Chemicals

Q3 2022

Sales1 in the Chemicals segment rose slightly compared with the prior-year quarter. This was attributable to sales growth in the Petrochemicals division. By contrast, sales declined slightly in the Intermediates division.

Factors influencing sales in Q3 2022 – Chemicals

 

Chemicals

Petrochemicals

Intermediates

Volumes

–12.4%

–10.7%

–16.7%

Prices

8.7%

8.5%

9.2%

Portfolio

–0.1%

–0.1%

–0.1%

Currencies

6.6%

6.7%

6.1%

Sales

2.7%

4.4%

–1.5%

Sales growth in the segment was primarily driven by significantly higher prices, especially in Europe, due to increased prices for raw materials and energy.

Positive currency effects, especially from the U.S. dollar, also contributed to the sales increase.

This was partially offset by lower volumes due to weaker demand. The decline in demand was mainly attributable to the impact of extra­ordinarily high raw materials and energy prices in Europe and developments in China. Sales volumes in both divisions decreased con­siderably in this market environment, especially for steam cracker products and along the propylene value chain in the Petrochemicals division and mainly in the butanediol and derivatives business in the Intermediates division.

The segment’s income from operations (EBIT) before special items1 was considerably below the exceptionally strong prior-year figure. In both divisions, this was primarily due to lower margins, higher fixed costs and lower income from equity-accounted shareholdings. The lower margins were largely attributable to weaker demand. In both divisions, the increase in fixed costs was driven by energy prices and currency effects.

1 For sales, “slight” represents a change of 0.1%–5.0%, while “considerable” applies to changes of 5.1% and higher. “At prior-year level” indicates no change (+/–0.0%). For earnings, “slight” means a change of 0.1%–10.0%, while “considerable” is used for changes of 10.1% and higher. “At prior-year level” indicates no change (+/–0.0%).

Segment data – Chemicals (Million €)

 

Q3

January–September

 

2022

2021

+/–

2022

2021

+/–

Sales to third parties

3,793

3,693

2.7%

12,145

9,848

23.3%

of which Petrochemicals

2,764

2,648

4.4%

8,670

7,052

22.9%

Intermediates

1,029

1,045

–1.5%

3,476

2,796

24.3%

Income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special itemsa

527

1,070

–50.7%

2,625

3,031

–13.4%

Income from operations before depreciation and amortization (EBITDA)a

526

1,068

–50.8%

2,620

3,070

–14.7%

Depreciation and amortizationb

203

190

7.1%

590

550

7.3%

Income from operations (EBIT)a

322

877

–63.2%

2,031

2,520

–19.4%

Special items

–1

–5

38

.

EBIT before special itemsa

323

878

–63.2%

2,035

2,482

–18.0%

Assets (September 30)a

11,493

9,738

18.0%

11,493

9,738

18.0%

Investments including acquisitionsc

412

248

66.1%

954

619

54.1%

Research and development expenses

21

22

–2.6%

71

73

–2.5%

a

BASF’s ethylene value chain was reorganized internally as of January 1, 2022. In this connection, the polyolefins and styrenics businesses of the joint venture BASF-YPC Company Ltd., Nanjing, China, which were previously reported under Other, were allocated to the Petrochemicals division. The prior-year figures have been adjusted. This reduced income from integral companies accounted for using the equity method, EBITDA before special items, EBITDA, EBIT and EBIT before special items in Other by €28 million in the first quarter of 2021 and increased these indicators in the Petrochemicals division accordingly (rounding differences are possible). The effect was €28 million in both the second and third quarters of 2021 and €34 million in the fourth quarter of 2021. The effect in full-year 2021 was €118 million. The operating assets were also reallocated as part of the reorganization and increased the Chemicals segment’s assets by €114 million as of December 31, 2021.

b

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

c

Additions to property, plant and equipment and intangible assets