Successful third quarter during economic crisis  

Essen, Germany. In the third quarter, Evonik again earned significantly more than in the same period of the previous year. Between July and September, adjusted EBITDA rose 19 percent to €577 million. As a result, the specialty chemicals company - as forecast – reached the earnings level of the second quarter (€578 million). In the first nine months of the current year, Evonik has already achieved an adjusted EBITDA of €1.68 billion, more than in the entire fiscal year 2023.

“We have delivered the third positive quarterly result in a row,” says Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Executive Board. ”This is all the more remarkable given that the economic crisis is blowing a cold headwind in our faces. Nevertheless, we will achieve our financial targets for the current year. We are on the right track, and our team performance is strong.”

Group sales rose by 2 percent to €3.83 billion in the third quarter. Prices remained broadly unchanged, while volumes increased by a gratifying 5 percent. Thanks to the sustained strict cost discipline, the adjusted EBITDA margin rose by 2.2 percentage points to 15.1 percent (2023: 12.9 percent). Free cash flow decreased from €469 million to €357 million in the third quarter. However, this was due to a more even distribution of cash inflows during the first three quarters. At €701 million, the total free cash flow as of September 30, 2024, was €415 million higher than in the first nine months of the previous year.

“Our adjusted EBITDA and free cash flow trends are clearly pointing in the right direction - upward,” says Maike Schuh, Chief Financial Officer. ”This success is based on our increased focus on the right, less cyclical markets, our restructuring programs and our cost discipline. We are continuously working our way out of the trough of 2023.”

The various initiatives to reduce costs and build a lean organization are paying off. In the current year, Evonik expects total savings from these of about €400 million. On the other hand, the company anticipates some cost increases, like higher wages.

At the same time, the company is setting the course for future growth. The new innovation strategy presented in the third quarter focuses research and development on three clearly defined growth areas: bio-based solutions, the energy transition, and the circular economy. By 2032, Evonik plans to generate additional sales of €1.5 billion with products and solutions for these globally relevant sustainability trends.

Meanwhile, the portfolio's shift towards high-margin growth businesses continues as planned. On August 31, the superabsorber business was handed over to its new owner ICIG. Evonik has also announced that it will focus two business lines, Health Care and Coating & Adhesive Resins, on their growth businesses. In total, Evonik will part with businesses with about €350 million in revenue.

Evonik confirms the recently raised financial outlook for 2024. The company continues to expect adjusted EBITDA of between €1.9 and €2.2 billion. Sales should be between €15 and €17 billion, the cash conversion rate around 40 percent. ROCE should be significantly higher than in 2023.

Specialty Additives: Sales rose by 2 percent to €897 million due to significantly higher volumes. Declining selling prices, primarily due to lower raw material costs being passed on, and slightly negative currency trends had an adverse effect. Products for the paints and coatings industry saw significantly higher demand, with selling prices declining slightly. Sales of oil additives also increased globally on higher volumes. Sales of additives for polyurethane foams and consumer durables were slightly below the prior-year level, because of lower selling prices and negative currency effects. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 20 percent to €208 million, due to higher volumes and a resulting increase in capacity utilization. The adjusted EBITDA margin rose from 19.6 percent to 23.2 percent.

Nutrition & Care: Sales increased by 8 percent to €996 million due to higher sales volumes and prices, offset by negative currency effects. The essential amino acids business (Animal Nutrition) benefited from a year-on-year increase in selling prices and generated noticeably higher sales with slightly higher volumes. Sales in the Health & Care business increased because of higher demand. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 53 percent to €194 million. This was mainly due to higher selling prices for essential amino acids and cost savings resulting from the optimization of the Animal Nutrition business model. The adjusted EBITDA margin rose significantly from 13.7 percent in the prior-year quarter to 19.5 percent.

Smart Materials: Sales were almost at the previous year's level at €1,098 million. Slightly higher volumes were offset by negative currency effects. Inorganic products benefited from higher volume demand, particularly for silicas. Sales in the polymers segment declined slightly due to falling prices. Adjusted EBITDA improved by 21 percent to €164 million, primarily due to higher demand and lower variable costs. The adjusted EBITDA margin increased from 12.3 percent in the prior-year quarter to 14.9 percent. 

Performance Materials: The division's sales fell by 10 percent to €557 million because of the divestment of the superabsorber business on August 31, 2024. Excluding this effect, sales rose. The business with products from the C₄ chain (Performance Intermediates) generated higher sales than in the previous year. Volume demand was higher, but selling prices decreased slightly. Adjusted EBITDA at €19 million remained below the prior-year results, mainly due to a lower contribution from superabsorbers. The adjusted EBITDA margin fell from 5.5 percent to 3.4 percent,