08.07.15
ALTANA was able to increase sales by 9% to €1,070 million in the first half of 2015 (previous year: €985 million). At €210 million, earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) almost reached the high level of the previous year (€212 million). At 19.6%, the EBITDA margin was below the previous year’s margin (21.5%), remaining, however, at a high level.
The company’s sales growth mainly resulted from positive exchange rate effects (8%), but also from acquisitions (1%). Adjusted for these effects, operating sales in the first six months of 2015 were down by 1%, and therefore slightly below the strong previous year’s level.
“Demand momentum in our markets did not live up to our expectations in the first half of 2015,” said Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. “However, ALTANA is very well positioned for further profitable organic growth.”
The ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants division achieved the strongest growth in the period under review. ACTEGA boosted sales by 16% to €195 million, mainly as a result of acquisition effects. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange rate effects, sales increased by 2%.
The ECKART Effect Pigments division posted the strongest operating sales increase. Due to special factors from the previous year sales were up by 3%. Positive exchange rate effects led to a total nominal increase in sales of 10% to €179 million.
Sales in the divisions ELANTAS Electrical Insulation (€242 million) and BYK Additives & Instruments (€455 million) grew by 11% and 4% respectively. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, operating sales in both divisions were slightly down by 2% respectively.
ALTANA posted by far the strongest growth again in the Americas region. Especially due to the current U.S. dollar-euro exchange rate, sales grew by 23%. In the U.S., sales rose by 24%. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange rate effects, sales in the Americas remained almost unchanged at the high level of the previous year, with a slight decrease of 1%. Nominal and operating sales in Europe stabilized at the previous year’s level. Asia contributed 10% to growth; operating sales almost reached the previous year’s level (-1%).
The company’s sales growth mainly resulted from positive exchange rate effects (8%), but also from acquisitions (1%). Adjusted for these effects, operating sales in the first six months of 2015 were down by 1%, and therefore slightly below the strong previous year’s level.
“Demand momentum in our markets did not live up to our expectations in the first half of 2015,” said Dr. Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG. “However, ALTANA is very well positioned for further profitable organic growth.”
The ACTEGA Coatings & Sealants division achieved the strongest growth in the period under review. ACTEGA boosted sales by 16% to €195 million, mainly as a result of acquisition effects. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange rate effects, sales increased by 2%.
The ECKART Effect Pigments division posted the strongest operating sales increase. Due to special factors from the previous year sales were up by 3%. Positive exchange rate effects led to a total nominal increase in sales of 10% to €179 million.
Sales in the divisions ELANTAS Electrical Insulation (€242 million) and BYK Additives & Instruments (€455 million) grew by 11% and 4% respectively. Adjusted for exchange rate effects, operating sales in both divisions were slightly down by 2% respectively.
ALTANA posted by far the strongest growth again in the Americas region. Especially due to the current U.S. dollar-euro exchange rate, sales grew by 23%. In the U.S., sales rose by 24%. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange rate effects, sales in the Americas remained almost unchanged at the high level of the previous year, with a slight decrease of 1%. Nominal and operating sales in Europe stabilized at the previous year’s level. Asia contributed 10% to growth; operating sales almost reached the previous year’s level (-1%).