BASF Group 1st Quarter 2012
- After weaker fourth quarter 2011, business recovers in first quarter 2012
- Sales increase by 6% to €20.6 billion owing to higher prices and positive currency effects
- Volumes grow in Oil & Gas and Agricultural Solutions segments; adjusted for effects of supply chain optimization for steam cracker products, total sales volumes slightly above level of previous first quarter
- Increased raw material costs cannot be fully passed on in all business areas
- Income from operations before special items decreases by 7% to €2.5 billion
- At €1.6 billion, operating cash flow below level of previous first quarter; net debt reduced by €1.5 billion to €9.4 billion since beginning of 2012
Our sales volumes matched the level of the first quarter of 2011. Volumes increased in the Oil & Gas and Agricultural Solutions segments; however, sales volumes declined in the chemicals business1. Adjusted for effects resulting from the optimization of our supply chain for steam cracker products, total volumes were slightly above the level of the previous first quarter. We were partly able to pass on increased raw material costs by raising our sales prices in several business areas. Positive currency effects also contributed to sales growth. Portfolio measures reduced sales by 1%, a result of the divestiture of our styrenics business, which was contributed to the Styrolution joint venture as of October 1, 2011.
1 Our chemicals business includes the Chemicals, Plastics, Performance Products and Functional Solutions
segments.
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Factors influencing sales (% of sales) |
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1st Quarter |
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Volumes |
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Prices |
5 |
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Portfolio measures |
(1) |
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Currencies |
2 |
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6 |
