Befesa S A : Financial Statement Q1 2024

Q1 2024 Statement

BEFESA

Q1 2024 StatementBefesa at a glance2

Befesa at a glance

Key figures

		Q1 2024		Q1 2023		Change
Key operational data (tonnes, unless specified otherwise)
Electric arc furnace (EAF) steel dust throughput	303,114	287,069	5.6 %
Waelz oxide (WOX) sold	99,998	99,833	0.2 %
Salt slags and Spent Pot Linings (SPL) recycled	111,261	82,293	35.2 %
Secondary aluminium alloys produced	44,347	43,680	1.5 %
Zinc LME average price (€ / tonne)	2,256	2,916	(22.6) %
Zinc blended price (€ / tonne)	2,400	2,633	(8.8) %
Aluminium alloy FMB average price (€ / tonne)	2,277	2,301	(1.0) %
Key financial data (€ million, unless specified otherwise)
Revenue	298.3	322.0	(7.3) %
EBITDA	45.3	49.3	(8.1) %
EBITDA margin	15.2 %	15.3 %		(13) bps
Adjusted EBITDA	48.6	50.1	(3.1) %
Adjusted EBITDA margin	16.3 %	15.6 %		72 bps
EBIT	24.6	29.1	(15.5) %
EBIT margin	8.2 %	9.0 %		(80) bps
Adjusted EBIT	27.9	29.9	(6.7) %
Adjusted EBIT margin	9.3 %	9.3 %		6 bps
Financial result	(7.6)	(6.6)	13.9 %
Profit before taxes and minority interests	17.0	22.5	(24.2) %
Net profit attributable to shareholders of Befesa S.A.	9.4	15.2	(37.7) %
EPS (in €)	0.24	0.38	(37.7) %
Total assets	2,011.9	1,977.0	1.8 %
Capital expenditures	17.3	30.9	(44.0) %
Cash flow from operating activities	14.5	19.8	(26.5) %
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	90.3	143.0	(36.8) %
Net debt	621.7	571.6	8.8 %
Net leverage		x3.45		x2.81		x 0.64
Number of employees (as of end of the period)	1,819	1,865	(2.5) %

Q1 2024 Statement

Befesa at a glance

3

Highlights

• Revenue in Q1 2024 decreased by 7% yoy to €298 million (Q1 2023: €322
  million), +8% vs previous quarter (Q4 2023: €276 million)
• Adjusted EBITDA in Q1 2024 decreased by 3% yoy to €49 million (Q1 2023: €50
  million), +7% vs previous quarter (Q4 2023: €45 million); Improved volumes, favourable decrease in zinc treatment charges (TC), better zinc hedges, lower energy prices and synergies were offset by lower zinc LME prices
• Growth:
• • US: Refurbishment of steel dust plant in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, on track to capture growth in 2025
  • China: Monitoring market development; Cautiously progressing in the third province, Guangdong
  • Europe: Moving forward with permits and commercial contracts for the Bernburg expansion project
• Outlook: 2024 guidance of €195 million to €235 million EBITDA, +7% to +29%
  yoy (2023: €182 million)

Q1 2024 Statement

Business review Results of operations, financial position & liquidity

Revenue

Total revenue decreased by 7.3% to €298.3 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €322.0 million). The decrease was primarily attributable to the lower zinc LME prices, partially offset by the improved volumes, the favourable zinc TC and better zinc hedges.

EBITDA & EBIT

Total adjusted EBITDA decreased by 3.1% to €48.6 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €50.1 million). Overall, this development was primarily driven by lower zinc LME prices and aluminium metal margin, partially compensated by improved volumes, favourable decrease in zinc TC, better zinc hedges, and lower energy prices.

Detailed by volume, price, and cost components, the €1.5

Business review

4

Total net profit attributable to shareholders decreased by 37.7% to €9.4 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €15.2 million). This development was primarily due to the aforementioned negative drivers impacting EBITDA and EBIT. As a result, earnings per share (EPS) in Q1 2024 decreased accordingly by 37.7% to €0.24 (Q1 2023: €0.38).

Financial position & liquidity

Gross debt at 31 March 2024 remained stable at €712.1 million (31 December 2023: €710.8 million).

Net debt at 31 March 2024 increased by 2.9% to €621.7 million (31 December 2023: €604.0 million). This is mainly explained by the decrease in cash balance.

Net leverage of x3.45 at Q1 2024 closing (year-end 2023: x3.32) based on the underlying net debt of €621.7 million and the LTM adjusted EBITDA of €180.4 million.

Befesa continues to be fully compliant with all debt covenants.

million decrease in Q1 2024 is explained by:

- Volumes (c. €5 million): Steel dust treated

volumes in Europe, Turkey and the US continued

at solid levels, partially offset by lower

performance in China (€3 million); Aluminium Salt

Slags with yoy higher volumes driven by Hanover

back in operation (€2 million).

- Metal prices (c. -€12 million): 23% lower zinc LME

prices (-€17 million), partially offset by higher zinc

Non-current financial indebtedness

• Current financial indebtedness
  Financial indebtedness
  - Cash and cash equivalents

• Other current financial assets1
  Net debt
  LTM Adjusted EBITDA
  Net leverage ratio

31 March 2024

674.9

37.2

712.1

(90.3)

(0.1)

621.7

180.4

x3.45

31 December 2023 672.7

38.1

710.8

(106.7)

(0.1)

604.0

182.0

x3.32

hedging prices (€4 million); 40% lower zinc TC at

$165 per tonne for the full year 2024 (€6 million);

lower aluminium metal margins (-€5 million).

- Cost / other (c. €5 million): Lower costs, mainly

through lower coke, gas and electricity prices.

Total adjusted EBIT decreased by 6.7% to €27.9 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €29.9 million).

Total EBITDA and EBIT were adjusted for €3.3 million in Q1 2024. This adjustment was mainly driven by impacts from the ramp up of some facilities. Total reported EBITDA amounted to €45.3 million in Q1 2024 (-8.1% yoy). Total reported EBIT amounted to €24.6 million in Q1 2024 (-15.5% yoy).

Financial result & net profit

Total net financial result decreased by 13.9% to -€7.6 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: -€6.6 million).

1 Other current financial assets adjusted by hedging valuation and restricted deposits

Operating cash flow in Q1 2024 decreased by 26.5% to €14.5 million (Q1 2023: €19.8 million).

The change in working capital impacted operating cash flow by €33.9 million in Q1 2024, primarily driven by the usual first quarter seasonality and timing impact. Taxes paid in Q1 2024 decreased by 96.3 % to €0.1 million (Q1 2023: €2.4 million).

In Q1 2024, Befesa's cash capex was €18.9 million (Q1 2023: €31.7 million) to fund regular maintenance capex, the US operational excellence / synergies, as well as growth investments. The latter are mainly related to the Palmerton plant refurbishment.

After funding working capital, interests, taxes and capex, total cash flow in Q1 2024 amounted to -€16.4 million. Cash on hand stood at €90.3 million, which together with

Q1 2024 Statement

Business review

5

the €75.0 million RCF, entirely undrawn, provides Befesa with more than €150 million liquidity.

Segment information

Steel Dust Recycling Services

Volumes of EAF steel dust recycled increased by 5.6% to 303,114 tonnes in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: 287,069 tonnes), primarily driven by the solid performance in Europe, Turkey and the US. In China, volumes continued to be affected by the weak real estate industry. With these volumes, Befesa's EAF steel dust recycling plants ran at an average load factor of 71% in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: 69%).

The volume of Waelz oxide (WOX) sold stayed flat at 99,998 tonnes in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: 99,833 tonnes). The zinc refining plant in North Carolina ran at high utilisation levels with a focus on gradually improving profitability.

Revenue in the Steel Dust business decreased by 13.1% to €188.0 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €216.3 million). This development was primarily attributed to the lower zinc LME prices, partially offset by the improved volumes, the favourable zinc TC and the better zinc hedging prices.

Adjusted EBITDA in the Steel Dust business decreased by 2.7% to €36.0 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €37.0 million). This development was due to the lower zinc LME prices partially compensated by the favourable zinc TC, better zinc hedging prices, improved volumes, and the lower coke price. Adjusted EBITDA as a percent of revenue improved to 19% in Q1 2024, compared 17% in Q1 2023.

Adjusted EBIT in the Steel Dust business decreased by 3.6% to €20.5 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €21.3 million), following similar drivers explained referring to the EBITDA development.

Aluminium Salt Slags Recycling Services

Salt Slags subsegment

Salt slags and SPL recycled volumes increased by 35.2% to 111,261 tonnes in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: 82,293 tonnes), primarily driven by the Hanover plant back in operation since Q2 2023. On average, Befesa's salt slags recycling plants operated in Q1 2024 at 95% of the latest installed annual recycling capacity of 470,000 tonnes (Q1 2023: 71%).

Revenue in the Salt Slags subsegment increased by 30.6% to €27.2 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €20.8 million) primarily driven by the improved volumes of salt slags and SPL treated.

EBITDA in the Salt Slags subsegment increased by 49.6% to €9.9 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €6.6 million), primarily driven by the improved volumes and the lower energy prices.

EBIT in the Salt Slags subsegment increased by 64.9% to €6.9 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €4.2 million), following similar drivers explained referring to the EBITDA development.

Secondary Aluminium subsegment

Aluminium alloy production volumes increased by 1.5% to 44,347 tonnes (Q1 2023: 43,680 tonnes). Befesa's secondary aluminium production plants overall operated in

Q1 2024 at 87% utilisation rate on average (Q1 2023: 86%).

Revenue in the Secondary Aluminium subsegment increased by 2.6% to €98.3 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €95.9 million). Higher volumes were partially offset with the lower aluminium alloy FMB prices.

EBITDA in the Secondary Aluminium subsegment decreased by 60.4% to €2.9 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €7.2 million). The EBITDA development was mainly explained by the lower aluminium metal margin partially compensated by the improved volumes and lower energy prices.

EBIT in the Secondary Aluminium subsegment decreased by 85.0% to €0.8 million in Q1 2024 (Q1 2023: €5.3 million), following similar drivers which impacted the EBITDA development.

Strategy

Hedging

Befesa's hedging strategy is unchanged and continues to be a key element of Befesa's business model, providing zinc price visibility, lowering the impact from zinc price volatility and therefore improving the stability and visibility of earnings and cash flow across the economic cycle. Further details are available in the Befesa Annual Report 2023 (pages 36-37).

Befesa's current hedging volume run rate is to hedge around 38,000 tonnes of zinc per quarter or around 152,000 tonnes per year.

The combined global hedge book in place as of the date of this Q1 2024 Statement provides Befesa with improved

Q1 2024 Statement

zinc price visibility up to July 2025, therefore for the following 14 months, at increasing hedging average prices: around €2,500 per tonne in 2024 and around €2,650 per tonne for the first half of 2025.

Growth

Befesa's Sustainable Global Growth Plan (SGGP) is progressing as planned despite the challenging macroeconomic environment.

In the US, the refurbishment of the plant in Palmerton, Pennsylvania, is on track. Progress continues during 2024, enabling Befesa to improve profitability levels and to capture the anticipated increase in EAF steel dust volumes in the US market for 2025.

In China, with regards to the third plant in the province of Guangdong, Befesa continues its negotiations with major steelmakers in the region to secure EAF dust supply. Despite the current market challenges, Befesa recognises a significant growth opportunity in China and maintains a positive midterm outlook.

In Europe, with regards to the expansion of the secondary aluminium production capacity in the existing plant of Bernburg, Germany, Befesa is moving forward with the permits and commercial contracts. This project is in line with the expected growth of the demand for aluminium in Europe in the coming years driven by the EV penetration. Light-weight solutions are required to reduce emissions and, as a result, the aluminium content in cars will increase.

Business review

6

Outlook

2024: Befesa expects the full year 2024 EBITDA at between €195 million and €235 million, +7% to +29% yoy (2023: €182 million). Earnings in 2024 will be positively impacted by the significantly lower zinc TC, set at $165 per tonne for 2024 (2023: $274 per tonne), coupled with improved zinc hedging prices. Moreover, 2024 should see also a normalisation of coke price, and the improvement in operational efficiency in the US recycling operations as well as China. The guidance range is mainly driven by the metal price volatility, the recovery pace of coke price and the contribution from the US and Chinese operations.

Positive mid-termoutlook: Befesa's diversified growth plan is underpinned by the favourable macro trends in decarbonisation and EV over the next few years, across the core businesses and markets in which Befesa holds a leading position. Befesa is rigorously executing and prudently managing the timing of its growth projects, aligning with macroeconomic and market-specific developments.

ESG

As of 31 March 2024, ESG ratings from six renowned international ESG rating agencies following Befesa are available:

Q1 2024 StatementConsolidated financial statements7

Consolidated financial statements

as of 31 March 2024 (thousands of euros)

Statement of financial position

Asset s

(€ thousand)		31 March 2024		31 December 2023
Non-current assets:
Intangible assets
Goodwill	635,026	629,643
Other intangible assets	107,491	108,030
	742,517	737,673
Right-of-use assets	32,667	31,945
Property, plant and equipment	708,963	702,660
Non-current financial assets
Investments in Group companies and associates	26	26
Other non-current financial assets	33,993	35,112
	34,019	35,138
Deferred tax assets	98,337	96,708
Total non-current assets	1,616,503	1,604,124
Current assets:
Inventories	107,668	101,089
Trade and other receivables	114,932	75,818
Trade receivables from related companies	561	409
Accounts receivables from public authorities	20,595	20,726
Other receivables	25,752	22,201
Other current financial assets	35,550	14,626
Cash and cash equivalents	90,325	106,692
Total current assets	395,383	341,561
Total assets	2,011,886	1,945,685

Q1 2024 Statement

Consolidated financial statements

8

Statement of financial position (continued)

Equity and liabilities
(€ thousand)	31 March 2024	31 December 2023
Equity:
Parent Co mpany
Share capital	111,048	111,048
Share premium	532,867	532,867
Hedging reserves	53,971	36,888
Other reserves	155,010	96,490
Translation differences	(65)	(11,738)
Net profit/(loss) for the period	9,446	57,972
Equity attributable to the owners of the Company	862,277	823,527
No n-contro lling interests	55,623	53,829
To tal equity	917,900	877,356
No n-current liabilities:
Lo ng-term pro visions	15,628	18,053
Lo ans and bo rrowings	656,809	655,610
Lease liabilities	18,114	17,080
Other no n-current financial liabilities	-	-
Other no n-current liabilities	6,637	6,707
Deferred tax liabilities	119,839	113,845
To tal no n-current liabilities	817,027	811,295
Current liabilities:
Lo ans and bo rrowings	28,297	28,798
Lease liabilities	8,921	9,283
Other current financial liabilities	39	2,229
Trade payables to related companies	-	-
Trade and o ther payables	187,098	171,084
Other payables
Accounts payable to public administrations	19,960	14,103
Other current liabilities	32,644	31,537
	52,604	45,640
To tal current liabilities	276,959	257,034
To tal equity and liabilities	2,011,886	1,945,685

Q1 2024 Statement

Consolidated financial statements

9

Income statement

(€ thousand)	Q1 2024	Q1 2023	Change
Revenue	298,347	322,002	(7.3) %
Changes in inventories of finished goods and work-in-progress	60	(1,201)	-
Procurements	(140,809)	(159,240)	(11.6) %
Other operating income	2,451	3,147	(22.1) %
Personnel expenses	(37,006)	(38,476)	(3.8) %
Other operating expenses	(77,754)	(76,939)	1.1 %
Amortisation/depreciation, impairment and provisions	(20,723)	(20,205)	2.6 %
Operating profit/(loss)	24,566	29,088	(15.5) %
Finance income	352	1,304	(73.0) %
Finance expenses	(10,177)	(8,345)	22.0 %
Net exchange differences	2,272	410	-
Net finance income/(loss)	(7,553)	(6,631)	13.9 %
Profit/(loss) before tax	17,013	22,457	(24.2) %
Corporate income tax	(5,914)	(8,456)	(30.1) %
Profit/(loss) for the period	11,099	14,001	(20.7) %
Attributable to:
Parent Company's owners	9,446	15,159	(37.7) %
Non-controlling interests	1,653	(1,158)	-
Earnings/(losses) per share attributable to	0.24	0.38	(37.7) %
Parent Company's owners (in euros per share)

Q1 2024 Statement

Consolidated financial statements

10

Statement of cash flows

(€ thousand)		Q1 2024		Q1 2023
Pro fit/(lo ss) fo r the period before tax	17,013	22,457
Adjustments fo r:	25,687	23,209
Depreciation and amortisation	20,723	20,205
Changes in provisions	(2,425)	(3,445)
Interest income	(352)	(1,304)
Finance costs	10,177	8,345
Other profit/(loss)	(164)	(182)
Exchange differences	(2,272)	(410)
Changes in wo rking capital:	(28,067)	(23,494)
Trade receivables and other current assets	(42,494)	(15,582)
Inventories	(6,579)	(3,630)
Trade payables	21,006	(4,282)
Other cash flo ws from operating activities:	(87)	(2,378)
Taxes paid	(87)	(2,378)
Net cash flo ws from/(used in) operating activities (I)	14,546	19,794
Cash flo ws fro m investing activities:
Investments in intangible assets	(627)	(224)
Investments in property, plant and equipment	(18,298)	(31,497)
Collections from disposal of Group and associated companies, net of cash	-	113
Net cash flo ws from/(used in) investing activities (II)	(18,925)	(31,608)
Cash flo ws fro m financing activities:
Cash inflows from bank borrowings and other liabilities	398	3,948
Cash outflows from bank borrowings and other liabilities	(2,891)	(3,217)
Interest paid	(9,417)	(6,840)
Net cash flo ws from/(used in) financing activities (III)	(11,910)	(6,109)
Effect of fo reign exchange rate changes on cash & cash equivalents (IV)	(78)	(838)
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents (I+II+III+IV)	(16,367)	(18,761)
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period	106,692	161,751
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period	90,325	142,990