In a second quarter marked by weak demand and macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainties, Arkema delivered a resilient EBITDA margin at the good level of 15.2% and a solid cash generation

PARIS--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jul. 31, 2025-- Regulatory News:

Arkema (PARIS:AKE):

• Sales of €2.4 billion, down 2.3% year-on-year at constant exchange rates:
  • Volumes slightly down 1.3% in a demand environment broadly disappointing in Europe and the United States, and positively oriented in Asia
  • Weak demand in most end-markets, however growth in several attractive sectors such as sports, batteries, efficient buildings and 3D printing, benefiting from the Group's innovation focus
  • Negative 2.5% price effect reflecting market conditions, the geographical mix and the evolution of certain raw materials
    

• EBITDA downat €364 million (€451 million in Q2’24) and a solid EBITDA margin at 15.2% (17.8% in Q2’24):
  • Good resilience of High Performance Polymers and Adhesive Solutions
  • Significant decline in Coating Solutions and Intermediates
  • Weakening of the US dollar and several other currencies against the euro
  • Strengthening of cost saving initiatives
    

• Adjusted net income of €118 million (€214 million in Q2’24), representing €1.56 per share (€2.87 in Q2'24)
  
• Recurring cash flow of €111 million (€132 million in Q2’24), reflecting the strict management of working capital in response to market conditions
  
• Net debt and hybrid bonds of €3,580 million at end-June 2025, including the dividend payment (€272 million) last May
  

• Adjustment of the annual EBITDA guidance to take into account continuing weakness in demand, geopolitical uncertainties and the evolution of exchange rates. The Group expects to achieve EBITDA of between €1.3 billion and €1.4 billion in 2025. Recurring cash flow should adjust accordingly to between €300 million and €400 million. Cost-cutting efforts will be strongly reinforced, with Arkema doubling its target for fixed and variable cost savings to €100 million for the year.

Chairman and CEO Thierry Le Hénaff said:

"The macroeconomic environment remained difficult in the second quarter, marked notably by the wait-and-see attitude of customers in response to tariffs and by the unfavorable evolution of exchange rates. Arkema's teams continue to adapt with agility and commitment, as they have done in the past in similar contexts, and to work simultaneously across both short- and long-term time horizons.

"In the short term, cost and cash management actions are being significantly strengthened. Furthermore, operating with a long-term perspective, the Group is pursuing its strategy of development centered on innovative materials with the execution of its major projects and its innovation dynamic focused on its large growth platforms such as batteries, sustainable consumer goods or efficient buildings.

"The ramp-up of our bio-based polyamide plant and the announcement of a new Rilsan^® Clear transparent polyamide unit on our Singapore platform, where we gathered a large number of clients and the local authorities in mid-July, as well as the start-up of our additives plant for refining and biofuels in Texas are all assets which are serving this strategy.”

KEY FIGURES

SECOND-QUARTER 2025 BUSINESS PERFORMANCE

At €2,395 million, Group sales were down 5.6% year-on-year, impacted by a negative 3.3% currency effect reflecting the weakening of the US dollar and of certain Asian currencies against the euro. At constant exchange rates, sales decreased by 2.3%. In a demand environment broadly disappointing in Europe and the United States, and positively oriented in Asia, volumes declined slightly by 1.3%, down in most end-markets. They were supported by Arkema’s growth in several attractive sectors such as sports, batteries, efficient buildings and 3D printing, benefiting from the Group's innovation focus. The negative 2.5% price effect reflected market conditions, the geographical mix and the evolution of certain raw materials. The 1.5% positive scope effect corresponded essentially to the integration of Dow's laminating adhesives.

At €364 million, Group EBITDA was down on the previous year (€451 million in Q2'24) and the EBITDA margin remained solid at 15.2% (17.8% in Q2’24). This result benefited from the good resilience of High Performance Polymers and Adhesive Solutions, but reflected the significant decline in Coating Solutions and the decrease in Intermediates compared with the high comparison base of last year. Furthermore, this performance integrated the strengthening of cost control initiatives and included an unfavorable currency effect estimated at around €15 million on EBITDA for the quarter.

Recurring depreciation and amortization totaled €166 million, up €17 million on the second quarter of 2024, reflecting the start-up of new production units during 2024, partially offset by a favorable currency effect. Recurring operating income (REBIT) therefore amounted to €198 million (€302 million in Q2’24) and REBIT margin came in at 8.3% (11.9% in Q2’24).

Operating income came in at €117 million (€217 million in Q2’24). It included €47 million of exceptional expenses, mainly corresponding to restructuring costs in Hydrogen Peroxides linked notably to the reorganization of the Jarrie site in order to ensure its future by refocusing on activities in which Arkema is one of the world leaders, and resulting in the shutdown of certain production lines of the site.

Adjusted net income amounted to €118 million (€214 million in Q2'24), i.e. €1.56 per share.

CASH FLOW AND NET DEBT AT 30 JUNE 2025

Cash generation was solid with recurring cash flow of €111 million (€132 million in Q2'24). It included a small change in working capital, reflecting the Group’s strict management in response to market conditions. At end-June 2025, working capital represented 17.0% of the annualized sales (15.7% at end-June 2024). Recurring cash flow also included lower capital expenditure at €151 million (€170 million in Q2'24), in line with the annual guidance.

Free cash flow amounted to €91 million (€117 million in Q2'24), including a non-recurring cash outflow of €20 million, linked notably to restructuring costs and reorganization costs at the Jarrie site in France.

Net debt and hybrid bonds came in at €3,580 million at end-June 2025 (€3,425 million at end-March 2025), integrating the €3.60 per share dividend payment in May 2025 for a total amount of €272 million. The net debt and hybrid bonds to last-twelve-months EBITDA ratio stood at 2.5x.

SECOND-QUARTER 2025 PERFORMANCE BY SEGMENT

ADHESIVE SOLUTIONS (30% OF TOTAL GROUP SALES)

At €716 million (€706 million in Q2’24), sales in the Adhesive Solutions segment were up 4.8% year-on-year excluding the currency effect, supported by an 8.0% positive scope effect corresponding to the acquisition of Dow’s flexible packaging laminating adhesives business. Down 2.6%, volumes decreased in industrial adhesives, notably in North America, while construction grew slightly, benefiting from an improved dynamic in Asia and Europe. Prices were stable overall at negative 0.6 % and the currency effect was a negative 3.4%.

In this weak demand environment, segment EBITDA amounted to €103 million (€109 million in Q2'24) and EBITDA margin held up well at 14.4% (15.4% in Q2'24), despite the 50 bps dilutive effect linked to the consolidation of Dow's laminating adhesives, reflecting notably the strict management of prices and operations.

ADVANCED MATERIALS (38% OF TOTAL GROUP SALES)

Sales in the Advanced Materials segment amounted to €917 million (€918 million in Q2’24), supported by an organic growth of 3.3%. Volumes were significantly up 5.7%, with progress in most of the segment's businesses, more particularly in High Performance Polymers in Asia. They were supported by Arkema’s growth in several attractive sectors such as sports, batteries, efficient buildings and 3D printing, benefiting from the Group's innovation focus. Prices were down 2.4%, reflecting mainly the evolution of certain raw materials, as well as an unfavorable geographical mix and the current market conditions in Performance Additives. Lastly, the currency effect was a negative 3.4%.

At €177 million (€190 million in Q2'24), segment EBITDA was impacted essentially by the decrease in Performance Additives, while High Performance Polymers were more resilient. In this context, the EBITDA margin for the segment remained at the good level of 19.3% (20.7% in Q2’24).

COATING SOLUTIONS (24% OF TOTAL GROUP SALES)

Sales in the Coating Solutions segment decreased significantly by 12.8% year-on-year to €565 million.In a weak demand environment, volumes were down 6.6%, notably in the industrial coatings and construction markets, and affected in particular by North America. The negative 3.1% price effect reflected mainly the less favorable market conditions in upstream acrylics. Lastly, the currency effect was a negative 3.1%.

In this context, segment EBITDA declined sharply to €53 million (€91 million in Q2’24), reflecting low cycle margins in upstream acrylics as well as weak volumes in the segment’s downstream activities, and the EBITDA margin came in at 9.4% (14.0% in Q2’24).

INTERMEDIATES (8% OF TOTAL GROUP SALES)

At €188 million (€254 million in Q2’24), sales in the Intermediates segment were down sharply 26.0% compared to last year. Volumes decreased by 9.0% and prices by 6.6%, impacted essentially by refrigerant gases, which nevertheless improved compared to the first quarter. The scope effect was a negative 7.3%, corresponding to the disposal of non-strategic assets in sebacic acid in China finalized in fourth-quarter 2024. The currency effect was a negative 3.1%.

At €54 million (€84 million in Q2’24), EBITDA was affected by the significant decline in refrigerant gases on last year’s high comparison base but benefited from the slight growth in acrylics in China. The EBITDA margin stood at the high level of 28.7% (33.1% in Q2’24).

OUTLOOK

The start of the second half of the year follows the trend of recent months, within a macroeconomic environment marked by continuing weakness in demand, geopolitical uncertainties and unfavorable evolution of exchange rates relative to the euro. In this context, Arkema is focusing as a priority on the elements that are within its control, and is significantly strengthening its cost-cutting initiatives, aiming to achieve €100 million of fixed and variable cost savings over the year, i.e., double the original target. Cash will continue to receive a particular attention, notably through strict management of working capital and capital expenditures.

The Group will also rely on the ramp-up of its major projects in high value-added innovative applications and in fast growing regions. Their additional EBITDA contribution is now expected to reach around €50 million in 2025 compared to 2024, with the Group also reaffirming its target of over €400 million in 2028.

Furthermore, Arkema anticipates a limited direct impact from the increase in tariffs thanks to its industrial footprint close to customers in the three major regions of the world but will nevertheless remain vigilant about their indirect impact on the macroeconomic environment and the wait-and-see attitude of customers.

Based on these elements, the Group now expects to achieve EBITDA of between €1.3 billion and €1.4 billion in 2025, including an unfavorable impact linked to the evolution of exchange rates of around €50 million compared to last year. Recurring cash flow should adjust accordingly to between €300 million and €400 million.

Finally, beyond the short-term priorities, Arkema will also continue to implement its strategic roadmap, notably its innovation focus and the development of high-performance solutions for a less carbon-intensive and more sustainable world, in close partnership with its customers. Relying also on its balanced geographical footprint, the Group will thus reinforce its positioning and its resilience, while benefiting from numerous growth opportunities.

Further details concerning the Group's second quarter 2025 results are provided in the "Second quarter 2025 results and outlook" presentation and the "Factsheet", both available on Arkema's website at: www.arkema.com/global/en/investor-relations/

REGULATORY INFORMATION

The half-year financial report for the six months ended 30 June 2025 is available on the Group’s website (www.arkema.com) under Investors/Financials/Financial results.

FINANCIAL CALENDAR

7 November 2025: Publication of third-quarter 2025 results
26 February 2026: Publication of full-year 2025 results

DISCLAIMER

The information disclosed in this press release may contain forward-looking statements with respect to the financial position, results of operations, business and strategy of Arkema.

In a context of significant geopolitical tensions, where the outlook for the global economy remains uncertain, the retained assumptions and forward-looking statements could ultimately prove inaccurate. Such statements are based on management's current views and assumptions that could ultimately prove inaccurate and are subject to risk factors such as changes in raw materials prices, currency fluctuations, and the pace at which cost-reduction projects are implemented, escalating geopolitical tensions, and changes in general economic and financial conditions. Arkema does not assume any liability to update such forward-looking statements whether as a result of any new information or any unexpected event or otherwise. Further information on factors which could affect Arkema's financial results is provided in the documents filed with the French Autorité des marchés financiers.

Balance sheet, income statement and cash flow statement data, as well as data relating to the statement of changes in shareholders' equity and information by segment included in this press release are extracted from the condensed consolidated interim financial statements at 30 June 2025, as approved by Arkema's Board of Directors on 30 July 2025. Quarterly financial information is not audited. Information by segment is presented in accordance with Arkema's internal reporting system used by management.

Definitions and concordance tables for the main alternative performance indicators used by the Group are provided in Notes 6 and 8 to the consolidated financial information at the end of June 2025 provided at the end of this document.

For the purpose of tracking changes in its results, and particularly its sales figures, the Group analyzes the following effects (unaudited analyses):

• scope effect: the impact of changes in the Group's scope of consolidation, which arise from acquisitions and divestments of entire businesses or as a result of the first-time consolidation or deconsolidation of entities. Increases or reductions in capacity are not included in the scope effect;
  
• currency effect: the mechanical impact of consolidating accounts denominated in currencies other than the euro at different exchange rates from one period to another. The currency effect is calculated by applying the foreign exchange rates of the prior period to the figures for the period under review;
  
• price effect: the impact of changes in average selling prices is estimated by comparing the weighted average net unit selling price of a range of related products in the period under review with their weighted average net unit selling price in the prior period, multiplied, in both cases, by the volumes sold in the period under review; and
  
• volume effect: the impact of changes in volumes is estimated by comparing the quantities delivered in the period under review with the quantities delivered in the prior period, multiplied, in both cases, by the weighted average net unit selling price in the prior period.

Building on its unique set of expertise in materials science, Arkema offers a portfolio of first-class technologies to address ever-growing demand for new and more sustainable materials. With the ambition to become a pure player in Specialty Materials in 2024, the Group is structured into three complementary, resilient and highly innovative segments dedicated to Specialty Materials - Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials, and Coating Solutions - accounting for some 92% of Group sales in 2024, and a well-positioned and competitive Intermediates segment. Arkema offers cutting-edge technological solutions to meet the challenges of, among other things, new energies, access to water, recycling, urbanization and mobility, and fosters a permanent dialogue with all its stakeholders. The Group reported sales of around €9.5 billion in 2024 and operates in some 55 countries with 21,150 employees worldwide.

ARKEMA financial statements

Consolidated financial information - At the end of June 2025

Half-year information is subject to a limited review by auditors.
Consolidated financial statements as of December 2024 have been audited.

8. DEFINITIONS OF ALTERNATIVE PERFORMANCE INDICATORS

• Recurring depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to depreciation, amortization and impairment of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets before taking into account:

1. depreciation and amortization related to the revaluation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as part of the allocation of the purchase price of businesses, and
2. impairment included in other income and expenses.

The indicator facilitates period-to-period comparisons by eliminating non-recurring items.

• Working capital

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the net amount of current assets and liabilities relating to operating activities, capital expenditure and financing activities. It reflects the Group’s short-term financing requirements resulting from cash flow timing differences between outflows and inflows relating to operating activities.

• Capital employed

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the sum of the following:

1. the net book value of goodwill,
2. the net book value of intangible assets (excluding goodwill) and property, plant and equipment,
3. the amount of investments in equity affiliates,
4. the amount of other investments and other non-current assets, and
5. working capital.

Capital employed is used to analyze the amount of capital invested by the Group to conduct its business.

• Adjusted capital employed

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to capital employed adjusted for divestments and acquisitions, to ensure consistency between the numerator and denominator items used to calculate ROCE.

In the case of an announced divestment of a business announced and not finalized by 31 December, the operating income of this business remains consolidated in the income statement, and is therefore included in the calculation of REBIT, whereas items relating to capital employed are classified as assets/liabilities held for sale and are therefore excluded from the calculation of capital employed. To ensure consistency between the numerator and denominator items used to calculate ROCE, capital employed at 31 December is increased by the capital employed relating to the business being sold.

When an acquisition is finalized during the year, operating results are only consolidated in the income statement from the date of acquisition, and not for the full year, while capital employed is recognized in full at 31 December. When the acquisition has not generated a material contribution to the year's earnings, in order to ensure consistency between the numerator and denominator items used to calculate ROCE, capital employed at 31 December is reduced by the capital employed relating to the acquired business, unless they are considered as not material.

• Net debt

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the sum of current and non-current debt less cash and cash equivalents.

• Net debt and hybrid bonds

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the amount of net debt and hybrid bonds.

• Net debt and hybrid bonds to EBITDA ratio

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the ratio of net debt and hybrid bonds to EBITDA. The indicator measures the level of debt in relation to the Group's operating performance, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• Earnings Before Interest Taxes Depreciation & Amortization (EBITDA)

The IFRS item most similar to this alternative performance indicator is operating income.

The indicator corresponds to operating income before taking into account:

1. recurring depreciation and amortization of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets,
2. other income and expenses, and
3. depreciation and amortization related to the revaluation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as part of the allocation of the purchase price of businesses.

This indicator is used to assess the Group's operating profitability and its ability to generate operating cash flow before changes in working capital, capital expenditure and cash flow from financing and tax expenses. It also facilitates period-to-period comparisons by eliminating non-recurring items, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• Recurring cash flow

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to free cash flow excluding non-recurring or exceptional items, i.e., non-recurring cash flow and exceptional capital expenditure. The indicator enables period-to-period comparisons by eliminating the impact of exceptional or non-recurring items and portfolio management, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers. It is used to assess the Group's ability to generate cash to finance its shareholder returns, non-recurring or exceptional items and acquisitions.

• Free cash flow

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to net cash flow before taking into account net cash flow from portfolio management operations. It enables period-to-period comparisons by eliminating portfolio management, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• Net cash flow

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the sum of two IFRS items, cash flow from operations and cash flow from net investments. It provides an estimate of Group cash flow before changes in cash flow from financing activities.

• Net cash flow from portfolio management operations

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to cash flows from acquisitions and divestments as described in notes 3.2.2 “Acquisitions during the year” and 3.3 “Business divestments”.

• Non-recurring cash flow

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to cash flow from other income and expenses, as described in note 6.1.5 “Other income and expenses”.

• Operating cash flow

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to free cash flow before taking into account intangible assets and property, plant and equipment additions, adjusted for non-recurring cash flows. It is used to assess the Group's ability to generate cash to finance its intangible assets and property, plant and equipment additions, shareholder returns and acquisitions. It corresponds to and replaces the "Operating cash flow" indicator defined at the Capital Markets Day on 27 September 2023.

• Recurring capital expenditure

The IFRS item most similar to this alternative performance indicator is intangible assets and property, plant and equipment additions. Recurring capital expenditure includes all intangible assets and property, plant and equipment additions, adjusted for exceptional capital expenditure, investments linked to portfolio management operations and investments with no impact on net debt (financed by third parties). This indicator enables period-to-period comparisons by eliminating exceptional items, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• Exceptional capital expenditure

Alternative performance indicator corresponding to a very limited number of capital expenditure items for major development projects that the Group presents separately in its financial communication due to their size and nature.

• REBIT margin

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the recurring operating income (REBIT) to sales ratio. It facilitates period-to-period comparisons by eliminating non-recurring items, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• EBITDA margin

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the EBITDA to sales ratio. It facilitates period-to-period comparisons by eliminating non-recurring items, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers. It is also one of the financial performance criteria linked to performance share plans.

• Recurring operating income (REBIT)

The IFRS item most similar to this alternative performance indicator is operating income. The indicator corresponds to operating income before taking into account:

1. depreciation and amortization related to the revaluation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as part of the allocation of the purchase price of businesses, and
2. other income and expenses.

The indicator assesses the Group's operating profitability before tax and excluding non-recurring items, whatever the financing structure, since it does not take into account financial result. It facilitates period-to-period comparisons by eliminating non-recurring items, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• Adjusted net income

The IFRS item most similar to this alternative performance indicator is net income – Group share. This indicator corresponds to net income – Group share before non-recurring items. Exceptional or non-recurring items correspond to:

1. other income and expenses, net of applicable taxes,
2. depreciation and amortization related to the revaluation of property, plant and equipment and intangible assets as part of the allocation of the purchase price of businesses, net of applicable taxes, and
3. one-time tax effects unrelated to other income and expenses and relating to events that are exceptional in terms of frequency and amount, such as the recognition or impairment of deferred tax assets, or the impact of a change in tax rates on deferred taxes.

This indicator enables us to assess the Group's profitability by taking account of not only operating items, but also the Group's financing structure and income taxes. It facilitates period-to-period comparisons by eliminating non-recurring items, and provides a consistent basis for comparison with our peers.

• Adjusted earnings per share

This alternative performance indicator is calculated by dividing adjusted net income for the period by the weighted average number of ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

• Diluted adjusted earnings per share

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to earnings per share adjusted for the dilutive effect of all potential ordinary shares. It is calculated by dividing adjusted net income for the period by the weighted average number of potential ordinary shares outstanding during the period.

• Return on capital employed (ROCE)

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the ratio of recurring operating income (REBIT) for the period to capital employed at the end of the period. It is used to assess the profitability of capital expenditure over time.

• Return on adjusted capital employed

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the ratio of recurring operating income (REBIT) for the period to the adjusted capital employed at the end of the period. It is used to assess the profitability of capital expenditure over time, by adjusting items relating to capital employed acquired during the period or in the course of disposal to bring them into line with the items used in REBIT.

• EBITDA to cash conversion rate

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the ratio of recurring cash flow to EBITDA. The indicator is used to assess the Group's ability to generate cash to finance, in particular, returns to shareholders, exceptional capital expenditure and acquisitions.

• EBITDA to operating cash conversion rate

This alternative performance indicator corresponds to the ratio of operating cash flow to EBITDA. The indicator provides a consistent basis for comparison between periods and with our peers, whatever the growth strategy adopted, whether external growth through acquisitions or internal growth through capital expenditure. It is also one of the financial performance criteria linked to performance share plans. It corresponds to and replaces the "Operating cash conversion rate" indicator defined at the Capital Markets Day on 27 September 2023.

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Investor relations
Béatrice Zilm +33 (0)1 49 00 75 58 beatrice.zilm@arkema.com
James Poutier +33 (0)1 49 00 73 12 james.poutier@arkema.com
Alexis Noël +33 (0)1 49 00 74 37 alexis.noel@arkema.com
Colombe Boiteux +33 (0)1 49 00 72 07 colombe.boiteux@arkema.com

Media
Gilles Galinier +33 (0)1 49 00 70 07 gilles.galinier@arkema.com
Anne Plaisance +33 (0)6 81 87 48 77 anne.plaisance@arkema.com

Source: Arkema