GlobeNewswire by notified

Solvay first quarter 2021 results: Strong start to the year with double-digit growth in Cash and EBITDA and record EBITDA margins

Share

Register now to the webcast scheduled at 15:00 CEST
Link to financial report

Solvay first quarter 2021 results
Strong start to the year with double-digit growth in Cash and EBITDA and record EBITDA margins

May 5, 2021 at 7 a.m. CEST

Highlights

  • Net Sales in the first quarter of 2021 were up 1.9% organically driven by strong demand in automotive, with organic sales in Specialty Polymers up 10% year-on-year, exceptional performance in Coatis up 55%, and recovery in the mining industry driving Technology Solutions sales up 15%, whereas sales in Composites were 37% lower.
  • Net Sales grew 8.6% organically year on year excluding Composites and Oil & Gas, which still face challenges yet have shown sequential improvement versus the fourth quarter.
  • Structural cost savings of €80 million achieved in Q1, up 78% versus Q4 2020.
  • Underlying EBITDA in Q1 2020 was up 10.3% organically yoy, and 7% higher than Q1 2019 on comparable FX & scope basis despite 3% lower sales, reflecting the impacts of significant cost reduction measures taken in the last 2 years. The underlying EBITDA margin increased yoy to a new record at 24.6% driven mainly by strong volume recovery in most markets and cost reductions measures, despite the adverse impacts such as increasing raw material and logistic prices as well as supply chain disruptions due to US storms and the Suez Canal blockage. This is 1.6 and 2.4 percentage points higher than Q1 2020 and Q1 2019, respectively.
  • Underlying Net Profit was €240 million in Q1 2021, up 1.8% compared to Q1 2020.
  • Free Cash Flow in Q1 2021 amounted to €282 million, up 40% of Q1 2020, reflecting continued working capital discipline even as activity levels increased, as well as the benefit of deleveraging debt and pensions. Total voluntary pension contributions of €0.8 billion since Q4 2019 generate an improvement of more than €100 million per annum.
  • Progress on portfolio simplification, with the closure of 5 business line divestments in the first quarter and the last one occurring in Q2 2021.
  • Reinvesting in Solvay One Planet, including a decision to invest further in energy transition at our Rheinberg Soda Ash plant with a complete phase out of coal. This action not only enables the site to be the lowest Soda Ash CO2 emitter globally (irrespective of the production process being natural or synthetic), but also creates significant economic value.
Underlying, (in € million) Q1 2021Q1 2020% yoy% organic
Net sales2,3732,474-4.1%+1.9%
EBITDA583569+2.5%+10.3%
EBITDA margin24.6%23.0%+1.6pp-
FCF to shareholders from continuing operations282202+39.8%-
FCF conversion ratio (LTM)54.8%40.4%+14.4pp-

CEO Quote

First quarter results reflect the continued economic recovery visible across many of our markets. I am pleased to see that our disciplined structural actions taken last year to lower the company’s cost base have enabled strong quality of earnings. We have also maintained our sharp focus on cash management, delivering eight consecutive quarters of positive free cash flow generation. Looking ahead, we are investing in our growth platforms, our front line, and in innovation that will support sustainable top line growth across the mid-term.”

20211 Outlook

Full year underlying EBITDA is estimated between €2.0 and €2.2 billion, and Free Cash Flow is estimated around €650 million, up from the prior estimate between €600 and €650 million.

Safe harbor

This press release may contain forward-looking information. Forward-looking statements describe expectations, plans, strategies, goals, future events or intentions. The achievement of forward-looking statements contained in this press release is subject to risks and uncertainties relating to a number of factors, including general economic factors, interest rate and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations, changing market conditions, product competition, the nature of product development, impact of acquisitions and divestitures, restructurings, products withdrawals, regulatory approval processes, all-in scenario of R&I projects and other unusual items. Consequently, actual results or future events may differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Should known or unknown risks or uncertainties materialize, or should our assumptions prove inaccurate, actual results could vary materially from those anticipated. The Company undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements.

About Solvay Investor Relations

Results documentation
Annual report
G.R.O.W. Strategy
Why invest in Solvay?
Share information
Credit information
ESG information
Webcasts, podcasts and presentations


1 Barring additional deterioration related to a third wave of Covid-19 in the second half.

Attachments

To view this piece of content from www.globenewswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.
To view this piece of content from ml-eu.globenewswire.com, please give your consent at the top of this page.

About GlobeNewswire by notified

GlobeNewswire by notified
GlobeNewswire by notified
One Liberty Plaza - 165 Broadway
NY 10006 New York

https://notified.com

GlobeNewswire by notified is one of the world's largest newswire distribution networks, specializing in the delivery of corporate press releases financial disclosures and multimedia content to the media, investment community, individual investors and the general public.

Subscribe to releases from GlobeNewswire by notified

Subscribe to all the latest releases from GlobeNewswire by notified by registering your e-mail address below. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Latest releases from GlobeNewswire by notified

Public announcement in accordance with article 7:97, §4/1 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code (“BCAC”) concerning a capital increase by contribution in kind29.3.2024 07:00:00 CET | Press release

Press release Brussels, 29 March 2024 Regulated information – Inside information Public announcement in accordance with article 7:97, §4/1 of the Belgian Companies and Associations Code (“BCAC”) concerning a capital increase by contribution in kind On 20 November 2023, Orange Belgium SA (the “Company”) received notification from Nethys SA (“Nethys”) of its wish to contribute its 25% + 1 shareholding in VOO Holding SA (“VOO”) to the capital of the Company, provided that such contribution results in Nethys holding at least 11% of the Company's share capital (after contribution), pursuant to the provisions of the shareholders' agreement entered into by and between the Company, Atlas Services Belgium SA (“ASB”) and Nethys on 2 June 2023. Nethys can be considered a “related” party to the Company within the meaning of the IAS standards, as it has significant influence over VOO within the meaning of IAS and VOO is part of the group to which the Company belongs. Date and value of the planned t

McWhorter Foundation Combats Nelson Peltz’s Outdated Ideologies and Advocates for Sustainable Inclusivity In Corporate Leadership29.3.2024 06:59:56 CET | Press release

PALM BEACH, Calif., March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- C.K. McWhorter, chairman of the McWhorter Foundation, voices concerns over outdated perspectives in corporate leadership, exemplified by recent remarks from Nelson Peltz regarding Disney's film direction. After encountering instances of racism and exclusivity on Town of Palm Beach Island (known as home to Jeffrey Epstein, Nelson Peltz and others), McWhorter reflects on the disconnect between elite boardroom discussions and the realities faced by diverse communities. While briefly meeting Nelson Peltz and shaking hands after both departed separate lunches, McWhorter initially respected his insights. However, recent comments made by Peltz suggesting Disney should avoid inclusive films have raised eyebrows and prompted McWhorter to speak out. "It's concerning when influential figures like Peltz advocate against inclusivity in entertainment," McWhorter comments. "The future is in diversity and representation, especially as millennial a

Junshi Biosciences Announces 2023 Full Year Financial Results and Provides Corporate Updates29.3.2024 05:24:27 CET | Press release

SHANGHAI, China, March 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Shanghai Junshi Biosciences Co., Ltd (“Junshi Biosciences,” HKEX: 1877; SSE: 688180), a leading innovation-driven biopharmaceutical company dedicated to the discovery, development, and commercialization of novel therapies, announced its financial results for the full year of 2023 and provided corporate updates. FINANCIAL HIGHLIGHTS Total revenue was approximately RMB1,503 million during 2023. The revenue from pharmaceutical products increased by approximately 58% compared to 2022. The sales revenue of TUOYI® (toripalimab) was approximately RMB919 million, representing an increase of approximately 25% compared to the previous year.Total research and development (“R&D”) expenses were approximately RMB1,937 million in 2023, representing a decrease of approximately 19% compared to 2022. The decrease in R&D expenses was mainly due to the strategic management of R&D investments in certain early-stage pipelines, while optimizing resource all

Robex Announces Share Consolidation29.3.2024 00:30:00 CET | Press release

NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWSWIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES QUEBEC CITY, March 28, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Robex Resources Inc. ("Robex" or the "Company") (TSXV: RBX) announces today that its Board of Directors has approved the implementation of the consolidation of the issued and outstanding common shares of the Company approved by its shareholders on June 29, 2023, on the basis of one (1) post-consolidation common share for ten (10) pre-consolidation common shares (the "Consolidation"), which will take effect on April 1st, 2024 (the "Effective Date"). As a result, the Company's consolidated shares are expected to commence trading on the TSX Venture Exchange a few days after the Effective Date. After the Consolidation, the shares will have a new CUSIP number and a new ISIN number. The Consolidation will reduce the number of issued and outstanding common shares of the Company from approximately 844,054,403 common shares to 84,405,449 common shares upon complet

Golar LNG Limited - Announcement of filing of Form 20-F Annual Report28.3.2024 22:47:27 CET | Press release

Golar LNG Limited announces that it has filed its Form 20-F for the year ended December 31, 2023 with the Securities and Exchange Commission in the U.S. Form 20-F can be downloaded from the link below, is available on our website (www.golarlng.com) and shareholders may receive a hard copy free of charge upon request. March 28, 2024 The Board of Directors Hamilton, Bermuda Enquiries: Golar Management Limited: + 44 207 063 7900 Stuart Buchanan This information is subject to the disclosure requirements pursuant to Section 5-12 the Norwegian Securities Trading Act Attachment GLNG 2023 Annual Report Form 20-F

HiddenA line styled icon from Orion Icon Library.Eye