Back to News

Borealis announces a softening of its net profit in the second quarter of 2008

  • Borealis reports net profit of EUR 71 million for the second quarter and EUR 201 million for the first half of 2008
  • Base Chemicals business and Borouge, Borealis' joint venture in Abu Dhabi, contribute significantly to the solid performance
  • Investments in research facilities support the polyolefin business innovation strategy
Key figures and ratios

(Quarter ending June 30, 2008)


Q2

2008

Q2 

2007

H1 

2008

H1 

2007

Sales revenueEUR Million1,825  1,5933,521 3,075
Operating profit / (loss)EUR Million52152189280
Net profit / (loss) after taxEUR Million71137201250
Reduction / (increase) in
net interest-bearing debt
EUR Million(152)(89)346(28)
Gearing%41%32%41%32%


Borealis, a leading provider of innovative, value creating plastics solutions, has announced a net profit of EUR 71 million for the second quarter of 2008, a 48% decrease compared to the EUR 137 million of the second quarter of the previous year. The net profit for the first half-year 2008 totalled EUR 201 million, a 20% drop from EUR 250 million in the first half of 2007. Net interest-bearing debt increased by EUR 152 million during the second quarter and by EUR 346 million in the first half-year. As a consequence the gearing ratio rose from 36% in the first quarter to 41% in the second. The primary reason for this increase was the effect of higher input costs on the company's working capital.

The company's results were impacted by increased global crude oil and naphtha prices. On the other hand, Borealis benefited from continued contributions from the newly formed Base Chemicals business, in particular from plant nutrients. Borouge, Borealis' joint venture with the Abu Dhabi National Oil Company (ADNOC), also contributed favourably.

The second quarter saw the groundbreaking of the EUR 50 million expansion of Borealis' Innovation Headquarters in Linz, Austria.
A further investment in a new research & development tool, a parallel pressure reactor, at the Borealis Innovation Centre in Porvoo, Finland, enables researchers to develop innovations faster and reduce the related time to market. These two investments underline Borealis' strong commitment to providing customers with infrastructure, automotive and advanced packaging solutions.

The major investment programme at Borouge 2 in Ruwais, Abu Dhabi, is proceeding according to plan with more than 7,000 persons currently working on the construction site. The new 350,000 t/y low-density polyethylene plant in Stenungsund, Sweden, is also on schedule for completion in the second half of 2009.

"We have said before that we anticipate ongoing volatility and a softening of the markets and have been proactively preparing ourselves, especially by improving our cost competitiveness", comments Borealis Chief Executive Mark Garret. "As a result we are in a sound financial position to pursue our strategy based on value creation through innovation and to continue our ambitious investment projects in the Middle East."

END

For further information, please contact:

Kerstin Meckler, Borealis Group Media Relations Manager
Tel. +43 122 400 389
Email: kerstin.meckler@borealisgroup.com

Downloads
Borealis announces a softening of its net profit in the second quarter of 2008 English
Media Contact
Group Media desk
Virginia Wieser, Lena Lehner
+43 1 22 400 899 (Vienna, Austria)
media@borealisgroup.com

Latest News

Media Release – 18/09/2023

New Material Recovery Facility Opened in Banyuwangi Under Project STOP’s Expansion Program

Read more

News – 31/08/2023

All Borealis polyolefin and polyolefin compounding sites in Europe ISCC PLUS certified

Read more

Media Release – 04/08/2023

Project STOP Jembrana Hands Over the Program to the Local Government

Read more

Media Release – 14/07/2023

Borealis Scientific Innovation Award open for submissions

Read more

News – 13/07/2023

Borealis supports program to restore drinking water infrastructure in Beira, Mozambique after Cyclone Idai

Read more

Media Release – 11/07/2023

Borealis completes Stenungsund cracker furnace revamp, elevating plant to higher energy efficiency and process safety standards

Read more

Case Study – 05/07/2023

Borealis completes the sale of its nitrogen business to AGROFERT

Read more

Media Release – 30/06/2023

Borealis to acquire Rialti S.p.A., a leading European producer of recycled polypropylene compounds

Read more

News – 22/06/2023

Borealis Collaborates with the Austrian Red Cross to Support Underprivileged People in Emergency Situations

Read more