BASF again with strong earnings despite continued high prices for raw materials and energy
Net income of €2.1 billion up 26.3 percent over prior-year quarter
The BASF Group increased sales by €3.2 billion compared with the prior-year quarter to €23.0 billion. This rise of 16.3 percent was primarily due to the significant price increases that BASF was able to introduce in almost all segments.
BASF SE
At €2.3 billion, income from operations (EBIT) before special items reached the level of the strong prior-year quarter. Agricultural Solutions and Nutrition & Care considerably increased earnings, while earnings in the Industrial Solutions segment rose slightly. EBIT before special items significantly improved in Other. By contrast, the Chemicals and Materials segments generated considerably lower EBIT before special items. In the Surface Technologies segment, EBIT before special items also declined significantly.
EBIT rose by €34 million to €2.4 billion. Income from operations before depreciation, amortization and special items (EBITDA before special items) rose by €76 million to €3.3 billion and EBITDA increased by €197 million to €3.4 billion in the second quarter of 2022.
Development of cash flows in the second quarter of 2022
Cash flows from operating activities amounted to €1.2 billion in the second quarter of 2022, a decrease of €1.3 billion compared with the prior-year quarter. Free cash flow amounted to €336 million in the second quarter of 2022, after €1.8 billion in the second quarter of 2021.
Development of BASF’s segments in the second quarter of 2022
Sales in the Chemicals segment rose considerably by 27.2 percent compared with the second quarter of 2021 to reach €4.3 billion. Both operating divisions contributed to the increase. Sales growth was primarily driven by significantly higher prices in both divisions, mainly due to the passing on of increased prices for raw materials and energy amid continued strong demand. EBIT before special items of €853 million remained at a high level but was considerably below the exceptionally strong earnings in the prior-year quarter. This was primarily due to considerably lower earnings in the Petrochemicals division, mainly from higher fixed costs as a result of the increase in energy prices and currency effects.
The Materials segment increased sales considerably by 29.9 percent compared with the prior-year quarter to €4.9 billion. This was primarily the result of strong sales growth in the Monomers division. The Performance Materials division also recorded a considerable increase. The positive sales performance was mainly due to significantly higher prices from passing on the increase in raw materials prices. At €668 million, EBIT before special items decreased considerably compared with the second quarter of 2021. In both divisions, higher margins were unable to offset the increase in fixed costs.
Sales in the Industrial Solutions segment rose considerably compared with the second quarter of 2021 and amounted to €2.6 billion. This represents an increase of 12.1 percent, which was mainly driven by strong sales growth in the Performance Chemicals division. The Dispersions & Resins division recorded a slight sales increase. The sales increase was primarily due to significantly higher price levels across all business areas and in all regions. This was largely the result of higher prices for raw materials, energy and freight. At €323 million, the segment’s EBIT before special items was slightly above the prior-year quarter. This reflected the significant rise in earnings in the Performance Chemicals division, primarily from price-driven margin growth.
In the Surface Technologies segment, sales of €5.4 billion were 7.6 percent below the prior-year quarter. Considerable sales growth in the Coatings division was unable to offset the strong decline in the Catalysts division. The year-on-year sales decrease was primarily due to significantly lower volumes in the Catalysts division. This was mainly the result of weaker demand from the automotive industry due to insufficient semiconductor supply and the lockdowns in China. EBIT before special items of €227 million declined considerably from the €289 million reported in the second quarter of 2021. This was attributable to the considerable decline in the Coatings division’s EBIT before special items, mainly due to higher fixed costs.
Compared with the second quarter of 2021, sales in the Nutrition & Care segment rose by 30.9 percent to €2.1 billion. Both divisions contributed significantly. Sales growth was driven by significantly higher prices across all business areas, passing on increased prices for raw materials and energy. The segment’s EBIT before special items was considerably above the prior-year quarter and reached €213 million. This was due to the considerable increase in EBIT before special items in the Care Chemicals division.
Sales of €2.5 billion in the Agricultural Solutions segment rose considerably compared with the second quarter of 2021. This increase of 25.3 percent was mainly attributable to higher prices in all regions and positive currency effects, mainly from the U.S. dollar. Significantly higher volumes also contributed to the sales development. At €223 million, EBIT before special items was considerably above the prior-year quarter. This was mainly attributable to the positive sales development, which more than compensated for higher costs.
Sales in Other increased considerably compared with the second quarter of 2021 and amounted to €1.1 billion. This primarily reflected sales growth in commodity trading. At minus €168 million, EBIT before special items improved considerably compared with the prior-year quarter.
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