Borealis’ third quarter delivers positive results in an increasingly challenging market environment

• Borealis reports a net profit of EUR 107 million in the third quarter of 2011, resulting in a net profit of EUR 448 million year to date compared to EUR 200 million during the same period in 2010.
• European market conditions became increasingly challenging in the third quarter of 2011, leading to decreasing margins in the Polyolefins business segment.
• Following the peak in the second quarter, the Base Chemicals business segment also experienced softer market conditions.
• Borouge, Borealis’ joint venture in Abu Dhabi, continues to contribute significantly to the results as the Borouge 2 expansion is now fully on stream. 

Borealis, a leading  provider of chemical and innovative plastics solutions, reports a net profit of EUR 107 million in the third quarter of 2011 compared to EUR 54 million in the same quarter of 2010.  Overall the company announces a net profit of EUR 448 million year to date, compared to EUR 200 million during the same period in 2010.  Borealis’ net debt position improved in the third quarter by EUR 17 million, resulting in a gearing of 38%.

These results were achieved in an increasingly challenging European market, particularly within the Polyolefins business segment. The Base Chemicals business segment also reported lower results, as margins have reduced from their peak in the second quarter of 2011.

Borouge
Borealis’ joint venture in Abu Dhabi, Borouge performed well in the third quarter, continuing to successfully ramp up production of new polyethylene and polypropylene grades at its plant in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi. The distribution of the additional volumes to Borouge's customers is supported by the three logistics hubs in China and Singapore. The Borouge 3 project, which will increase the annual production capacity of the plant by 2.5 million tonnes to 4.5 million tonnes by 2014, is progressing as scheduled.

Borealis was awarded the Frost & Sullivan Award 2011
Borealis was recently awarded the Frost & Sullivan 2011 Award (Europe Product Leadership) in the High Voltage Direct Current (HVDC) Cable Insulation Market. This Award is a prestigious recognition of Borealis’ accomplishments in the HVDC cable insulation market, where Borealis has played a pioneering role by introducing its cross linked polyethylene (XLPE) based insulation compound Borealis Superclean™ LE4253DC.

Stockholm Water Week
Under the umbrella of its Water for the World programme, Borealis played an active role at the Stockholm World Water Week, leading debates on water risk management and having Gerd Löbbert, Executive Vice President Polyolefins, participating on a high level business panel discussing urban water challenges.  During the third quarter Borealis together with the European Water Partnership (EWP) also pilot-tested a new water stewardship standard for industry operators.  The EWP standard will be launched on November 24, 2011, during a launch event held at the Royal Academy of Belgium in Brussels. This standard will help provide a practical framework and tools for sustainable water management across industries.

 “Whilst our third quarter financial results are very good” says Mark Garrett, Chief Executive of Borealis, “we have, as expected, found market conditions particularly in Europe, to be progressively more difficult. We see that our customers have become more cautious due to the unstable economic environment. However, our long term strategy is continuing to benefit our business and we remain committed to delivering value creating solutions for our customers around the world.”

End

For further information, please contact:

Kerstin Meckler
Director Communications
Tel.: +43 122 400 389
E-mail: kerstin.meckler@borealisgroup.com