Good start prompts Wacker to raise 2015 sales forecast

Munich, Germany – Wacker Chemie AG has raised its sales forecast for full-year 2015 following a good performance in the first quarter.

In a press release on 30 April, the company announced that it generated total sales of €1,334.9 million from January through March 2015, showing a 15-percent rise compared to €1,157.4 million in 2014.

The main reason for this growth was higher volumes than in the previous year, especially for solar silicon and semiconductor wafers. The positive effects of a weakereuro were another decisive factor in sales growth.

The business sector, Wacker Silicones increased its sales and earnings for the three-month period, posting total sales of €474.8 million up almost 12 percent compared to €425.3 million in 2014.

Quarter-on-quarter, the figure showed a 13-percent rise compared to the last quarter of 2014 which posted €419.6 million.

Weaker euro and higher volumes both year-on-year and quarter-on-quarter, were the main reasons for this growth.

The business unit’s first-quarter operating income totalled €67.7 million registering a significant 38-percent rise on the prior-year quarter which posted €49.1 million.

The increase largely stemmed from higher volumes and favourable exchange-rate effects, said Wacker.

Waker said it expected that sales at its silicone business would increase “substantially” in 2015.

“Particular areas of growth are products and applications for personal care and medical technology, as well as for the electrical and electronics sectors,” it added.

While forecasting that profits would be “markedly” above the prior-year figure, Wacker warned higher silicon-metal prices were likely to dampen the increase.