Thanks, Jim, and good afternoon. Before we get into the details for the quarter, I would like to make a few general comments. The company's performance for the first quarter reflects the results of strategic efforts we have taken based on our long-term strategy. This is evidenced by revenue growth that we have reported. However, the ongoing global impacts associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the war in Ukraine and other global events continue to impact the company's operations. The company is experiencing supply chain disruptions, shortages in materials and shortages of labor. Costs for labor, material and distribution are rising rapidly as well. We have implemented numerous measures to mitigate these challenges, including increasing safety stock on certain materials, increasing lead times, providing suppliers with longer forecasts of future demand, certifying additional sources of substitute materials where possible and implementing pricing actions. These countermeasures are providing us the opportunity to continue levels of supply to our customers.
I will now share details on the full company results, operational EBITDA and cash flow results for the first quarter. Turning to Slide 7. As we reported in our earnings release, for the first quarter of 2022, we reported revenues of $290 million compared to $265 million in the prior year quarter or an improvement of $25 million. On a constant currency basis, revenue improved by $35 million. On a U.S. GAAP basis, we reported net loss of $3 million for the first quarter, compared to net income of $6 million in the prior year quarter. The 2022 and 2021 first quarter results include expense of $3 million and $1 million, respectively, related to changes in the fair value of embedded derivative liabilities. The first quarter of 2022 also includes income of $4 million related to noncash changes in workers' compensation reserves. Excluding these current and prior year items, loss for 2022 was $4 million, compared to income of $7 million in the prior year quarter.
Operational EBITDA for the quarter was a negative $7 million, compared to a positive $3 million in the prior year quarter. Excluding the unfavorable impact of foreign exchange and adjusting for noncash changes in workers' compensation reserves in the current year, operational EBITDA decreased $13 million from the prior year quarter. Operational EBITDA for the first quarter of 2022 was favorably impacted by growth in revenue due to improved pricing and volume, offset by higher ongoing global cost increases. During the first quarter, volumes for SONORA Process Free Plates grew by 24%, and the annuity revenue for PROSPER improved by 2%. We continued to invest in our core competencies and future growth areas of ULTRASTREAM and advanced materials and chemicals.
Moving on to the company cash performance presented on Slide 8. The company ended the first quarter with $309 million in cash and cash equivalents, a decrease of $53 million from December 31, 2021. As presented on the bottom portion of the slide, excluding the prior year impact of net proceeds from refinancing transactions, funding of the letter of credit facility and the effect of exchange rates on cash, the quarter-to-date decrease in cash and cash equivalents was $29 million, primarily driven by a use of cash from working capital. Cash used in operating activities was $43 million, driven primarily by cash use from net earnings
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Cash used by financing activities was $1 million in the quarter compared to cash provided by financing activities of $242 million in the prior year period. Cash provided by financing activities in the prior year period included $247 million of incremental cash after fees and expenses, driven by the financial transactions announced on March 1, 2021. Restricted cash at the end of the quarter was $65 million, an increase of $4 million from December 31, 2021, mainly related to legal contingency collateral required outside the U.S. Restricted cash primarily represents cash collateral required under the new letter of credit facility in addition to escrows to secure various ongoing obligations. We will continue to focus on alternatives to reduce restrictions on cash, and we view this as an upside opportunity for incremental liquidity for the company. Finally, we remain in compliance with applicable financial covenants.
I will now turn the discussion back to Jim.