of 2022 but 19% lower in the full year of 2023 compared to the full year of 2022. As a result of reduced demand and scheduled maintenance activities, we operated our production facilities at 72% of practical capacity utilization in the full year of 2023 (76%, 64%, 73% and 75% in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2023, respectively) compared to 89% in the full year of 2022 (100%, 95%, 93% and 65% in the first, second, third and fourth quarters of 2022, respectively). Fluctuations in currency exchange rates (primarily the euro) decreased our loss from operations by approximately $5 million in the fourth quarter of 2023 and by approximately $16 million in the full year of 2023 as compared to the same prior year periods.
Our net income (loss) before interest expense, income taxes and depreciation and amortization expense (EBITDA) (see description of non-GAAP information below) in the fourth quarter of 2023 was $6.9 million compared to EBITDA of $(8.2) million in the fourth quarter of 2022. For the full year of 2023, the Company’s EBITDA was $(7.2) million compared to EBITDA of $202.5 million in the full year of 2022.
Our loss from operations in the full year of 2023 includes an insurance settlement gain related to a 2020 business interruption insurance claim of $2.5 million ($2.0 million, or $.02 per share, net of income tax expense), a fixed asset impairment related to the write-off of certain costs resulting from a capital project termination of $3.8 million ($2.8 million, or $.02 per share, net of income tax expense) and restructuring costs related to workforce reductions of $5.8 million ($4.3 million, or $.04 per share, net of income tax expense). Income from operations in the full year of 2022 includes a gain related to the 2020 business interruption insurance claim noted above of $2.7 million ($2.2 million, or $.02 per share, net of income tax expense).
Other components of net periodic pension and OPEB cost in the full year of 2023 includes a $1.3 million settlement loss incurred in the second quarter of 2023 related to the termination and buy-out of our UK pension plan ($.9 million, or $.01 per share, net of income tax expense).
The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements that represent management's beliefs and assumptions based on currently available information. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, we cannot give any assurances that these expectations will prove to be correct. Such statements by their nature involve substantial risks and uncertainties that could significantly impact expected results, and actual future results could differ materially from those described in such forward-looking statements. While it is not possible to identify all factors, we continue to face many risks and uncertainties. The factors that could cause actual future results to differ materially include, but are not limited to, the following:
| ● | Future supply and demand for our products |
| ● | Our ability to realize expected cost savings from strategic and operational initiatives |
| ● | The extent of the dependence of certain of our businesses on certain market sectors |
| ● | The cyclicality of our business |
| ● | Customer and producer inventory levels |
| ● | Unexpected or earlier-than-expected industry capacity expansion |
| ● | Changes in raw material and other operating costs (such as energy and ore costs) |
| ● | Changes in the availability of raw materials (such as ore) |
| ● | General global economic and political conditions that harm the worldwide economy, disrupt our supply chain, increase material and energy costs or reduce demand or perceived demand for our TiO2 products or impair our ability to operate our facilities (including changes in the level of gross domestic product in various regions of the world, natural disasters, terrorist acts, global conflicts and public health crises) |
| ● | Operating interruptions (including, but not limited to, labor disputes, leaks, natural disasters, fires, explosions, unscheduled or unplanned downtime, transportation interruptions, certain regional and world events or economic conditions and public health crises) |
| ● | Technology related disruptions (including, but not limited to, cyber attacks; software implementation, upgrades or improvements; technology processing failures; or other events) related to our technology infrastructure that could impact our ability to continue operations, or at key vendors which could impact our supply chain, or at key customers which could impact their operations and cause them to curtail or pause orders |
| ● | Competitive products and substitute products |