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WACKER POLYSILICON

Sales grew at WACKER POLYSILICON by 2.6 percent in 2017, climbing to €1.12 billion (2016: €1.10 billion). The increase was due to higher volumes, despite the fact that average solar- prices declined. Prospects of stronger volume and sales growth were impeded by the loss of production at our site in Charleston (USA). On September 7, 2017, a technical defect led to a hydrogen explosion there, which damaged a plant section. Production had to be shut down. As a result, WACKER POLYSILICON had a shortfall of around 6,000 metric tons in volumes available for sale. In the reporting year, Asia was again the key sales region for our products.

edged up 1.6 percent to €290.4 million (2016: €285.9 million). This rise mainly stemmed from higher volumes and a decline in production costs. Lower average prices, on the other hand, dampened momentum. In 2017, WACKER POLYSILICON did not have any special income from advance payments retained or damages received. Also, its earnings did not as yet contain any significant insurance compensation arising from the loss of production at Charleston. The EBITDA margin was 25.8 percent (2016: 26.1 percent).

WACKER POLYSILICON’s capital expenditures once again declined significantly. Investment spending fell 55.7 percent to €57.6 million (2016: €130.0 million). The number of employees rose to 2,538 (Dec. 31, 2016: 2,490).

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Key Data: WACKER POLYSILICON

 

  

 

  

 

€ million

  

20171

  

20161

  

2015

  

2014

  

2013

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

1

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

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

Total sales

  

1,124.0

  

1,095.5

  

1,063.6

  

1,049.1

  

924.2

EBITDA

  

290.4

  

285.9

  

402.4

  

537.0

  

233.9

EBITDA margin (%)

  

25.8

  

26.1

  

37.8

  

51.2

  

25.3

EBIT

  

-87.6

  

-117.1

  

162.6

  

305.3

  

0.1

Capital expenditures

  

57.6

  

130.0

  

581.8

  

334.5

  

290.0

R&D expenses

  

22.6

  

18.3

  

15.3

  

18.7

  

20.6

Employees (December 31, number)

  

2,538

  

2,490

  

2,373

  

2,093

  

2,102

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 

  

 
Silicon
After oxygen, silicon is the most common element in the earth’s crust. In nature, it occurs without exception in the form of compounds, chiefly silicon dioxide and silicates. Silicon is obtained through energy-intensive reaction of quartz sand with carbon and is the most important raw material in the electronics industry.
Polysilicon
Hyperpure polycrystalline silicon from WACKER POLYSILICON is used for manufacturing wafers for the electronics and solar industries. To produce it, metallurgical-grade silicon is converted into liquid trichlorosilane, highly distilled and deposited in hyperpure form at 1,000 ° C.
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.