DGAP-News: Evonik Industries AG / Key word(s): Quarterly / Interim Statement Evonik Industries AG: Evonik made a good start to 2018 08.05.2018 / 07:00 The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Evonik made a good start to 2018 - Adjusted EBITDA rises 14 percent to EUR679 million - Sales increase 1 percent to EUR3.68 billion - Full-year forecast confirmed Essen. Evonik made a good start to the year. Adjusted EBITDA increased to EUR679 million in the first quarter, a significant rise of 14 percent year-on-year. All three chemicals segments contributed to the gain in earnings. "We are consistently implementing our new strategy," said Christian Kullmann, Chairman of the Executive Board. "With our focus on innovation and our performance-oriented corporate culture, we are consistently striving for profitable growth. Our goal is a balanced portfolio focused on specialty chemicals." Sales grew 1 percent to EUR3.68 billion in the first quarter, driven mainly by slightly higher sales volumes as well as increased selling prices. Currency effects, especially the weaker U.S. dollar, had a counter effect. The adjusted EBITDA margin improved to 18.5 percent (prior-year quarter: 16.4 percent). Adjusted net income increased to EUR333 million and adjusted earnings per share rose to EUR0.71. Free cash flow increased to EUR84 million (prior-year quarter: EUR57 million) as a result of lower outflows for capital expenditures. Outlook confirmed in full Despite an increasingly negative currency effect, Evonik is reiterating its forecast and expects to grow both sales and operating earnings this year. Adjusted EBITDA is expected to increase to between EUR2.4 billion and EUR2.6 billion (2017: EUR2.36 billion). Thanks to its strong market positions and strategic focus on its four growth engines-Specialty Additives, Animal Nutrition, Smart Materials, and Health & Care-Evonik anticipates that demand will remain high. Segment performance Resource Efficiency: Sales rose 3 percent to EUR1.4 billion in the first quarter. The consolidation of the silica business acquired from J. M. Huber in September last year and higher selling prices contributed to this rise. There was strong demand for coating additives, especially in Asia-Pacific, and for crosslinkers in Europe. Adjusted EBITDA rose to 9 percent to EUR325 million in the Resource Efficiency segment. Nutrition & Care: In the first quarter of 2018, sales were level with the prior-year quarter at EUR1.12 billion. Market conditions for essential amino acids for animal nutrition were robust in the reporting period. While sales volumes were slightly higher, overall selling prices were stable compared with the prior-year period. A substantial increase in sales was registered by personal-care products, which benefited from a considerable rise in sales volumes and an improvement in prices. The health-care business and polyurethane-foam additives continued to develop well with good demand. Adjusted EBITDA rose 12 percent to EUR209 million in the Nutrition & Care segment. Performance Materials: Sales grew 4 percent to EUR995 million in the first quarter. This was due to higher selling prices, while negative currency effects had a counter effect. The methacrylates business continued to perform positively and reported a considerable rise in sales. Demand remained pleasing, especially from the coatings and automotive sectors, while market supply was still tight. The adjusted EBITDA of the Performance Materials segment improved 14 percent to EUR179 million. Company information Evonik is one of the world leaders in specialty chemicals. The focus on more specialty businesses, customer-orientated innovative prowess and a trustful and performance-oriented corporate culture form the heart of Evonik's corporate strategy. They are the lever for profitable growth and a sustained increase in the value of the company. Evonik benefits specifically from its customer proximity and leading market positions. Evonik is active in over 100 countries around the world with more than 36,000 employees. In fiscal 2017, the enterprise generated sales of EUR14.4 billion and an operating profit (adjusted EBITDA) of EUR2.36 billion. Disclaimer In so far as forecasts or expectations are expressed in this Investor Relations News or where our statements concern the future, these forecasts, expectations or statements may involve known or unknown risks and uncertainties. Actual results or developments may vary, depending on changes in the operating environment. Neither Evonik Industries AG nor its group companies assume an obligation to update the forecasts, expectations or statements contained in this release. Contact: Tim Lange Head of Investor Relations +49 201 177-3150 [email protected] Evonik Industries AG Rellinghauser Straße 1-11 45128 Essen Germany Phone +49 201 177-01 Fax +49 201 177-3475 www.evonik.com Supervisory Board Dr. Werner Müller, Chairman Executive Board Christian Kullmann, Chairman Dr. Harald Schwager, Deputy Chairman Thomas Wessel Ute Wolf Registered Office is Essen Register Court Essen Local Court Commercial Registry B 19474 --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 08.05.2018 Dissemination of a Corporate News, transmitted by DGAP - a service of EQS Group AG. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement. The DGAP Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements, Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases. Archive at www.dgap.de --------------------------------------------------------------------------- Language: English Company: Evonik Industries AG Rellinghauser Straße 1-11 45128 Essen Germany Phone: +49 (0) 201 177-01 Fax: +49 (0) 201 177-3475 E-mail: [email protected] Internet: www.evonik.com ISIN: DE000EVNK013, XS0911405784 WKN: EVNK01, A1TM7T Indices: MDAX Listed: Regulated Market in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Regulated Unofficial Market in Berlin, Dusseldorf, Hamburg, Hanover, Munich, Stuttgart, Tradegate Exchange; Luxemburg End of News DGAP News Service --------------------------------------------------------------------------- 683231 08.05.2018