Half-year results: Altana posts double-digit growth
In the first six months of 2021, the specialty chemicals group’s sales rose by 24 percent to EUR 1,334 million compared to the same period of the previous year (EUR 1,078 million), which was significantly influenced by the coronavirus pandemic.
The sales increase was driven by strong demand in almost all sales segments. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange-rate effects, sales were up by 26 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) increased to EUR 283 million, 40 percent above the previous year’s figure (EUR 202 million).
Owing to demand, the EBITDA margin reached 21.2 percent in the first half of 2021, thus exceeding the company’s longterm target range of 18 to 20 percent and the same period of 2020 (18.7 percent).
Double-digit growth in all divisions
In the first half of 2021, all four divisions recorded double-digit growth rates. The largest division, Byk, achieved sales of 631 million euros, a 25 percent increase in a year-to-year comparison. Adjusted for exchange-rate effects, sales grew by 29 percent.
The effect pigments specialist Eckart generated sales of 195 million euros, corresponding to 26-percent growth (27 percent in operational terms). In February, Eckart completed the acquisition of the TLS business with metal powders for 3D printing.
The Elantas division posted sales of EUR 284 million, up 30 percent on the previous year, and 34 percent in operational terms.
Actega’s sales increased by 11 percent to EUR 222 million. Adjusted for acquisition and foreign exchange effects, the increase was 10 percent. The acquisition of Henkel’s closure materials business in May will have a special impact on earnings in the second half of the year.
