COLOMBES, France—Arkema S.A. reported 2014 financials in line with its performance in 2013.
The firm's sales decreased 2.4 percent, while net income dropped less than a percent compared to 2013. Arkema reported sales of about $6.57 billion and net income of about $184 million.
Its fourth quarter results were similar, reporting sales of about $1.58 billion—an increase of 1.4 percent. Net income for the quarter increased about 9.5 percent to about $25.4 million.
“In a volatile macro-economic environment with moderate world growth, financial performance was impacted by challenging market conditions in fluorogases and—in the second half of the year—in acrylics,” Chairman and CEO Thierry Le Henaff said in a statement.
“Nevertheless, the majority of our product lines performed well, demonstrating their sound positioning in high added value niche markets. Following a more difficult first part of the year, performance in fourth quarter recovered to the same level as last year.”
Arkema said volumes only grew by 2.3 percent for 2014 supported by its Industrial Specialties and High Performance Materials segments. Its High Performance Materials segment was affected by the performance of polyamides, but sales held relatively steady at about $2 billion, a decrease of less than a percent compared to 2013.
Arkema also finalized its acquisition of global adhesives manufacturer Bostik S.A. for about $2 billion. The unit will be integrated into Arkema's High Performance Materials segment—which also houses the firm's existing adhesives business.
Industrial Specialties also held steady compared to 2013, at about $2.18 billion compared to about $2.2 billion in 2013.
Arkema said market conditions are expected to remain volatile and contrasted in 2015. The firm said capital expenditure for 2015 should represent about $500 million.
Arkema employs about 19,000 people in nearly 50 countries, operating research centers in North America, France and Asia.