Orbia Announces Fourth Quarter and Full-Year 2023 Financial Results

MEXICO CITY–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Orbia Advance Corporation, S.A.B. de C.V. (BMV: ORBIA*) (“the Company” or “Orbia”) today released unaudited results for the fourth quarter and full year of 2023.

Orbia delivered EBITDA of $226 million for the fourth quarter of 2023 and $1.46 billion for the full year 2023, in line with recent guidance, demonstrating its resilience and ability to manage through a challenging market environment. Market conditions in the construction, infrastructure and capital investment sectors remained weak due to continued high interest rates and lower demand in China. Despite these pressures, for both the quarter and the year, Orbia maintained strong operating cash flows and a solid balance sheet.

Q4 2023 Financial Highlights

(All metrics are compared to Q4 2022 unless otherwise noted)

• Net revenues of $1.8 billion decreased 16%, driven by lower sales in Polymer Solutions, Connectivity Solutions and Building & Infrastructure.
• EBITDA of $226 million decreased 27%, driven by lower volumes and prices in certain segments, partially offset by higher profitability in Precision Agriculture and Building & Infrastructure.
• Operating Cash Flow of $328 million decreased by $227 million due to lower EBITDA, partially offset by effective working capital management.

Full-Year 2023 Financial Highlights

(All metrics are compared to FY 2022 unless otherwise noted)

• Net revenues of $8.2 billion decreased 15%, with lower sales in Polymer Solutions, Building & Infrastructure, and Connectivity Solutions, partially offset by higher sales in Fluor & Energy Materials.
• EBITDA of $1.46 billion decreased 24%, driven by lower volumes and prices, partially offset by higher profitability in Fluor & Energy Materials.
• Operating Cash Flow of $931 million decreased 16%, driven by lower EBITDA and partially offset by effective working capital management.
• Dividends paid of $240 million decreased by $59 million. Dividends paid in 2022 included an extraordinary additional amount related to the Company’s very strong 2021 results.
• Leverage ratio (net debt-to-EBITDA) increased from 1.65x to 2.35x, due to lower EBITDA.

“We entered 2023 cautiously optimistic, with good momentum in certain business groups. By the end of the second quarter, markets had softened in the global industrial and construction sectors due to prolonged high interest rates and compounded by market weakness in China. In response, we focused on what we could control: our operational, fiscal and commercial discipline and rigorous capital management. Supported by these actions, we continued to position the business for stronger performance once the market recovers,” said Sameer Bharadwaj, CEO of Orbia.

Bharadwaj continued, “Despite these headwinds, I’m proud of the progress we made on strategic and growth initiatives in 2023. We finalized a joint venture agreement with Syensqo (formerly Solvay) to create the largest polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) production facilities for battery materials in North America as well as a technology licensing agreement with Kanto Denka Kogyo for lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6), a critical lithium-ion electrolyte salt. We also completed multiple capacity expansion and efficiency improvement projects across our business groups and are continuing to drive cross-business integration and portfolio expansions. As we look toward the near future, we will continue to focus on operational discipline, with performance, cost management and cash generation top-of-mind. We will also continue to execute on high value growth opportunities across our core industries while maintaining a strong balance sheet.”

Net revenues of $1,772 million in the fourth quarter decreased 16%. For the full-year 2023, net revenues of $8,204 million decreased 15%.

For the fourth quarter, the decrease in revenue was driven by a weaker market and planned plant maintenance in Polymer Solutions, weaker demand in Connectivity Solutions and lower pricing in Building & Infrastructure, partially offset by higher volume and pricing in Fluor & Energy Materials and stronger Asian markets for Precision Agriculture. For the full year, revenues were higher in Fluor & Energy Materials, particularly in refrigerants, but decreased across other businesses. Primary drivers of the year-over-year decrease included lower PVC and caustic soda pricing and volumes for Polymer Solutions, weaker demand in Europe, the Middle East and Africa (“EMEA”) for Building & Infrastructure and deferrals of customer projects due primarily to high interest rates in Connectivity Solutions.

Cost of goods sold of $1,391 million in the fourth quarter decreased 13%. For the full year, cost of goods sold of $6,032 million decreased 15%.

The decrease in cost of goods sold was driven primarily by lower volumes and raw material costs.

Selling, general and administrative expenses of $326 million in the fourth quarter decreased 7%. As a percentage of sales, SG&A increased 179 basis points to 18%. For the full year, selling, general and administrative expenses of $1,323 million increased 7%. As a percentage of sales, SG&A increased 326 basis points to 16%.

The decrease in selling, general and administrative expenses for the quarter was driven by lower variable compensation costs, partially offset by unfavorable exchange rate effects and restructuring costs. The increase for the full year was primarily due to inflation, investment in executing the Company’s growth strategy and the strengthening of the Mexican Peso and Colombian Peso.

EBITDA of $226 million in the quarter decreased 27%, while EBITDA margin decreased 189 basis points to 13%. For the full year, EBITDA of $1,460 million decreased 24%, while EBITDA margin decreased 199 basis points to 18%.

The decrease in EBITDA and EBITDA margin was due to lower prices and softer demand across most markets, particularly in Polymer Solutions, Building & Infrastructure and Connectivity Solutions. The decrease was partially offset by higher profitability in Fluor & Energy Materials.

Financial costs of $54 million in the quarter increased by $108 million from negative $54 million last year. For the full year, financial costs of $366 million increased by $206 million from $160 million last year.

The increase in financial costs was largely driven by adjustments in the valuation of put options associated with non-wholly-owned businesses, which resulted in $96 million less benefit during the quarter and $112 million for the full year. In addition, net interest payments in the quarter of $84 million increased by $36 million, driven by higher average debt balance in Mexican Pesos and the appreciation of the Mexican Peso. For the full year, net interest payments of $296 million increased by $91 million year over year, as a result of the impact from Mexican Peso appreciation and, additional debt mainly in Mexican Pesos at higher rates than the Company’s average interest rate. Foreign exchange losses increased year over year due to the appreciation of the Mexican Peso and other currencies. These factors were partially offset by higher interest income from an increase in the cash balance and higher short-term rates received.

Taxes of $54 million for the quarter decreased 47% compared to the prior year, driven by the impact of inflation and foreign exchange rate changes in Mexico. For the full year, taxes of $329 million decreased 11% compared to the prior year, and the effective tax rate was 68%, compared to 36% last year. The increase in the effective tax rate was driven by the appreciation of the Mexican Peso and by the impact of inflation in Mexico.

Net income to majority shareholders of negative $71 million in the quarter decreased by $35 million. For the full year, net income to majority shareholders of $65 million decreased 89%. For both periods, lower net income was largely due to the decrease in EBITDA and higher financial costs.

Operating cash flow of $328 million in the quarter decreased 41% while free cash flow of $116 million decreased by $192 million. For the full year, operating cash flow of $931 million decreased 16% while free cash flow of $176 million decreased 62%.

During the quarter, the decrease in operating cash flow was driven by lower EBITDA and higher interest paid. The decrease in free cash flow was driven by the lower operating cash flow. For the full year, the decrease in operating cash flow was driven by lower EBITDA, which was partially offset by effective working capital management and lower cash taxes paid, as well as positive currency fluctuations. The decrease in free cash flow was due to lower operating cash flow as well as higher capital expenditures driven by investments in growth.

Net debt of $3,430 million included total debt of $4,886 million, less cash and cash equivalents of $1,456 million. The Company’s net debt-to-EBITDA ratio increased from 1.65x to 2.35x year-over-year, driven by the decrease in EBITDA and an increase in debt mainly driven by the appreciation of the Mexican Peso during the year.

Q4 and Full-Year 2023 Financial Performance by Business Group

(All metrics are compared to Q4 and FY 2022 unless otherwise noted)

Polymer Solutions (Vestolit and Alphagary), 32% of Revenues

Orbia’s Polymer Solutions business group (commercial brands Vestolit and Alphagary) focus on general purpose and specialty PVC resins (polyvinyl chloride), PVC and zero-halogen specialty compounds with a wide variety of applications in everyday products for everyday life, from pipes and cables to household appliances and medical devices. The business group supplies Orbia’s downstream businesses and a global customer base.

Fourth quarter revenues of $577 million decreased 21% and full-year revenues of $2,699 million decreased 27%. For the quarter, EBITDA of $47 million decreased 54% and EBITDA margin decreased 561 basis points to 8%, while full-year EBITDA of $382 million decreased 53% and EBITDA margin decreased 762 basis points to 14%.

The decrease in revenues for the quarter was driven primarily by lower volumes due to a planned turnaround and associated delay in the Company’s ethylene joint venture plant that impacted PVC production, as well as lower specialty PVC and caustic soda prices driven by weaker demand, and excess availability in the export market. For the full year, the decrease in revenues was driven by lower volumes and prices due to weaker demand and raw material supply shortage in the Americas due to operational issues at one of our suppliers and from the extended ethylene joint venture plant turnaround.

Both fourth quarter and full-year EBITDA decreased year-over-year, driven by lower PVC and caustic soda volume and prices, maintenance turnaround impacts, expenses related to strategic growth projects and the translation effect of the stronger Mexican Peso and Colombian Peso on fixed costs. These same factors drove the operating (loss) income for the quarter and year, with the fourth quarter loss primarily due to the impact of the maintenance turnaround in the quarter.

Building & Infrastructure (Wavin), 31% of Revenues

Orbia’s Building & Infrastructure business group (commercial brand Wavin) is redefining today’s pipes and fittings industry by creating solutions that last longer and perform better, all with less installation labor required. The business group benefits from supply chain integration with the Polymer Solutions business group, a customer base spanning three continents, and investments in sustainable, resilient technologies for water and indoor climate management.

Fourth quarter revenues of $595 million decreased 10% and full year revenues of $2,678 million decreased 8%. For the quarter, EBITDA of $59 million increased 25% and EBITDA margin increased 277 basis points to 10%, while full-year EBITDA of $284 decreased 12% and EBITDA margin decreased 39 basis points to 11%.

The decrease in revenues for the quarter was primarily driven by lower volumes in EMEA and lower prices due to lower raw material costs. For the full year, the decrease in revenues was primarily driven by lower demand in EMEA which was partially offset by volume improvements in Latin America, Asia, and North America, as well as lower prices.

Fourth quarter EBITDA increased year-over-year mainly driven by improved margins and cost optimization across the business. Full year EBITDA declined due to lower volumes, higher logistics and transportation costs and one-time costs related to business optimization.

​​Connectivity Solutions (Dura-Line), 13% of Revenues

Orbia’s Connectivity Solutions business group (commercial brand Dura-Line) produces more than 500 million meters of essential and innovative connectivity infrastructure per year to bring a world’s worth of information everywhere. The business group produces telecommunications conduit, cable-in-conduit and other HDPE products and solutions that create physical pathways for fiber and other network technologies connecting cities, homes and people.

Fourth quarter revenues of $188 million decreased 41% and full year revenues of $1,125 million decreased 18%. For the quarter, EBITDA of $34 million decreased 60% and EBITDA margin decreased 854 basis points to 18%, while full-year EBITDA of $327 million decreased 8% and EBITDA margin increased 299 basis points to 29%.

For the fourth quarter, revenues were lower, primarily driven by lower demand, lower prices and an unfavorable product mix. For the full year, revenues were lower due to lower demand driven by higher interest rates. These elevated interest rates correlated with customer project delays as well as inventory buildup in the supply chain.

Fourth quarter EBITDA was lower due to weak demand, lower pricing, and lower absorption of fixed operating costs. This was partially offset by lower raw material costs and cost controls. For the full-year, the decrease in EBITDA was driven by a slowdown in demand in the second half due to high interest rates and the timing of availability of public funding, coupled with lower prices.

Precision Agriculture (Netafim), 13% of Revenues

Orbia’s Precision Agriculture business group’s (commercial brand Netafim) leading-edge irrigation systems, services and digital farming technologies enable stakeholders to achieve significantly higher and better-quality yields while using less water, fertilizer and other inputs. By helping farmers worldwide grow more with less, the business group is contributing to feeding the planet efficiently and sustainably.

Fourth quarter revenues of $250 million increased 9% and full year revenues of $1,063 million decreased 2%. For the quarter, EBITDA of $30 million increased by $34 million and EBITDA margin increased to 12%, while full-year EBITDA of $118 million remained relatively flat, with EBITDA margin increasing approximately 13 basis points to 11%.

Quarterly revenues increased due to strong performance in certain Asian and Latin American markets. Full-year revenues were lower, driven by a slowdown in demand in Europe and Africa, the impact of extreme weather conditions in the U.S. and lower customer investment in irrigation systems due to both high interest rates and weak crop prices. These factors were partially offset by strong results in Mexico, Brazil, China, India and Turkey.

For the quarter, EBITDA improved, driven by higher revenues and lower raw material costs as compared to last year, as well as the absence of one-time costs included in the prior year. For the full year and despite the slight decrease in revenues year-over-year, EBITDA remained flat, driven by favorable raw material prices and tight cost control.

Fluor & Energy Materials (Koura), 11% of Revenues

Orbia’s newly renamed Fluor & Energy Materials business group (commercial brand Koura) provides fluorine and downstream products that support modern, efficient living. The business group owns and operates the world’s largest fluorspar mine and produces intermediates, refrigerants and propellants used in automotive, infrastructure, semiconductor, health, medicine, climate control, food cold chain, energy storage, computing and telecommunications applications.

Fourth quarter revenues of $226 million increased 12% and full-year revenues of $918 million increased 8%. For the quarter, EBITDA of $69 million increased 7% and EBITDA margin decreased 133 basis points to 31%, while full-year EBITDA of $354 million increased 16% and EBITDA margin increased 276 basis points to 39%.

Revenues for the quarter increased year-over-year driven by higher volumes and favorable pricing conditions in refrigerants and medical propellants. For the full year, revenues increased year-over-year, reflecting strong pricing across the product portfolio combined with higher volumes.

Fourth quarter EBITDA increased driven by higher volumes and prices, which offset higher labor costs and unfavorable currency fluctuations. For the full year, EBITDA increased due to strong pricing across the product portfolio.

Balance Sheet, Liquidity and Capital Allocation

Orbia continued to maintain a strong balance sheet throughout 2023. The net debt-to-EBITDA ratio increased from 1.65x to 2.35x year-over-year due to a reduction in EBITDA and increase in debt, mainly driven by the appreciation of the Mexican Peso during the year. The Company had cash on hand of approximately $1.5 billion at year-end 2023.

During the quarter, Orbia paid down approximately $31 million in borrowings, which is reflected in the Company’s cash flow statement. During the year, Orbia completed the issuance of sustainability linked notes of MXN 10 billion (approximately $590 million), setting another milestone in its commitment to sustainable financing. Of the total amount, MXN 2.1 billion will mature in December 2025 and MXN 7.9 billion in November 2032. The proceeds of these notes were primarily used to refinance short-term debt maturities in Mexican Pesos.

Working capital decreased by $198 million during the quarter compared to a decrease of $289 million in the prior-year quarter. Working capital decreased by $138 million during the full year, compared to an increase of $33 million in the prior year. Capital expenditures of $188 million during the quarter decreased 15% year-over-year and increased 20% for the full year to $658 million, which included ongoing maintenance spending and investments to support the Company’s growth initiatives.

During the quarter, Orbia paid $60 million as the fourth installment of the ordinary dividend approved at the Annual Shareholders Meeting held on March 30, 2023. For the full year, the Company returned $240 million in dividends to shareholders.

2023 Sustainability Highlights

Orbia continued to deliver on the 3 pillars of its sustainability strategy – low impact and resilient operations, sustainable solutions and impactful ventures. In 2023, we increased renewable energy consumption by 52% year over year and reduced our scope 1 & 2 emissions by 28% compared to baseline, making progress towards our 2030 commitments of 47% reduction. Additionally, we surpassed our commitment to the Sustainability Linked Bond framework by 25%, decreasing SOx emissions by 85%.

Recognition from well-known third parties in 2023 continued to be encouraging. We maintained our position in the Dow Jones Sustainability Indices (DJSI). We were upgraded by MSCI for the second consecutive year, for our sustainability performance, improved our Sustainalytics rating and earned a gold medal from EcoVadis.

Through our operations, solutions and investments we aspire to maximize our positive impact and help our customers do the same.

2024 Outlook

As a global company with a strong presence in the building, infrastructure and construction markets, Orbia is affected by world events, interest rate levels and the performance of major economies. Despite weak volumes and pricing, the Company maintained or improved its market positions across our businesses in 2023. The Company’s 2024 outlook reflects some anticipated recovery in industrial and construction activity in certain regions late in the year, tied to an expected reduction in interest rates. The Company will continue to focus on revenue generation, operational and commercial excellence, cash generation and managing performance factors within its control.

For 2024, full-year EBITDA is likely to be in the range of $1.35 billion to $1.45 billion, with market weakness expected to continue in the first half of the year and potential recovery in the second half of the year.

Contacts

Investors

Diego Echave, Vice President of Investor Relations

+1 858-283-6201

investors@orbia.com

Media

Kacy Karlen, Chief Communications Officer

+1 865-410-3001

kacy.karlen@orbia.com

Read full story here