EMS Chemie says planned US tariffs won't affect business after strong 2024 (updated)

Ems Chemie Holding AG

07/02/2025 07:20

(Rewrites with detail, background)
       Feb 7(Reuters) - Swiss nylon maker EMS Chemie  EMSN.S 
reported on Friday a 9.5% rise in 2024 net operating income
(EBIT), despite a stronger Swiss franc, and said it would not be
affected by proposed U.S. tariffs on imports from Europe.
    "We will remain unaffected by the announced punitive
tariffs," EMS Chemie said, adding it had set up trade routes for
raw materials and sales products ahead of potential
international trade barriers.
    The European chemical industry, which has long suffered from
weak demand and high production costs, faces uncertainty as
European leaders seek to dissuade U.S. President Trump from
imposing tariffs on U.S. imports of European goods.
    EMS Chemie, whose major markets are Germany and China and
which has at least two sites in the U.S., posted a 2024 EBIT of
539 million francs ($595 million).
    Despite higher volumes than in 2023, net sales decreased
5.4% to 2.07 billion francs due to a strengthening franc, the
company said.
    Net income was stable at 466 million francs.
    The company forecast 2025 net sales below 2024's level,
impacted by currency effects, and EBIT to be slightly above
2024's number.
    The group proposed a dividend of 17.25 francs per share. 
($1 = 0.9063 Swiss francs)

 (Reporting by Alberto Chiumento in Gdansk. Editing by Milla
Nissi and Mark Potter)
 ((Alberto.chiumento@thomsonreuters.com))