Monomers

  • Sales down 7% to €6,464 million as a result of lower volumes and negative currency effects
  • Considerable decline in EBIT before special items largely from lower margins and volumes in the isocyanates business

Sales to third parties in the Monomers division decreased by €499 million to €6,464 million in 2018 due to lower volumes and negative currency effects. Sales volumes declined year on year as a result of higher market supply and the low water levels on the Rhine River. Overall, prices were above the prior-year level. Higher prices for polyamides in particular compensated for the price decrease in the isocyanates business on the back of higher market supply.

Monomers – Factors influencing sales
Chemicals – Monomers – Factors influencing sales (pie chart)
Monomers – Sales by region

Location of customer

Chemicals – Monomers – Sales by region (pie chart)

The considerable year-on-year decline in EBIT before special items in the Monomers division was primarily attributable to the lower margins and volumes in the isocyanates business. Earnings development in the fourth quarter of 2018 was also negatively impacted by the low water levels on the Rhine River. The restructuring of our caprolactam production in Europe and reduced fixed costs, mainly owing to lower impairments, had a positive effect on earnings.