(AOF) – Groupe Berkem, a key player in plant chemistry, announced its consolidated turnover for the financial year ended December 31, 2022, amounting to 51.8 million euros, up by +12 .4%. The company was driven by its four markets “Construction & Materials”, “Hygiene & Protection”, “Health, Beauty & Nutrition”, “Industry” in France and internationally.
Olivier Fahy, Chairman and CEO of Groupe Berkem, commented: “Despite a 2022 financial year marked by an inflationary context and persistent tensions at the geopolitical level, Groupe Berkem has been able to stay the course and continue its growth dynamic, on the right track to achieve its 2024 objectives. This was made possible by strategic investments, in particular in Lixol, which posted a good performance over the whole period. In addition, we strengthened our international coverage in the fourth quarter by associating with the Barentz group, which now distributes our ingredients in North America but also in Germany, Austria and German-speaking Switzerland. In 2023, we intend to strengthen our growth and will remain attentive to external growth opportunities that may arise.”
The group will announce its 2022 annual results and its sales for the 1st quarter of 2023 on April 27, after market close.
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Nothing is going well for German chemistry
German chemicals, very dependent on Russian gas, are in difficulty. Following sluggish sales in the automotive sector and falling demand in construction, production is down 8.5% in 2022, with overall sales down 1.6% to 63.1 Billions of Euro’s. Specialty chemicals are doing better. On the other hand, the production capacity utilization rate in basic chemicals has slowed markedly to less than 80%. Germany’s third industrial sector is tempted by relocation to the United States, where energy costs are much lower. With the Inflation Reduction Act, the United States has put in place an appropriate environment for the current challenges.