The Cologne-based Specialty chemicals company LANXESS projects the highest full year results in its history, following a very strong first quarter of 2017 and the successful closing of the acquisition of the US-based company Chemtura. Global sales of LANXESS increased 25% to EUR 2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2017, up from EUR 1.9 billion a year earlier. EBITDA pre exceptionals also improved 25% to EUR 328 million, compared with EUR 262 million in the first quarter of 2016. The positive first-quarter development was primarily driven by a significant increase in volumes across all segments.
The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals came in to 13.7%, slightly above the prior-year figure of 13.6%. Net income rose 47% to EUR 78 million, against EUR 53 million in the year-earlier quarter. For the full year 2017, the company expects EBITDA pre exceptionals of between EUR 1.225 billion and EUR 1.3 billion. This forecast includes the earnings contribution from the newly-acquired. Chemtura businesses. This (2017) could be the most successful fiscal year in the company’s history. LANXESS achieved its highest operating result to date in 2012, when it posted a figure of around EUR 1.2 billion.
“LANXESS got off to a very strong start in the new fiscal year. We recorded an increase in demand for all of our business segments and generated higher sales in all regions. This clearly shows that we have the right positioning,” Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of LANXESS AG, said. “Good order flow and a dynamic business environment appear to continue in the second quarter – for the full year, we are even expecting record earnings. This is a clear indication of our operational strength, which will be further enhanced by the Chemtura acquisition. Our job now is to ensure the swift and smooth integration of the new businesses.”
In what was another major step forward in its realignment programme, LANXESS closed the acquisition of Chemtura around three weeks ago. With the largest acquisition in its history, the company is significantly expanding its additives portfolio and will become one of the world’s major actors in this growing market.
Segments perform well
Sales of the Advanced Intermediates segment in the first quarter of 2017 were EUR 518 million, 12% above the prior-year figure of EUR 463 million. Despite being held back by higher energy costs and a delay in passing on increased raw material prices, EBITDA pre exceptionals advanced by 2% to EUR 91 million, compared with EUR 89 million a year earlier. In particular, higher demand and the expansion of volumes had a positive impact on earnings. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 17.6%, against 19.2% in the prior-year quarter.
Sales in the Performance Chemicals segment rose 14% in the first quarter of 2017, to EUR 607 million, against EUR 533 million a year earlier. EBITDA pre exceptionals advanced 5% to EUR 103 million, compared with the prior-year level of EUR 98 million. Growth was driven by strong demand for additives, biocides and leather chemicals, as well as by the contribution from the Clean and Disinfect business acquired from Chemours, while higher energy costs and negative currency effects on the costs held back earnings. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 17%, against 18.4% in the prior-year quarter.
In the High Performance Materials segment, sales increased by 15% to EUR 315 million, up from EUR 273 million a year earlier. EBITDA pre exceptionals increased 26% to EUR 48 million, compared with EUR 38 million a year earlier. Growth was once again driven by expanded volumes in all product groups and regions, very high capacity utilization and a focus on higher-margin products. As a result, the EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 15.2%, compared with 13.9% in the prior-year quarter.
Sales in the ARLANXEO segment climbed 48% to EUR 948 million, compared with EUR 640 million a year earlier. EBITDA pre exceptionals increased 27% to EUR 144 million, up from EUR 113 million in the first quarter of 2016.
This development was driven by strong demand in Asia, efficient use of the global production network, and positive currency effects. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 15.2%, against 17.7% in the prior-year quarter.
