Report on Economic Position – Performance of the Segments

Solutions & Specialties

Solutions & Specialties key data1

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4th quarter 20202

 

4th quarter 2021

 

Change

 

20202, 3

 

20213

 

Change

 

 

€ million

 

€ million

 

%

 

€ million

 

€ million

 

%

Core volume growth4

 

 

 

+13.0%

 

 

 

 

 

+26.0%

 

 

Sales (external)

 

1,371

 

2,005

 

+46.2

 

5,060

 

7,554

 

+49.3

Intersegment sales

 

6

 

8

 

+33.3

 

23

 

27

 

+17.4

Sales (total)

 

1,377

 

2,013

 

+46.2

 

5,083

 

7,581

 

+49.1

Change in sales (external)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Volume

 

 

 

–3.4%

 

 

 

 

 

+11.8%

 

 

Price

 

 

 

+25.6%

 

 

 

 

 

+21.3%

 

 

Currency

 

 

 

+4.1%

 

 

 

 

 

–0.9%

 

 

Portfolio

 

 

 

+19.9%

 

 

 

 

 

+17.1%

 

 

Sales by region (external)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

EMLA

 

499

 

722

 

+44.7

 

1,894

 

2,835

 

+49.7

NA

 

305

 

457

 

+49.8

 

1,175

 

1,594

 

+35.7

APAC

 

567

 

826

 

+45.7

 

1,991

 

3,125

 

+57.0

EBITDA5

 

194

 

112

 

–42.3

 

743

 

751

 

+1.1

EBIT5

 

133

 

41

 

–69.2

 

545

 

503

 

–7.7

Cash flows from operating activities

 

284

 

175

 

–38.4

 

649

 

418

 

–35.6

Cash outflows for additions to property, plant, equipment and intangible assets

 

70

 

122

 

+74.3

 

203

 

273

 

+34.5

Free operating cash flow

 

214

 

53

 

–75.2

 

446

 

145

 

–67.5

1

Reference information calculated based on the organizational and reporting structure as of July 1, 2021.

2

Reference information based on fiscal 2019 is not presented here due to the new organizational structure.

3

Values calculated retroactively due to a change in market-rate compensation for transactions between the Performance Materials and Solutions & Specialties segments as of October 1, 2021; reference information restated accordingly.

4

Calculated on the basis of the definition of the core business effective March 31, 2021.

5

EBITDA and EBIT include the effect on earnings of intersegment sales.

In fiscal 2021, core volumes sold in the Solutions & Specialties segment grew by 26.0% over the prior-year period. This was mainly due to additional volumes from the Resins & Functional Materials (RFM) business acquired and growth in core volumes sold in the automotive and transportation industry and the electrical, electronics and household appliances industry, especially in the and regions. At the same time, reduced product availability, for instance due to raw material bottlenecks, had a negative impact on core volumes sold and therefore limited our further organic growth opportunities.

The Solutions & Specialties segment’s sales were up by 49.3% to €7,554 million in fiscal 2021 (previous year: €5,060 million). A higher selling price level on account of an advantageous competitive situation increased sales by 21.3%. At the same time, the portfolio effect from the acquisition of the RFM business contributed 17.1% and the higher total volumes sold 11.8% to sales. In contrast, exchange rate developments reduced sales by 0.9%.

Sales in the EMLA region climbed by 49.7% to €2,835 million (previous year: €1,894 million). This was largely due to the aforementioned portfolio effect, which increased sales substantially. At the same time, higher selling prices and growth in total volumes sold each had a considerably positive effect on sales. Exchange rate movements had no notable effect on sales overall. The region grew sales by 35.7% to €1,594 million (previous year: €1,175 million). The previously mentioned portfolio effect, an increase in average selling prices, as well as higher total volumes sold all had a significant positive impact on sales. Exchange rate changes pushed sales slightly down. Sales in the APAC region were up by 57.0% to €3,125 million (previous year: €1,991 million). Higher selling price levels caused sales to increase strongly. Changes in total volumes sold and the aforementioned portfolio effect each had a significant positive effect on sales. At the same time, exchange rate movements were neutral overall in terms of sales.

Solutions & Specialties
Quarterly sales

€ million

Solutions & Specialties Quarterly sales (bar chart)

Solutions & Specialties
Quarterly EBITDA

€ million

Solutions & Specialties Quarterly EBITDA (bar chart)

in the Solutions & Specialties segment increased 1.1% over the prior-year period, growing to €751 million in fiscal 2021 (previous year: €743 million). Higher provisions for short-term variable compensation had a negative effect on EBITDA. Increased raw material prices outpaced higher selling prices and led to lower margins, which reduced earnings. Nonrecurring expenses related to the RFM acquisition also had a negative effect on earnings in the mid-double-digit million euro range. In contrast, positive synergy effects from the RFM acquisition were in the low double-digit million euro range thanks in particular to an efficiency boost in sales, administration, and procurement activities. An increase in total volumes sold also increased earnings.

declined 7.7% to €503 million (previous year: €545 million).

Year over year, dropped by 67.5% to €145 million (previous year: €446 million). This was largely due to an increase in funds tied up in working capital, whereas in the prior-year period funds had been freed up from working capital, and to outflows for additions to property, plant, equipment and intangible assets.

EMLA
Comprises all countries in Europe, the Middle East, Africa and Latin America (excluding Mexico).
APAC
Comprises all countries in the Asia and Pacific region.
NA
Region comprising Canada, Mexico, and the United States.
EBITDA/earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization
EBIT plus depreciation and amortization of property, plant, equipment, and intangible assets
EBIT/earnings before interest and taxes
Income after income taxes plus financial result and income tax expense
FOCF/free operating cash flow
Operating cash flows (pursuant to IAS 7) less cash outflows for additions to property, plant, equipment and intangible assets