Benelux Chemical Companies Outline Growth, Cost Savings Plans
Benelux chemicals companies Akzo Nobel, DSM and Solvay have renewed their focus on emerging markets, setting new targets to offset expected slower growth in mature markets. Following is detail of each company's plan.
Akzo Nobel
• Aims to grow annual revenues to €20 billion ($27 billion) over the next five years from €13.9 billion in 2009;
• To increase earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) each year, maintaining a 13 to 15% margin compared with a previous 14% target;
• Double sales in China to $3 billion, grow India sales to €1 billion from €0.25 billion and Brazil sales to €1.5 billion from €0.75 billion;
• Aims to pay a stable to rising dividend, but said it will also retain cash to fund growth;
• Focus is on organic growth, but small and medium-size acquisitions part of strategy;
• As part of its cost savings drive fully launched in 2008, Akzo Nobel expects to have achieved about €690 million in savings via ICI synergies and structural cuts by end-2010.
DSM
• Targeting Ebitda between €1.4-1.6 billion by 2013;
• Annual organic sales growth of 5- 7% by 2015, which will be enhanced with acquisitions and partnerships;
• Sales from high growth economies to increase towards 50% of total sales by 2015 from about 32% currently;
• To double China sales to over €3 billion by 2013;
• A combined turnover of €1 billion by 2020 for emerging business areas (new product areas);
• Targeting Ebitda margin at Nutrition unit of 20-23%;
• Has achieved €200 million in annual savings since launching cost cutting drive in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Solvay
• Targeting €120 million in savings by end-2012;
• Cutting 800 jobs for €65 million in annual savings, while improved external spending will save €55 million;
• Costs of new savings program €120 million;
• Cut costs already by €105 million since recession;
• Solvay intends to accelerate decision making for the approval of new projects to boost emerging market growth;
• Looking into moving its Brussels headquarters;
• Giving priority to acquisitions after drugs unit sale;
• Wants to buy high value-added chemicals and plastics businesses with a low energy costs in geographical growth areas.
