Annual Report 2021

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Creating tomorrow’s solutions

WACKER POLYMERS

WACKER POLYMERS’ sales were markedly higher in 2021, rising 28.9 percent to €1.67 billion (2020: €1.30 billion). Higher volumes, significantly higher prices and product-mix effects were the key growth drivers. Exchange-rate effects dampened sales growth slightly. Dispersible polymer powders performed especially well and sales of VAE dispersions also grew. WACKER POLYMERS’ sales increased in Asia, Europe and the Americas.

At €252.6 million, (2020: €270.5 million), EBITDA was only slightly below the 2020 level. The prior-year level was almost reached because sharp increases in raw-material prices were met with significantly higher product prices. The EBITDA margin was 15.1 percent (2020: 20.8 percent).

Capital expenditures increased significantly versus the prior year, coming in at €100.1 million (2020: €35.6 million). The main focus was on capacity expansion at the Nanjing site in China. The number of employees as of December 31, 2021, was higher at 1,595 (Dec. 31, 2020: 1,540 ).

Key Data: WACKER POLYMERS

 

 

 

 

 

€ million

 

2021

 

2020

 

2019

 

2018

 

2017

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Total sales

 

1,673.6

 

1,298.5

 

1,315.1

 

1,282.2

 

1,245.1

EBITDA

 

252.6

 

270.5

 

194.2

 

147.7

 

205.6

EBITDA margin (%)

 

15.1

 

20.8

 

14.8

 

11.5

 

16.5

EBIT

 

198.7

 

229.3

 

153.7

 

108.0

 

168.1

Capital expenditures

 

100.1

 

35.6

 

62.4

 

71.0

 

48.1

R&D expenses

 

35.1

 

32.2

 

33.9

 

30.0

 

29.3

Employees (December 31, number)

 

1,595

 

1,540

 

1,630

 

1,600

 

1,539

Dispersible Polymer Powders
Created by drying dispersions in spray or disc dryers. VINNAPAS® polymer powders are recommended as binders in the construction industry, e.g. for tile adhesives, self-leveling compounds and repair mortars. They improve adhesion, cohesion, flexibility and flexural strength, as well as water-retention and processing properties.
Dispersions
Binary system in which one solid component is finely dispersed in another. VINNAPAS® dispersions are vinyl-acetate-based copolymers and terpolymers in liquid form. They are mainly used as binders in the construction industry, e.g. for grouts, plasters and primers.
EBITDA
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization.
Polymer
A polymer is a large molecule made up of smaller molecular units (monomers). It contains between 10,000 and 100,000 monomers. Polymers can be long or ball-shaped.