WACKER POLYMERS

Sales at WACKER POLYMERS grew in 2017 by 4.2 percent, to €1.25 billion (2016: €1.19 billion). Growth was fueled by higher volumes for and . Lower prices and negative exchange-rate effects, on the other hand, held back sales.

WACKER POLYMERS posted robust sales growth in Europe and Asia. The biggest percentage gains came from its business in China, up by around 11 percent. Volume trends were particularly good for construction-sector products.

of €205.6 million (2016: €261.0 million) was significantly below the year-earlier level. A key factor here was the strong increase in raw-material prices. The EBITDA margin declined to 16.5 percent (2016: 21.8 percent).

Capital expenditures climbed year over year, to €48.1 million (2016: €37.5 million). Investment spending included the construction of a new dispersion reactor at Burghausen (Germany) and infrastructure projects at Cologne (Germany) and Calvert City (USA). In 2017, we also began investing in new production facilities at Ulsan (South Korea). As of December 31, 2017, the division had 1,539 employees, slightly more than the year before (Dec. 31, 2016: 1,484).

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Key Data: WACKER POLYMERS

 

 

 

 

 

€ million

 

20171

 

20161

 

2015

 

2014

 

2013

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

1

Costs from selling expenses reclassified to R&D expenses as of 2016

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total sales

 

1,245.1

 

1,194.8

 

1,185.5

 

1,064.4

 

978.7

EBITDA

 

205.6

 

261.0

 

222.2

 

149.5

 

147.8

EBITDA margin (%)

 

16.5

 

21.8

 

18.7

 

14.0

 

15.1

EBIT

 

168.1

 

223.7

 

184.4

 

118.7

 

112.9

Capital expenditures

 

48.1

 

37.5

 

47.4

 

56.3

 

36.8

R&D expenses

 

29.3

 

30.3

 

14.8

 

13.2

 

12.3

Employees (December 31, number)

 

1,539

 

1,484

 

1,461

 

1,408

 

1,377

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dispersions
Binary system in which one component is finely dispersed in another. VINNAPAS® dispersions are vinyl-acetate-based copolymers and terpolymers in liquid form. They are mainly used as binders in the construction industry, e. g. for grouts, plasters and primers.
Dispersible Polymer Powders
Created by drying dispersions in spray or disc dryers. VINNAPAS® polymer powders are recommended as binders in the construction industry, e. g. for tile adhesives, self-leveling compounds and repair mortars. The powders improve adhesion, cohesion, flexibility and flexural strength, as well as water-retention and processing properties.
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.