Symrise Reports Strong First Half Growth, Maintains Outlook

06 Aug 2015 --- International flavors company Symrise AG continued its highly dynamic growth course in the second quarter of 2015 and further increased its profitability. In the first half of the year, the Group increased sales by 41% to €1,330.8m (H1 2014: €941.8 million) and was highly profitable with an EBITDA margin of 22.6 %.

All regions and both segments contributed to this positive development. The fully integrated activities of Diana contributed sales of €268m. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up by 44 % to € 300.3 million (H1 2014 normalized: € 209.0 million).

Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG, said: "Symrise continues to stand for high growth combined with outstanding profitability. We are thoroughly satisfied with our first-half performance. We experienced strong demand in all regions and both segments. Despite the economic and political uncertainties in some markets, we are looking ahead to the second half with confidence. We have a broadly diversified portfolio, a strong market presence and see clear growth opportunities for both segments."

Excluding the contributions from Diana, Symrise increased its sales by 13% (local currency: 6%) and thus once again significantly outperformed the global market for fragrances and flavors, which is estimated to be growing at a rate of 2-3% per year.

In Emerging Markets, Symrise recorded a 32% increase in sales at local currency. These markets thus accounted for 47% of total sales (H1 2014: 48%). The slight decline compared to the prior-year-period reflects the regional sales mix of Diana, which generates the majority of its sales in Developed Markets.

The Flavor & Nutrition segment increased sales by 75% (65 % in local currency) to €784.3m in the first half of the year (H1 2014: €449.3m). Adjusted for consolidation effects from Diana, sales in the segment rose by 15% (9 % in local currency). Flavor & Nutrition signed numerous new orders and also benefitted from strong demand for natural flavors and a dynamic trend in pet food applications. The strongest growth among regions was in Latin America, where sales rose by 155% in local currency. Sales in North America nearly doubled, with a 92% year-on-year gain. In the EAME and Asia/Pacific regions, Flavor & Nutrition achieved a sales growth of 60% and 35%, respectively.
Normalized EBITDA in the segment rose from € 99.2 million in the previous year to € 176.1 million. The EBITDA margin increased in the period under review from 22.1 % to 22.5 %.

In the process of focusing and streamlining the portfolio of Diana Food, the subsegment Diana CAP (Compagnie Alimentaire Pleucadeucienne) was sold to the Jean Floc’h Group at the end of June. Diana CAP specializes in solutions for regional French pork dishes and sauces, and recorded sales of €29m over the past 12 months.

After a strong first half, Symrise confirms its outlook for the fiscal year 2015. Despite political tensions in some regions and divergent economic trends in some sales markets, Symrise is generally optimistic. The Group expects demand to remain strong in all regions and both segments. For 2015, Symrise aims once again at outperforming the global market for fragrances and flavors and delivering an EBITDA margin of more than 20 %. The long-term growth drivers remain intact. The Group will benefit from global megatrends such as economic progress in Emerging Markets, population growth and the increasing demand for natural foods and consumer goods products. Symrise is convinced that it is very well positioned to meet the resulting demand and achieve the business goals it has set for the fiscal year 2020.