Elkem

Earnings Release • Jul 17, 2020

Strong competitive position demonstrated in weak markets

Strong competitive position demonstrated in weak markets

Elkem achieved high capacity utilisation and good sales volumes in the second

quarter of 2020 despite very challenging market conditions. The strong

operational performance reflects Elkem's good market and cost positions. Covid

-19 continues to impact global markets, but the market development in China

shows signs of recovery.

Elkem's total operating income for the second quarter 2020 was NOK 5,879

million, up two per cent from the corresponding quarter last year. Earnings

before interest, taxes depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) amounted to NOK

644 million in the quarter, which is in line with NOK 647 million in the second

quarter of 2019. Earnings per share (EPS) was NOK -0.02 in the quarter, after

impacts from currency losses in other items and financial items.

"Covid-19 continues to impact global markets with negative effects on demand and

sales prices. Despite these challenging market conditions, Elkem achieved strong

sales volumes and stable results in the second quarter. This reflects Elkem's

strong competitive position," says Elkem's CEO, Michael Koenig.

Compared to the corresponding quarter last year, Elkem's Silicones division

reported higher operating revenue, mainly driven by good sales volumes. The

result was however negatively impacted by lower sales prices. Silicon Materials

and Carbon reported higher results in challenging markets, while Foundry

Products delivered in line the corresponding quarter last year.

"Throughout the quarter, we also continued to develop Elkem for the future in

line with our strategy. We have changed our corporate structure to accelerate

specialisation, gain synergies and further improve operational excellence. We

have progressed our productivity improvement programme, which is currently ahead

of plan. We have also established Digital Office, Battery Materials and

BioCarbon as new special focus areas reporting to the CEO. This enables us to

further enhance the speed with which we address opportunities in digitalisation

and sustainability, to support profitable growth," says Koenig.

Elkem has merged its Silicon Materials division and Foundry Products division

into the new Silicon Products division with effect from 1 July 2020. The changes

will be reflected in the segments for Elkem's financial reporting from the third

quarter 2020.

The target for Elkem's productivity improvement programme is to realise cost

improvements of more than NOK 350 million on an annual basis from end of 2021.

By end of the second quarter the annual run rate was NOK 88 million. The

programme comprises the whole group and will mainly be achieved by reduction of

personnel costs.

Digital Office is a new team set up to drive the digital transformation across

Elkem's divisions and plants worldwide. Battery Materials aims to accelerate

Elkem's activities in graphite and silicon-based anode materials for the fast

-growing battery market. BioCarbon will lead Elkem's activities within

sustainable carbon sources, with the long-term goal of achieving carbon-neutral

metal production.

On 16 July Elkem signed a new loan facility of NOK 2,000 million to secure

refinancing of loan maturities in 2021. The loan facility has a tenor of 3

years. Financial covenants and other conditions are in line with Elkem's

existing loan agreements.

The group's equity as at 30 June 2020 amounted to NOK 12,752 million, which gave

a ratio of equity to total assets of 39%. Net interest-bearing debt was NOK

8,122 million, which gave a ratio of net interest-bearing debt to EBITDA of 3.4

times. Elkem had cash and cash equivalents of NOK 3,900 million as at 30 June

2020 and undrawn credit lines of more than NOK 5,500 million, including the new

loan facility.

Going forward, the markets continue to be characterised by low visibility due to

the Covid-19 effects. Silicones demand in China is good, driven by government

incentives, but sales prices may be volatile. Demand for silicones outside of

China is weak, which is negatively impacting the sales of specialty products.

Silicon and ferrosilicon prices are substantially down due to weak demand from

automotive and construction. Lower industrial activity is also expected to

reduce demand for Carbon materials.

Elkem's competitive position remains strong, based on good cost positions,

diversified product and geographic positions and a robust financial structure.

For further information, please contact:

Odd-Geir Lyngstad, VP Finance & Investor Relations

Tel: +47 976 72 806

Email: odd-geir.lyngstad@elkem.no

Fredrik Norman, VP Corporate Communications & Public Affairs

Tel: +47 918 66 567

Email: fredrik.norman@elkem.no

About Elkem

Founded in 1904, Elkem is one of the world's leading suppliers of silicon-based

advanced materials with operations throughout the value chain from quartz to

specialty silicones, as well as attractive market positions in specialty

ferrosilicon alloys and carbon materials. Elkem is a publicly listed company on

the Oslo Stock Exchange (ticker code: ELK) and is headquartered in Oslo. The

company has more than 6,700 employees with 31 production sites and an extensive

network of sales offices worldwide. In 2019 Elkem had revenues of NOK 22.7

billion. To learn more, please visit www.elkem.com