Symrise AG has signed a purchase agreement with Sensient Technologies Corporation (Milwaukee, USA) to acquire their fragrance and aroma chemicals activities. These comprise a wide range of aroma molecules and fragrances from natural and renewable sources. In fiscal year 2019, the business unit generated revenues of approx. 77 million Euros. With the acquisition, Symrise will strengthen its backward integration and broaden its leadership position as a supplier of fragrance ingredients which are increasingly demanded for use, especially in personal and home care products. Symrise will furthermore gain access to additional customers and strengthen its presence particularly in EAME and Latin America. Going forward, Symrise plans to also strengthen its manufacturing footprint in Spain with targeted investments in the manufacturing site in Granada that will be acquired. 

“We constantly screen strategic opportunities in continuation of our ambitions in certain growth segments and also make bold steps in challenging times. With the Sensient activities, Symrise is expanding its range of fragrance ingredients and will thus boost its competitiveness in the creation of fragrance compositions. In view of the increasing importance of natural and renewable raw materials for the fragrance industry, the new product range ideally complements our current portfolio. We are convinced that we will once more fully deliver on our strategic priorities with this acquisition. We drive growth while at the same time strengthening our leadership position in fragrance ingredients and green chemistry,” said Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG.

The Sensient fragrances and aroma chemicals business unit has been part of Sensient’s Flavors & Extracts group. The unit holds longstanding business relationships with local, regional and global customers from the consumer goods industry. It supplies out of manufacturing sites in Spain and Mexico. The Sensient aroma molecules and fragrance solutions are mainly derived from renewable raw materials such as pine oil and citrus by-products amongst others. The portfolio will strengthen the Symrise products line with unique fragrance ingredients used in application such as perfumes, shampoos, soaps, detergents and antiperspirants. Through the acquisition, Symrise will not only be able to significantly expand its renewable ingredients portfolio, but to also increase its green chemistry value chain which includes various downstream products coming from sustainable cultivated sources.

Symrise plans to combine the R&D competencies and manufacturing capacities of Sensient’s fragrance and aroma chemicals activities with parts of its own at the site in Granada. Over a period of three years, targeted investments will be made to grow the Granada site and make it the second largest compounding facility in EAME for fragrance ingredients and compounds.

Paul Manning, Chairman, President, and CEO of Sensient said: “We are pleased to be able to transition our fragrances and aroma chemical business to Symrise, an extremely strong and capable organization.  This allows us to focus on our strategic priorities.”

Both parties agreed to keep the purchase price confidential. The transaction is subject to satisfaction of antitrust and regulatory approvals and other customary closing conditions.

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Dr. Heinz Jürgen-Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG

“In the second quarter the coronavirus pandemic began to significantly impact the global economy and above all many people’s everyday lives. Even in this historically exceptional situation, Symrise has done an excellent job of staying on course. Thanks to our global presence, diversified portfolio and broad customer base, our feet rest very firmly on the ground. We remained fully operational in the second quarter and were able to supply our customers in the usual reliable manner,” said Heinz Jürgen-Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG.

“Of course, it is hard to predict the course of the coronavirus pandemic. However, after our performance in the first half of the year, we are looking ahead to the second half with confidence. For the full fiscal year 2020 we again want to grow faster than the market and expect that we will achieve increased profitability overall. We are therefore raising our guidance for the EBITDA margin to a range of 21 to 22 %.”

With coronavirus pandemic ongoing, continued growth in all segments

The Symrise Group achieved sales growth of 7.6 % in the first half of 2020 to € 1,821 million (H1 2019: € 1,692 million). The acquisition of ADF/IDF had a positive impact of € 106 million on sales performance. In organic terms, sales increased by 3.4 %. Amid the coronavirus pandemic, changes in consumer behavior were seen for the first time in the Scent & Care and Flavor segments in the second quarter. This resulted in both positive and negative effects on demand in individual business units. With its broad range of product solutions for foods, personal care and hygiene, Symrise serves the needs of everyday life, especially in these difficult times.

Achim Daub, Global President Scent & Care Member of the Executive Board Symrise AG

The Scent & Care segment

Scent & Care achieved solid organic growth of 2.6 % in the first half of 2020. Taking currency translation effects into account, sales in the first six months in the reporting currency amounted to € 711 million and were therefore almost unchanged as compared to the same period of the previous year (H1 2019: € 712 million).

Strong demand in the Fragrance division drove sales in the Consumer Fragrances and Oral Care business units, which recorded high organic growth in the single and double-digit range respectively. The Fine Fragrances business unit, at the same time noticed the effects of the coronavirus pandemic clearly. The worldwide reduction in travel activity and closed stores due to lockdowns had a negative impact on the demand for luxury items. Overall, the Fragrance division achieved solid organic growth in the single-digit percentage range with increases in all regions.

Sales in the Aroma Molecules division in the first six months of 2020 ranged slightly below the high level of the previous year, mainly due to weaker demand for fragrances. On the other hand, positive momentum came from the Menthols business unit, which achieved organic growth in the double-digit percentage range. The EAME, North and Latin America regions achieved the strongest gains.

Sales in the Cosmetic Ingredients division were affected by weaker demand for sun protection products, attributable mainly to the reduction in travel due to the coronavirus pandemic. The other business units showed good organic growth in the single and double-digit percentage range. Key growth markets were Brazil, China and Korea in the Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions.

The Scent & Care segment improved EBITDA to € 146 million (H1 2019: € 140 million). The EBITDA margin for the period under review increased to 20.6 % (H1 2019: 19.7 %).

The Flavor segment

Flavor achieved organic growth of 0.6 % in the period under review. Taking currency translation effects into account, segment sales in the reporting currency amounted to € 636 million (H1 2019: € 637 million). Against the backdrop of the coronavirus pandemic, the trend toward cooking and eating at home led to a strong demand for products from the Savory business unit and product solutions for baked goods and cereals. At the same time, reduced out-of-home eating and drinking led to a lower demand for beverage products and sweets.

In the EAME region, the Flavor segment suffered from significantly reduced demand for beverage products and sweets, while the Savory business unit recorded a high single-digit growth rate. Germany and the Gulf region achieved the strongest gains. Overall, sales in the EAME region remained slightly below the figure for the first half of 2019.

Organic sales in North America were roughly on par with the same period of the previous year. While Savory product solutions enjoyed great demand, beverage products and sweets sold less.

The Asia/Pacific region reported organic growth in the single-digit percentage range, driven primarily by very strong demand for products from the Savory business unit, which showed organic growth in the double-digit percentage range. The largest increases came from the national markets of Indonesia, Thailand, Vietnam and Singapore.

The Latin America region achieved the strongest growth in the segment in the first half of 2020 and was largely unaffected by the coronavirus pandemic. All business units realized high organic growth in the single or double-digit percentage range. Strong gains were posted especially in the national markets of Brazil, Uruguay and Mexico.

The EBITDA of the Flavor segment was up 2.2 % to € 147 million (H1 2019: € 144 million). The EBITDA margin improved from 22.6 % in the first half of 2019 to a very strong 23.2 %, mainly due to tight control on costs and proportionally lower raw materials costs.

The Nutrition segment

Nutrition achieved strong organic growth of 10.5 %. Accounting for portfolio and currency translation effects, sales in the reporting currency amounted to € 474 million and were 38.1 % above the previous year’s level (H1 2019: € 343 million). ADF/IDF contributed sales of € 106 million.

The Pet Food business unit proved to be the growth driver of the segment, achieving high organic growth in the double-digit percentage range in all regions. Sales developed particularly dynamically in the USA, Mexico, Brazil and Russia.

In the Food business unit, the Asia/Pacific region stood out with double-digit growth, especially in China, India and Taiwan. In the EAME region, sales matched the previous year’s level, while North and Latin America dropped slightly below the last year.

Strong impetus came from the Aqua business unit, which achieved good growth especially in the EAME and Asia/Pacific regions.

Probi reported growth in the single-digit percentage range during the reporting period, primarily driven by the North America and Asia/Pacific regions.

The Nutrition segment generated an EBITDA of € 100 million in the reporting period (H1 2019 EBITDA(N): € 67 million). The EBITDA margin in the segment increased by 1.5 percentage points to 21.0 % (EBITDA(N) margin H1 2019: 19.5 %). The improved profitability is mainly due to the good performance of Pet Food and the inclusion of ADF/IDF.

Operating result

Also within the challenging environment dominated by the coronavirus pandemic, Symrise was highly profitable in the first half of 2020. The Group recorded EBITDA of € 393 million. This represents an increase of 11.9 % over the same period a year earlier. This trend relates primarily to profitable sales growth and the inclusion of ADF/IDF. The EBITDA margin improved by 0.8 percentage points to 21.6 % (EBITDA(N) H1 2019: 20.8 %).

Net income for the period and earnings per share

Net income for the reporting period amounted to € 169 million, which was € 16 million above the normalized figure from the previous year of € 153 million. Basic earnings per share increased 10 % to € 1.25 after € 1.14 (normalized) in the first half of the previous year.

Cash flow from operating activities

The cash flow from operating activities for the first half of 2020 of € 219 million was € 78 million higher than the previous year’s level of € 141 million. The increase is mainly due to the improved operating result and the inclusion of ADF/IDF.

Financial position

Net debt increased by € 28 million to € 1,645 million compared to the reporting date of 31 December 2019. The ratio of net debt including lease liabilities to EBITDA(N) thus amounted to 2.2. Including pension obligations and lease liabilities, net debt equaled € 2,261 million, which corresponds to a ratio of net debt to EBITDA(N) of 3.0.

Symrise remains confident about the current fiscal year and raises EBITDA margin target

With its global presence, a steadily growing and diversified portfolio and broad customer base, Symrise considers itself to be robust and securely positioned even in the current challenging market environment. The Group is fully operational worldwide and is able to supply customers sustainably.

Even though the effects of the pandemic can only be estimated to a limited extent, the Group remains confident that it will again grow faster than the relevant market over the remainder of the year. The market growth is estimated to be around 3 to 4 %. Symrise considers itself to be well positioned to achieve the sales targets confirmed at the beginning of 2020.

Based on the strong business performance and profitability trend in the first half of the year, the Group is raising its original target of over 20 % for the EBITDA margin. For the 2020 fiscal year, Symrise now expects an EBITDA margin in the range of 21 to 22 %.

The mediumterm targets also remain in effect. The company aims to increase its annual sales to € 5.5 to € 6.0 billion by the end of the 2025 fiscal year. Symrise wants to achieve this with an annual organic growth of 5 to 7 % (CAGR) as well as additional targeted acquisitions. In the medium term, profitability should remain within a target corridor of 20 to 23 %.

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“The Covid-19 pandemic is proving a tough test for the global economy. Symrise has put measures in place at all of its locations to provide employees and partners with optimal protection against the virus. We continue to be fully operational and are making every effort to supply our customers with the reliability they are used to. In this context, our employees’ flexibility and enormous commitment play a decisive role,” said Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG. “This crisis again underscores the resilience and balance of our business model. With our broad range of product solutions for foods and beverages, personal care and hygiene, we serve especially in these times the needs of everyday life. In addition, we are demonstrating social responsibility by using our technological skills and resources to produce disinfectants by the ton and deliver them free of charge to municipalities for use in public institutions.”

Scent & Care with strong demand for fragrance products and menthol

The Scent & Care segment, specializing in fragrances and personal care, achieved total sales of € 368.4 million. In reporting currency, this represents a slight increase as compared to the strong prior-year quarter (Q1 2019: € 367.3 million). On an organic basis, the segment increased sales by 1.2 %.

The Fragrance division reported a significant increase in sales, with particularly strong demand in the EAME and Latin America regions. The application areas Fine Fragrances, Consumer Fragrances and Oral Care continued to achieve good sustainable growth.

In the Aroma Molecules division, sales came in slightly below the high level of the prior year, mainly as a result of weaker demand for fragrances. In the previous year, the application area benefited from soaring raw material prices fueled by raw material shortages. Sales in the first three months of the fiscal year 2020 received a boost from menthol applications, especially in the regions North America and Latin America.

Sales in the Cosmetic Ingredients division developed moderately as compared to the previous year, especially in the North America and Asia/Pacific regions. This reflected both the high comparative figures as well as a momentarily reduced demand for UV protection products. In addition, sales in China temporarily lagged behind the forecast levels. At the same time, Cosmetic Ingredients posted in the EAME and Latin America regions high single- and double-digit growth rates.

Flavor grows with savory products and beverage applications

In the Flavor segment, which supplies flavor ingredients for foods and beverages, sales increased by 2.2 % to € 322.6 million (Q1 2019: € 315.6 million). Adjusted for exchange rate effects and after a strong prior-year quarter, organic growth in the segment amounted to 1.6 %.

In EAME, the highest growth rates were recorded in applications for beverages and savory products, especially in the national markets in Germany, Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and South Africa. Sales in applications for sweets were slightly below the prior-year quarter.

In the Asia/Pacific region, sales growth in the beverages application area was in the high single-digit percentage range and reached even double-digit growth rates in savory applications. The national markets of Singapore, Indonesia, Vietnam and Bangladesh developed particularly pleasing. By contrast, the currently weaker demand in China had a negative impact on the overall positive regional development.

In North America, the application areas for beverages and sweet products were slightly below the strong prior-year level. The savory business achieved solid growth with regional and global customers.

Business in Latin America developed very dynamically and achieved high single-digit percentage growth for sweet products. At the same time, sales for beverage and savory products grew in the double-digit percentage range. Demand for beverage application products was particularly strong in the national markets of Brazil and Uruguay.

Nutrition with strong growth in pet food

In the Nutrition segment, which includes Diana (food, pet food and probiotics applications) and the activities of ADF/IDF, sales increased by 36.2 % to € 226.1 million (Q1 2019: € 165.9 million). ADF/IDF contributed € 52.5 million to total segment sales in the period under review. Acquired in 2019, ADF/IDF continues to meet all expectations. The integration is well on track and the Group will continue opening up new opportunities to drive future growth in the segment. Adjusted for portfolio and exchange rate effects, organic growth amounted to a very good 6.1 % in the period under review.

Demand in the pet food business again showed a very pleasing double-digit percentage gain in organic terms, with dynamic growth continuing especially in the Latin America and Asia/Pacific regions.

Sales in the application area food developed moderately in the first quarter. The Latin America region delivered strong results, above all in the national markets in Chile and Brazil.

The probiotic business achieved organic growth in the double-digit percentage range. The North America and Asia/Pacific regions developed particularly dynamically.

Confident for the current fiscal year

Symrise continues to be fully operational worldwide and has sustained supply capability. Due to its global presence, its expanded portfolio and broad customer base, the Group considers itself to be robust and reliably positioned even in this demanding market environment. Symrise expects that the Covid-19 crisis will temporarily change consumer behavior in parts and lead to a shift in the portfolio. A large number of the products that are currently in greater demand address essential daily needs in connection with nutrition, personal care and hygiene.

After a solid start into the year, Symrise remains confident for the current fiscal year. While the development and impact of Covid-19 is difficult to assess at present, the Group continues to expect to grow faster than the relevant market, supported by the very diversified competencies, in the course of the year.

The longer term goals until the end of 2025 remain in effect. Symrise aims to increase its sales to
€ 5.5 – € 6 billion. The Company intends to achieve this increase through annual organic growth of
5–7 % (CAGR) and additional targeted acquisitions.

Financial calendar 2020

6 August 2020
Interim Report Group Report January – June 2020

29 October 2020
Interim Group Report January– September 2020 (trading update)

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