Regions

Q1 2020

Sales at companies located in Europe improved by 5% compared with the first quarter of 2019. This was largely attributable to higher volumes in almost all segments, but especially in the Surface Technologies segment. Sales were also positively impacted by portfolio effects in the Materials segment from the acquisition of Solvay’s integrated polyamide business, as well as higher prices in the Surface Technologies segment. Lower prices in the Chemicals and Materials segments in particular had an offsetting effect. At €681 million, income from operations (EBIT) was down €169 million from the figure for the first quarter of 2019. This was primarily due to lower contributions from the Materials and Chemicals segments.

In North America, sales rose by 13% in euros and 10% in local currency terms. This was mainly the result of higher sales volumes, particularly in the Agricultural Solutions segment, and higher prices in the Surface Technologies segment. Lower prices in all other segments, especially in the Chemicals and Materials segments, had a negative impact on sales. Consistently positive currency effects contributed to sales growth. EBIT declined by €173 million to €474 million. This was largely attributable to significantly lower contributions from the Industrial Solutions, Agricultural Solutions and Materials segments.

We increased sales in Asia Pacific by 6% in euros and 5% in local currency terms. This was primarily driven by higher volumes, especially in the Surface Technologies and Agricultural Solutions segments. Portfolio effects in the Materials segment from the acquisition of Solvay’s integrated polyamide business likewise had a positive impact on sales development. Positive currency effects in almost all segments and higher prices in the Surface Technologies segment also contributed to the sales increase. Lower prices in the Materials, Chemicals, Industrial Solutions and Nutrition & Care segments had an offsetting effect. We improved EBIT by €8 million to €286 million. This was attributable to higher contributions from Other and from the Surface Technologies, Agricultural Solutions, Nutrition & Care and Materials segments. Earnings were reduced by lower contributions from the Chemicals and Industrial Solutions segments.

In the region South America, Africa, Middle East, sales rose by 3% in euros and 15% in local currency terms. This was mainly due to higher sales volumes, especially in the Agricultural Solutions, Chemicals and Industrial Solutions segments. Higher prices in almost all segments, but especially in the Surface Technologies segment, and portfolio effects in the Materials segment from the acquisition of Solvay’s integrated polyamide business also contributed to sales growth. Sales development was dampened by negative currency effects in all segments. We increased EBIT by €11 million to €15 million, primarily as a result of higher contributions from the Materials, Agricultural Solutions and Chemicals segments.