Construction Chemicals

• Sales up 3% year-on-year at €2,412 million as a result of acquisitions and higher volumes
• Considerable decline in EBIT before special items due to increase in raw materials prices

In the Construction Chemicals division, sales to third parties rose by €80 million as against the previous year to €2,412 million. This was partly attributable to the acquisition of the Henkel group’s western European building material business for professional users in early 2017, as well as the acquisition of the waterproofing systems supplier Grupo Thermotek, Monterrey, Mexico, in September 2017. We also increased our sales volumes. Overall, prices remained on a level with the previous year.

The aforementioned acquisition of the construction chemicals business and higher volumes led to sales growth in Europe. In North America, the acquisition of Thermotek only partially compensated for declining volumes and negative currency effects. Sales in Asia rose year-on-year due to volumes growth. In the region South America, Africa, Middle East, sales decreased as a result of negative currency effects and slightly lower volumes and prices. Demand in the Middle East in particular did not meet our expectations.

Construction Chemicals – Factors influencing sales

Construction Chemicals – Sales by region
(Location of customer)

EBIT before special items was considerably below the 2016 figure, primarily as a result of higher raw materials prices. Special charges mainly arose in connection with the acquisition of the western European building material business for professional users from the Henkel group.