Rayonier Advanced Materials Inc. (RYAM) named former Olin Corporation President and CEO Scott M. Sutton as its new chief executive officer, effective immediately. Sutton brings more than 30 years of experience in the chemicals and materials sector, having led Olin through a period of disciplined capital allocation and operational excellence. He succeeds De Lyle W. Bloomquist, who will remain on the board as an advisor to ensure a smooth transition.
RYAM’s recent financials underscore the urgency of the leadership change. The company reported a loss of $0.10 per share in its 2024 full year, beating consensus estimates of a $0.12 loss, while revenue of $1.63 billion fell slightly from $1.63 billion in 2023. In Q3 2025, RYAM posted an EPS of –$0.07, missing analysts’ consensus of –$0.02, and revenue of $353 million, down 12% year‑over‑year. The company’s debt load stands at $822 million, a significant burden that has prompted a focus on deleveraging and cash‑flow improvement.
The new CEO’s mandate centers on accelerating RYAM’s biomaterials strategy and strengthening its high‑margin cellulose specialties franchise. RYAM has already raised €67 million in green capital to fund a second‑generation bioethanol plant and a prebiotics project, projects that are projected to generate over $40 million in EBITDA by 2027. The company’s high‑purity cellulose, paperboard, and high‑yield pulp segments are the core of its revenue mix, with the cellulose specialties segment accounting for the largest share of margin‑contributing sales. RYAM’s strategy aims to shift the mix toward these higher‑margin products while managing headwinds in legacy paperboard and pulp operations.
Board Chair Lisa M. Palumbo praised Sutton’s track record, saying, “Scott is a highly respected leader with deep industry expertise and a demonstrated ability to drive performance in complex operating environments. His strategic mindset, operational rigor, and commitment to safety and sustainability make him the right leader to build on RYAM’s biomaterials strategy.” Sutton echoed this sentiment, stating, “I am honored to join RYAM at such an important time for the company. I look forward to working closely with the Board and the entire organization to accelerate performance, strengthen partnerships, and unlock the company’s full potential.” Outgoing CEO De Lyle Bloomquist highlighted the company’s strategic pillars—strengthening the cellulose specialties franchise, advancing biomaterials execution, and driving structural cost improvements—setting the stage for Sutton’s leadership.
The appointment comes at a time when RYAM faces significant financial challenges. The company’s debt burden of $822 million and negative earnings per share of –$6.31 over the last twelve months underscore the need for disciplined capital management. Sutton’s experience at Olin, where he successfully restructured debt and improved cash flow, signals a focus on financial resilience. The strategic pivot to biomaterials and high‑margin cellulose specialties is expected to create new growth opportunities, while the company’s ongoing investments in green capital aim to position it as a leader in sustainable materials. Investors will be watching how quickly Sutton can translate these initiatives into improved profitability and whether the company can navigate the competitive pressures in the cellulose market, which is projected to reach $18.4 billion by 2034.
The transition also reflects RYAM’s broader effort to address market headwinds such as tariff impacts and customer destocking. The company has experienced a 12% decline in sales for its cellulose specialties segment in Q3 2025, driven by customer destocking and global tariff impacts, and a 25% Chinese tariff on U.S. cellulose commodities that cut approximately $85 million in annual revenue. Sutton’s mandate will include mitigating these external pressures while leveraging the company’s strong product portfolio and operational capabilities to regain market share and improve margins.
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