Merck had a successful fiscal 2020, a year that was marked by the Covid-19 pandemic. The company increased its sales, expanded its EBITDA pre margin and met all the financial targets it had set for itself.

Fiscal 2020:

Sales increase by 8.6% to € 17.5 billion; EBITDA pre jumps 18.6% to € 5.2 billion; EBITDA pre margin rises to 29.7%; earnings per share pre grow 20.5% to € 6.70
Performance Materials renamed Electronics with immediate effect
Dividend proposal of € 1.40 per share

Forecast for fiscal 2021:

Strong organic sales growth expected
Organic EBITDA pre growth in the high single-digit to low teens percentage range

Balanced portfolio, strong innovations, financial strength, and dedicated team as key enablers for robust business performance in a global crisis
2020 results at upper end of full-year guidance:
Group sales reach 19.3 billion euros, organic: -0.7 percent
EBIT margin* at 13.4 percent, -260 basis points, corresponding to an operating profit* of 2.6 billion euros
Earnings per preferred share (EPS)*: 4.26 euros, -17.9 percent at constant exchange rates
Very strong free cash flow of 2.3 billion euros, net financial position significantly improved
Proposed dividend on prior-year level: 1.85 euros per preferred share
Implementation of agenda for purposeful growth on track, clear roadmap for further execution in 2021 and beyond
Outlook for 2021:
Organic sales growth: 2.0 to 5.0 percent
EBIT margin*: 13.5 to 14.5 percent
Earnings per preferred share (EPS)*: an increase between 5.0 to 15.0 percent at constant exchange rates

Merck is changing the name of its Performance Materials business sector to Electronics. The new name is the visible result of the strategic realignment conducted over the past several years

Bühler Group and Vyncke form a strategic partnership to offer integrated solutions with which biomass side stream products are transformed into clean process energy while reducing the customers’ carbon footprint. The dependency on fossil fuels – and with this, CO2 emissions – can decrease from 20%-100%, depending on the raw material and side stream products.

Naviga and Miles 33 to broaden product portfolio offerings for the global publishing market
Naviga Inc., a leading provider of software and services powering media-rich industries, today announced it has acquired Miles 33, a United Kingdom headquartered supplier of software to media, corporate and agency customers in 29 countries.

Evonik has achieved the financial targets it set itself in May 2020. Production and logistics have been secured worldwide and all measures to protect the workforce have been consistently implemented. For 2021 the company is back on course for growth.

Targets for 2020 achieved: Adjusted EBITDA of €1.9 billion, sales of more than €12 billion
Free cash flow significantly above previous year
Outlook 2021: Adjusted EBITDA to increase to between €2.0 billion and €2.3 billion

Investment in peroxide masterbatches accelerates growth in plastic recycling

The UK Competition and Markets Authority accepts remedies in principle

Stora Enso is launching a new plan for 2021–2023 under its share-based long-term incentive programme. The purpose of the plan is to incentivise and align management with shareholder interests and the long-term strategy of the Company. This is done through setting measurable financial long-term targets as well as through encouraging personal share ownership.

Seiko Epson Corporation (TSE: 6724, "Epson") and its subsidiary Epson X Investment Corporation will subscribe in the third-party allocation of sales for GITAI Inc., a startup company developing general-purpose space robots, and invest in the company through their EP-GB Investment Limited Partnership.

Hahnemühle celebrates 437th birthday

While a well-known cola brand keeps its recipe safely in a safe, the papermakers at Hahnemühle use their old recipe books every day. The paper manufacturer celebrates its 437th birthday this year, making it more than 300 years older than the American beverage company.

Based on a proposal of the Nominating, Compensation and Corporate Governance committee, Arkema’s Board of Directors, at its meeting on 24 February 2021, decided to ask the shareholders, at the Annual General Meeting to be held on 20 May 2021, and as a replacement for Thierry Morin, Marc Pandraud and Yannick Assouad, whose terms of office are due to terminate, to approve the following: