Arkema posts marginal fall in Q2 sales

Highlights:

- €1,629 million sales, 1.7% down at constant exchange rate and scope of business

- Volumes +3.5% up, mainly supported by Coating Solutions segment

- €273 million EBITDA and 16.8% EBITDA margin

High Performance Materials result significantly up versus 1st quarter 2013 but down versus high basis of comparison of 2012

Strong margin in Industrial Specialties despite adverse impact of weather conditions on fluorogases

Resilient performance of Coating Solutions but mixed results between the regions

- €112 million net income Group share, i.e. 7% of sales

At the end of the meeting, Thierry Le Hénaff, Chairman and CEO, stated: “In 2nd quarter, Arkema confirmed the strength of its results in a less favorable economic environment than last year which also shows strong disparities from one geographic region to another.

“Market conditions in Europe are challenging, in particular in France where growth prospects have deteriorated since the end of last year and where the Group continues to consider ways to improve its productivity.

“Nevertheless, the Group benefited from its balanced geographic presence worldwide, its growing footprint in North America, and its diversified end-markets and continued to benefit from its positioning in high added value specialty businesses. The Group actively reinforced its assets as shown by the capacity extension of its acrylic production capacities in North America in the 2nd quarter, and the construction of its Thiochemicals platform in Malaysia.”

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Arkema