Research and development in Kemira's laboratory
10/10/2023

Outlook and financial targets and definition of key figures

Outlook for 2023

Kemira upgraded its 2023 outlook for operative EBITDA on October 10, 2023.

Kemira’s end-markets have developed in line with expectations while profitability development has been better than expected following successful variable cost management.

Kemira now expects the operative EBITDA to be between EUR 620 and 680 million in 2023 (2022: EUR 571.6 million).Kemira’s outlook for revenue is unchanged. The assumptions behind Kemira’s outlook also remain unchanged.

Kemira’s upgraded outlookfor 2023
Revenue:
Kemira’s revenue is expected to be between EUR 3,200 million and EUR 3,700 million in 2023 (2022: EUR 3,569.6 million).

Operative EBITDA:
Kemira’s operative EBITDA is expected to be between EUR 620 and EUR 680 million in 2023 (2022: EUR 571.6 million).

Assumptions behind outlook (unchanged)

Kemira’s end-market demand (in volumes) is expected to decline. Demand is expected to be resilient in water treatment, while demand in the pulp and paper market is expected to be weak following economic slowdown and continued destocking in the customer value chain. Demand in the oil & gas market is expected to grow. Variable costs overall are expected to decline, while electricity prices are expected to remain above long-term average in Europe. Market prices for caustic soda are expected to moderate during 2023. The outlook assumes no major disruptions to Kemira’s manufacturing operations, supply chain, or Kemira’s energy-generating assets in Finland. Foreign exchange rates are expected to remain at approximately current levels. The outlook is based on Kemira’s current portfolio, including the Oil & Gas business.

Kemira’s financial targets
Revenue Above-the-market revenue growth
Operative EBITDA margin 15-18%
Gearing level​ below 75%​

Kemira’s previous outlook for 2023 (published July 18, 2023)

Revenue
Kemira’s revenue is expected to be between EUR 3,200 and EUR 3,700 million in 2023 (2022: EUR 3,569.6 million).

Operative EBITDA:
Kemira’s operative EBITDA is expected to be between EUR 550 and EUR 650 million in 2023 (2022: EUR 571.6 million).

Assumptions behind outlook (specified on July 18)
Kemira’s end-market demand (in volumes) is expected to decline. Demand is expected to be resilient in water treatment, while demand in the pulp and paper market is expected to be weak following economic slowdown and continued destocking in the customer value chain. Demand in the oil & gas market is expected to grow. Variable costs overall are expected to decline, while electricity prices are expected to remain above long-term average in Europe. Market prices for caustic soda are expected to moderate during 2023. The outlook assumes no major disruptions to Kemira’s manufacturing operations, supply chain, or Kemira’s energy-generating assets in Finland. Foreign exchange rates are expected to remain at approximately current levels. The outlook is based on Kemira’s current portfolio, including the Oil & Gas business.

Definition of key figures

Operative EBITDA
Operating profit (EBIT) + depreciation and amortization + impairments – items affecting comparability

Items affecting comparability 1)
Restructuring and streamlining programs + transaction and integration expenses in acquisitions + divestment of businesses and other disposals + other items

Operative EBIT
Operating profit (EBIT) – items affecting comparability

Interest-bearing net liabilities
Interest-bearing liabilities – cash and cash equivalents

Equity ratio, %
Total equity x 100                             
Total assets – prepayments received

Gearing, %
Interest-bearing net liabilities x 100
Total equity

Interest cover
Operating profit + depreciation, amortization and impairments
Finance costs, net

Return on investment (ROI), %
(Profit before taxes + interest expenses + other financial expenses) x 100
(Total assets –  non-interest-bearing liabilities)2)

Return on equity (ROE), %
Net profit attributable to equity owners of the parent x 100
Equity attributable to equity owners of the parent 2)

Cash flow return on investment (CFROI), %
Net cash generated from operating activities  x 100
(Total assets – interest-free liabilities)2)

Cash flow after investing activities

Net cash generated from operating activities + net cash used in investing activities

Operative return on capital employed (OPERATIVE ROCE), %
Operative EBIT + share of profit or loss of associates x 100 3)
Capital employed 4)5)

Return on capital employed (ROCE), %)
Operating profit + share of the results of associates x 1003)
Capital employed 4) 5)

Capital turnover
Revenue                    
Capital employed 4) 5)

Interest-bearing net liabilities / EBITDA
Interest-bearing net liabilities
Operating profit (EBIT) + depreciation and amortization +, impairments

Net financial cost, %
(Finance costs, net – dividend income – exchange rate differences) x 100
Interest-bearing net liabilities 2)

Net working capital
Inventories + trade receivables + other receivables, excluding derivatives, accrued interest income and other financing items – trade payables – other liabilities, excluding derivatives, accrued interest expenses and other financing items

1) Non-GAAP measures excludes the effects of significant items of income and expenses which may have an impact on the comparability in the financial reporting of Kemira Group. Restructuring and streamlining programs; transaction and integration expenses in acquisition; divestments of businesses and other disposals are considered to be the most common items affecting comparability.
2) Average
3) Operating profit and share of profit or loss of associates taken into account for a rolling twelve month period ending at the end of the review period.
4) 12-month rolling average
5) Capital Employed = property, plant and equipment + intangible assets + net working capital + investments in associates

Earnings per share (EPS)
Net profit attributable to equity owner of the parent
Average number of shares

Net cash generated from operating activities per share
Net cash generated from operating activities
Average number of shares

Dividend per share
Dividend paid
Number of shares

Dividend payout ratio, %
Dividend per share x 100
Earnings per share (EPS)

Dividend yield, %
Dividend per share x 100
Share price

Equity per share
Equity attributable to equity owners of the parent
Number of shares

Share price, year average
Shares traded (EUR)
Shares traded (volume)

Price per earnings per share (P/E)
Share price                     
Earnings per share (EPS)

Price per equity per share
Share price                                                                           
Equity per share attributable to equity owners of the parent

Price per net cash generated from operating activities per share
Share price                                                                   
Net cash generated from operating activities per share

Share turnover, %
Number of shares traded x 100
Average number of shares