Lanxess is continuing to weather the crisis well and is confirming its forecast for the full year. The specialty chemicals company still anticipates EBITDA pre exceptionals of between EUR 800 million and EUR 900 million for 2020.
In the second quarter of 2020, Lanxess recorded a significant impact on its business results from the coronavirus pandemic, as expected. EBITDA pre exceptionals fell by 20.3 percent from EUR 281 million to EUR 224 million. Earnings were thus at the midpoint of the range of between EUR 200 million and EUR 250 million that was forecast in May. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was almost stable at 15.6 percent, against 16.3 percent in the prior-year quarter.
Business with consumer protection products in the Consumer Protection segment developed very positively, but weak demand from the automotive industry squeezed earnings in the other three segments, especially Engineering Materials.
“As expected, after the huge slump in the global economy we felt the effects of the coronavirus crisis much more strongly in the second quarter than in the first three months of the year. However, our stable positioning, strong liquidity, and high cost discipline are continuing to get Lanxess through this challenging time well. Besides, we are already seeing initial signs of a recovery in Asia. I therefore remain confident, even though a rapid macroeconomic recovery cannot be foreseen at present,” said Matthias Zachert, Chairman of the Board of Management of Lanxess AG.
Group sales amounted to EUR 1.436 billion in the second quarter of 2020, down 16.7 percent on the previous year’s figure of EUR 1.724 billion. Net income from continuing operations rose significantly from EUR 96 million to EUR 803 million. At the same time, net financial liabilities decreased from EUR 1.74 billion to EUR 929 million. This was attributable to proceeds from the sale of its stake in chemical park operator Currenta, which Lanxess concluded at the end of April. The company used this cash inflow to further strengthen its sound balance sheet: Compared to the end of 2019, the equity ratio has risen from 30 percent to 37 percent.
Segments: Consumer Protection remains strong
In the Advanced Intermediates segment, both business units recorded weaker demand as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. Sales fell by 19.8 percent from EUR 585 million to EUR 469 million, also due to lower prices. At EUR 100 million, EBITDA pre exceptionals was 12.3 percent down on the prior year’s figure of EUR 114 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals increased to a pleasing 21.3 percent, against 19.5 percent in the prior-year quarter.
The coronavirus pandemic also led to a significant decline in sales volumes in the Specialty Additives segment, particularly due to lower demand from the automotive, aviation, and oil and gas industries. Sales fell by 20.4 percent from EUR 506 million to EUR 403 million. At EUR 63 million, EBITDA pre exceptionals was 29.2 percent down on the prior year’s figure of EUR 89 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals decreased from 17.6 percent to 15.6 percent.
In the Consumer Protection segment, sales and earnings continued to develop positively. This was particularly due to strong business with agrochemicals in the Saltigo business unit. Continued good demand for disinfectants in the Material Protection Products business unit also contributed to the increase in earnings. In addition, there was a positive portfolio effect from the acquisition of the Brazilian biocide manufacturer IPEL. Sales rose by 21.9 percent from EUR 247 million to EUR 301 million. At EUR 68 million, EBITDA pre exceptionals was 41.7 percent higher than the prior year’s figure of EUR 48 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals climbed to 22.6 percent, against 19.4 percent in the prior year.
In the Engineering Materials segment, the coronavirus pandemic had a significant impact, continuing to result in weak demand from the automotive industry. At EUR 244 million, sales were down 33.2 percent on the prior year’s figure of EUR 365 million, also due to lower prices. EBITDA pre exceptionals fell by 56.9 percent from EUR 65 million to EUR 28 million. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals of 11.5 percent was below the figure of 17.8 percent posted in the prior-year quarter.
