Kuwait, February 03, 2019 – Today, the EQUATE Group announced its fourth quarter (Q4) 2018 and full-year 2018 earnings. In Q4 2018, the EQUATE Group reported an EBITDA of $427 million, compared to $388 million for the same period in 2017. EQUATE Group’s total EBITDA for 2018 stood at $2.12 billion, compared to $1.73 billion in 2017. Net Income After Tax for the year was $1.56 billion, compared to $1.13 billion in 2017.
“EQUATERS across the globe defined excellence in 2018,” said Dr. Ramesh Ramachandran, CEO and President of the EQUATE Group. “The record-breaking EBITDA was a result of extraordinary performance across all functions. We had an exceptionally safe year without any recordable EH&S incidents across the globe, a manufacturing volume record at all global sites and a very good pricing environment – notably in the first three quarters – and excellent cost optimization.”
Looking ahead to 2019, Ramachandran said, “Global headwinds in the commodity environment and high volatility due to uncertainty of tariffs resulted in a slowdown in the fourth quarter that persists in early 2019. That said, EQUATERS have always overcome challenges and I have every confidence that their expertise and commitment will continue to result in success.”
The EQUATE Group maintained its leadership position as the second largest producer of EG globally, with EG production of over 2.5 million metric tons. This market leadership will be further strengthened in the coming months with an additional 750,000 MT in EG capacity as the new Oyster Creek, Texas Site comes on line on the US Gulf Coast.
ABOUT THE EQUATE GROUP
The EQUATE Group is a global producer of petrochemicals and the world’s second largest producer of ethylene glycol (EG). The Group owns and operates industrial complexes in Kuwait, North America and Europe that annually produce over 6 million tons of ethylene, EG, polyethylene (PE), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), styrene monomer (SM), paraxylene (PX), heavy aromatics (HA) and benzene (BZ). The EQUATE Group includes EQUATE Petrochemical Company (EQUATE), The Kuwait Olefins Company (TKOC), as well as a number of subsidiaries such as MEGlobal and Equipolymers. Their products are marketed throughout Asia, the Americas, Europe, the Middle East and Africa. The Group’s shareholders are Petrochemical Industries Company (PIC), The Dow Chemical Company (Dow), Boubyan Petrochemical Company (BPC) and Qurain Petrochemical Industries Company (QPIC). Employing more than 1,500 people worldwide, the EQUATE Group is a leading enterprise that pursues sustainability wherever it operates through partnerships in fields that include the environment, economy and society. Visit www.equate.com for more information.
Disclaimer
This earnings announcement (the Announcement) is for information only. The Announcement is based on unaudited financial information of EQUATE Petrochemical Co. K.S.C.C. and The Kuwait Olefins Co. K.S.C.C. (together with their consolidated subsidiaries, the EQUATE Group) which is subject to change without notice and the accuracy thereof is not guaranteed. The audited financial statements of the Group for the year ended 2018 are not currently available for publication but will be published by the EQUATE Group in due course. The information in the Announcement does not intend to contain all material information concerning the financial status of the EQUATE Group. We do not make any representation regarding, and assume no responsibility or liability (however arising and regardless of nomenclature) for, the accuracy or completeness of, or any errors or omissions in, any information contained in the Announcement.
Historical and current performance data are not necessarily indicative of future performance. Information contained in this Announcement may refer to forward-looking statements. The views in the Announcement are based on current assumptions which are subject to various risks and may change over time, as such we make no representations in respect of the correctness, accuracy, and/or completeness of such assumptions. Further, no assurance can be given that future events will occur, and/or that projections (if any) will be achieved. Past performance is not a reliable indication of future performance. Actual results may differ materially from those projected. The Announcement shall not be considered, or in any way construed, as an offering of securities.