Earnings Release • Jul 21, 2021
Earnings Release
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Levallois, July 21, 2021
| In € millions | H1 2020 | H2 2020 | H1 2021 | New 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| full-year guidance |
||||
| Economic revenues | 3,233 | 4,499 | 4,138 | Strong growth |
| Operating margin | -3.9% 1 Dans tous les pays où une telle offre est disponible |
5.7% | 6.2% | > 6.0% (vs. 6%) |
| Free cash-flow | -€572 M | €606 M | €151 M | >> €220 M |
| (vs > €220 M) |
Our earnings recovered to pre-crisis levels in the first half of 2021, despite disruptions in operations caused by component shortages at our clients sites and higher prices in raw materials. This feat was possible thanks to the highly effective measures we took to increase flexibility and to reduce costs. Above all, our first-half performance results from the work done by our teams who are dealing with volatile production volumes on a daily basis with great agility, following on from the total shutdown of our plants in the first half of 2020. I would like to thank them for their unrelenting commitment.
These earnings, accompanied by an increase in free cash-flow, support our strategy of becoming a leading player in clean, smart mobility. The automotive market is accelerating its transformation, and so is Plastic Omnium, by bolstering our client portfolio, order book and technological offering. Our non-financial targets are also a key part of our ambition.
1 As a world leader in its market, Plastic Omnium is designing and producing innovative solutions for smart, sustainable mobility. With 135 plants, 25 research and development centers and a portfolio of 2,200 patents, Plastic Omnium and its 31,000 employees are rising to the challenge of making transport cleaner and more intelligent. Plastic Omnium has been driven by innovation from day one, and is now forging a path towards zero-carbon cars through its investments in hydrogen solutions, in which the Group is aiming to become a world leader across all parts of the value chain.
Plastic Omnium is listed on Euronext Paris, compartment A. It is eligible for the Deferred Settlement Service (SRD) and is part of the SBF 120 and CAC Mid 60 indices (ISIN code: FR0000124570).
Compagnie Plastic Omnium SE's Board of Directors, chaired by Mr. Laurent Burelle, met on July 20, 2021 and approved the consolidated financial statements for the six months ended June 30, 2021.
These 2021 half-year results represent a major improvement on those for the first half of 2020, which were very significantly affected by plant shutdowns arising from the Covid-19 crisis. They reflect operational performance that is already back to 2019 levels, even though worldwide automotive production is still lower than it was before the crisis (down 10% compared with 2019).
Free cash-flow also accelerated.
| In € millions | H1 2020 | H1 2021 |
|---|---|---|
| Economic revenues 1 |
3,233 | 4,138 |
| Consolidated revenues 2 |
2,962 | 3,784 |
| Operating margin3 | -116 | 234 |
| % of consolidated revenues | -3.9% | 6.2% |
| Net result - Group share | -404 | 142 |
| EBITDA4 1 Dans tous les pays où une telle offre est disponible |
171 | 461 |
| % of consolidated revenues | 5.8% | 12.2% |
| Investments | 226 | 149 |
| Free cash-flow5 | -572 | 151 |
| Net debt6 at June 30 | 1,410 | 890 |
| Net debt / Equity | 78% | 44% |
| Net debt / EBITDA | 2.1 | 0.9 |
In the first half of 2020, worldwide automotive production volumes amounted to 29.3 million vehicles, representing a historic decline of 33% as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic and plant shutdowns. In the first half of 2021, production rebounded to 37.9 million vehicles. This was still around 10% lower than 2019 figures, due in particular to chip shortages, the impact of which increased during the half-year period, dragging down production by 1.4 million vehicles in the first quarter of 2021 and 2.6 million in the second.
Plastic Omnium generated economic revenues of €4,138 million in the first half of 2021, up 31.9% compared with the first half of 2020 on a like-for-like basis. An estimated €550 million of revenues were lost as a result of production stoppages at carmakers arising from the shortage of electronic components.
Both of the Group's two businesses contributed to the sharp upturn, with revenues up 29.2% at constant scope and exchange rates at Plastic Omnium Industries and up 39.5% at Plastic Omnium Modules.
Plastic Omnium's consolidated revenues, excluding joint ventures, amounted to €3,784 million in the first half of 2021, up 31.8% at constant exchange rates compared with the first half of 2020.
| In € millions by business | H1 2020 | H1 2021 | Change | LFL change* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic Omnium Industries | 2,395 | 2,992 | +24.9% | +29.2% |
| Plastic Omnium Modules | 838 | 1,146 | +36.7% | +39.5% |
| Economic revenues | 3,233 | 4,138 | +28.0% | +31.9% |
| Joint ventures | 271 | 354 | +30.4% | +32.9% |
| Plastic Omnium Industries | 2,203 | 2,739 | +24.3% | +28.7% |
| Plastic Omnium Modules | 759 | 1,045 9 |
+37.7% | +40.7% |
| Consolidated revenues | 2,962 | 3,784 | +27.8% | +31.8% |
*Like-for-like: at constant scope and exchange rates
With economic revenues up 31.9% at constant exchange rates, the Group outperformed worldwide automotive production (up 29.4%) by 2.5 points in the first half of 2021.
| In € millions by region | H1 2020 | H1 2021 | LFL change* |
Change in automotive production |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Europe | 1,770 | 2,277 | +28.9% | +27.8% |
| North America | 860 | 1,030 | +31.1% | +31.4% |
| China | 326 | 434 | +33.8% | +26.6% |
| Asia excluding China | 215 | 283 | +36.7% | +29.5% |
| Other | 62 | 116 | +96.8% | +46.8% |
| Economic revenues | 3,233 | 4,138 | +31.9% | +29.4% |
| Joint ventures | 271 | 354 | +32.9% | |
| Consolidated revenues | 2,962 | 3,784 | +31.8% | +29.4% |
*Like-for-like: at constant scope and exchange rates
In Europe, Plastic Omnium's revenues amounted to €2,277 million in the first half of 2021. Revenues in the region rose by 28.9% against a 27.8% increase in automotive production, representing an outperformance of 1.1 points. Germany – the largest contributor to Group revenues, accounting for 16% of the total – outperformed by 17 points, with growth of 32% driven by the Group's positions in new electric vehicles. In Spain, France and the UK, business levels at the Group's main clients were affected by chip shortages.
In North America, Plastic Omnium's revenues totalled €1,030 million in the first half of 2021. That represented an increase of 31.1% at constant scope and exchange rates, in line with the rise in automotive production (+31.4%)
In Asia excluding China, revenues came to €283 million in the first half of 2021, up 36.7% at constant exchange rates. Relative to market growth of 29.5%, this represented an outperformance of 7.2 points. Business benefited from a strong recovery in South Korea, India and Thailand.
In China, which accounts for 10% of Group economic revenues, Plastic Omnium posted revenues of €434 million. Revenues were up 33.8% at constant exchange rates in the first half of the year, representing an outperformance of 7.2 points. This was due to market share gains and growth in the modules business, which was launched in 2018.
Since the start of 2021, Plastic Omnium has been managing its operations on the basis of a 5% discount to expected worldwide automotive production volumes. Flexibility measures were stepped up in the first half to absorb the consequences of production line stoppages and the reduction in production volumes by many carmakers as a result of supply shortages affecting chips, and increases in raw materials.
The Group also continued to deploy its OMEGA transformation plan, with the aim of improving organisational effectiveness; leveraging industrial efficiency by simplifying processes, accelerating digitization, and facilitating a more cross-functional approach. 2,500 initiatives were formally adopted, allowing the Group to confirm its cost-reduction target of €100 million for 2021.
Finally, the return to operational breakeven at Greer's US site and the closure of the Eisenach fuel systems manufacturing site in Germany in the first quarter of 2021, helped drive the sharp upturn in operational performance.
As a result, the Group's operating income comes to €234 million in the first half of 2021, 6.2% of revenues.
Plastic Omnium Industries achieved an operating margin of 7.6%.
| In € millions and as a % of revenues by business |
H1 2020 | H2 2020 | H1 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Consolidated revenues | 2,962 | 4,111 | 3,784 |
| Plastic Omnium Industries | 2,203 | 2,940 | 2,739 |
| Plastic Omnium Modules | 759 | 1,171 | 1,045 |
| Operating margin % of consolidated revenues |
-116 -3.9% |
234 5.7% |
234 6.2% |
| Plastic Omnium Industries % of consolidated revenues |
-106 -4.8% |
205 7.0% |
209 7.6% |
| Plastic Omnium Modules % of consolidated revenues |
-11 -1.4% |
29 2.5% |
25 2.4% |
Other operating expenses in the first half of 2021 amounted to €21 million as opposed to €313 million in June 2020 which included €255 million of asset impairment related to the volume impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and the adoption of a scenario projecting a slow recovery in worldwide automotive production.
1 Dans tous les pays où une telle offre est disponible Net financial expenses fell by €9.7 million to €26 million thanks to the combined effect of lower debt levels and lower interest rates, equalling 0.7% of revenues.
Tax expenses were €38.3 million resulting in an effective tax rate of 22.4%. In the first half of 2020, the Group recorded tax income of €47 million owing to deferred tax effects.
Net income – Group share totalled €142 million, representing 3.8% of consolidated revenues.
EBITDA amounted to €461 million in the first half of 2021, representing 12.2% of consolidated revenues (and 14.9% of revenues at Plastic Omnium Industries) versus €171 million and 5.8% of consolidated revenues in the first half of 2020.
In the first half of 2021, investments totalled €149 million, or 3.9% of revenues, as opposed to €226 million in the first half of 2020 and €148 million in the second. In 2021 as a whole, capex is likely to equal around 5% of revenues.
Sales of receivables fell by €20 million and a €100 million increase in inventories was largely due to efforts to secure supplies against a background of supply-chain pressures. As a result, the working capital requirement rose by €108 million.
In the first half of 2021, the Group generated €151 million of free cash-flow, equal to 4.0% of consolidated revenues.
Net debt stood at €890 million at June 30, 2021 (versus €1.410 million at June 30, 2020 and €807 million at December 31, 2020) and included €115 million associated with the set-up of the EKPO JV and the acquistion of EKAT and a dividend payment of € 71 million.
Net debt equates to 44% of shareholders' equity and 0.9x EBITDA.
At June 30, 2021, the Group had liquidities of €2.45 billion comprising €0.57 billion in available cash and €1.88 billion in confirmed, undrawn credit lines, with an average maturity of 3.6 years and without any covenants.
In the first half of 2021, Plastic Omnium saw increased orders relating to electric vehicles across all geographical zones, adding three new clients to its 93-brand portfolio: Honda, Volkswagen Anhui and Lotus.
As a result of these successes, electric vehicles represent 5% of Group revenues in 2020 and 17% in 2025, a larger share than BEV in total automotive production (2% in 2020 and 15% in 2025).
Plastic Omnium is also continuing to improve its technological offering in this segment by developing specific modules such as electric charging and trunks. These innovations will allow the Group to increase the content sold per vehicle.
1 Dans tous les pays où une telle offre est disponible On March 1, 2021, Plastic Omnium and ElringKlinger launched their EKPO Fuel Cell Technologies joint venture, a leading player in fuel cells for a wide range of applications including commercial vehicles, buses, passenger cars, trains and boats. Plastic Omnium has also acquired ElringKlinger Fuelcell Systems Austria GmbH (EKAT), which is ElringKlinger's Austrian subsidiary specializing in integrated hydrogen systems.
Plastic Omnium has a comprehensive offering including hydrogen storage, fuel cells and integrated hydrogen systems. Combined with its available industrial capacity, this means that it can respond to the increasing number of invitations to tender in the hydrogen mobility segment, as well as confirming its ambition of generating €3 billion of revenues in 2030.
The Group pursued this strategy in the first half of 2021, winning new orders in hydrogen storage (Hopium) and fuel-cell systems (EFA-S and Drive Elektro), while EKPO also won new fuel-cell orders (GCK, AEDS). The Group has also formed a strategic partnership with McPhy, with the aim of collaborating on filling protocols and interfaces between hydrogen stations and high-pressure vessels.
Intensive marketing activity is taking place in accordance with the plan announced in 2020, targeting both carmakers and other mobility players (producers of buses, trucks and trains).
Plastic Omnium has continued to prepare its carbon-neutrality roadmap, details of which will be provided in the second half of 2021. In the first half of the year, the Group has signed agreements with two external partners specializing in energy transition, and together with them has already committed to:
1 Dans tous les pays où une telle offre est disponible Plastic Omnium has already engaged with the Science-Based Target Initiative in order to align its CO2 reduction targets with the most ambitious "Business Ambition for 1.5°C" methodology. The Group is also preparing scenarios for possible changes to its business activities in a carbonconstrained world, and supports the recommendations of the TCFD (Task-Force on Climate-Related Financial Disclosures), which aims to build a more resilient industrial and financial system.
Without waiting to announce its roadmap, Plastic Omnium is already stepping up efforts to decarbonize its sites, and in particular is aiming to use 100% renewable electricity8 at its sites (as opposed to 32% currently). In addition to the four sites equipped with solar panels in 2020, agreements to equip a further 17 sites with solar panels or wind turbines have been formed since the start of 2021.
Finally, the Group is working on using a greater proportion of recycled materials in its products, in close collaboration with its clients.
Plastic Omnium is continuing to plan its operations on the basis of worldwide automotive production of 77 million cars in full-year 2021, with production volumes in the second half similar to those in the first and still affected by shortages of electronic components and pressure on the availability and prices of raw materials.
Based on that assumption and as a result of its flexibility and cost-reduction plans, the Group is raising its guidance for 2021:
Compagnie Plastic Omnium SE's first-half 2021 results will be presented in a webcast at 9am (Paris time) on Wednesday July 21, 2021.
To sign up for the webcast, click on the following link: https://onlinexperiences.com/Launch/QReg/ShowUUID=D26CDCFE-BA8C-40A5-AEAD-0F76563F1683
If you would like to access the conference call, please call one of the following numbers:
| – France: |
+33172727403 |
|---|---|
| – Germany: |
+4969222225429 |
| – Spain: |
+34911140101 |
| – United Kingdom: |
+442071943759 |
| – United States: |
+16467224916 |
More detailed financial information is available on the website www.plasticomnium.com.
October 21, 2021 Publication of revenues for the third quarter of 2021
February 17, 2022 Full-year 2021 results
All references to worldwide automotive production come from IHS data in July 2021.
This press release is published in French and English. In the event of any divergence between the two versions, the original French version shall prevail.
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