Half-year results 2018 (January – June 2018) of the EMS Group

Course of Business

- Pleasing growth with high-margin specialties

- Raw material shortages lead to price increases

- New record levels for net sales and income

Half-year results 2018 (January – June 2018) of the EMS Group

Course of Business

- Pleasing growth with high-margin specialties

- Raw material shortages lead to price increases

- New record levels for net sales and income

13.07.2018 

The EMS Group, with its companies combined in the EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG, is globally active in the business areas High Performance Polymers and Specialty Chemicals. In the first half of 2018, net sales increased by 12.5% and net operating income (EBIT) by 11.4% compared to previous year.

Consolidated net sales rose to CHF 1,199 million (1,066) which represents a growth of 12.5% compared to previous year.

As expected, the global economy showed overall positive development, although certain signs of saturation could be noticed. EMS achieved pleasing growth in all regions. Business in the European market developed in a particularly positive way.

Net operating income (EBIT) increased to CHF 312 million (280), an increase of 11.4% above previous year. The operational cash flow (EBITDA) rose by 10.9% to reach CHF 339 million. (306). The EBIT margin reached 26.0% (26.3%), the EBITDA margin 28.3% (28.7%). New business with specialty products had a positive effect on result development. Continuing supply shortages caused raw material prices to increase further and made customer sales price increases unavoidable.

At the ordinary Annual General Meeting of the EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG on August 11, 2018, the current members of the board Dr. Ulf Berg (as Chairman of the Board of Directors and member of the Remuneration Committee), Magdalena Martullo (as member of the Board of Directors), Dr. Joachim Streu (as member of the Board of Directors) and Bernhard Merki (as Member of the Board of Directors and of the Remuneration Committee) will be proposed for re-election. In addition, Christoph Mäder will be proposed for election (as member of the Board of Directors and of the Remuneration Committee). Ernst & Young AG, Zurich, will be proposed for re-election as Statutory Auditor.

Based on the pleasing development of income and liquidity, the Board of Directors intends to further increase the dividend by CHF 0.50 per share. This means that at the Annual General Meeting, the Board of Directors will propose a dividend payment of total CHF 18.50 per share (initial announcement: CHF 18.00; previous year: CHF 17.00).

For 2018, EMS continues to expect net sales and net operating income (EBIT) slightly above the previous year.