Press Releases August 4, 2026 04:16 PM

Fuel Tech Reports 2026 Second Quarter Financial Results

Fuel Tech reports Q2 2026 results showing 17% revenue growth and backlog expansion amid leadership transition

By Jordan Park
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FTEK

Fuel Tech, Inc. reported a 17% increase in consolidated revenues in Q2 2026, driven by growth in both the Air Pollution Control (APC) and FUEL CHEM segments. Despite revenue gains and a doubled APC backlog to approximately $17 million, the company recorded a net loss of $1.2 million, reflecting margin pressures and higher costs. The company announced a CEO succession effective August 10, 2026, with Ramesh Nuggihalli taking over. Fuel Tech maintains a strong balance sheet with $30 million in cash and investments and no long-term debt.

Fuel Tech Reports 2026 Second Quarter Financial Results
FTEK
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Key Points

  • Q2 2026 revenues rose 17% to $6.5 million, driven by APC and FUEL CHEM segment growth.
  • APC backlog more than doubled to $17 million after recent contract awards, indicating future revenue potential.
  • Leadership transition announced with new CEO effective August 10, 2026, signaling possible strategic evolution.
  • The environmental technology sector and utility & industrial markets are impacted due to the nature of Fuel Tech's emissions control and water treatment technologies.

WARRENVILLE, Ill., Aug. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Fuel Tech, Inc. (NASDAQ: FTEK), a technology company using advanced engineering processes to provide emissions control systems and water treatment technologies in utility and industrial applications, today reported financial results for the second quarter ended June 30, 2026 (“Q2 2026”).

“Revenues for Q2 2026 rose 17% and reflected strong performance from our FUEL CHEM® and Air Pollution Control (“APC”) business segments,” said Vincent J. Arnone, President and CEO. “We are pleased with our performance at the midpoint of the year and remain optimistic about the outlook for each of our business segments for full year 2026. We are preparing for what has historically been a strong third quarter for FUEL CHEM and continue to expect that segment revenues will approximate last year’s results. For APC, including our recently announced contract awards of $3 million, our effective backlog is approximately $17 million, which is more than double the backlog at the end of 2025. In addition, we have commenced engineering work on our recently announced large contract at a publicly-owned Midwest utility. Our business development activities across FUEL CHEM, APC and our DGI® Dissolved Gas Infusion water treatment division are encouraging. As of June 30, 2026, our balance sheet included cash, cash equivalents, and investments of approximately $30 million and no long-term debt.”

Mr. Arnone concluded, “As announced today, Ramesh Nuggihalli will be succeeding me as President and CEO of Fuel Tech effective August 10, 2026. In getting to know Ramesh during this process, I am confident that his background, temperament, and accomplishments make him exceptionally well positioned to lead Fuel Tech into its next chapter of growth and development. Serving Fuel Tech has been one of the greatest honors of my career, and I am proud of what we have achieved. I look forward to supporting Ramesh and the entire Fuel Tech organization as a member of the Board of Directors.”

Business Segment Performance
All comparisons are to the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 unless otherwise stated.

Revenues generated by the APC segment rose by 11% to $2.8 million in Q2 2026, primarily attributable to the timing of project execution on existing contracts and increased consolidated    segment backlog resulting from new project awards. Segment gross margin declined to 36% compared to 44%, due to product and project mix.

Consolidated APC segment backlog at June 30, 2026 was $14.3 million compared to $7.0 million at December 31, 2025. Backlog at June 30, 2026 included the recently awarded APC contracts valued at $10 million associated primarily with a utility grid enhancement project in the Midwest.

FUEL CHEM segment revenue rose 21% to $3.7 million from $3.1 million, primarily due to increased operational dispatch at legacy accounts. Segment gross margin declined to 45% from 47%, the result of demonstration costs, increased freight costs and additional internal labor costs for unit maintenance.

Second Quarter 2026 (“Q2 2026”) Consolidated Results Overview
All comparisons are to the second quarter ended June 30, 2025 unless otherwise stated.

Consolidated revenues for Q2 2026 rose 17% to $6.5 million from $5.6 million, driven by increases in both APC and FUEL CHEM segment revenues.   

Consolidated gross margin for Q2 2026 declined to 41% of revenues from 46% of revenues, driven by declines in both APC and FUEL CHEM segment gross margins.

SG&A expenses for Q2 2026 were $3.6 million, or 55.4% of revenues, compared to $3.3 million, or 60.2% of revenues, reflecting higher revenues compared to the prior year period.

Interest income for Q2 2026 was $266,000 compared to $537,000. Income generated is primarily related to interest received on the held-to-maturity debt securities and money market funds. The decrease is related primarily to a one-time, $257,000 collection of the Employee Retention Credit (“ERC”) benefit under the CARES Act in last year’s second quarter.

Net loss in Q2 2026 was $(1.2) million, or $(0.04) per share, compared to net loss of $(0.7) million, or $(0.02) per share.

Adjusted EBITDA loss was $(1.2) million in Q2 2026 compared to an Adjusted EBITDA loss of $(0.9) million.

Financial Condition

As of June 30, 2026, cash and cash equivalents were $7.6 million, short-term investments were $12.0 million, and long-term investments totaled $10.0 million. Stockholders’ equity as of June 30, 2026 was $37.4 million, or $1.20 per share, and the Company had no debt.

Conference Call

Management will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 5, 2026 at 10:00 am ET / 9:00 am CT to discuss the results and business activities. Interested parties may participate in the call by dialing:

  • (877) 423-9820 (Domestic) or
  • (201) 493-6749 (International)

The conference call will also be accessible via the Upcoming Events section of the Company’s web site at www.ftek.com. Following management’s opening remarks, there will be a question-and-answer session.

About Fuel Tech

Fuel Tech develops and commercializes state-of-the-art proprietary technologies for air pollution control, process optimization, water treatment, and advanced engineering services. These technologies enable customers to operate in a cost-effective and environmentally sustainable manner. Fuel Tech is a leader in nitrogen oxide (NOx) reduction and particulate control technologies and its solutions have been installed on over 2,100 utility, industrial and municipal units worldwide. The Company’s chemical technologies improves the efficiency, reliability, fuel flexibility, boiler heat rate, and environmental status of combustion units by controlling slagging, fouling, corrosion and opacity. This includes Fuel Tech’s advanced TIFI® Targeted In-Furnace Injection™ technology which offers an innovative solution to fireside treatment on boilers using coal, oil or biomass.   Water treatment technologies include DGI® Dissolved Gas Infusion Systems which utilize a patented saturator and a patent-pending channel injector to deliver supersaturated oxygen solutions and other gas-water combinations to target process applications or environmental issues. This infusion process has a variety of applications in the water and wastewater industries, including remediation, aeration, biological treatment and wastewater odor management. Many of Fuel Tech’s products and services rely heavily on the Company’s exceptional Computational Fluid Dynamics modeling capabilities, which are enhanced by internally developed, high-end visualization software. For more information, visit Fuel Tech’s web site at ftek.com.

NOTE REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release contains “forward-looking statements” as defined in Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which are made pursuant to the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and reflect Fuel Tech’s current expectations regarding future growth, results of operations, cash flows, performance and business prospects, and opportunities, as well as assumptions made by, and information currently available to, our management. Fuel Tech has tried to identify forward-looking statements by using words such as “anticipate,” “believe,” “plan,” “expect,” “estimate,” “intend,” “will,” and similar expressions, but these words are not the exclusive means of identifying forward-looking statements. These statements are based on information currently available to Fuel Tech and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, and other factors, including, but not limited to, those discussed in Fuel Tech’s Annual Report on Form 10-K in Item 1A under the caption “Risk Factors,” and subsequent filings under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended, which could cause Fuel Tech’s actual growth, results of operations, financial condition, cash flows, performance and business prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed in, or implied by, these statements. Fuel Tech undertakes no obligation to update such factors or to publicly announce the results of any of the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect future events, developments, or changed circumstances or for any other reason. Investors are cautioned that all forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, including those detailed in Fuel Tech’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

CONTACT:Vince Arnone                
President and CEO
(630) 845-4500Devin Sullivan
Managing Director
The Equity Group Inc.
[email protected]

Conor Rodriguez
Associate
The Equity Group Inc.
[email protected]   


FUEL TECH, INC.
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per share data)       June 30,  December 31,  2026  2025 ASSETS       Current assets:       Cash and cash equivalents$7,620  $11,939 Short-term investments 11,991   12,942 Accounts receivable, less current expected credit loss of $107 and $108, respectively 3,904   5,355 Inventories, net 358   373 Prepaid expenses and other current assets 1,153   1,335 Total current assets 25,026   31,944 Property and equipment, net of accumulated depreciation of $17,608 and $19,433, respectively 4,782   4,739 Goodwill 2,116   2,116 Other intangible assets, net of accumulated amortization of $604 and $561, respectively 604   646 Right-of-use operating lease assets, net 490   536 Long-term investments 9,974   6,991 Other assets 202   207 Total assets$43,194  $47,179 LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS' EQUITY       Current liabilities:       Accounts payable 2,817  $3,242 Accrued liabilities:       Operating lease liabilities - current 94   89 Employee compensation 718   1,308 Other accrued liabilities 1,279   1,634 Total current liabilities 4,908   6,273 Operating lease liabilities - non-current 439   491 Deferred income taxes, net 187   187 Other liabilities 293   296 Total liabilities 5,827   7,247 Stockholders’ equity:       Common stock, $.01 par value, 40,000,000 shares authorized, 32,457,627 and 32,281,179 shares issued, and 31,216,789 and 31,074,438 shares outstanding, respectively 324   322 Additional paid-in capital 165,712   165,616 Accumulated deficit (124,381)  (121,796)Accumulated other comprehensive loss (1,751)  (1,718)Nil coupon perpetual loan notes 76   76 Treasury stock, at cost (2,613)  (2,568)Total stockholders’ equity 37,367   39,932 Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity$43,194  $47,179         

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUEL TECH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands, except share and per-share data)       Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  June 30,  June 30,  2026  2025  2026  2025 Revenues$6,485  $5,558  $12,565  $11,940 Costs and expenses:               Cost of sales 3,810   3,029   7,241   6,452 Selling, general and administrative 3,594   3,347   7,310   6,688 Research and development 646   490   1,175   1,060   8,050   6,866   15,726   14,200 Operating loss (1,565)  (1,308)  (3,161)  (2,260)Interest income 266   537   506   816 Other income, net 79   86   79   20 Loss before income taxes (1,220)  (685)  (2,576)  (1,424)Income tax expense (10)  (4)  (9)  (4)Net loss$(1,230) $(689) $(2,585) $(1,428)Net loss per common share:               Basic net loss per common share$(0.04) $(0.02) $(0.08) $(0.05)Diluted net loss per common share$(0.04) $(0.02) $(0.08) $(0.05)Weighted-average number of common shares outstanding:               Basic 31,181,000   30,868,000   31,137,000   30,796,000 Diluted 31,181,000   30,868,000   31,137,000   30,796,000                 

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUEL TECH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)       Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  June 30,  June 30,  2026  2025  2026  2025 Net loss$(1,230) $(689) $(2,585) $(1,428)Other comprehensive income (loss):               Foreign currency translation adjustments 10   11   (33)  146 Comprehensive loss$(1,220) $(678) $(2,618) $(1,282)

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUEL TECH, INC.
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)    Six Months Ended  June 30,  2026  2025 Operating Activities       Net loss$(2,585) $(1,428)Adjustments to reconcile net loss to net cash (used in) provided by operating activities:       Depreciation 353   327 Amortization 44   18 Interest income on held-to-maturity securities, net of premium amortization and discount accretion 67   (90)Provision for credit losses, net of recoveries (1)  — Stock-based compensation, net of forfeitures 98   212 Changes in operating assets and liabilities:       Accounts receivable 1,434   1,987 Employee retention credit receivable —   1,232 Inventory 15   (218)Prepaid expenses, other current assets and other non-current assets 182   77 Accounts payable (417)  (833)Accrued liabilities and other non-current liabilities (931)  203 Net cash (used in) provided by operating activities (1,741)  1,487 Investing Activities       Purchases of equipment and patents (399)  (101)Purchases of debt securities (9,103)  (4,949)Maturities of debt securities 7,000   5,750 Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities (2,502)  700 Financing Activities       Taxes paid on behalf of equity award participants (45)  (222)Net cash used in financing activities (45)  (222)Effect of exchange rate fluctuations on cash (31)  114 Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents (4,319)  2,079 Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period 11,939   8,510 Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$7,620  $10,589         

See notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

FUEL TECH, INC.
Segment Data- Reporting Segments
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)              Information about reporting segment net sales and gross margin from operations is provided below:               Air Pollution  FUEL CHEM         Three months ended June 30, 2026Control Segment  Segment  Other  Total Revenues from external customers$2,785  $3,700  $—  $6,485 Cost of sales (1,775)  (2,035)  —   (3,810)Gross margin 1,010   1,66   —   2,675 Selling, general and administrative —   —   (3,594)  (3,594)Research and development —   —   (646)  (646)Income (loss) from operations$1,010  $1,66  $(4,240) $(1,565)                


 Air Pollution  FUEL CHEM         Three months ended June 30, 2025Control Segment  Segment  Other  Total Revenues from external customers$2,505  $3,053  $—  $5,558 Cost of sales (1,406)  (1,623)  —   (3,029)Gross margin 1,099   1,430   —   2,529 Selling, general and administrative —   —   (3,347)  (3,347)Research and development —   —   (490)  (490)Income (loss) from operations$1,099  $1,430  $(3,837) $(1,308)                


 Air Pollution  FUEL CHEM         Six months ended June 30, 2026Control Segment  Segment  Other  Total Revenues from external customers$4,389  $8,176  $—  $12,565 Cost of sales (2,764)  (4,482)  —   (7,246)Gross margin 1,625   3,694   —   5,319 Selling, general and administrative —   —   (7,310)  (7,310)Research and development —   —   (1,170)  (1,170)Income (loss) from operations$1,625  $3,694  $(8,480) $(3,161)                


 Air Pollution  FUEL CHEM         Six months ended June 30, 2025Control Segment  Segment  Other  Total Revenues from external customers$3,808  $8,132  $—  $11,940 Cost of sales (2,284)  (4,168)  —   (6,452)Gross margin 1,524   3,964   —   5,488 Selling, general and administrative —   —   (6,688)  (6,688)Research and development$—   —   (1,060)  (1,060)Income (loss) from operations$1,524  $3,964  $(7,748) $(2,260)                


FUEL TECH, INC.
Geographic Segment Financial Data
(Unaudited)
(in thousands)      Information concerning our operations by geographic area is provided below. Revenues are attributed to countries based on the location of the end-user. Assets are those directly associated with operations of the geographic area.       Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  June 30,  June 30,  2026  2025  2026  2025 Revenues:               United States$5,901  $4,442  $11,148  $9,801 Foreign 584   1,116   1,417   2,139  $6,485  $5,558  $12,565  $11,940                 


 June 30,  December 31,  2026  2025 Assets:       United States$40,636  $44,345 Foreign 2,558   2,834  $43,194  $47,179         


FUEL TECH, INC.
RECONCILIATION OF GAAP NET LOSS TO EBITDA AND ADJUSTED EBITDA
(in thousands)       Three Months Ended  Six Months Ended  June 30,  June 30,  2026  2025  2026  2025                 Net Loss$(1,230) $(689) $(2,585) $(1,428)Interest income (266)  (537)  (506)  (816)Income tax expense 10   4   9   4 Depreciation expense 178   163   353   327 Amortization expense 18   9   44   18 EBITDA (1,290)  (1,050)  (2,685)  (1,895)Stock compensation expense 42   102   98   212 Adjusted EBITDA$(1,248) $(948) $(2,587) $(1,683)                

Adjusted EBITDA

To supplement the Company's consolidated financial statements presented in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles in the United States (GAAP), the Company has provided an Adjusted EBITDA disclosure as a measure of financial performance. Adjusted EBITDA is defined as net income (loss) before interest expense, income tax expense (benefit), depreciation expense, amortization expense, and stock compensation expense. The Company's reference to these non-GAAP measures should be considered in addition to results prepared in accordance with GAAP standards, but are not a substitute for, or superior to, GAAP results.

Adjusted EBITDA is provided to enhance investors' overall understanding of the Company's current financial performance and ability to generate cash flow, which we believe is a meaningful measure for our investor and analyst communities. In many cases non-GAAP financial measures are utilized by these individuals to evaluate Company performance and ultimately determine a reasonable valuation for our common stock. A reconciliation of Adjusted EBITDA to the nearest GAAP measure of net income (loss) has been included in the above financial table.


Risks

  • Declining gross margins in both APC and FUEL CHEM segments due to product mix and cost increases pressure profitability.
  • Continued net losses and negative adjusted EBITDA indicate ongoing financial challenges.
  • Dependence on contract execution timing and securing new contracts poses revenue visibility and operational risks.

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