Recent financial results from some of the major players in the household and personal care products sectors, summarized in this issue, suggest that we can be cautiously optimistic over the prospects of the surfactants industry in the months aheadprovided of course that the pace of the on-going economic recovery can be maintained.
Germany's Henkel posted sales of โฌ3.96 bn in 3Q 2010, a 13.7% increase year on year, while net income rose by more than 90% (p 6). These figures better the 'good performance' shown in recent quarters, the company comments. In addition, the adjusted EBIT margin reached 13% for the quarter, the highest the company has ever recorded. Year to date sales were up 11.1% to โฌ11.36 bn and net profit almost doubled to โฌ889 M. Henkel credits successful innovations, strong brands, adaptation of cost structures and focus on strategic priorities as the main factors behind its strong 3Q performance in an environment it describes as 'persistently challenging'. In Laundry & Home Care, sales increased 8.4% to โฌ1.123 bn and EBIT rose 1.4% to โฌ139 M. Western Europe, led by Germany, recorded a substantial rise in sales and Africa/Middle East showed particularly strong organic growth. Sales in North America were down slightly due to competition. Heavy-duty detergents showed the strongest momentum in Laundry while both machine and hand dishwashing products performed well in the Home Care business. The Cosmetics/Toiletries sector also