Solvay
2019 Annual Integrated Report

in € million

FY 2019

FY 2018 PF

% yoy

Net sales

2,846

3,057

–6.9%

Novecare

1,789

2,000

–11%

Technology Solutions

632

643

–1.7%

Aroma Performance

425

414

+2.8%

EBITDA

490

533

–8.1%

EBITDA margin

17.2%

17.4%

–0.2pp

EBIT

322

381

–15%

EBIT margin

11.3%

12.5%

–1.1%

Capex in continuing operations

(155)

(158)

+1.5%

Cash conversion

68.3%

70.4%

–2.1pp

CFROI

5.9%

6.8%

–0.9pp

Research & innovation

(94)

(97)

+2.7%

Research & innovation intensity

3.3%

3.2%

+0.1pp

Net sales evolution
FY yoy net sales bridge (in € million)

Advanced Formulations – Net sales evolution (bar chart)

Full year net sales were down -6.9% and -10% organically[7]. Prices were slightly up, and volumes declined -11% primarily linked to the challenging shale oil & gas conditions in North America and softer activity in mining in the second half. Aroma Performance sales were up on volumes, notably in natural vanillin, and prices.

Full year underlying EBITDA was down -8.1% and -12% organically[7]. The significant volume declines were mitigated by price increases and cost containment measures, particularly in Novecare, leading to stable EBITDA margin of 17%.

[7] Organic growth excludes forex conversion and scope effects, as well as the effect from the implementation of IFRS 16. Reported growth compares to the published 2018 pro forma figures, adjusted for the implementation of IFRS 16