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AgroFresh Solutions Reports Results for Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2017

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. ("AgroFresh" or the "Company") (NASDAQ: AGFS), a global leader in produce freshness solutions, announced financial results for the third quarter and first nine months of fiscal 2017, ended September 30, 2017.

Jordi Ferre, Chief Executive Officer, commented, "Results throughout fiscal 2017 have consistently demonstrated the strength of the AgroFresh franchise. Over the past three months, this has enabled us to adapt to volatility in both the timing of the harvest and the size of the apple crop across the Northern Hemisphere to drive improvements across our profitability measures. Having enhanced our overall service offering, penetrated new crops and expanded our global penetration of core crops, we are accomplishing our goal of stabilizing SmartFresh™ performance this year as the key to a solid foundation that will support our strategic growth initiatives. Our growth platforms continue to gain traction. The ongoing success of Harvista, the addition of a new signature RipeLock client in the retail food distribution market, along with other promising, ongoing RipeLock retail trials, and further progress in our crop diversification efforts are all extremely encouraging. Efficiency continues to improve, with a further reduction in overhead this quarter. And, with the strong cash flow generated over the first three quarters of the year, we are building the resources available to fund our growth strategy, both organically as well as through acquisitions.

I am extremely proud of the success we have achieved in reducing our sensitivity to end market volatility and generating performance that should deliver the relatively stable results we expect this year.”

Financial Highlights for the Third Quarter and First Nine Months of 2017

Net sales for the third quarter of 2017 were $61 million, flat versus the third quarter of 2016. Revenues in the quarter reflect a later crop harvest in North America, offset by an earlier harvest in Europe, where the total 2017 harvest is expected to be down double digits as a result of a historic spring frost. Net sales for the first nine months of 2017 were $110 million, up from $108 million in the first nine months of 2016, driven by increased sales of Harvista.

Operating margins were 81 percent in the third quarter of 2017 compared to 85 percent in the third quarter of 2016. Operating margins for the first nine month of 2017 were 81 percent compared to 83 percent in the same period last year, when excluding the impact of inventory step-up amortization in the first half of 2016. Both the third quarter and year-to-date 2017 margins reflect the impact of a shift in product mix.

Research and development costs of $3 million in the third quarter of 2017 were up slightly compared to the third quarter of 2016 due to timing. Selling, general and administrative expenses were $14 million, down approximately $1 million from a year ago, primarily due to a decrease in administrative expenses. Total operating costs in the third quarter of 2017 reflect approximately $2 million of temporary cost increases, primarily legal and M&A consulting.

Interest expense for the current quarter of $9 million was down $6 million from the third quarter of 2016, driven by lower accretion of contingent consideration. Cash interest expense in the third quarter of 2017 was up slightly from the same period a year ago driven by higher interest rates.

Balance Sheet and Cash Flow

The Company continues to generate strong cash flow, with cash from operations of $15 million in the first nine months of 2017 versus a $5 million use of cash in the same period of the prior year. As of September 30, 2017, the company had cash on hand of $75 million.

Katherine Harper, CFO, said, “As a result of the tremendous progress achieved stabilizing operations and strengthening our organization, we have increased our cash balances by $31 million over the past twelve months, representative of our underlying fundamental earnings power. Revenues remain on track and margins are little changed, reflecting the unmatched value proposition our customers see in our products and services. And, we continue to improve operating leverage, with costs down compared to a year ago. We expect further progress in this area. We are in a very strong financial position with significant cash balances, and consistently strong cash flow. The AgroFresh franchise continues to grow as we build value for our shareholders.”

Conference Call

The Company will conduct a conference call to discuss its third quarter and first nine months of 2017 results at 8:30 a.m. Eastern Time on November 8, 2017. To access the call, please dial 877-883-0383 from the U.S. or 412-902-6506 from outside the U.S. The conference call I.D. number is 0398493. The call will also be available as a live webcast with an accompanying slide presentation, which will be accessible via the "Events” and “Presentations" pages of the Investor Relations section of the Company's website at www.agrofresh.com. All participants should call or access the website approximately 10 minutes before the conference call begins.

A telephone replay of the conference call will be available by dialing 877-344-7529 (US) or 412-317-0088 (International) until Wednesday, November 22, 2017. The replay I.D. number is 10113589.

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

This press release contains the non-GAAP financial measure EBITDA. The Company believes this non-GAAP financial measure provides meaningful supplemental information as it is used by the Company's management to evaluate the Company's performance. Management believes that this measure enhances a reader's understanding of the financial performance of the Company, is more indicative of operating performance of the Company, and facilitates a better comparison between fiscal periods, as the non-GAAP measure excludes items that are not considered core to the Company's operations.

The Company does not intend for the non-GAAP financial measure contained in this release to be a substitute for any GAAP financial information. Readers of this press release should use this non-GAAP financial measure only in conjunction with the comparable GAAP financial measure. Reconciliations of the non-GAAP financial measure EBITDA to the most comparable GAAP measure are provided in the table at the end of this press release.

About AgroFresh

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc. (AGFS) is a global industry leader in providing innovative data-driven specialty solutions aimed at enabling growers and packers of fresh produce to preserve and enhance the freshness, quality and value of fresh produce and to maximize the percentage of produce supplied to the market relative to the amount of produce grown. Its flagship product is the SmartFresh™ Quality System, a freshness protection technology proven to maintain firmness, texture and appearance of fruits during storage and transport. SmartFresh is currently commercialized in over 40 countries worldwide. Additionally the company has a number of different solutions and application technologies that have either been launched (Harvista™, RipeLock™, LandSpring™) or will be launched in the future that will extend its footprint to other crops and steps of the global produce supply chain. For more information, please visit www.agrofresh.com.

[1] EBITDA is a non-GAAP financial measure. Please see the information under “Non-GAAP Financial Measures” below for a description of EBITDA and the tables at the end of this press release for a reconciliation of Non-GAAP financial measures to GAAP results.

Forward-Looking Statements

In addition to historical information, this release may contain "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of the "safe harbor" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements, other than statements of historical facts, included in this release that address activities, events or developments that the Company expects or anticipates will or may occur in the future are forward-looking statements and are identified with, but not limited to, words such as "anticipate", "believe", "expect", "estimate", "plan", "outlook", and "project" and other similar expressions (or the negative versions of such words or expressions). Forward-looking statements include, without limitation, information concerning the Company's possible or assumed future results of operations, including all statements regarding financial guidance, anticipated future growth, business strategies, competitive position, industry environment, potential growth opportunities and the effects of regulation. These statements are based on management's current expectations and beliefs, as well as a number of assumptions concerning future events. Such forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other important factors, many of which are outside the Company's management's control that could cause actual results to differ materially from the results discussed in the forward-looking statements. These risks include, without limitation, the risk of increased competition; the ability of the business to grow and manage growth profitably; costs related to operating AgroFresh as a stand-alone public company; changes in applicable laws or regulations, and the possibility that the Company may be adversely affected by other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Additional risks and uncertainties are identified and discussed in the Company's filings with the SEC, which are available at the SEC's website at www.sec.gov.

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

September 30,December 31,
20172016
ASSETS
Current Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents $ 75,418 $ 77,312
Accounts receivable, net of allowance for doubtful accounts of $1,502 and $1,242, respectively 78,787 63,675
Inventories 16,952 15,467
Other current assets 14,319 14,047
Total current assets 185,476 170,501
Property and equipment, net 9,299 8,048
Intangible assets, net 748,793 776,584
Deferred income tax assets 7,694 8,459
Other assets 2,043 2,252
TOTAL ASSETS $ 953,305 $ 965,844
LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Current Liabilities:
Accounts payable $ 14,438 $ 12,133
Current portion of long-term debt 5,313 15,250
Income taxes payable 6,017 3,121
Accrued expenses and other current liabilities 48,094 66,366
Total current liabilities 73,862 96,870
Long-term debt 402,333 392,996
Other noncurrent liabilities 70,397 140,833
Deferred income tax liabilities 22,790
Total liabilities 569,382 630,699

Commitments and contingencies

Stockholders’ equity:
Common stock, par value $0.0001; 400,000,000 shares authorized, 51,001,395 and 50,698,587 shares issued and 50,340,014 and 50,037,206 shares outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively 5 5
Preferred stock; par value $0.0001, 1 share authorized and outstanding at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016
Treasury stock; par value $0.0001, 661,381 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016 (3,885 ) (3,885 )
Additional paid-in capital 532,337 475,598
Accumulated deficit (132,076 ) (132,200 )
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (12,458 ) (4,373 )
Total stockholders' equity 383,923 335,145
TOTAL LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY $ 953,305 $ 965,844
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)

(In thousands, except share and per share data)

Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
Net sales $ 60,772 $ 61,200 $ 109,891 $ 107,996
Cost of sales (excluding amortization, shown separately below) 11,620 8,905 21,365 48,558
Gross profit 49,152 52,295 88,526 59,438
Research and development expenses 3,071 2,983 10,103 11,220
Selling, general, and administrative expenses 14,462 15,173 44,328 49,385
Amortization of intangibles 10,445 10,080 31,335 29,878
Change in fair value of contingent consideration (1,424 ) (1,569 ) (2,420 ) (4,969 )
Operating income (loss) 22,598 25,628 5,180 (26,076 )
Other (expense) income (295 ) (38 ) (40 ) 16
(Loss) gain on foreign currency exchange (487 ) 924 10,584 682
Interest expense, net (8,638 ) (14,526 ) (27,495 ) (43,850 )
Income (loss) before income taxes 13,178 11,988 (11,771 ) (69,228 )
Income tax expense (benefit) 3,632 4,676 (11,895 ) (26,239 )
Net income (loss) $ 9,546 $ 7,312 $ 124 $ (42,989 )
Net income (loss) per share:
Basic $ 0.19 $ 0.15 $ $ (0.87 )
Diluted $ 0.19 $ 0.15 $ $ (0.87 )
Weighted average shares outstanding:
Basic 49,676,923 49,567,735 49,852,337 49,385,733
Diluted 50,169,434 49,627,800 50,134,591 49,385,733
AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income (loss) $ 124 $ (42,989 )
Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash provided by (used in) operating activities:
Depreciation and amortization 33,102 31,777
Provision for bad debts 260
Stock-based compensation for equity classified awards 1,318 2,901
Pension expense 227
Amortization of inventory fair value adjustment 30,377
Amortization of deferred financing costs 1,764 1,696
Accretion of contingent consideration 7,297 22,931
Decrease in fair value of contingent consideration (2,420 ) (4,969 )
Deferred income taxes (16,445 ) (24,910 )
Loss on sales of property 81 21
Other 93 850
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable (8,699 ) (8,520 )
Inventories (1,363 ) (2,191 )
Prepaid expenses and other current assets (321 ) (19,627 )
Accounts payable (9,486 ) 341
Accrued expenses and other liabilities 7,691 5,272
Income taxes payable 3,050 1,206
Other assets and liabilities (1,354 ) 711
Net cash provided by (used in) operating activities 14,919 (5,123 )
Cash flows from investing activities:
Cash paid for property and equipment (5,281 ) (5,449 )
Proceeds from sale of property 99 8
Other investments (1,050 )
Net cash used in investing activities (6,232 ) (5,441 )
Cash flows from financing activities:
Payment of Dow liabilities settlement (10,000 )
Repayment of long term debt (2,125 ) (3,188 )
Repurchase of stock for treasury (1,488 )
Net cash used in financing activities (12,125 ) (4,676 )
Effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents 1,544 2,152
Net decrease in cash and cash equivalents (1,894 ) (13,088 )
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period 77,312 57,765
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period $ 75,418 $ 44,677
Supplemental disclosures of cash flow information:
Cash paid for:
Cash paid for interest $ 12,309 $ 18,460
Cash paid for income taxes $ 1,811 $ 2,487
Supplemental schedule of non-cash investing and financing activities:
Accrued purchases of property and equipment $ 1,422 $ 35
Settlement of Dow liabilities not resulting from cash payment, net of deferred income taxes $ 55,089 $

GAAP to Non-GAAP Reconciliations

The following is a reconciliation between the non-GAAP financial measure of EBITDA to its most directly comparable GAAP financial measure, net income (loss):

(in thousands)Three Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2017
Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016
GAAP net income (loss) $ 9,546 $ 7,312 $ 124 $ (42,989 )
Income tax expense (benefit) 3,632 4,676 (11,895 ) (26,239 )
Amortization of inventory step-up(1) 30,377
Interest expense(2) 8,638 14,526 27,495 43,850
Depreciation and amortization 11,056 10,438 33,102 31,777
Non-GAAP EBITDA $ 32,872 $ 36,952 $ 48,826 $ 36,776

__________________________

(1) The amortization of inventory step-up related to the acquisition of AgroFresh was charged to income based on the pace of inventory usage.
(2) Interest on the term loan and accretion for debt discounts, debt issuance costs and contingent consideration.

Contacts:

AgroFresh Solutions, Inc.
Katherine Harper, CFO
investorrelations@AgroFresh.com

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