Regions

Q2 2021

Sales at companies located in Europe rose by 59% compared with the second quarter of 2020. This sales growth was attributable to higher prices, especially in the Chemicals and Materials segments, as well as to a considerable increase in sales volumes in all segments. Particularly Surface Technologies, Materials, Industrial Solutions and Chemicals recorded higher volumes. Negative currency effects had an offsetting impact. Income from operations (EBIT) rose by €906 million to €930 million. This was primarily due to earnings increases in Materials, Chemicals and Industrial Solutions. By contrast, EBIT in Other and Nutrition & Care was down considerably from the prior-year quarter.

In North America, sales rose by 62% in euros and by 77% in local currency terms compared with the prior-year quarter. This was primarily due to considerably higher precious metal prices in the Surface Technologies segment. Significantly higher volumes in all segments supported sales performance. Currency effects had a negative impact on sales. Attributable mainly to higher contributions from Chemicals, Surface Technologies and Materials, EBIT rose by €603 million to €440 million.

Sales in Asia Pacific increased by 46% in euros and by 51% in local currency terms compared with the second quarter of 2020. This was largely due to higher prices, especially in the Surface Technologies, Chemicals and Materials segments. Considerably higher volumes, particularly in Surface Technologies and Materials, also contributed to sales growth. Sales performance was weighed down by negative currency effects. EBIT exceeded the prior-year quarter’s figure by €579 million at €759 million. This was the result of considerable earnings increases in Chemicals, Materials and Surface Technologies.

In the region South America, Africa, Middle East, sales rose by 48% in euros and by 60% in local currency terms compared with the prior-year quarter. This was primarily due to higher sales volumes in all segments. Higher prices, especially in the Surface Technologies, Chemicals and Agricultural Solutions segments, contributed to sales growth. Currency effects had a negative impact on sales. EBIT rose by €169 million to €187 million resulting from considerable increases in contributions from nearly all segments. EBIT in the Agricultural Solutions segment was below the level of the prior-year quarter.