BETHESDA, Md. — The world's largest wood-based biomass company that has been struggling to keep its head above water has filed voluntary Chapter 11 bankruptcy and entered into agreements that will help it draw down its debt by $1 billion. 

Enviva Inc. announced March 12 that it has entered into two Restructuring Support Agreements (RSAs) in an effort to pay debt and stabilize the company. 

One RSA was entered into with an ad hoc group of holders representing approximately 72% of its senior secured credit facility, approximately 95% of its 2026 senior notes, approximately 78% of bonds related to its Epes, Alabama plant currently under construction, and approximately 45% of bonds related to its greenfield project near Bond, Mississippi.

The second RSA was made with certain holders representing more than 92% of bonds related to the Bond greenfield project.

According to Enviva, the RSAs have broad support across the company’s capital structure and are designed to support an expedited restructuring to reduce the company’s debt by approximately $1.0 billion, as well as improve profitability, strengthen liquidity, and better position the business for long-term success as the world’s largest producer of industrial wood pellets.

To implement this pre-arranged restructuring, Enviva and certain of its subsidiaries have commenced voluntary Chapter 11 proceedings in the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the Eastern District of Virginia. 

The company has also secured commitments for $500 million in debtor-in-possession financing (DIP Facility) and other financing accommodations from the Ad Hoc Group, a portion of which will be allocated by the company to eligible stockholders in accordance with a syndication process that is subject to Court approval. 

The DIP Facility is expected to provide, subject to court approval, sufficient liquidity to support continued operations across Enviva’s business throughout the restructuring process, as well as help fund the completion of Epes.

Glenn Nunziata, interim CEO and chief financial officer said: “These agreements with our lenders and noteholders represent a significant milestone in the ongoing process to transform our business, as we focus on improving profitability, reducing costs, enhancing asset productivity, and optimizing our capital structure. We look forward to emerging from this process as a stronger company with a solid financial foundation and better positioned to be a leader in the future growth of the wood-based biomass industry. We appreciate the support of our lenders, our vendors, and our customers, and the tremendous efforts of our entire team as we continue to execute our transformation plan.”

The company is filing with the court several customary “first-day” motions. These motions, which Enviva expects to be approved in short order, are expected to help facilitate a smooth transition into Chapter 11. Enviva expects to continue to pay suppliers in the ordinary course for authorized goods received and services provided after the filing.

The restructuring is targeted to be completed during the fourth quarter of 2024, and throughout the process, Enviva plans to continue constructing its Epes plant, with an in-service date expected to be during the first half of 2025.

The company also announced plans to pause development of the Bond facility. It intends to revisit restarting Bond, depending on the level of customer contracting, once it emerges from its in-court restructuring process.

The terms of the RSA with the Ad Hoc Group provide for existing equity holders to receive (i) 5% of the common equity of the reorganized company at exit from Chapter 11 proceedings and (ii) warrants to purchase an additional 5% of the reorganized equity, both subject to dilution from shares issued in connection with, among other sources, a contemplated equity rights offering, equity participation election rights for creditors under the DIP Facility, and a management incentive plan, in each case, subject to Court approval.

In addition, Enviva has been in contact with the New York Stock Exchange and anticipates the continued listing of its common stock on the NYSE throughout the restructuring process so long as the company continues to meet the minimum continued listing standards set forth by the NYSE.