Catalysis

In 2019, Catalysis recorded revenues of € 1,460 million, up 7% from 2018, despite a steep decline in global car production. Umicore continued to outperform the light-duty vehicles market as a result of market share gains in light duty gasoline  applications.  In  China, Umicore benefitted from the early launch of China 6-compliant platforms and continued to record solid growth. Revenues in Precious Metals Chemistry were also higher from 2018, due to growing sales of compounds used in pharmaceutical and fine chemical applications as well as fuel cell catalysts. Recurring EBIT for the Catalysis business group was € 185 million, up 10% from 2018, and recurring EBITDA was € 264 million, up 11%. Higher rhodium and palladium prices resulted in a significant increase in net working capital requirements in the second half of 2019.

While there are no signs of an imminent recovery in the automotive market, Catalysis is expected to continue to benefit from our strong market position in gasoline catalyst applications and a further penetration of higher value gasoline particulate filters in Europe and China. Fuel cell catalysts production will continue to ramp up in Korea.

Revenues for Automotive Catalysts increased compared to 2018, despite a global recession in the automotive market. In the light-duty vehicles segment, Umicore continued to outperform the market both in terms of volumes and revenues, particularly in China. This trend was more pronounced in the second half of 2019. We also grew volumes and revenues in a subdued heavy-duty diesel segment. Global light-duty vehicle production dropped by 6.3% from 2018, with all key markets posting a decline compared to 2018. Falling car production in China (-8.9%) was the largest factor behind the worldwide decline.

The European and North American markets contracted  by  5.0% and 4.4% respectively. In this challenging context, Umicore grew volumes and revenues reflecting market share gains in gasoline catalyst technologies and an increasing penetration of higher value gasoline particulate filters in China and Europe. In 2019, 40% of Umicore’s light-duty catalyst volumes were sold in the Asian car market, with China representing the majority of that share. Europe and the Americas each accounted for 30% of the sales volumes of our global light-duty catalysts.

In China, Umicore’s volumes increased significantly driven by the ramp-up of recently won gasoline platforms and a strong exposure to international car manufacturers. Umicore is now the leading  light- duty catalyst producer in  the  region. The  increase in revenues was even more pronounced due to the early implementation of China 6 emission norms in certain large cities as well as the growing penetration of gasoline platforms that require particulate filters. This strong performance was in stark contrast with the Chinese car market, which shrank for the second year in a row in 2019. After a steep contraction of the car market in the first half of 2019, the pace of decline eased somewhat in the second half, reflecting a traditionally stronger fourth  quarter and  a  more favorable year-on-year comparison with a particularly weak demand in the second half of 2018.

In Japan, Umicore’s volumes were slightly down in an overall stagnating market, while in Korea and South-East Asia, our volumes were adversely impacted by the timing of certain platform changes.