- Sales rise by 5% in the first six months of the
year
- Sound business development in an increasingly uncertain
economic environment
Wesel, August 8, 2012. The specialty chemicals Group ALTANA AG was able to further increase sales and operating earnings over the first six months of the current business year. Compared to the strong first half of 2011, ALTANA's sales rose by 5%, up from €840.3 million to €886.4 million. Adjusted for positive exchange rate as well as acquisition effects, sales came close to the prior-year level. Slightly declining volumes were offset by price increases and product-mix effects. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) improved by 4% to €179.6 million, compared to €172.9 million in the prior-year period. At 20.3%, the EBITDA margin remained at a similarly high level as in the first six months of 2011 (20.6%). At €127.1 million, earnings before taxes (EBT) also remained at the healthy prior-year level (€127.0 million).
Development by division and region
The BYK Additives & Instruments division increased sales
by 4% to €326.0 million in the first six months of 2012,
up from €314.4 million in the prior-year period. The
ECKART Effect Pigments division recorded a decline in
sales by 3%, with sales of €179.1 million compared to
prior-year revenues of €184.6 million. Sales of the
ELANTAS Electrical Insulation division rose by 4% to
€210.7 million up from €203.3 million in the first half
of 2011. With a jump in sales of 24%, primarily due to
acquisitions, sales in the ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants
division increased significantly. The division's
sales came in at €170.6 million, following €138.0 million
in the prior year.
The regional sales development within the ALTANA Group was rather heterogeneous. Sales in North and South America were significantly increased by 11% compared to the first six months of 2011. This was attributable to the dynamic regional rise in demand as well as to positive exchange rate effects. The increase in sales of 4% in Europe resulted from acquisition effects, while the economic environment increasingly burdened the development of the company's business. In Asia, the hitherto sluggish development of demand led to a purely exchange-rate driven increase in sales of 3%.
"ALTANA is looking back on quite a successful first half of 2012. Despite the difficult overall economic conditions, we were able to further increase sales and EBITDA compared to the strong prior-year figures," stated Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. "Based on our clear focus on innovative specialties and our flexible business model we are confident that we remain able to operate successfully even under ongoing uncertain and volatile market conditions."
Outlook
As a result of the increased global economic risks ALTANA
anticipates a further moderation of demand for the second
half of the current business year. Nevertheless, compared
to the previous year, we currently expect a moderate
growth in sales for 2012 as a whole. Consequently, the
EBITDA margin should remain within the target range of
18% to 20% in 2012.
Key Figures H1 2012
ALTANA Group (in € million) |
January to June 2012 |
January to June 2011 |
Change in % |
Sales | 886,4 | 840,3 | 5 |
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) | 179,6 | 172,9 | 4 |
Operating income (EBIT) | 132,4 | 131,3 | 1 |
Earnings before taxes (EBT) | 127,1 | 127,0 | 0 |
Net income (EAT) | 89,9 | 89,8 | 0 |
Research and development expenses | 50,8 | 43,1 | 18 |
Capital expenditure on intangible assets and property, plant and equipment | 35,4 | 34,2 | 3 |
Headcount (June 30) | 5.348 | 5.023 | 6 |
This press release is also available at www.altana.com/press
This press release contains forward-looking statements,
i.e. current estimates or expectations of future events
or future results. These statements are based on beliefs
of ALTANA as well as assumptions made by and information
currently available to ALTANA. Forward-looking statements
speak only as of the date they are made. ALTANA does not
intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update
forward-looking statements to reflect facts,
circumstances or events that have occurred or changed
after such statements have been made.
About ALTANA:
ALTANA develops and produces high-quality, innovative
products in the specialty chemicals business. The ALTANA
Group, with headquarters in Wesel/Germany, is a genuine
"global player" with about 85% of its sales generated by
international activities. The ALTANA Group has four
divisions: BYK Additives & Instruments, ECKART Effect
Pigments, ELANTAS Electrical Insulation, and ACTEGA
Coatings & Sealants. All of these divisions occupy a
leading position in their target markets with respect to
quality, product solution expertise, innovation and
service.
ALTANA offers innovative, environmentally compatible
solutions with the matching specialty products for
coating manufactures, paint and plastics processors, the
printing and cosmetic industries, and the electrical and
electronics industry. The product range includes
additives, special coatings and adhesives, effect
pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins and
varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. At
present, the ALTANA Group has 41 production facilities
and more than 50 service and research laboratories
worldwide. Throughout the group over 5,300 people work to
ensure the success of ALTANA worldwide. In 2011, ALTANA
achieved sales of more than 1.6 billion euros. Its
impressive earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA
one of the most successful and innovative chemical groups
worldwide.
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