Business Review Sales growth of 17% to €13,142 million, primarily as a result of significantly higher precious metal prices in the Catalysts division EBIT before special items 17% higher at €722 million due to increases in both divisions Sales to third parties in the Surface Technologies segment rose by €1,943 million to €13,142 million. This was due to considerably higher sales in the Catalysts division, which was up €1,927 million from the previous year at €9,396 million. At €3,746 million, sales in the Coatings division were at prior-year level. (XLS:) XLS Factors influencing sales – Surface Technologies Surface Technologies Catalysts Coatings Volumes 1% 4% (3%) Prices 13% 18% 2% Portfolio 0% 0% 0% Currencies 3% 4% 1% Sales 17% 26% 0% (XLS:) XLS Segment data – Surface Technologies (Million €) 2019 2018 +/– a Amortization of intangible assets and depreciation of property, plant and equipment (including impairments and reversals of impairments) b Additions to intangible assets and property, plant and equipment Sales to third parties 13,142 11,199 17% of which Catalysts 9,396 7,469 26% Coatings 3,746 3,730 0% Intersegment transfers 212 192 10% Sales including transfers 13,354 11,391 17% Income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special items 1,173 995 18% Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) 1,120 953 18% EBITDA margin % 8.5 8.5 – Depreciation and amortizationa 457 379 21% Income from operations (EBIT) 663 574 16% Special items (59) (43) (37%) EBIT before special items 722 617 17% Return on capital employed (ROCE) % 5.7 5.3 – Assets 11,773 11,062 6% Investments including acquisitionsb 565 531 6% Research and development expenses 214 217 (1%) Sales growth was largely driven by the significant increase in precious metal prices in the Catalysts division. We also achieved slightly higher prices overall in the Coatings division. Prices rose in the automotive refinish coatings and decorative paints businesses in particular. Positive currency effects, mainly relating to the U.S. dollar, increased sales slightly in both divisions. Volumes also increased slightly overall. This was attributable to higher volumes in the Catalysts division for mobile emissions catalysts, in precious metal trading, and for battery materials and refining catalysts. By contrast, sales volumes declined for chemical catalysts. In precious metal trading, sales rose to €4,585 million, mainly due to higher prices (2018: €3,190 million). Volumes development in the Coatings division was dampened slightly by weaker demand from the automotive industry. Catalysts – Sales by region Location of customer Coatings – Sales by region Location of customer In the Coatings division, we significantly increased sales of decorative paints in South America, mainly as a result of higher volumes and prices. We recorded slightly lower sales in the automotive OEM coatings business. Lower volumes on the back of a slowdown in the automotive market could only be partly offset by positive currency effects and higher sales prices. By contrast, we slightly increased sales of automotive refinish coatings: Higher sales prices in all regions more than offset lower sales volumes in North America in particular. Sales remained at the prior-year level in the surface treatments business. Higher prices in all regions and positive currency effects, especially in North America, were offset by lower volumes, particularly in Asia Pacific and Europe. We considerably increased income from operations (EBIT) before special items by €105 million to €722 million. This was mainly attributable to considerable growth in the Coatings division, largely driven by lower fixed costs and higher margins as a result of higher prices and the positive development of raw materials costs. We slightly increased EBIT before special items in the Catalysts division, primarily from volumes growth. Higher fixed costs, mainly due to the startup of new plants, had an offsetting effect. We improved EBIT by €89 million year on year to €663 million. This includes special charges from efficiency programs. Outlook for 2020 back next