Chemours, a global chemistry company with leading market positions in Fluoroproducts, Chemical Solutions and Titanium Technologies, today announced its financial results for the first quarter 2020 and its response to the COVID-19 pandemic.
«Our Q1 results were consistent with our expectations thanks, in part, to improved operating performance across our network. At the same time, we did begin to feel the early impact of COVID-19 in some areas of the business» said Chemours President and CEO Mark Vergnano. «We are laser focused on the safety of our employees and the support of our customers. I am proud to report that our quick implementation of health screening procedures and procurement of additional protective equipment has allowed us to operate our manufacturing facilities with minimal coronavirus-related disruption. In addition, we have enacted a broad set of initiatives to reduce costs that will help improve our financial flexibility and enable us to promptly respond to changing conditions in the near term»
First quarter 2020 net sales were $1.3 billion in comparison to $1.4 billion in the prior-year first quarter. Results were driven primarily by higher volume in Titanium Technologies, more than offset by lower volume in Fluoroproducts and lower global average prices across all segments. First quarter net income was $100 million, or $0.61 per diluted share. Adjusted Net Income was $118 million, with Adjusted EPS of $0.71 up 8% and 13% respectively from the prior year. Adjusted EBITDA for the first quarter 2020 was $257 million in comparison to $262 million in the previous year first quarter, a result of lower F-Gas quota sales and prices, partially offset by reduced costs year-over-year.
Fluoroproducts: softer demand
In the first quarter 2020, Fluoroproducts segment net sales were $600 million in comparison to $687 million in the prior-year. Softer demand was primarily driven by the impact of COVID-19 in Asia Pacific and several end markets globally, resulting in lower volumes versus last year’s first quarter. Average price was down 4 percent on a year-over-year basis. Segment Adjusted EBITDA of $140 million decreased 12 percent versus the prior-year quarter, negatively impacted by limited F-gas quota sales due to illegal importsof HFC refrigerants into the EU. This was partially offset by the improved efficiency from the Corpus Christi Opteon™ facility ramp up, lower costs due to improved operational execution and cost reductions across the business. Margins improved sequentially from 19% in the fourth quarter 2019 to 23% in the first quarter 2020.
