Care Chemicals

  • Sales decline 3% to €4,913 million due to lower volumes and currency effects
  • Considerable increase in EBIT before special items, primarily from higher margins

In the Care Chemicals division, sales to third parties declined by €166 million to €4,913 million in 2018. This was attributable to lower sales volumes, especially for oleochemical surfactants and fatty alcohols and in the hygiene business, as well as negative currency effects. By contrast, sales were positively impacted by higher prices in almost all business areas.

Care Chemicals – Factors influencing sales
Performance Products – Care Chemicals – Factors influencing sales (bar chart)
Care Chemicals – Sales by region

Location of customer

Performance Products – Care Chemicals – Sales by region (pie chart)

EBIT before special items increased considerably compared with 2017. This was mainly due to higher margins for products for the cosmetics industry, especially for oleochemical surfactants and fatty alcohols. Fixed costs declined slightly as a result of currency effects, insurance refunds and successful restructuring measures, espe- cially in North America.