Alessandro Dazza, Chief Executive Officer, said: 'After the peak of the crisis in May, we have seen a slow but continuous recovery in the demand for our products.
The month of September is the strongest one since the beginning of the pandemic, with some sectors, such as construction and consumer goods, almost entirely back to last year's levels. We also saw signs of improvements in other industries, such as automotive and iron and steel. We effectively delivered on our cost savings targets thanks to our Covid-19 action plan and Connect & Shape transformation program, which allowed us to improve our margins in the third quarter of the year. With the new customers-focused organisation largely in place, Imerys is now ready to take advantage of the recovery in underlying markets. The recent acquisitions and capacity expansions show that we are investing for future growth.'
Paving the way for future growth: geography and capacity expansion
The Group has recently announced an investment of EUR35 million in its plant in Bodio, Switzerland, to expand production capacity for high-purity synthetic graphite used in Lithium-ion batteries, mostly in electric cars. This investment is the first of a series of capacity expansion projects the Group envisages to support and accompany the expected strong growth of the electric vehicle market worldwide.
In August, the Group announced that it had signed an agreement for the acquisition of a majority stake of 60%, with options to purchase the remainder, of Haznedar, a Turkish-based high-grade monolithic refractories and refractory bricks manufacturer, serving iron & steel, cement and petrochemical segments. This acquisition will complement Imerys offering and develop its position in the growing Turkish market. Furthermore, it represents a cost competitive production base strategically located between Europe, Middle-East and Africa. This business generated USD 64 million in revenue (of which 40% from exports) and USD 17 million in EBITDA in 2019. The closing of this transaction, which is subject to antitrust approvals, is expected in the fourth quarter of 2020. In October, the Group also announced the acquisition of Sunward Refractories (expected revenue of USD 15 million in 2021), a Taiwanese producer of high temperature refractory solutions which complements the existing product portfolio of the Group in the region and extends its market reach in Asia.
Update on historic talc-related liabilities
In the court-supervised sale process of the North American talc subsidiaries' assets, a sale agreement signed with one of the bidders on October 13 sets their minimum purchase price at $223 million . This sale is part of 3 the U.S Chapter 11 proposed plan of reorganization (the 'Plan') filed jointly by its proponents (North American talc subsidiaries, Imerys SA, representatives of existing and future potential talc related claimants) with the competent Federal Court for the District of Delaware on May 15, 2020. All parties continue to work diligently toward approval of this Plan and completion of the related Chapter 11 process, which is expected toward the end of the first quarter of 2021.
The Plan provides that once the necessary approvals have been obtained, the Group will be released from all existing and future talc-related liabilities arising out of the Talc subsidiaries' past operations, as such liabilities will be channeled into a dedicated trust. On the basis of these recent developments, the provision set aside to resolve the litigation involving the Group's talc operations in the US is considered as appropriate to cover the expected financial impact of the Plan for the Group.
Outlook
Even though Imerys end markets are expected to continue recovering in Q4, the pace of recovery remains subject to the impact of the sanitary situation on the economy, especially in Europe, notably in light of its most recent developments. Imerys therefore confirms it is not in a position to give a guidance for the full year 2020.
Revenue for the first 9 months of 2020 was EUR2,812.2 million, down 14.4% year-on-year at constant scope and exchange rates. Group sales volumes decreased by 11.8% in the third quarter of 2020 (-EUR127.1 million), showing a gradual improvement compared to the second quarter, which was negatively impacted by the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic. All underlying markets showed a recovery in the third quarter, though at an uneven pace: automotive production was -10% in Europe and flat in the USA, steel production was down 20% in Europe and 26% in the USA, paper production was -23% in Europe and -22% in the USA and construction was down 10% in Europe and 3% in the USA.
In this context, Imerys maintained a positive 0.6% price mix (+EUR3.5 million) in the third quarter. The scope effect was a negative EUR14.6 million (-0.4%) for the first 9 months of 2020, largely attributable to the deconsolidation of the North American talc subsidiaries after they filed for the protection of the Chapter 11 legal procedure on February 13, 2019. Revenue also included a negative currency effect of EUR35.2 million (-1.1%), primarily as a result of the depreciation of the U.S. dollar against the euro, in the third quarter.
Current EBITDA
Current EBITDA reached EUR454.4 million in the first nine months of 2020 and includes EUR100 million of cost savings in fixed costs and overheads delivered from the Covid-19 action plan and Connect & Shape program. In the third quarter, current EBITDA margin improved to 18.1%, compared to 14.3% in the second quarter. Over the third quarter of 2020, lower volume contribution (-EUR64.7 million) was partially offset by continuing positive price mix (EUR8.5 million) and lower variable costs (EUR2.1 million). Current EBITDA also reflects gross savings of EUR38 million on fixed costs and overheads coming from specific actions in relation to Covid-19 (EUR28 million, through the decrease in staff costs, reduction in maintenance costs and strict control on overheads and expenses) and the Connect & Shape transformation program (EUR10 million). Combined with the EUR28 million achieved in 2019 and the EUR25 million achieved in the first half of 2020, it is in line with the objective to reach EUR100 million gross savings by 2022. The currency effect was negative at EUR9.0 million. Current operating income at EUR209.8 million shows a 41.4% decrease against the same period in 2019.
Net income from current operations
Net income from current operations, Group share, totaled EUR116.8 million, down 48.7% versus the first nine months of 2019. Net financial result is negative at -EUR44.3 million in the first nine months of 2020, EUR11.2 million higher than in the same period in 2019, which benefited from the repayment in March 2019 of the private placement denominated in Japanese yen (EUR17.0 million). The income tax expense of EUR46.3 million corresponds to an effective tax rate of 28.0%, compared with 28.8% in the first nine months of 2019. Net income from current operations, Group share, per share was down 50.1% to EUR1.44.
Net income
Other income and expenses, after tax, represent an overall charge of EUR21.3 million in the first nine months of 2020, significantly below last year's level, which included significant costs to implement the Connect & Shape transformation program. Consequently, net income, Group share, totaled EUR95.5 million in the first nine months of 2020.
Financial structure
The Group' financial structure remains robust with strict management of capital expenditures and working capital requirements effectively protecting cash flow generation. The strength of the Group's balance sheet is also supported by significant liquidity. Imerys 'investment grade' ratings were confirmed by Standard and Poor's (June 2, 2020, BBB-, stable outlook) and Moody's (April 2, 2020, Baa3, negative outlook).
Revenue generated by the Performance Minerals segment fell 11.6% like-for-like in the first nine months of 2020, though showing a positive trend (-8.6% in the third quarter). On a reported basis, revenue was down -12.3% and took into account a negative scope effect of EUR20.2 million (-1.1%), mostly due to the deconsolidation of the North American talc subsidiaries. The scope effect also takes into account the acquisition of EDK (November 2019), a calcium carbonate producer in Brazil (annual revenue of USD 13 million) and Cornerstone Industrial Minerals Corp. (April 15, 2020), a producer of high-quality perlite in North America (annual revenue of USD 12 million). The currency effect is negative at EUR17.0 million (-0.9%).
Revenue in the Americas was down 7.4% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first nine months of 2020. During the third quarter, revenue was down 5.3% organically. Paints, rubber, polymers and ceramic markets showed a recovery driven by construction, particularly in the United States. Filtration and life science markets were resilient. Continued paper mills closures and decline in demand affected paper & board in the third quarter.
Revenue in Europe, Middle-East and Africa decreased by 13.1% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first nine months of 2020. During the third quarter (-10.3%), Imerys benefitted on one hand from a rebound in construction (paint and coating), the gradual recovery of the automotive segment (plastics, absorbents) and resilient pharmaceutical markets. On the other hand, the Group faced a continued depressed demand for paper and some destocking in consumer segments (board, filtration). Revenue in Asia-Pacific was down 11.1% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first nine months of 2020. During the third quarter (-7.9%), Graphite & Carbon for mobile energy as well as specialty minerals for plastics, paint & coating and rubber recovered well, particularly in China, while ceramics and paper markets were lagging behind in the region.
Revenue generated by the High Temperature Materials and Solutions segment fell 18.2% in the first months of 2020 (-15.8% in the third quarter) at constant scope and exchange rates. On a reported basis, revenue was down 20.4% in the first nine months of 2020. This includes a negative currency effect of EUR16.1 million (-1.1%). The scope effect of EUR6.8 million (+0.4%) takes into account the disposal of the non-strategic fused magnesia plant in the UK (March 1, 2019), as well as the acquisition in December 2019 of a 65% stake in Shandong Luxin Mount Tai Co., a Chinese producer of minerals for abrasives (EUR12 million in annual revenue) and of Hysil in July 2020, a leading Indian producer of calcium silicate boards used for thermal insulation projects (EUR5 million in annual revenue).
Revenue from High Temperature Solutions decreased by 19.5% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first nine months of 2020. It benefitted from an improved trend in the third quarter (-14.6%) due to the gradual recovery of the thermal and foundry markets in EMEA, thanks to an improvement in the automotive sector. Revenue in the Refractory, Abrasives & Construction business area was down 17.5% at constant scope and exchange rates in the first nine months of 2020. During the third quarter (-17.2%), the refractory and abrasives markets continued to suffer, whereas the building and infrastructure segment (specialty cements) recovered.
The world's leading supplier of mineral-based specialty solutions for industry with EUR4.4 billion in revenue and 16,300 employees in 2019. Imerys delivers high value-added, functional solutions to a great number of sectors, from processing industries to consumer goods. The Group draws on its understanding of applications, technological knowledge and expertise in material science to deliver solutions by beneficiating its mineral resources, synthetic minerals and formulations. Imerys' solutions contribute essential properties to customers' products and their performance, including heat resistance, hardness, conductivity, opacity, durability, purity, lightness, filtration, absorption and water repellency. Imerys is determined to develop responsibly, in particular by fostering the emergence of environmentally-friendly products and processes.
Disclaimer
This document contains projections and other forward-looking statements. Investors should be aware that such projections and forward-looking statements are subject to various risks and uncertainties (many of which are difficult to predict and generally beyond the control of Imerys) that could cause actual results and developments to differ materially from those expressed or implied.
Contact:
Claire Lauvernier
Tel: +33 (0)1 49 55 66 65
IMERYS 
