Nutrition & Care

Q1 2021

Sales in both divisions of the Nutrition & Care segment declined slightly compared with the prior-year quarter.

Factors influencing sales in Q1 2021 – Nutrition & Care

 

Nutrition & Care

Care Chemicals

Nutrition & Health

Volumes

3%

2%

4%

Prices

–1%

0%

–3%

Portfolio

0%

0%

0%

Currencies

–5%

–5%

–5%

Sales

–3%

–3%

–4%

The development of sales primarily reflected negative currency effects, mainly relating to the U.S. dollar.

Sales were negatively impacted by slightly lower price levels overall. This mainly resulted from lower prices in the Nutrition & Health division, especially in the aroma ingredients and animal nutrition businesses. In the Care Chemicals division, prices were on a level with the prior-year quarter. Higher prices in the oleo surfactants and fatty alcohols business compensated for lower prices in the other business areas.

Sales volumes were slightly above the prior-year quarter in both divisions. In the Care Chemicals division, higher volumes in the home care, industrial and institutional cleaning and industrial formulators business more than compensated for lower volumes in the other business areas. The Nutrition & Health division recorded significantly higher volumes in the aroma ingredients and pharmaceutical businesses. This was partially offset by significantly lower sales volumes in the animal nutrition business.

Income from operations (EBIT) before special items decreased considerably compared with the prior-year quarter. The decline in earnings impacted both divisions and primarily reflected lower margins as a result of lower sales.

Segment data – Nutrition & Care (Million €)

 

 

Q1

 

 

2021

2020

+/–

Sales to third parties

 

1,533

1,582

–3%

of which Care Chemicals

 

1,059

1,088

–3%

Nutrition & Health

 

474

494

–4%

Income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special items

 

316

357

–11%

Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)

 

313

352

–11%

EBITDA margin

%

20.4

22.3

Depreciation and amortizationa

 

98

108

–9%

Income from operations (EBIT)

 

215

244

–12%

Special items

 

–3

–10

70%

EBIT before special items

 

218

254

–14%

Assets (March 31)

 

6,579

6,546

1%

Investments including acquisitionsb

 

100

102

–2%

Research and development expenses

 

40

37

8%

a

Depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets (including impairments and reversals of impairments)

b

Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets