Performance Products

3rd Quarter 2017

Sales in the Performance Products segment increased slightly compared with the third quarter of 2016 as a result of volumes growth in all divisions. Sales prices were on a level with the prior-year quarter: Price increases in the Dispersions & Pigments and Care Chemicals divisions were largely offset by significant price declines in the Nutrition & Health division. Currency effects, particularly from the U.S. dollar, and portfolio effects dampened sales growth. Income from operations (EBIT) before special items declined considerably. This was largely attributable to a further drop in vitamin prices as well as ongoing pressure on margins in a number of business areas due to higher raw materials prices. EBIT included special income in the Performance Chemicals division from the transfer of the leather chemicals business to the Stahl group.

Factors influencing sales, Performance Products
3rd Quarter 2017

Factors influencing sales, Functional Materials & Solutions 1st Quarter 2017 (bar chart)

Dispersions & Pigments

The Dispersions & Pigments division generated slight year-on-year sales growth. This was primarily due to volumes growth in all business areas, particularly in Asia and Europe. Higher raw materials prices pushed up sales prices slightly. Sales were dampened by currency effects and the divestiture of the photoinitiator business in August 2016. EBIT before special items rose slightly.

Care Chemicals

In the Care Chemicals division, sales were up slightly on the third quarter of 2016. This was the result of volumes growth and slightly higher prices as a result of increases in raw materials prices. We posted higher sales volumes, particularly of ingredients for the cosmetics as well as for the detergents and cleaners industries. Sales were dampened by negative currency effects. EBIT before special items saw a considerable, margin-related decline compared with the same quarter of the previous year.

Nutrition & Health

Sales in the Nutrition & Health division declined considerably as against the prior-year quarter. In addition to lower sales prices, especially for vitamins, this was attributable to portfolio effects and slightly negative currency effects. Virtually all business areas posted slight volumes growth. EBIT before special items was considerably below the level of the strong prior-year quarter, primarily due to lower margins. Higher fixed costs resulted from the gradual startup of the new aroma ingredients complex in Kuantan, Malaysia, as well as the expansion of capacities at our ibuprofen production facility in Bishop, Texas.

Performance Chemicals

Sales in the Performance Chemicals division rose slightly compared with the third quarter of 2016. This was driven by higher sales volumes in almost all business areas. We increased volumes for lubricants and additives in particular, as well as for oilfield and mining chemicals. Sales prices were on a level with the prior-year quarter; negative currency effects slightly dampened sales. EBIT before special items was down slightly on the third quarter of 2016. Reduced fixed costs only partially offset the lower margins brought about by higher raw materials prices.

Segment data Performance Products1 (million €)

 

 

3rd Quarter

January – September

 

 

2017

2016

Change %

2017

2016

Change %

1

On January 1, 2017, the Monomers and Dispersions & Pigments divisions’ activities for the electronics industry were merged into the global Electronic Materials business unit and allocated to the Dispersions & Pigments division. For better comparability, the affected figures for 2016 have been adjusted accordingly.

2

Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including impairments and write-ups)

3

Additions to intangible assets and property, plant and equipment

Sales to third parties

 

3,983

3,921

2

12,385

11,817

5

Thereof Dispersions & Pigments

 

1,339

1,297

3

4,173

3,913

7

Care Chemicals

 

1,213

1,175

3

3,838

3,557

8

Nutrition & Health

 

451

504

(11)

1,401

1,489

(6)

Performance Chemicals

 

980

945

4

2,973

2,858

4

Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)

 

788

688

15

2,111

2,152

(2)

Amortization and depreciation2

 

221

221

682

647

5

Income from operations (EBIT)

 

567

467

21

1,429

1,505

(5)

Special items

 

182

(6)

.

124

(35)

.

EBIT before special items

 

385

473

(19)

1,305

1,540

(15)

Assets (September 30)

 

14,595

14,677

(1)

14,595

14,677

(1)

Investments including acquisitions3

 

143

199

(28)

516

575

(10)

Research and development expenses

 

92

95

(3)

282

291

(3)