LANXESS: Change of competitive environment leads to impairment in Q4 2013

• FY 2013 net loss expected at EUR 159 million
• Planned dividend of EUR 0.50 per share

Cologne – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS has undergone impairment tests, according to IAS 36, that result in exceptional charges of EUR 257 million in the fourth quarter of 2013.

Due to the expected development of overcapacities, as well as raw material and energy costs, a competitive environment is anticipated in which future cash flow contributions no longer reflect the book values of the business units Keltan Elastomers and High Performance Elastomers (Performance Polymers segment), as well as Rubber Chemicals (Performance Chemicals segment).

The impairment charges are being incurred financially in the fourth quarter of 2013 and affect EBIT and net income in 2013. They are, however, not cash relevant.

The above-mentioned impairment charges, together with exceptional expenses of about EUR 30 million, brought forward within the “Advance” efficiency program, result in a negative net income and earnings per share (EPS) in the fourth quarter of 2013, as well as full year 2013.

The full-year net loss for 2013 is expected to be EUR 159 million. Full-year EPS is expected to be negative at EUR 1.91. EBITDA pre exceptionals is not subject to the impairment charges and is expected to be EUR 735 million, within the guided range of EUR 710-760 million. Sales are expected to be EUR 8.3 billion. The final numbers will be provided in the 2013 consolidated financial statements that have not yet been completed.

Subject to Supervisory Board approval, the Board of Management plans to propose a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share for the business year 2013 at the Annual General Meeting on May 22, 2014. LANXESS paid a dividend of EUR 1 per share for the business year 2012.

For the full year 2014, LANXESS expects a slightly improved EBITDA pre exceptionals due alone to the absence of one-off items, even if selling prices remain at low levels.

LANXESS will publish its final full-year results for 2013 on March 20, 2014.

Table – numbers preliminary and unaudited

(EUR million)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2012 restated according to the revised version of IAS 19

LANXESS is a leading specialty chemicals company with sales of EUR 9.1 billion in 2012 and roughly 17,500 employees in 31 countries. The company is currently represented at 52 production sites worldwide. The core business of LANXESS is the development, manufacturing and marketing of plastics, rubber, intermediates and specialty chemicals. LANXESS is a member of the leading sustainability indices Dow Jones Sustainability Index (DJSI) World and FTSE4Good as well as the Carbon Disclosure Leadership Index (CDLI).