SGL Carbons consolidated sales amounted to 241.5 million in the first quarter (Q1/2020 246.8 million), representing a slight decline of 2%. Currency adjusted, sales were on a par with the prior-year level. SGL Carbons sales performed differently across the customer industries in the first quarter. In the Automotive lightweight construction sector and in the Semiconductor industry, the company benefited from a recovery in economic activity. In contrast, especially the development in the late-cyclical graphite business for Industrial Applications as well as SGL Carbon's solutions business for the Chemical Industry continued to suffer from pandemic-related weaknesses. However, the order intake in the Chemicals segment in recent months is showing signs of a noticeable recovery.
On the earnings side, the company was able to further improve its key figures in the first quarter. EBITDA pre rose by 14% to 33.0 million in the reporting period (Q1/2020 29.0 million). EBIT also increased significantly to 17.0 million compared to 6.4 million in the first quarter of 2020. In addition, the company now also achieved a positive net result of 6.1 million again compared to minus 4.3 million in the prior-year period.
The consistent further implementation of the restructuring and transformation program made a contribution to the positive earnings development. It is proceeding according to plan in all areas. With a total of over 700 measures in the areas of purchasing, personnel, operations and service functions, we are making steady progress across all sites. As part of the restructuring, headcount will be reduced as well. More than 60% of the planned personnel measures were already implemented at the end of the quarter.
In addition, SGL Carbon continued to clearly focus on improving liquidity and reducing debt in the first quarter. As a result, liquidity of 168.6 million as of March 31, 2021 developed positively compared to the end of the year ( 141.8 million). Free cash flow from continuing operations was positive at 24.1 million. SGL Carbons net financial debt decreased by 5% to 271.5 million as of March 31, 2021 (year-end 2020 286.5 million).
"Our first quarter results show that we are delivering despite the continued headwinds in some of our markets. One key element of this progress is our global restructuring and transformation program, in which we are making very good progress. Also operationally, there are already some areas at SGL Carbon that are seeing increasing demand again and are now coming strengthened out of the crisis. In addition, we are now pursuing a clear margin before volume strategy with which we are focusing on profitability. We fully confirm our guidance for the full year 2021," explains Dr. Torsten Derr, CEO of SGL Carbon.
Profitability improvedThe financial result improved from minus 9.4 million in Q1/2020 to minus 6.4 million in the reporting period. In particular, lower interest expenses for pensions and lower effects for the compounding of liabilities, as well as foreign currency valuations of intercompany loans led to this positive development.
Due to the increase in EBIT and the improved financial result, earnings before income taxes increased from minus 3.0 million in the prior-year period to 10.6 million in the reporting period.
Segment ReportingSince January 1, 2021, SGL Carbon has been managing its operating business in four business units, each having a homogeneous business model and clearly defined responsibility for earnings. The former reporting segment Composites - Fibers & Materials (CFM) has been broken down into the units Carbon Fibers (CF) and Composite Solutions (CS). The former reporting segment Graphite Materials & Systems (GMS) has been split into Graphite Solutions (GS) and Process Technology (PT). The reporting segments as presented below directly derive from the new business units.
Reporting segment Graphite Solutions (GS): Dynamic demand from the semiconductor sector Sales development in the reporting segment Graphite Solutions (GS) in the first quarter of 2021 was slightly below the previous years level by around 3% (currency adjusted no change) at 108.3 million, but slightly above our expectations.
The Battery & Other Energy market segment showed stable development compared with the previous year. In addition, an expected positive sales and earnings effect of around 9 million is included in this market segment in the first quarter of 2021 from the early termination of a contract. The contract termination agreed in March will lead to a corresponding compensation payment, which will be received in the second quarter. The LED & Semiconductor market segment was able to increase sales significantly. In contrast, demand from the Industrial Applications market segment declined significantly in the first quarter of 2021.
Compared with the good prior-year quarter (Q1/2020 20.8 million), EBITDA pre increased by 10% to 22.9 million in the reporting quarter, mainly as a result of the financial compensation. This led to a temporary increase in the EBITDA margin to 21.1% (Q1/2020 18.6%). In line with the sales development, the Battery & Other Energy and LED & Semiconductor market segments recorded an increase in earnings, while earnings in the Automotive & Transportation market segment increased due to productivity improvements. All other market segments recorded a decline in earnings compared to the prior-year quarter due to lower demand.
Reporting segment Process Technology (PT): Incoming orders from the Chemical Industry point to recoverySales in the reporting segment Process Technology (PT) declined significantly in the first quarter by 16% (currency adjusted minus 18%) to 19.3 million (Q1/2020 23.0 million). The main reason for this was the decline in order intake from all three regions (Asia, Europe and North America) in the p
Europe Stories
05/01/2027
Worlds first 802.15.4ab-UWB chip verified by Calterah and Rohde & Schwarz to be ...
04/08/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
04/07/2026
April 7 2026, 19:00 (PDT) Detective Conan: Fallen Angel of the Highway Opens in...
01/06/2026
January 6 2026, 05:30 (PST) Dolby Sets the New Standard for Premium Entertainment at CES 2026
Throughout the week, Dolby brings to life the latest innovatio...
02/05/2026
Dalet, a leading technology and service provider for media-rich organizations, t...
01/05/2026
January 5 2026, 18:30 (PST) NBCUniversal's Peacock to Be First Streamer to ...
15/04/2026
Two Cities Television and Keeper Pictures to produce six-part series in association with Screen Ireland for RT and ITV Studios
RT has commissioned Two Citie...
15/04/2026
RT 100
RT unveils The Signal' a specially commissioned 60-second film
...
14/04/2026
ToolsOnAir and Omnistream Bring Mobile SRT Contribution into Professional 24/7 P...
14/04/2026
Captures a trio of renowned polysynths
The latest software to join AIR Music Tech's extensive catalogue captures the sound of three sought-after polysyn...
14/04/2026
Free offering includes 10 powerful plug-ins
United Plugins have announced the launch of a new bundle that brings together 10 of their pro-audio plug-ins, an...
14/04/2026
Julian Coryell joins virtual session player line-up
Announced at NAMM 2026, Celemony's Tonalic kits DAW users out with real performances by world-class ...
14/04/2026
X-Rite Pantone Color Academy Grand Opening in Shanghai
On March 27, 2026, X-Rite Pantone, the global authority in color standards and color science, held the...
14/04/2026
14 Apr 2026
VEON and JazzWorld Receive Competition Commission of Pakistan Appro...
14/04/2026
Tuesday 14 April 2026
Nicola Coughlan and Aimee Lou Wood to host next two episo...
14/04/2026
Lead writer and executive producer Jack Lothian joins alongside lead director Je...
14/04/2026
Wuppertal April 14, 2026
Thomas Riedel Acquires Premium Manufacturer ARRIStrategic Alignment With the Riedel Group for Innovation and Growth
Thomas Riedel, f...
14/04/2026
New Service Simplifies Integration of AI Applications with Exceptional Reliabili...
14/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 14, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, today annou...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Composition Builder 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Composition Builder 2026 application for macOS enables TV stations and Live Event broadcast...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:live pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:live pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel Live Production Playout solution for video and static or real-ti...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr just:play pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:play pro 2026 is a Multi-Channel automated 24/7 Master Control playout solution with SD, HD and U...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAr live:cut 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: live:cut is an option to just:in mac pro 2025 and enables multicamera production workflows for up to 16 cam...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite NDI 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite NDI application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specific...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir Just In Mac Lite 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: The Just In Mac Lite application is a streamlined media capture solution designed specifically for...
13/04/2026
ToolsOnAir just:in mac pro 2026 Boilerplate
More Details: just:in mac pro is a macOS-based client-server multichannel capture solution to record SDI, HDMI, N...
13/04/2026
Intuitive EQ plug-in gets an upgrade
Following its official launch back in February 2026, Musik Hack's intuitive EQ plug-in has been treated to its firs...
13/04/2026
Flagship soft synth collection expanded
The latest version of UVI's flagship vintage-inspired soft synth collection has just arrived, expanding the suit...
13/04/2026
Free version of innovative string library arrives
Released in October 2025, Lux Orchestral Strings was said to be Sonuscore's most ambitious library to ...
13/04/2026
The Girls' Research Camp is part of the Technology - Future in Bavaria edu...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz transforms submarine communications for real time underwater dom...
13/04/2026
Rohde & Schwarz enables Pulsar signal simulation to support next-generation navi...
13/04/2026
The search for Ireland's newest country music star is live on Friday 17 Apri...
13/04/2026
Monday 13 April 2026
Global environmental action NGO WRAP brings recycling to l...
13/04/2026
J nger Audio has joined the EBU ADM Implementers Group (ADM-IG) as a founding me...
13/04/2026
FOX Latin America Announces The Launch Of The FOX Channel In Central America And...
13/04/2026
No amps, no safety net The biggest challenge was the music itself. Everything in the film is acoustic and unamplified. The theme itself is kind of hard to expl...
13/04/2026
RT Radio 1 has today launched a significant step in its ongoing strategic evolution. Following the launch of its brand-new schedule late last year, RT Radio 1...
13/04/2026
The Late Late Show Opening Act, the search for Ireland's newest country musi...
13/04/2026
RT has today announced the appointment of Annemarie Britz to the position of Chief Financial Officer, RT following a public competition.
Annemarie Britz is c...
12/04/2026
Headphone system designed for immersive monitoring
With the demand for immersive audio showing no signs of slowing down, lots of companies are turning their...
11/04/2026
Engineer collective welcome Freddy Knop
Infrasonic, an award-winning collective of audio engineers operating out of Nashville and Los Angeles with credits r...
10/04/2026
After launching the Spotify Podcast Awards in Mexico last year, we brought the fan-voted celebration to Paris this week for its first edition in France. Hosted ...
10/04/2026
Powered and unpowered live PA ranges upgraded
Yamaha have just refreshed four of their hugely popular PA speaker ranges, delivering significant improvements...
10/04/2026
Underlying plug-in & VI technology now available to others
UJAM's latest announcement sees the company open up' Gorilla Engine, the development pla...
10/04/2026
Luxembourg, April 10, 2026 - SES, a leading space solutions company, announces that it has entrusted BNP Paribas with the implementation of a liquidity agreemen...
10/04/2026
What can I watch on UKTV and stream on U this week?
This week on UKTV and the free streaming service U, viewers can watch a range of new and returning programm...
10/04/2026
Five-part Sky Original drama airs nightly on Sky Mix and Sky Atlantic from 20 Ap...
09/04/2026
Staines-upon-Thames, UK, 09, April, 2026 - Yospace, the trusted leader in Dynam...
SGL Carbons consolidated sales amounted to 241.5 million in the first quarter (Q1/2020 246.8 million), representing a slight decline of 2%. Currency adjusted, sales were on a par with the prior-year level. SGL Carbons sales performed differently across the customer industries in the first quarter. In the Automotive lightweight construction sector and in the Semiconductor industry, the company benefited from a recovery in economic activity. In contrast, especially the development in the late-cyclical graphite business for Industrial Applications as well as SGL Carbon's solutions business for the Chemical Industry continued to suffer from pandemic-related weaknesses. However, the order intake in the Chemicals segment in recent months is showing signs of a noticeable recovery.
