Information:

Angel Gu
Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc
Phone: +0086-1-381-986-4827
Email: [email protected]
Web: www.keyuanpetrochemicals.com

SOURCE Keyuan Petrochemicals, Inc.

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