In This Article:
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Sales: CHF1.013 billion, a 1% increase in local currencies.
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EBITDA Before Exceptional Items: CHF190 million, a 3% increase, with a margin improvement of 70 basis points to 18.8%.
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Cost Savings Program: Completed CHF175 million program; new CHF80 million program by 2027, with CHF3 million savings achieved in Q1.
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Lucas Meyer Cosmetics Sales: CHF25 million with high profitability.
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Care Chemicals EBITDA: CHF130 million, margin of 21.7%.
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Catalyst Sales Decline: 13% in local currency and Swiss francs.
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Absorbents and Additives Sales Increase: 2% in both local currency and Swiss francs.
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Reported EBITDA: CHF152 million, a 12% decrease, with a margin of 15.0% including CHF38 million restructuring charges.
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2025 Guidance: Sales growth at the lower end of 3% to 5% range; EBITDA margin improvement to 17%-18% before exceptional items.
Release Date: April 29, 2025
For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.
Positive Points
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Clariant AG (CLZNF) reported a 1% increase in sales in local currencies, reaching CHF1.013 billion, indicating stable performance.
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EBITDA before exceptional items increased by 3% to CHF190 million, with a margin improvement of 70 basis points to 18.8%.
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The company completed a CHF175 million cost savings program, enhancing operating leverage and supporting margin improvement.
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Lucas Meyer Cosmetics delivered strong operational performance with sales of CHF25 million and high profitability, receiving six innovation awards.
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Clariant AG (CLZNF) maintains a resilient business model with a well-balanced regional sourcing and production footprint, mitigating direct impacts from tariffs and trade tensions.
Negative Points
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Organic volumes decreased by 2% overall, with declines in the Catalysts segment offsetting growth in other areas.
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Catalyst sales declined by 13% in local currency due to weak economic conditions and low utilization rates.
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Reported EBITDA decreased by 12% to CHF152 million, impacted by CHF38 million in restructuring charges.
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The company faces increased uncertainty due to tariffs and trade tensions, which could negatively impact global demand and consumer sentiment.
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Clariant AG (CLZNF) anticipates sales growth at the lower end of the 3% to 5% range, reflecting a cautious outlook amid uncertain market conditions.
Q & A Highlights
Q: Can you provide more details on the profitability of Lucas Meyer Cosmetics and the demand trends in Q1? A: Conrad Keijzer, CEO, stated that Lucas Meyer Cosmetics achieved high single-digit sales growth and maintained strong profitability with EBITDA margins between 45% and high 40s. The quarter followed a usual pattern with a strong finish in March, particularly in Additives, without significant pre-buying effects.