Ricardo C. Rodriguez
Thank you, Don, and good morning, everyone. I will review our fourth quarter and full year 2025 results, provide our Q1 outlook, discuss the European EV market, and close with our strategic framework. 2025 was a transitional year for Aspen Aerogels, Inc. North American EV production levels fell in response to accelerated deregulation and end-market demand, while Energy Industrial results were weighted toward maintenance activity with fewer large project awards. We believe a recovery is around the corner as EV demand finds a floor and a new baseline is established, with momentum building in our Energy business. Fourth quarter revenue was $41.3 million, including $25.3 million in Energy Industrial and $16.1 million in Thermal Barrier. GAAP net loss was $72.9 million and adjusted EBITDA was negative $18 million. Gross margin was materially impacted by lower production volumes during the quarter and certain discrete items incurred. Adjusted operating expenses, excluding impairments, restructuring charges, and bad debt expense, declined from $22.6 million in Q3 to $21 million in Q4. Reflecting the impacted conversion costs and gross margin, a $3 million bad debt expense associated with a customer solvency issue, and several year-end material adjustments temporarily elevated costs to 48% of revenue in Q4, which we view as nonrecurring. Importantly, we do not believe Q4 profitability levels reflect our go-forward cost structure. Lower EV production volumes during the year reduced manufacturing absorption, particularly in Q4, and we responded by implementing structural cost actions. Turning to full year performance, revenue totaled $271.1 million, with $102.2 million from Energy Industrial and $168.9 million from Thermal Barrier. GAAP net loss was $389.6 million and adjusted EBITDA was $2.9 million. Gross profit was $46.3 million, representing a 17% margin. With P&L headwinds, we generated $6.1 million of cash in Q4 and ended the year with $158.6 million in cash and cash equivalents. This performance reflects disciplined working capital management, inventory optimization, and materially reduced capital expenditures. In December, we amended our MidCap credit agreement to enhance covenant flexibility, and we maintain a substantial liquidity cushion under the revised terms. For Q1 2026, we expect total revenue between $35 million and $40 million. This decline from Q4 reflects typical Q1 planned production, and we expect Q1 to represent the lowest revenue quarter of the year. From this base, we anticipate sequential revenue growth through 2026 supported by three primary drivers: increasing GM production as downtime subsides and EV volumes normalize through the year; the continued ramp of our European OEM programs, which we expect to contribute approximately $10 million to $15 million of revenue in 2026; and approximately 20% revenue growth in Energy Industrial, with a greater concentration of project activity in the second half of the year. As volumes increase and we continue to lower our cost structure, we expect improved operating leverage and margin expansion throughout the year. Given the mix in the revenue range, we expect adjusted EBITDA to be between negative $13 million and negative $10 million for the quarter. We expect working capital to be neutral to slightly positive and capital expenditures to remain minimal. Over the past year, we have methodically restructured Aspen Aerogels, Inc. to operate with a significantly more efficient cost base while preserving long-term revenue capacity. In 2024, adjusted EBITDA breakeven was approximately $330 million of revenue. In 2025, that level will decline to approximately $270 million, and by 2026, we will have reduced that further to approximately $200 million. Looking ahead to 2027, as further structural efficiencies are realized, we are targeting an adjusted EBITDA breakeven level of approximately $175 million of revenue. For 2026, we currently expect $10 million of capital expenditures and approximately $35 million of scheduled debt payments, including $24 million of term loan principal amortization. Factoring in scheduled debt amortization, disciplined capital spending, and improving profitability through the year, we expect to expand our net cash position to over $70 million by the end of this year. Let me highlight our positioning in Europe, which we view as a structurally attractive EV market with increasing visibility into future platform launches. EV penetration is projected to approach 40% of European production by 2030, supported by continued infrastructure expansion, OEM electrification commitments, and evolving regulatory frameworks. Importantly, Aspen Aerogels, Inc. is embedded across major European EV platforms spanning both passenger and commercial vehicles. Our European-only pipeline represents approximately $220 million tied to 2027 launches, expanding to more than $450 million in 2028. These figures reflect customer growth potential into 2027 and 2028, and several of these programs incorporate activity in North America and Asia as well. Taken together, Europe is positioned to become a meaningful revenue contributor beginning in 2027, with attractive capital efficiency as these platforms ramp. Lastly, I will frame our long-term strategy around three clear priorities. First and foremost, we have a healthy balance sheet. This provides flexibility to operate through market volatility, allocate capital deliberately, and pursue growth from a position of strength. With that foundation in place, our strategy centers on three pillars. First, continue driving structural operating leverage. We have reset our EBITDA breakeven level from $330 million in 2024 to $175 million in 2027, with additional efficiency opportunities ahead. Above that level, incremental revenue delivers 50% to 60% EBITDA margins, meaning a core market recovery translates directly into profitability. Second, strengthen and optimize our capital structure. We have transitioned to a capital-light, flexible manufacturing model that eliminates the need for new plant construction and allows us to scale using existing assets and swing capacity. This flexibility allows us to fund key growth initiatives while maintaining a strong liquidity profile. And third, accelerate growth through aerogel platform expansion and pursue transformative opportunities to unlock the full potential of the business. We are scaling our core EV and Energy Industrial platforms, including growing European EV momentum and renewed subsea and LNG activity, that could accelerate growth and enhance long-term value creation. We have engaged highly qualified advisers to rigorously test our assumptions, evaluate capital allocation options, and sharpen our strategic road map. Importantly, this review is being conducted from a position of strength, not necessity. Our objective is clear: thoughtful and disciplined execution of our strategy that maximizes value creation. Thank you. We will now open for questions.