AkzoNobel publishes Q3 2017 results

• Volumes 2% higher driven by Decorative Paints and Performance Coatings
• Revenue up 1%, mainly due to volume growth and acquisitions, partly offset by unfavourable currencies
• EBIT1 at €383M (2016: €442M), impacted by unfavourable currencies, temporary disruption to the manufacturing and supply chain, continued headwinds for Marine and Protective Coatings and margin pressure from raw material cost inflation
• Direct impact of around €25M on EBIT related to Hurricane Harvey and other events
• Adjusted EPS at €1.07 (2016: €1.20)
• Initiating phase one of transformation plan to create a fit for purpose Paints and Coatings organisation to deliver €110M savings in 2018 contributing towards the 2020 financial guidance
• Extraordinary General Meeting (EGM) to be held on November 30, 2017
• Creating two focused high-performing businesses:
• Separation of Specialty Chemicals is on track to be completed by April 2018
• €1bn special cash dividend as advance proceeds to be paid on December 7, 2017, following shareholder approval for the separation
• Capacity expansions in the UK (Decorative Paints), China (Performance Coatings) and Sweden (Specialty Chemicals)
• Number one in the Chemicals Industry Group on the Dow Jones Sustainability Index, for the fifth time in six years

CEO Thierry Vanlancker, commented: "We have continued to grow our business with higher volumes and increased revenues despite challenging market conditions in selected areas of our business, especially in Marine and Protective Coatings.

"We have also initiated phase one of our transformation plan to create a fit for purpose Paints and Coatings organisation, which will deliver €110M annual savings in 2018 contributing towards our 2020 financial guidance.

"EBIT for 2017 is now expected to be in line with 2016, due to adverse foreign exchange, ongoing industry specific headwinds and supply chain disruptions, including the adverse impact of Hurricane Harvey in the US.

"There continues to be significant interest in our Specialty Chemicals business and we look forward to the separation process officially kicking off in the coming weeks. We have announced several capacity expansions to accelerate growth for the business, including a €20M investment to increase production at Sundsvall, Sweden for our Expancel expandable microspheres."

Outlook:

"We anticipate positive developments for EMEA (excluding the UK), North America and Asia, while Latin America is expected to stabilise. Industry specific headwinds continue, including higher raw material prices and challenges for marine and protective coatings.We are implementing various measures to mitigate current market challenges, including increased selling prices and additional cost control.

"EBIT for 2017 is now expected to be in line with 2016, due to ongoing industry specific headwinds and supply chain disruptions."

Decorative Paints

Third quarter volumes increased by 5% due to positive developments in Asia. Revenue was down 1%, with positive volume development more than offset by adverse currency and price/mix effects. EBIT was adversely impacted by continued higher raw material costs in the paints and coatings industry, not yet fully compensated, and geographical/product mix effects. Appropriate measures are being taken to address higher raw material costs, including increased selling prices and additional cost control.

AkzoNobel opened a new facility in Ashington, UK, which is the world’s most advanced and sustainable paint factory. This hi-tech plant is the new centre of production for Dulux, the world’s leading decorative paint brand.

Performance Coatings

Volumes were up by 1% in Q3, with growth for Industrial and Powder Coatings, partly offset by adverse conditions in the marine and oil and gas industries. Revenue was up 2%, due to volume growth and the acquired Industrial Coatings business, partly offset by currency effects. EBIT was adversely impacted by ongoing weakness in the marine and oil and gas industries, as well as increased costs of raw materials in the paints and coatings industry and adverse currency effects. Measures being implemented to mitigate current industry specific headwinds include increased selling prices and additional cost control.

The company opened a facility in Dongguan, China, dedicated to producing aerospace coatings for the North and South Asian aviation market. This new facility will offer improved and faster service to existing, as well as new, customers in this rapidly-growing market.

Specialty Chemicals

Q3 volumes were flat, despite significant global supply chain disruptions including Hurricane Harvey in the Houston area of the US. Revenue was up 1% due to positive price/mix effects, mostly offset by adverse currencies. EBIT was up 1% with favourable price/mix developments and cost savings partly offset by unfavourable currencies and global supply chain disruptions. Positive price/mix reflects the successful pass through of raw material price inflation.

During Q3, AkzoNobel announced a novel technology platform for producing a wide range of ethylene amines and their derivatives from ethylene oxide. The process involves lower raw material consumption and has an improved cost and sustainability profile when compared with existing processes. Construction of a demonstration unit will start next year.

The Q3 report can be viewed and downloaded at www.akzonobel.com/quarterlyresults