Wacker Chemie Sees Volume, Sales Gains In 2015

(RTTNews) - German chemical company Wacker Chemie AG (WKCMF.PK) on Friday said that following a strong first quarter, it forecasts volume and sales gains for the full-year 2015.

"We want to increase our sales by 10 percent this year. That will take Wacker across the five-billion-euro threshold for the first time," said CEO Rudolf Staudigl at the 2015 annual shareholders' meeting.

Adjusted for non-recurring effects, full-year earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were also expected to rise slightly, said Staudigl.

In the first quarter of 2015, Wacker's sales and adjusted EBITDA figures were markedly better both year on year and quarter on quarter.

In his speech, Staudigl detailed key projects to position the company in the years to come. "2015 will be an eventful year for Wacker in many respects," the CEO said.

"Towards year-end, we want to produce the first polysilicon at our new production site at Charleston, Tennessee (USA). Wacker's single largest investment project ever opens up new prospects for us. After China, the USA is the world's largest chemicals market and we see a lot of future potential there."

For 2014, Wacker is distributing a dividend totaling €74.5 million to shareholders, compared with €24.8 million a year earlier. The dividend per dividend-bearing share is €1.50 after €0.50 a year ago.