Solvay
2019 Annual Integrated Report

(in € million)

 

FY 2019

FY 2018 PF

Cash flow from operating activities

a

1,815

1,829

of which additional voluntary contribution related to pension plans

b

(114)

Cash flow from investing activities

c

(880)

(784)

of which capital expenditures required by share sale agreement

d

(59)

(38)

Acquisition (–) of subsidiaries

e

(6)

(12)

Acquisition (–) of investments – Other

f

(16)

(4)

Loans to associates and non-consolidated companies

g

10

(3)

Sale (+) of subsidiaries and investments

h

(31)

26

Recognition of factored receivables

i

(23)

(21)

Increase/decrease of borrowings related to environmental remediation

j

8

Payment of lease liabilities

k

(110)

(92)

FCF

l = a-b+c-d-e-f-g-h-i+j+k

1,072

1,006

FCF from discontinued operations

m

195

160

FCF from continuing operations

n = l-m

878

846

Net interests paid

o

(118)

(130)

Coupons paid on perpetual hybrid bonds

p

(115)

(111)

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

q

(39)

(39)

FCF to Solvay shareholders

r = l+o+p+q

801

725

FCF to Solvay shareholders from discontinued operations

s

195

160

FCF to Solvay shareholders from continuing operations

t = r-s

606

566

Underlying EBITDA

u

2,322

2,330

FCF conversion ratio

v = (t-q)/u

27.8%

25.9%

Full year free cash flow to Solvay shareholders[4] from continuing operations was €606 million, up €40 million year on year. Working capital was positive (€7 million) resulting from more disciplined working capital management.

Capex from continuing operations increased by +5.4% compared to €794 million in 2018. Provision payments were largely in line with last year, and taxes were up €(29) million, as expected.

Discontinued operations contributed €195 million, €35 million more than in 2018. These operations consist of the Polyamide activities sold on January 31, 2020 to BASF and Domo.

As a consequence, total free cash flow to Solvay shareholders amounted to €801 million in 2019.

[4] Free cash flow to Solvay shareholders is the free cash flow after payment of net interests, coupons of perpetual hybrid bonds and dividends to non-controlling interests. This represents the cash flow available to Solvay shareholders, to pay their dividend and/or to reduce the net financial debt. The free cash flow conversion ratio is calculated as the ratio between the free cash flow to Solvay shareholders (before netting of dividends paid to non-controlling interest) and underlying EBITDA.