In the EMEA region, revenue fell by 9.2 per cent to €180.9 million in the first half of the year (previous year: €199.2 million). The downward trend was caused by a shift in demand to the detriment of the Group's high-priced fluoropolymer business, despite steady sales volumes. The region comprising the Americas saw sales revenue fall by 4.0 per cent to €91.4 million (previous year: €95.2 million). This was driven by the product mix and the decline in business volume relating to mobility and leisure applications. By contrast, the Group's industrial products business recorded an increase in sales volumes and revenue. In the Asia-Pacific region, revenue remained largely unchanged at €25.7 million with healthy growth in volume (previous year: €25.4 million). The Group's automotive business showed significant growth in the first half of the year, while industry sales in the semicon and photovoltaic segments were stable.

With the exception of construction and advertising applications, revenue trended lower in all fields of application. The Industry business line generated revenue of €109.9 million (previous year: €123.5 million), a reduction of 11.0 per cent. The Advertising & Building business line expanded revenue by 1.6 per cent to €45.9 million (previous year: €45.2 million). Revenue generated by the Infrastructure business line amounted to €54.2 million in the first half of the year, which was down on the prior-year figure of €56.0 million (-3.2 per cent). The Mobility business line recorded revenue of €39.0 million, almost on a par with the previous year (€39.4 million; -0.9 per cent). The remaining revenues from various other fields of application and trade are summarised under "Others" and amount to €49.0 million (previous year: €55.7 million).

In the first half of 2024, Group earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) declined from €25.8 million a year ago to €21.0 million. The EBIT margin for the period under review stood at 7.1 per cent (previous year: 8.1 per cent). EBITDA fell from €36.9 million to €32.9 million. The EBITDA margin declined from 11.6 per cent in the previous year to 11.1 per cent. The decline is attributable primarily to a deterioration in the product mix and more pronounced competitive pressures in the face of sluggish market demand in the EMEA region. The Americas region also recorded lower earnings, while the Asia-Pacific region managed to increase earnings significantly, benefiting from growth in China.  

"The first half failed to produce the recovery that had been anticipated for this period. We have been faced with overcapacity in many of our application areas worldwide. With sales volumes matching those recorded in the previous year, we performed well in the period under review. Unfortunately, the shift in demand away from our fluoropolymer business, which is associated with higher prices and margins, and an overall decline in sales prices in the face of intense competition were to the detriment of a stronger sales and earnings performance. In view of encouraging order intake, particularly in EMEA, we are optimistic when it comes to the medium and long term. As regards the 2024 financial year as a whole, however, we do not anticipate any far-reaching recovery in the short term and are adjusting our revenue guidance to €580-600 million. Nevertheless, we remain confident that we will be able to achieve an EBIT margin in the projected corridor of 6-8 per cent, " says Matthias Schönberg, CEO of SIMONA.

Based on IFRS
31.12.2023¹
To Financial Reports 

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SIMONA – Global Thermoplastic Solutions

SIMONA AG is one of the leading manufacturers of thermoplastic products, with production facilities and sales offices around the globe, as well as an acknowledged development partner within this field. The company's portfolio includes semi-finished products (sheets, rods, profiles, welding rods), pipes and fittings. SIMONA employs more than 1,750 people worldwide. The Group manufactures 35,000 products in Germany and abroad, offering best-in-class solutions tailored to a wide range of applications in the fields of industry, infrastructure, mobility, building, advertising and aquaculture. SIMONA AG is a stock corporation listed in the General Standard. The company's registered office is in Kirn, Rhineland-Palatinate (Germany). For further information, please refer to www.simona.de. For details of our sustainability targets and measures, please visit sustainability.simona.de. 

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