Symrise AG has released its Q1 2020 results, which reveal net sales were up 8%, with organic growth sitting at 2.3%, from €848.8 million in Q1 2019 to € 917.1 million. All segments contributed to this positive development and posted gains despite the challenging global economic conditions under COVID-19.
Previously: Symrise Joins KitchenTown Berlin to Accelerate Startups' Market Entrance
Scent & Care (up 0.3%)
- Net sales: €368.4 million (up from €367.3 million in Q1 2019)
- The fragrance division reported a significant increase in sales, with particularly strong demand in the Europe, Africa, Middle East (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.
- For application, Q1 2020 sales saw a boost from menthol applications, especially in the regions North America and Latin America.
- The cosmetic ingredients division developed moderately as compared to the previous year, especially in the North America and Asia/Pacific regions.
- Additionally, sales in China temporarily lagged behind the forecast levels, while sales posted in the EAME and Latin America regions had high single- and double-digit growth rates.
Flavor (up 2.2%)
- Net sales: €322.6 million (up from €315.6 million in Q1 2019)
- 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 (up 36.2%)
The nutrition segment included Diana—food, pet food and probiotics applications—and the activities of ADF/IDF, which was acquired in November 2019.
- Net sales: €226.1 million (up from €165.9 million in Q1 2019)
- ADF/IDF contributed € 52.5 million to total segment sales in the period under review.
- The integration is well on track and the group will continue opening up new opportunities to drive future growth in the segment.
- 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.
2020 Outlook
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.
The company 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 to €6 billion. The company intends to achieve this increase through annual organic growth of 5 to 7% (CAGR) and additional targeted acquisitions.
Regarding the Q1 2020 results, Symrise AG CEO Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, Ph.D. said:
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. 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.
