NEWS
Aliaxis raises profits in 2020 despite reduction in turnover
Belgian pipe manufacturer Aliaxis reported higher profits in 2020 – despite reduced sales. The company posted a turnover of €2.9 billion (US$3.5bn) in 2019, a decrease of nearly 7% compared to the previous year. However, it said that on a ‘like for like’ basis – to exclude the impact of divestments – it said sales rose by around 2%. Aliaxis sold its Harrington Industrial Plastics and Singapore- based businesses during the financial year. At the same time, net
profit in 2020 rose by around 8% to reach €199 million (US$239m). “Performance in 2020 demonstrated resilience and potential,” said Eric Olsen, CEO of Aliaxis. “Solid earnings growth and debt reduction leaves us in a strong financial position.”
The company said that performances recovered in the second half of the year: growth accelerated in the Americas and India, but was slower in Europe, Australia and New Zealand. In the EMEA region, sales
remained below those of 2019, but profitability improved due to several efficiency programmes, said the company. Demand in DIY retail in France and Germany remained solid, while the residential building market in France, Italy and Spain performed well. The infrastructure and industry segment remained strong in Germany, but the UK business showed significant volatility. “Strong cost control, close inventory manage- ment and government support in France, Germany and the UK supported the division’s performance,”
In Asia-Pacific, there was
reduced demand from the infrastructure and agricul- ture sectors in Australia. In New Zealand, agricultural sales boomed as dairy farmers were encouraged to invest in water management systems. In India, the company
Olsen: “Performance in 2020 showed resilience and potential”
said the company. North America enjoyed
another record year, said Aliaxis – with an all-time high in US sales. This was cemented by the full integration of Silver-Line Plastics, which the company acquired in 2019. Sales in Latin America were more volatile but ended close to 2019 levels.
increased revenues due partly to launching a new HDPE portfolio in the agriculture sector. This was despite having
to endure a 54-day shut- down due to Covid-19. The company expects the positive momentum to continue through the first quarter of 2021. “Visibility on Q2 and the second half of 2021 remains limited with high uncertain- ty,” it said. “Further, we expect raw materials supply and conditions to be challenging.” �
www.aliaxis.com
Boosting window recycling in the UK
Window profile manufacturer Rehau has invested £10 million (US$14m) in its PVCR recycling subsidi- ary in the UK – setting up a new facility in Runcorn in the north of England. PVCR claims to be the largest U-PVC recycler in
Rehau has invested in a new window profile recycling facility in the UK
www.pipeandprofile.com
the region, collecting and processing 1,000 tonnes/month of post-consumer polymer windows and doors. The company aims to recycle 24,000 tonnes/year of old PVC window frames by 2024 – which is twice the amount it currently handles. “The UK public is becoming more familiar with the benefits of PVC windows, but more work needs to be done to raise awareness of recyclability beyond single-use plastic,” said Martin Hitchin, CEO of Rehau in the UK. �
www.pvcr.co.uk
May 2021 | PIPE & PROFILE EXTRUSION 5
IMAGE: REHAU
IMAGE: ALIAXIS
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