28/04/2010 04:54:00

DSM reports very strong start to 2010 in an improved business environment

HEERLEN, NETHERLANDS -- (Marketwire) -- 04/28/10 --

-- Q1 operating profit from continuing operations EUR 196

million (versus EUR 44 million in Q1 2009 and EUR 149 million in Q4 2009)

-- Organic sales growth from continuing operations +25%

compared to Q1 2009

-- Life Sciences continues to deliver robust results due to

Nutrition

-- Materials Sciences demonstrates further strong recovery

-- Major step in transformation with the sale of DSM Agro and

DSM Melamine

-- Robust cash performance continues with EUR 137 million cash

from operating activities

-- 2010 is expected to be a good year for DSM

Commenting on the results, Feike Sijbesma, Chairman of the DSM

Managing Board, said:

"I am pleased to report that DSM has delivered a very strong start to 2010.

Operating profit from our core businesses is not only up very strongly

compared

to Q1 2009, it has also returned to the level achieved in Q1 2008. This

reflects

the outstanding performance of our Nutrition business, a continuing strong

recovery in our Materials Sciences businesses and cost savings initiatives

taken

last year which already deliver EUR 200 million on an annualized basis.

"Throughout the downturn, DSM has stayed the course - fully committed to

our

customers, innovation and sustainability. The announced sale of DSM Agro

and DSM

Melamine marks another important step in our transformation towards a Life

Sciences and Materials Sciences company. Whilst uncertainties remain in the

medium term economic outlook, the strong Q1 result and continued positive

business conditions give us confidence that 2010 will be a good year for

DSM."

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net sales |2,088|1,690| 24%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 304| 142|114%

(EBITDA) | | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Operating profit (EBIT) | 196| 44|345%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- Nutrition | 138| 141| -2%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- Pharma | 1| 11|-91%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- Performance Materials | 43| -17|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- Polymer Intermediates | 43| -30|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- Base Chemicals and Materials | 18| -15|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- Other activities | -47| -46|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Discontinued operations | | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net sales | 142| 147|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 31| 25|

(EBITDA) | | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Operating profit (EBIT) | 22| 13|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Total DSM: | | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net sales |2,230|1,837| 21%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Operating profit (EBIT) | 218| 57|282%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net profit before exceptional items | 144| 25|476%

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net result from exceptional items | -14| -12|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net profit | 130| 13|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

| | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

Net earnings per ordinary share in EUR: | | |

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- before exceptional items, continuing operations | 0.77| 0.07|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+----

- including exceptional items, total DSM | 0.78| 0.06|

---------------------------------------------------------+-----+-----+---

In this report:

-- 'operating profit' (before depreciation and amortization) is

understood to be operating profit (before depreciation and amortization)

before

exceptional items.

-- 'net profit' is the net profit attributable to equity holders of

Royal DSM N.V.

-- 'continuing operations' refers to the DSM operations excluding DSM

Energie Holding B.V., Stamicarbon B.V., DSM Agro and DSM Melamine.

-- 'discontinued operations' comprise net sales and operating profit of

DSM Energie Holding B.V up to and including Q3 2009, Stamicarbon B.V. up

to and

including Q4 2009, and DSM Agro and DSM Melamine up to and including Q1

2010.

Overview

DSM had a very strong start to the year, which resulted in a significant

improvement in operating profit, not only in comparison with the weak Q1 of

2009 but also in comparison with Q3 and Q4 of last year. DSM benefited from

improved business conditions in most geographic areas and end markets.

The Nutrition cluster showed sustained good performance and the Materials

Sciences businesses continued their recovery. The growth in emerging

markets

(especially China) continued to be strong and sales are currently higher

than

before the economic downturn. In Materials Sciences and Base Chemicals and

Materials there are indications that in some businesses the strong demand

is not

fully aligned with the developments in the end markets, which would imply

downstream re-stocking.

The operating profit of the core activities (continuing activities,

excluding

Base Chemicals and Materials) of EUR 178 million is back at the level of Q1

2008

(EUR 176 million), which was one of the strongest first quarters in DSM's

history.

The Nutrition cluster continued to show healthy volume growth at price

levels

that were comparable to the last quarters of 2009. The Pharma cluster faced

lower volumes compared to Q4 2009.

The Materials Sciences businesses continued to recover, driven by strong

growth

in emerging economies and also supported by further improvement in demand

in the

automotive, electronics and textile markets.

The Base Chemicals and Materials cluster was significantly reduced in size

reflecting the announced divestment of DSM Agro and DSM Melamine. At the

end of

Q1 these businesses were reclassified to assets held for sale and

discontinued

operations. The cluster currently contains DSM Elastomers (as the main

activity), DSM Citric Acid, DSM Special Products, and the Maleic Anhydride

(and

derivatives) activity. These businesses benefited from the recovery of the

markets with higher volumes at more or less stable price levels.

DSM's focus on cash continued. Working capital increased by EUR 153 million

mainly

driven by receivables. Adjusted for the effects of the sale of DSM Agro and

DSM

Melamine and considerable changes in currency exchange rates, the level of

working capital as a % of sales was comparable to the level at the end of

2009.

Last year's level was achieved after a substantial reduction during 2009.

The

strong financial position was maintained and net debt increased slightly to

a

level of EUR 871 million as a balance of a positive free cash flow and an

increase

because of a weaker euro. The cost saving program already delivered

substantial

benefits of EUR 200 million on an annualized basis.

Net sales

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

in EUR million first quarter

differ- organic exch. other

2010 2009 ence growth rates

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Nutrition 732 707 4% 6% -2%

Pharma 186 197 -6% -5% -1%

Performance Materials 557 395 41% 41% -3% 3%

Polymer Intermediates 314 139 126% 135% -9%

Base Chemicals and

Materials

196 142 38% 38% 0%

Other activities 103 110

-------------

Total, continuing 2,088 1,690 24% 25% -2% 1%

operations

Discontinued operations 142 147

-------------

Total 2,230 1,837 21% 26% -3% -2%

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

Organic sales growth for continuing operations was +25% compared to Q1

2009.

Roughly 35% of this EUR 400 million increase originated from China. With

the

exception of Pharma, all businesses delivered an increase. Nutrition is

continuing its strong performance and although prices are below the top

level of

Q1 2009 they are at a similar level compared to recent quarters. In the

Materials Sciences businesses and the non-core Base Chemicals and Materials

cluster, net sales showed a strong increase in automotive, electronics and

textile markets. DSM Dyneema achieved double digit growth and DSM Fibre

Intermediates showed strong demand, especially in China, where the economy

is

growing very fast.

Operating profit

Operating profit increased substantially, not only against the weak first

quarter of last year but also compared to the previous quarter.

Nutrition profitability is at a very good level, which is a reflection of

the

successful strategy to focus on value via differentiation and innovation.

The

year-on-year improvement in operating profit was clearly driven by the

Materials

Sciences businesses, which benefited from a strong demand improvement.

Despite

strongly increasing raw material prices, margin management was successful

in

Materials Sciences, reflecting tight market conditions in some markets.

Cost control programs were successfully implemented in all clusters.

Business review by cluster

Nutrition

--------------------------------------------------------+---------------

in EUR million | first quarter

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| 2010 | 2009

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| |

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Net sales | 732 | 707

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 171 | 174

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit | 138 | 141

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

The first quarter saw a continued strong performance of the Nutrition

cluster

with similar underlying dynamics in DSM Nutritional Products and DSM Food

Specialties. The food and feed markets experienced a healthy growth

compared to

last year. Organic sales growth was +6% compared to Q1 2009, with growth in

animal and human nutrition. While emerging economies such as China and

Brazil

are boosting sales growth, all geographies are performing well. Volumes

remained

stable and prices were robust compared to Q4 2009.

Operating profit remained strong, broadly in line with both Q1 2009 and Q4

2009, reflecting the resilience of this business. The main drivers were a

solid

volume development, strong pricing, a continued focus on value, a strong

production performance and continued strong cost management. Compared with

Q1

2009 this improvement was partly offset by negative exchange rate

developments.

Pharma

--------------------------------------------------------+---------------

in EUR million | first quarter

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| 2010 | 2009

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| |

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Net sales | 186 | 197

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 15 | 25

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit | 1 | 11

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

In Q1 organic sales development in the Pharma cluster was -5%, which was

mainly

due to a lower sales value within DSM Anti-Infectives. The activity level

at DSM

Pharmaceutical Products remained low as a result of shifts in industry

dynamics.

Sales were stable compared to Q1 2009. Lower API sales due to the loss of

some

important products in 2009 were offset by the completion of the H1N1

vaccine

shipments in Q1 2010.

The lower operating profit in the cluster was due to the lower sales level

and

an unfavorable product mix.

Performance Materials

--------------------------------------------------------+---------------

in EUR million | first quarter

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| 2010 | 2009

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| |

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Net sales | 557 | 395

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 75 | 6

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit | 43 | -17

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Organic sales growth compared to Q1 2009 was a strong +41%. The increase

was

most prominent in DSM Engineering Plastics as market sentiment improved

substantially in the automotive and electronics industries with some

indications

of re-stocking. DSM Dyneema showed healthy sales growth driven by volumes

and a

favorable product mix. DSM Resins realized strong volume improvements

although

building and construction related markets remained weak. Compared to Q4

2009,

organic sales growth for the cluster was +15%. This improvement was

achieved

across all businesses within the cluster thanks to higher volumes and

generally

favorable price developments.

Operating profit for Q1 2010 improved by EUR 60 million compared to Q1

2009, when

the industry was in the midst of the economic downturn. Increased volumes,

favorable price developments and active cost and margin management

contributed

to the result improvement despite increasing raw material prices. Operating

profit improved by EUR 19 million against Q4 2009, spread across all

businesses.

Polymer Intermediates

--------------------------------------------------------+---------------

in EUR million | first quarter

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| 2010 | 2009

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| |

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Net sales | 314 | 139

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 51 | -22

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit | 43 | -30

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Organic sales growth was +135% compared to Q1 2009, when the downturn for

Polymer Intermediates was at its strongest. Compared to Q4 2009, volumes

increased by +5% and prices by +17% reflecting increasing raw material

prices

(which could be passed on) and strong demand especially in China, where the

economy is growing very fast.

As a result, compared to Q1 2009 as well as Q4 2009, operating profit

showed a

significant increase for both the caprolactam and the acrylonitrile

businesses.

Base Chemicals and Materials

--------------------------------------------------------+---------------

in EUR million | first quarter

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| 2010 | 2009

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| |

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Net sales | 196 | 142

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | 25 | -7

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit | 18 | -15

--------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Organic sales growth amounted to +38% compared to Q1 2009 and +14% compared

to

Q4 2009. At DSM Elastomers net sales improved due to a pick-up in the

automotive

industry as well as some re-stocking.

The operating profit of EUR 18 million was mainly driven by DSM Elastomers

as a

result of a higher sales value combined with higher margins.

Other activities

---------------------------------------------------------+---------------

in EUR million | first quarter

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| 2010 | 2009

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

| |

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Net sales | 103 | 110

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit before depreciation and amortization | -33 | -34

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

Operating profit | -47 | -46

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

of which: | |

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

- Defined Benefit Plans | -18 | -18

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

- Innovation Center | -15 | -15

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

- Other | -14 | -13

---------------------------------------------------------+------+--------

The operating profit of Other activities remained at the same level.

Exceptional items

In view of the announced sale of DSM Agro and DSM Melamine these business

were

reclassified to assets held for sale at the end of Q1 2010. The businesses

are

valued at fair value less costs to sell upon reclassification, resulting in

a

loss of EUR 17 million (EUR 14 million after tax) that is reported as

exceptional

item.

Net profit

Net profit increased from EUR 13 million in Q1 2009 to EUR 130 million in

Q1 2010.

Net earnings per share increased to EUR 0.78 per ordinary share in Q1 2010

versus

EUR 0.06 in Q1 2009.

Net finance costs amounted to EUR 21 million in Q1 2010, EUR 6 million

lower than

last year mainly as a result of a lower average net debt.

The effective tax rate for the first quarter was 25%, the same as last

year.

Cash flow, capital expenditure and financing

Cash flow from operating activities in Q1 amounted to EUR 137 million.

Cash flow related to capital expenditure in Q1 2010 amounted to EUR 98

million

compared to EUR 116 million in Q1 2009.

Compared to year-end 2009 net debt increased by EUR 41 million to EUR 871

million,

representing a gearing level of 14%. This increase was the balance of a

decrease

due to a positive free cash flow and an increase because of a weaker euro.

Workforce

Compared to year-end 2009 the workforce decreased by 133. The workforce

stood at

22,605 at the end of Q1 2010, representing an overall decrease of 1,447

since

the start of the cost saving program at the end of Q3 2008.

Progress update on DSM Strategy Vision 2010

DSM's acceleration of the strategic program Vision 2010 - Building on

Strengths,

announced in September 2007, focuses on delivering faster growth, higher

margins

and improved earnings quality from the company's portfolio. The strategy

will

transform DSM into a Life Sciences and Materials Sciences company capable

of

sustainable growth fueled by important societal trends.

The key drivers - market-driven growth and innovation, increased presence

in

emerging economies and operational excellence - remain at the heart of

DSM's

strategy.

Improving earnings quality

To date, DSM has made substantial progress with the portfolio

transformation.

Following the divestment of DSM Energy and the urea licensing subsidiary

Stamicarbon BV last year and the announced sale of DSM Agro and DSM

Melamine

this quarter (with an expected closing in Q2 2010) a significant proportion

of

the planned divestment program will have been completed. The selling

process for

most of the remaining businesses in Base Chemicals and Materials is

underway.

Other actions to improve the portfolio included the closure of the citric

acid

plant in Wuxi (China) and the reduction in the number of DSM Anti-

Infectives'

sites (e.g. closure of Strängnäs (Sweden) where mainly clavulanic acid was

produced, a management buy out of the side chain business DSM Deretil

(Spain)

and the closure of the loss-making DSM Anti-Infectives site in Egypt as

communicated in April, the costs of which are to be recognized in Q2 2010).

Only a limited number of smaller acquisitions and venturing investments

have

been made, the most important one being the acquisition of The Polymer

Technology Group by DSM Biomedical.

A large proportion of group revenues and earnings are now in high margin,

high

quality businesses that have significantly lower cyclicality. A testament

to

the quality of this business is that by the first quarter of 2010 profits

from

these core operations were at the same level as in 2008.

Further progress in the first quarter

DSM realized record sales in China in Q1 2010. Net sales more than doubled

compared to Q1 2009 to USD 405 million, driven by the Materials Sciences

clusters although Nutrition also showed a very healthy double digit sales

growth. Compared to Q4 2009, sales in China increased by 8%. DSM expects to

achieve the USD 1.5 billion target for 2010. The focus on and efforts put

into

the development of DSM's position in China are clearly paying off.

DSM Engineering Plastics announced that it has signed the contracts with

Mitsubishi Chemical Corporation (MCC) enabling DSM to acquire MCC's

Novamid®

polyamide business in exchange for DSM's Xantar® polycarbonate business.

The

transaction is subject to various external approvals. Closing is expected

in Q2

2010.

DSM has acquired full control of the polyamide 6 polymerization facility of

Nylon Polymer Company, LLC (NPC) in Augusta (Georgia, USA). Previously Shaw

Industries and DSM Chemicals North America were joint venture partners in

NPC. As a result of the transaction, the facility was fully integrated into

DSM

Engineering Plastics' activities as of 1 January 2010.

DSM Nutritional Products (Animal Nutrition & Health) reached agreement to

acquire the industrial premix business from Bayer Korea in March 2010. The

acquired business will be fully integrated in DNP Korea Ltd., which will

supply

the Korean customers with high quality products. The transaction will be

completed after approval has been received from the Korean authorities.

DSM also opened a new plant for the production of wet polyesters and other

specialty resins in Meppen (Germany). Total investment costs amounted to

EUR 15

million.

In the Emerging Business Areas, where DSM is developing at least two

new growth platforms, DSM White Biotechnology made further progress in its

cooperation with Roquette. The demonstration plant produced the first

commercial

bio-based succinic acid in Q1 2010. The development of DSM Biomedical is

also

well on track.

In line with its continuous efforts to improve its cost base and

to strengthen its competitive position, at the beginning of the second

quarter

DSM announced a number of structural cost-saving actions, such as the

closure of

the loss-making DSM Anti-Infectives site in Egypt. In Germany, DSM

Nutritional

Products started a project to improve the viability and competitiveness of

the

Grenzach site.

During the quarter, DSM announced and introduced many new innovations. More

information can be found in the innovation section at www.dsm.com.

Outlook

Most of the markets that are relevant to DSM saw a strong recovery in the

first

quarter with activities in emerging markets well above pre-crisis levels.

Going

forward, continued growth is expected. Of course there are still macro-

economic

risks that could affect the sustainability of this global recovery. Whilst

DSM

has been capturing growth opportunities, a focus on cash generation and

cost

saving programs remain important. This will secure financial flexibility

and a

strong balance sheet to take advantage of opportunities that will arise.

The food and feed markets are expected to grow in line with GDP in 2010.

The

Nutrition cluster is expected to achieve sustained good performance with

results

approaching those of last year, with an ongoing increase in demand and

relatively stable price levels in both the food and feed markets.

For Pharma, results are expected to be lower than in 2009 due to ongoing

challenges at DSM Pharmaceutical Products and continued low prices at DSM

Anti-Infectives. The Pharma cluster clearly has some very tough quarters

ahead

of it.

DSM is experiencing recovery in its Materials Sciences end markets and has

seen

additional demand in the automotive, electronics and textile markets.

Demand in

building and construction and marine markets remained at relatively low

levels

compared to the pre-recession situation. The favorable business conditions

are

currently expected to continue, although with a potentially lower impact on

demand in the later part of 2010 from re-stocking. Strict margin management

is

being applied to pass on the increasing costs of raw materials in the

current

favorable trading conditions. DSM Dyneema is on track to return to double

digit

sales growth in 2010. Sales volumes in Polymer Intermediates are expected

to be

somewhat lower in Q2 and Q3 2010 due to planned turnarounds. Results in the

Performance Materials and Polymer Intermediates clusters are expected to be

substantially better than in 2009.

Operating profit in the non-core Base Chemicals and Materials is expected

to be

clearly positive in 2010.

The strong Q1 2010 results and the continued positive business conditions

give

DSM confidence that 2010 will be a good year for the company.

Additional information

Today DSM will hold a conference call for the media from 8.30 AM - 09.00 AM

CET

and a conference call for investors and analysts from 10.00 AM - 11.00 AM

CET.

Details on how to access these calls can be found on the DSM website,

www.dsm.com. Also, information regarding

DSM's Q1 2010 results can be found in the Presentation to Investors, which

can

be downloaded from the Investors section.

Important dates

Report for the second quarter: Tuesday, 3 August 2010

Report for the third quarter: Tuesday, 2 November 2010

Annual Report 2010: Wednesday, 23 February 2011

Annual General Meeting of Shareholders: Thursday, 28 April 2011

DSM - the Life Sciences and Materials Sciences Company

Royal DSM N.V. creates solutions that nourish, protect and improve

performance.

Its end markets include human and animal nutrition and health, personal

care,

pharmaceuticals, automotive, coatings and paint, electrical and

electronics,

life protection and housing. DSM manages its business with a focus on the

triple

bottom line of economic prosperity, environmental quality and social

equity,

which it pursues simultaneously and in parallel. DSM has annual net sales

of

about EUR 8 billion and employs some 22,700 people worldwide. The company

is

headquartered in the Netherlands, with locations on five continents. DSM is

listed on Euronext Amsterdam. More information: www.dsm.com.

For more information

DSM, Corporate Communications

tel.: +31 (45) 5782421

e-mail: media.relations@dsm.com

Investors

DSM, Investor Relations

tel.: +31 (45) 5782864

e-mail: investor.relations@dsm.com

internet: www.dsm.com

[HUG#1409069]

Press release-pdf: http://hugin.info/130663/R/1409069/361683.pdf

Popular news

LatestMost read
 

Post comment

Version: LiveBranchBuild_20100824.3 - EUROSRV23 - 2010-09-02 21:28:01 - 2010-09-02 20:28:01 - 3 - Website: OKAY