Dispersions & Pigments

• Higher volumes and prices lift sales by 6% year-on-year to €5,398 million
• EBIT before special items considerably below prior-year level, mainly due to lower margins

Sales to third parties in the Dispersions & Pigments division amounted to €5,398 million, up €312 million from the previous year. This positive development was driven by volumes growth and higher sales prices in the dispersions business. Portfolio and currency effects were slightly negative overall. The acquisition of Rolic AG, Allschwil, Switzerland, in February 2017, had a positive impact on sales, while the divestiture of the photoinitiator business in August 2016 had a dampening effect.

This divestiture reduced sales in the additives business; sales increased in all other business areas. Our sales volumes rose in all business areas, particularly in the dispersions and electronic materials businesses. Sales prices in the dispersions business increased on the back of higher raw materials prices. In the remaining business areas, particularly electronic materials and pigments, sales prices were pushed down by stronger market competition.

Dispersions & Pigments – Factors influencing sales

Dispersions & Pigments – Sales by region (Location of customer)

Despite the rise in sales and volumes, EBIT before special items declined considerably compared with 2016. This was mainly due to lower margins as a result of the oil price-related increase in raw materials prices as well as slightly higher fixed costs.