Industrial Solutions

Q1 2019

In the Industrial Solutions segment, sales were slightly below the figure for the prior-year quarter. Sales in the Dispersions & Pigments division were on a level with the first quarter of 2018, while sales in the Performance Chemicals division declined slightly.

The year-on-year decrease was primarily due to the transfer of BASF’s paper and water chemicals business, which was previously reported under Performance Chemicals, to the Solenis group. In addition, volumes declined in the Dispersions & Pigments division. By contrast, we increased our sales volumes in the Performance Chemicals division, especially of oilfield and mining chemicals as well as fuel and lubricant solutions. Sales development was also positively influenced by currency effects, primarily relating to the U.S. dollar, as well as higher prices in both divisions.

We considerably increased income from operations (EBIT) before special items compared with the first quarter of 2018. This was primarily attributable to considerably higher EBIT before special items in the Performance Chemicals division as a result of higher prices, volumes growth and positive currency effects. The Dispersions & Pigments division also slightly increased EBIT before special items, mainly due to higher prices and positive currency effects.

EBIT included special income in the Performance Chemicals division from the transfer of BASF’s paper and water chemicals business to the Solenis group.