Northern Technologies International Corporation Reports Financial Results for Second Quarter Fiscal 2026

MINNEAPOLIS, April 09, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Northern Technologies International Corporation (NASDAQ: NTIC), a leading developer of corrosion inhibiting products and services, as well as bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds, today reported its financial results for the second quarter of fiscal 2026.

Second quarter fiscal 2026 financial and operating highlights include (with growth rates on a fiscal quarter year-over-year basis):

• Consolidated net sales increased 15.3% to a record second quarter of $21,997,000
• ZERUST® industrial net sales increased 11.2% to $13,967,000
• ZERUST® oil and gas net sales increased 72.1% to a second quarter record of $2,666,000
• Natur-Tec® product net sales increased 8.1% to $5,363,000
• NTIC China net sales increased 18.5% to $4,425,000
• Gross profit, as a percentage of net sales, increased 10 basis points to 35.7%
• Joint venture operating income increased 19.8% to $2,027,000
• Operating income improved to $383,000, compared to an operating loss of $(333,000) in the prior-year quarter
• Net loss attributable to NTIC was $35,000, compared to net income attributable to NTIC $434,000
• Net loss per diluted share attributable to NTIC was $(0.00), compared to net income per diluted share attributable to NTIC of $0.04
• For second quarter of fiscal 2025, NTIC recognized $1,140,000 in other income due to the receipt of an Employee Retention Credit (ERC) payment
• Non-GAAP adjusted net income⁽¹⁾ was $70,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, compared to a Non-GAAP adjusted net loss of $300,000, or $(0.03) per share for the same period last year

“Our results were in line with our long-term growth strategy. Second quarter performance was driven by solid top-line growth across our businesses, including record second quarter ZERUST® oil and gas net sales, with year-over-year growth across all geographies, in accordance with the investments we have made in our global sales infrastructure and the increasing adoption of our VCI solutions within the global oil and gas industry. We have also seen consistent strength at NTIC China, despite the seasonal impact of the Lunar New Year and achieved another solid quarter of Natur-Tec® growth. Overall, second quarter and year-to-date results reflect the resilience of our business model and the increasing value customers place on our corrosion prevention and compostable plastics solutions,” said G. Patrick Lynch, President and CEO of NTIC.

“While the macro environment, including geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, ongoing supply chain pressures, and continued challenges in the European economy, has become more uncertain, we remain confident in the direction of our business and the strategies we are executing to drive long-term value. The diversity of our end markets, geographic footprint, and product portfolio positions us well to navigate near-term volatility. As we move through the second half of fiscal 2026, we expect continued sales growth and improved profitability, supported by stable trends in North America and ongoing strength in NTIC China, ZERUST® oil and gas, and Natur-Tec®,” concluded Mr. Lynch.

NTIC’s consolidated net sales increased 15.3% to $21,997,000 during the three months ended February 28, 2026, compared to $19,072,000 for the three months ended February 28, 2025. The year-over-year increase in second quarter sales was primarily driven by increased sales and demand for ZERUST® and Natur-Tec® products. For the first half of fiscal 2026, consolidated net sales increased 12.1% to $45,306,000, compared to $40,410,000 for the same period last year.

The following tables set forth NTIC’s net sales by product category for the three and six months ended February 28, 2026, and 2025, by segment:

Net sales at NTIC’s joint ventures, which are not consolidated with NTIC’s financial results, increased 18.6% to $23,484,000 during the three months ended February 28, 2026, compared to $19,800,000 for the three months ended February 28, 2025. NTIC’s total income from joint venture operations increased 19.8% to $2,027,000 during the three months ended February 28, 2026, compared to $1,691,000 during the three months ended February 28, 2025. The $336,000 increase in total income from joint venture operations was primarily due to an increase in sales at NTIC’s joint ventures. Year-to-date, NTIC’s joint venture operating income was $4,318,000, compared to joint venture operating income of $4,105,000 during the six months ended February 28, 2025. Net sales of NTIC’s joint ventures were $48,015,000 for the six months ended February 28, 2026, compared to $43,637,000 for the six months ended February 28, 2025.

Operating expenses, as a percentage of net sales, for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 were 43.2%, compared to 46.2% for the same period last fiscal year. Year-to-date, operating expenses, as a percent of net sales, were 42.5%, compared to 45.3% for the same period last fiscal year. Operating expenses for the three and six months ended February 28, 2026 increased 7.7% and 5.2%, respectively. These increases were primarily due to strategic investments in ZERUST® oil and gas marketing and sales efforts.

NTIC recognized $1,140,000 in other income during the three and six months ended February 28, 2025, due to the receipt of a cash ERC payment. No other income was recognized during the three and six months ended February 28, 2026.

Net loss attributable to NTIC for the second quarter of fiscal 2026 was $35,000, or $(0.00) per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to NTIC of $434,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year.   Year-to-date, net income attributable to NTIC was $202,000, or $0.02 per diluted share, compared to net income attributable to NTIC of $995,000, or $0.10 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year.

NTIC’s non-GAAP adjusted net income⁽¹⁾, as set forth in the GAAP reconciliation at the end of this release, was $70,000, or $0.01 per diluted share, for the second quarter of fiscal 2026, compared to a net loss of $300,000, or $(0.03) per diluted share, for the same quarter last fiscal year. Year-to-date, non-GAAP adjusted net income was $414,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, compared to net income of $367,000, or $0.04 per diluted share, for the same period last fiscal year.

NTIC had working capital of $20,202,000 as of February 28, 2026, including $6,470,000 in cash and cash equivalents and an outstanding revolving line of credit and term loan balance of $14,259,000, compared to $20,439,000 of working capital as of August 31, 2025, including $7,251,000 in cash and cash equivalents and an outstanding revolving line of credit and term loan balance of $12,189,000.

At February 28, 2026, NTIC had $29,748,000 of investments in joint ventures, of which $15,400,000, or 51.8%, was cash, with the remaining balance mostly made up of other working capital.

Conference Call and Webcast

NTIC will host a conference call today at 8:00 a.m. Central Time to review its results of operations for the second quarter of fiscal year 2026 and its outlook, followed by a question-and-answer session. The conference call will be available to interested parties through a webcast. To join the live call and ask a question, a participant must register using the URL below.

https://register-conf.media-server.com/register/BI189d44aede034eeaa9847116235afb6b

Once registered, the participant will receive a dial-in number and unique PIN number to access the call.

The audio-only webcast can be accessed at the following link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/3ffaprzx

A link to the webcast is also available on the Investor Relations section of NTIC’s webpage. Participants are advised to go to the website at least 15 minutes early to register, download and install any necessary audio software. For those unable to participate in the live webcast, a replay of the webcast will be archived and accessible for approximately one year on the Investor Relations section of NTIC’s webpage.

About Northern Technologies International Corporation  

Northern Technologies International Corporation develops and markets proprietary, environmentally beneficial products and services in over 65 countries either directly or via a network of subsidiaries, joint ventures, independent distributors and agents. NTIC’s primary business is corrosion prevention marketed mainly under the ZERUST® brand. NTIC has been selling its proprietary ZERUST® rust and corrosion inhibiting products and services to the automotive, general industrial, mechanical, mining, agricultural, and retail consumer markets for over 50 years and, more recently, has also expanded into the oil and gas industry. NTIC offers worldwide on-site technical consulting for rust and corrosion prevention issues. NTIC’s technical service consultants work directly with the end users of NTIC’s products to analyze their specific needs and develop systems to meet their technical requirements. NTIC also markets and sells a portfolio of bio-based and biodegradable polymer resin compounds and finished products marketed under the Natur-Tec® brand.

Forward-Looking Statements  

Statements contained in this release that are not historical information are forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements include NTIC’s beliefs that the diversity of its end markets, geographic footprint, and product portfolio positions NTIC well to navigate near-term volatility and that as NTIC moves through the second half of fiscal 2026, it expects continued sales growth and improved profitability, supported by stable trends in North America and ongoing strength in NTIC China, ZERUST® oil and gas, and Natur-Tec®, and other statements that can be identified by words such as “believes,” “continues,” “expects,” “anticipates,” “intends,” “potential,” “outlook,” “will,” “may,” “would,” “should,” “guidance” or words of similar meaning, and the use of future dates. Such forward-looking statements are based upon the current beliefs and expectations of NTIC’s management and are inherently subject to risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected or implied. Such potential risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, in no particular order: the effect of the U.S.-Israel-Iran conflict, which has had immediate and substantial effects on global trade, energy markets and financial markets; risks associated with international operations, including NTIC China, exposure to exchange rate fluctuations, tariffs, trade disputes and changes to trade regulation; the health of the U.S. and worldwide economies, including in particular the U.S. automotive industry, decreased exports of automotive products resulting from tariffs between the U.S. and both Mexico and Canada and the evolution towards electric vehicles; the effect of economic uncertainty, recessionary indicators, inflation, increased interest rates and turmoil in the global credit, financial and banking markets or perception thereof; effect of supply chain disruptions; dependence on joint ventures, relationships with joint venture partners and their success, including fees and dividend distributions; effect of economic slowdown and political unrest, including the war between Russia and Ukraine and the conflicts in the Middle East; the level of growth in NTIC’s markets; NTIC’s investments in research and development efforts; acceptance of existing and new products; timing of purchase orders under supply contracts; variability in sales to oil and gas customers and effect on quarterly financial results; increased competition; costs and effects of complying with changes in tax, fiscal, government and other regulatory policies, and rules relating to environmental, health and safety matters; and NTIC’s reliance on its intellectual property rights and the absence of infringement of the intellectual property rights of others. More detailed information on these and additional factors which could affect NTIC’s operating and financial results is described in NTIC’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), including its annual report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended August 31, 2025 and subsequent quarterly report on Form 10-Q. NTIC urges all interested parties to read these reports to gain a better understanding of the many business and other risks that it faces. Additionally, NTIC undertakes no obligation to publicly release the results of any revisions to these forward-looking statements, which may be made to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date hereof or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events.

⁽¹⁾ Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures

In addition to the financial measures prepared in accordance with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP), this release contains non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net income attributable to NTIC and adjusted net income attributable to NTIC per diluted share. NTIC’s reasons for use of these measures, reconciliations of these non-GAAP financial measures to the most directly comparable GAAP measures and other information are included at the end of this release. Non-GAAP financial measures have limitations as analytical tools and should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for NTIC’s financial results prepared in accordance with GAAP.                                                                                              

NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORPORATION AND SUBSIDIARIES
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP TO NON-GAAP MEASURES
(UNAUDITED, IN THOUSANDS, EXCEPT SHARE AND PER SHARE AMOUNTS)

The accompanying press release contains certain non-GAAP financial measures, including adjusted net income (loss) attributable to NTIC and adjusted net income (loss) attributable to NTIC per diluted share, which are not calculated or presented in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States (GAAP). These non-GAAP financial measures are supplemental information and in addition to the financial measures presented in the accompanying release that are calculated and presented in accordance with GAAP. NTIC uses non-GAAP financial measures as supplemental measures of performance and believes these measures facilitate operating performance comparisons from period to period and company to company by factoring out potential differences caused by non-recurring, unusual or infrequent charges not related to NTIC’s regular, ongoing business. NTIC also believes that the presentation of certain non-GAAP financial measures provides useful information to investors in evaluating the company’s operations, period over period. Such non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered superior to, as a substitute for, or as an alternative to, and should be considered in conjunction with, the GAAP financial measures presented in the release. The non-GAAP financial measures in the accompanying release may differ from similar measures used by other companies.

The following is a reconciliation of NTIC’s reported net income (loss) attributable to NTIC and reported net income (loss) attributable to NTIC per diluted common share to adjusted net income (loss) attributable to NTIC and adjusted net income (loss) attributable to NTIC per diluted common share, in each case, as adjusted to exclude the contribution from the receipt of an ERC payment and amortization expense.

Investor and Media Contact:
Matthew Wolsfeld, CFO
NTIC
(763) 225-6600