Regions
WACKER’s operations are highly international. Of the Group’s €4.98 billion in sales in 2018 (2017: €4.92 billion), we generated 82.5 percent through international business (2017: 83.4 percent). Germany accounted for 17.5 percent.
Sales Decline in Asia
WACKER’s sales in Asia decreased by 6.9 percent in 2018. The main reason was that WACKER POLYSILICON sold less polysilicon to China, the world’s biggest buyer of this starting material for the solar industry. That weighed on sales in Asia, which amounted to €1.76 billion (2017: €1.89 billion). In the Greater China region (including Taiwan), sales decreased by 13.1 percent to €1.05 billion (2017: €1.20 billion). WACKER did generate strong sales growth in South Korea (up 14.9 percent) and in India (up 20.3 percent). Asia accounted for 35.3 percent of Group sales (2017: 38.3 percent).
Business in Europe Grows
In Europe, a market where WACKER holds a strong position, the sales trend was positive in the reporting year. Sales climbed 6.4 percent to €2.10 billion (2017: €1.97 billion). The region accounted for 42.1 percent of Group sales (2017: 40.0 percent).
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€ million |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
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Europe |
2,096.7 |
1,970.4 |
1,850.9 |
1,887.6 |
1,794.2 |
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The Americas |
878.2 |
838.7 |
825.6 |
945.1 |
810.7 |
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Asia |
1,756.9 |
1,886.2 |
1,751.6 |
2,253.1 |
2,039.7 |
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Other regions |
247.0 |
228.9 |
206.1 |
210.4 |
181.8 |
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Group |
4,978.8 |
4,924.2 |
4,634.2 |
5,296.2 |
4,826.4 |
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Sales Growth in the Americas
Sales in the Americas increased by 4.7 percent to €878.2 million (2017: €838.7 million) and accounted for 17.6 percent of Group sales (2017: 17.0 percent).
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€ million |
2018 |
2017 |
2016 |
2015 |
2014 |
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Europe |
4,018.3 |
4,029.5 |
3,825.2 |
4,466.6 |
4,144.3 |
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The Americas |
1,106.1 |
1,167.7 |
1,116.2 |
892.8 |
769.7 |
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Asia |
979.5 |
859.5 |
731.2 |
1,164.5 |
962.3 |
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Other regions |
13.0 |
12.1 |
10.4 |
9.2 |
7.6 |
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Consolidation |
-1,138.1 |
-1,144.6 |
-1,048.8 |
-1,236.9 |
-1,057.5 |
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Group |
4,978.8 |
4,924.2 |
4,634.2 |
5,296.2 |
4,826.4 |
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Rising Sales in Other Regions
WACKER continued to increase its sales in other regions of the world. In 2018, sales in these regions rose by 7.9 percent to €247.0 million (2017: €228.9 million) with around 40 percent generated in Middle Eastern countries. “Other regions” accounted for 5.0 percent of Group sales (2017: 4.6 percent).