Umicore 2020 FY Presentation

Total Page:16

File Type:pdf, Size:1020Kb

Umicore 2020 FY Presentation Umicore FY 2020 performance 11 February 2021 Overview Highlights 2020 2021 outlook Maintaining strategic course while responding effectively to COVID-19 crisis 2020 business review 2020 financial review Wrap-up Q&A Umicore FY 2020 performance 2 Highlights 2020 Record earnings in unprecedented conditions ENERGY & SURFACE CATALYSIS TECHNOLOGIES RECYCLING Significant impact of pandemic Impact of pandemic on several end-markets Record performance with a on automotive market in H1 nearly doubling of adj. EBIT Umicore disproportionately Excluding impact of excess YoY, reflecting strong growth exposed to market recovery in inventories, Umicore’s EV across all business units H2 due to strong position in cathode materials volumes grew gasoline for LDV broadly in line with EV battery Exceptional metal price demand environment Strict cost management and operational excellence Adj. EBIT reflecting underutilized High activity levels despite initiatives capacity and pricing pressure in COVID-19 crisis and favorable China, as well as costs related to trading conditions recent and ongoing expansions Umicore FY 2020 performance 3 2021 outlook 2021 outlook Umicore expects to achieve substantial growth in earnings in 2021, with growth in all business Groups Given the current limited visibility, this outlook statement is made under the assumption that the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak would not result in additional material or protracted disruptions to the economy or Umicore’s operations CATALYSIS ENERGY & SURFACE RECYCLING TECHNOLOGIES Substantial growth in sales volumes of Favorable metal prices Further benefit from leading edge cathode materials for EVs technology offering in gasoline Supportive supply mix and applications for LDV in China and Persisting Chinese overcapacity and moderate volume growth in Europe pricing pressure Precious Metals Refining Initial impact of China VI legislation Some € 50m increase in fixed costs in If current elevated metal price for HDD applications Rechargeable Battery Materials levels were to prevail throughout the year, Adj. EBIT would increase Savings from footprint adjustments Volume growth to result in meaningful very significantly vs 2020 and cost improvements carried out Adj. EBIT growth, in line with current 1 in 2020 market consensus 1 Umicore has engaged Vara Research GmbH to survey brokerage analysts to provide analysts' consensus estimates to the market. The most recent consensus is available on https://vara-services.com/umicore/ Umicore FY 2020 performance 5 Maintaining the strategic course while responding effectively to the COVID-19 crisis Maintaining the strategic course… Strong regulatory drivers Umicore committed to strategic underpin Umicore’s growth investments in clean mobility strategy and recycling EU ambition : zero-emission mobility Greenfield cathode materials plant in Poland : China : Commissioning by end of H1 2021 NEV subsidy plan extended (2022) 1st industrial-scale plant in Europe Higher NEV penetration rate (20% by 2025, 50% by 2035) Fuel cell catalyst production ramp-up in Korea Green recovery measures and stimuli for Catalyst production capacity expansion in China cleaner mobility for LDV and HDV Stricter emission norms for ICE (China VI Multi-year investment program to improve safety regulation for HDD in July 2021) and environmental performance of Hoboken Increased need for a more circular recycling plant economy Umicore FY 2020 performance 7 … while responding effectively to the COVID-19 crisis Health & safety Strong capital Production and liquidity footprint management reassessment Remain top priority Strict cost Consolidation of Strict hygiene and management North American other precautionary Optimization of Automotive Catalysts measures working capital production Dedicated task force Postponement of Streamlining of monitoring global certain investments Cobalt & Specialty operations Materials activities Further strengthening of liquidity Impairment of certain assets Umicore FY 2020 performance 8 2020 business review Key figures FY 2020 REVENUES Adjusted EBIT Free Operating Cash Flow € 167 m (- € 39 m in 2019) € 3.2 bn € 536 m Net debt at € 1,414 m -4% YoY +5% YoY Net debt / LTM Adj. EBITDA 1.76x Adjusted NET PROFIT Adjusted EBITDA CAPEX € 403 m (Group share) € 322 m € 804 m Adjusted EPS € 1.34 Proposed gross annual dividend of +7% YoY € 0.75 per share ROCE 12.1% Record earnings in unprecedented conditions Note: All references to revenues in this document refer to revenues excluding metals (all revenue elements – value of purchased metals) Umicore FY 2020 performance 10 COVID-19 outbreak: significant impact on auto-industry FY 2020 YoY evolution of passenger car production across all powertrains (source: IHS & Umicore - 31/12/2020) China Europe North America Global market 21% 16% 20% 12% 9% 6% 5% 3% 3% 3% 5% 3% 1% 6% 3% 3% 1% 3% -1% -2% -2% -2% -4% -6% -5% -7%-5% -9% -8% -10% -12% -16% -18% -20% -21% -22% -27% -31% -34% -39% -47% -51% -62% -64% -84% -88% -93% -5% YoY -22% YoY -99% -20% YoY -18% YoY Jul Jul Jan Jul Jun Jul Oct Apr Feb Sep Apr Oct Dec Jan Jun Aug Apr Oct Nov Jan Jun Feb Mar Apr Oct Mar Nov Dec Aug Sep Jan Jun Mar Feb Aug Sep Nov Dec May May Feb Mar Nov Dec Aug Sep May May H1: shut down of car OEM’s assembly lines and dealerships in key regions as a result of government imposed lock-downs H2: pick-up in global car demand, albeit with discrepancies between regions in terms of timing, speed and intensity of the recovery Umicore FY 2020 performance 11 Catalysis FY 2020 performance Revenues -7% and Adj. EBIT -17%; reflecting severe impact from the pandemic in H1 REVENUES 1,500 1,360 1,460 1,364 1,253 1,163 Automotive Catalysts 1,200 743 652 794 Revenue decline much lower than global car market 900 565 620 contraction 600 Disproportionate benefit from market recovery in H2 300 598 633 709 717 571 H1 Outperformed LDV market in China and Europe 0 H2 2017 2018 2019 2020 Higher sales of catalysts for HDD applications 2016 Adjusted EBIT Cost savings (footprint adjustments + operational excellence initiatives) 200 185 166 168 152 154 150 82 99 75 85 Precious Metals Chemistry 100 Revenues down due to COVID-19 impact on 132 50 automotive industry 78 81 86 87 21 2017 2018 2019 2020 Continued strong demand for fuel cell catalysts 0 2016 million € Umicore FY 2020 performance 12 EV battery demand evolution Evolution global EV LDV battery demand (GWh) Global market 140 120% Global EV battery market up 17% to 137 137 GWh, driven by Europe 120 100% 100% 100 Regional differences in demand patterns: 79% 80% 80 Little year-on-year growth in China, well 60% 60% 60 below industry anticipations 40% 40 More than doubling of demand in 23% 20% Europe driven by CO2 Directive 20 17% 0 0% Contrasting evolution in China with demand 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 Global (LDV in Gwh) dropping in H1 and some recovery starting at Global YoY LDV GWh growth (%) year-end Source: EV Volumes, Umicore Umicore FY 2020 performance 13 E&ST FY 2020 performance Revenues -15%; Adj. EBIT -59%; severe COVID-19 impact and significant negative operating leverage REVENUES Rechargeable Battery Materials Lower cathode materials revenues: higher NMC volumes for 1,500 1,289 1,225 EVs; lower LCO and ESS volumes 1,250 1,045 1,000 894 Pricing pressure, underutilized capacity in China 639 618 750 610 488 Higher fixed costs related to expansions 495 500 322 250 650 607 557 288 398 Cobalt & Specialty Materials 0 H1 2017 2018 2019 2020 Lower revenues reflecting impact of COVID-19 2016 H2 Lower contribution from refining & recycling activities; reduced Adjusted EBIT demand for cobalt and nickel chemicals 300 257 250 recorded slightly higher revenues; revenues Electroplating 200 183 141 136 in Electro-Optic Materials decreased 150 81 100 82 79 75 50 45 121 102 21 37 61 54 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 million € Umicore FY 2020 performance 14 Recycling FY 2020 performance An exceptional metal price environment, in particular for rhodium Rhodium (EUR/kg) Palladium (EUR/kg) Gold (EUR/kg) 500,000 100,000 100,000 Historically high and volatile 450,000 +148% 90,000 +12% 90,000 +33% precious and PGM price levels in 400,000 Dec. 2019/2020* 80,000 Dec. 2019/2020* 80,000 Dec. 2019/2020* 2020, in particular for rhodium. 350,000 70,000 70,000 Rhodium price surged in H2 20 in a 300,000 60,000 60,000 context of tight supply and high 250,000 50,000 50,000 demand from the car industry as a result of increasingly stringent 200,000 40,000 40,000 emission norms. 150,000 30,000 30,000 Current prices for precious and 100,000 20,000 20,000 PGM metals already well above the 50,000 10,000 10,000 average received prices in 2020. 0 0 0 Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Jul Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Apr Oct Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan Jan 2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 2018 2019 2020 Source: Umicore *Comparison of average metal rates December 2019 vs December 2020 Umicore FY 2020 performance 15 Recycling FY 2020 performance Revenues +23%; Adj. EBIT +92%; higher metal prices and to a lesser extent favorable trading conditions and supply mix REVENUES 1,000 836 Precious Metals Recycling 681 750 641 650 626 396 Higher metal prices, particularly for PGMs 500 318 311 300 368 Supportive supply environment 250 440 323 339 327 313 Supportive trading conditions 0 H1 Higher processed volumes (vs. extended maintenance 2017 2018 2019 2020 in ‘19) 2016 H2 Adjusted EBIT Increased Jewelry & Industrial Metals revenues Substantial increase in earnings contribution from 400 362 Precious Metals Management 300 171 188 200 125 128 135 112 100 63 55 56 191 62 73 79 76 0 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 million € Umicore FY 2020 performance 16 2020 financial review Record Adj.
Recommended publications
  • September 2020 Introduction to Umicore We Are a Global Materials Technology and Recycling Group
    Umicore Investor Presentation September 2020 Introduction to Umicore We are a global materials technology and recycling group One of three global A leading supplier of key The world’s leading leaders in emission control materials for rechargeable recycler of complex waste catalysts for light-duty and batteries used in electrified streams containing heavy-duty vehicles and transportation and portable precious and other for all fuel types electronics valuable metals 3 With a unique position in clean mobility materials and recycling Internal Plug-In Hybrid Combustion Engine Electric Vehicle Umicore provides: Umicore provides: Emission control catalysts Battery cathode materials and emission control catalysts Full Electric Vehicle Fuel cells Umicore provides: Umicore provides: Battery cathode materials Electro-catalyst and battery cathode materials Present across all drive trains and offering sustainable closed- loop services 4 Built on sound foundations Supportive Unique business Industry leader in megatrends & model sustainability legislation resource scarcity more stringent emission control electrification recyclingrecycling of the automobile We help improve air quality, make electrified transport possible and tackle resource scarcity 5 5 With a robust financial performance and a global presence Key figures (FY 2019) Adj. Revenues EBITDA € 3.4 bn € 753 m Adj. EBIT ROCE € 509 m 12.6% 40% - Europe Revenues* by Clean geography 14% - North America mobility and R&D Recycling 6% of 4% - South America 75% of revenues revenues 39% - Asia-Pacific
    [Show full text]
  • Umicore Intends to Launch Squeeze-Out for Remainder of Agosi
    Press release 3 February 2021 – 08:30 am CET Umicore intends to launch squeeze-out for remainder of Agosi shares Umicore has informed its listed subsidiary Allgemeine Gold- und Silberscheideanstalt AG (“Agosi”) that it intends to purchase the 8.8 % shares it does not yet own from Agosi’s minority shareholders through a merger squeeze-out in accordance with German law. To determine the cash compensation for Agosi’s minority shareholders, a valuation of Agosi will be carried out by an independent valuer appointed by Umicore and a court-appointed auditor. Following a squeeze-out and subsequent delisting, Umicore would have flexibility to consider strategic options for the Jewelry & Industrial Metals activities within Agosi. These activities perform well from a commercial and financial point of view and Umicore wants to explore the best conditions for their further development. Umicore expects that the merger squeeze-out would be resolved upon by the general meeting of Agosi in the second or third quarter of 2021. Note to the editor: Umicore acquired Agosi upon the acquisition of the Precious Metals Group (“PMG”) in 2003 and currently holds 91.2 % of its shares. Agosi shares are listed on the Munich Freiverkehr stock exchange. Agosi, headquartered in Pforzheim, Germany, has an international presence and offers the full precious metals cycle and other precious metals services for the jewelry and coin industries, as well as for various industrial applications in electrical engineering, in automotive, in the chemical industry and in medical technology. Agosi’s activities are integrated in Umicore’s Jewelry & Industrial Metals business unit and one Agosi subsidiary is part of Umicore’s Electroplating business unit.
    [Show full text]
  • UMICORE SA (GROUP) Brussels - Belgium | Manufacture of Basic Precious and Other Non- 2020 Ferrous Metals Significant Operations in at Least One Risk Country
    EcoVadis Scorecard www.ecovadis.com UMICORE SA (GROUP) Brussels - Belgium | Manufacture of basic precious and other non- 2020 ferrous metals Significant operations in at least one risk country Publication date: 24 Jul 2020 Valid until: 24 Jul 2021 CSR Performance Insufficient Partial Moderate Advanced Outstanding Average score OVERALL SCORE ENVIRONMENT LABOR & HUMAN ETHICS SUSTAINABLE RIGHTS PROCUREMENT 73 /100 80 /100 80 /100 60 /100 60 /100 99th Weight Weight Weight Weight percentile Overall score distribution Theme score comparison 100 UMICORE SA (GROUP) ENVIRONMENT LABOR & HUMAN 100% 80 73 RIGHTS 60 75% 40 20 50% 50.36 41.55 25% 0% 4.36 3.74 SUSTAINABLE ETHICS 0 0 25 45 65 85 100 PROCUREMENT All companies assessed by EcoVadis in this industry UMICORE SA (GROUP) score All companies assessed by EcoVadis in this industry Strengths and Improvement Areas Environment Weight Strengths (38) Policies Strengths Quantitative objectives set on some relevant issues [i.e. GHG emissions, water] Comprehensive policy on a majority of environmental issues Endorsement of external initiative on environmental issues [i.e. The International Platinum Group Metals Association (IPA), Eurometaux, CIRAF, Fachvereinigung Edelmetalle] Actions Strengths Company-specific emergency preparedness and response procedure regarding local pollution Measures to minimize odor generation in rendering plant operations Control measures to monitor and/or prevent contamination of groundwater Measures to reduce CO2 emissions from transport Formalized procedure related to materials / chemicals management (e.g. storing, handling, transportation) Purchasing of renewable energy Registration of substances to the ECHA Reuse by-products from the process as raw materials or as raw material substitutes in other processes Monitoring of pollutant concentrations into waste gas (e.g.
    [Show full text]
  • Investor Presentation June 2021
    Umicore Investor Presentation June 2021 Introduction to Umicore We are a global materials technology and recycling group One of three global A leading supplier of key The world’s leading leaders in emission control materials for rechargeable recycler of complex waste catalysts for light-duty and batteries used in electrified streams containing heavy-duty vehicles and transportation and portable precious and other for all fuel types electronics valuable metals 3 With a unique position in clean mobility materials and recycling Internal Plug-In Hybrid Combustion Engine Electric Vehicle Umicore provides: Umicore provides: Emission control catalysts Battery cathode materials and emission control catalysts Full Electric Vehicle Fuel cells Umicore provides: Umicore provides: Battery cathode materials Electro-catalyst and battery cathode materials Present across all drive trains and offering sustainable closed- loop services 4 Built on sound foundations Supportive Unique business Industry leader in megatrends & model sustainability legislation resource scarcity more stringent emission control electrification recyclingrecycling of the automobile We help improve air quality, make electrified transport possible and tackle resource scarcity 5 5 Unique position in Automotive Catalysts CATALYSIS Strong growth drivers: Umicore best positioned to Tightening emission norms for capture growth in growing LDV and HDD, in particular in gasoline segment; technology China, Europe and India leader in cGPF platforms in China and Europe Significant value uplift
    [Show full text]
  • IEA: the Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions
    The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions World Energy Outlook Special Report INTERNATIONAL ENERGY AGENCY The IEA examines the full spectrum of IEA member countries: Spain energy issues including oil, gas and Australia Sweden coal supply and demand, renewable Austria Switzerland energy technologies, electricity Belgium Turkey markets, energy efficiency, access to Canada United Kingdom energy, demand side management Czech Republic United States and much more. Through its work, the Denmark IEA advocates policies that will Estonia IEA association countries: enhance the reliability, affordability Finland Brazil and sustainability of energy in its 30 France China member countries, 8 association Germany India countries and beyond. Greece Indonesia Hungary Morocco Please note that this publication is Ireland Singapore subject to specific restrictions that Italy South Africa limit its use and distribution. The Japan Thailand terms and conditions are available Korea online at www.iea.org/t&c/ Luxembourg Mexico This publication and any map included herein are Netherlands without prejudice to the status of or sovereignty New Zealand over any territory, to the delimitation of international frontiers and boundaries and to the Norway name of any territory, city or area. Poland Portugal Slovak Republic Source: IEA. All rights reserved. International Energy Agency Website: www.iea.org The Role of Critical Minerals in Clean Energy Transitions Foreword Foreword Ever since the International Energy Agency (IEA) was founded in world to anticipate and navigate possible disruptions and avoid 1974 in the wake of severe disruptions to global oil markets that damaging outcomes for our economies and our planet. shook the world economy, its core mission has been to foster secure This special report is the most comprehensive global study of this and affordable energy supplies.
    [Show full text]
  • DNX® SCR Catalysts and Technologies
    Comply without compromise DNX® SCR catalysts and technologies High-performance DeNOx catalysts and efficient SCR system designs 02 Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group with over 11,000 employees and a turnover of €17.5 billion in 2019. We generate the majority of our revenues and dedicate most of our R&D efforts to clean technologies. These include emission control catalysts, materials for rechargeable batteries and recycling. Umicore’s overriding goal of sustainable value creation is based on an ambition to develop, produce and recycle materials in a way that fulfils its mission: materials for a better life. 03 Comprehensive solutions for DeNOx applications Reduce NOx by up to 99% with proven Umicore technology Complying with emission standards without compromising performance or profitability is a challenge many industries are facing. With decades of broad experience, Umicore DNX® SCR applications, our high-efficiency solutions can reduce catalysts and system designs are meeting the challenge NOx by up to 99% with maximum reliability, even for customers around the world. For stationary when operating under severe conditions. The scope of SCR DeNOx products and services UMICORE Waste Stationary Biomass incineration and marine fired boilers SCR DENOX engines General Coal, oil Gas turbines FCC units, industrial and gas fired single and crackers, heaters processes boilers combined and other cycle processes Benefits at a glance: Our Services include: 1. Our SCR process designs have been implemented at • SCR system management including onsite inspections, over 2,000 sites worldwide performance assessments, and assistance with catalyst regeneration or disposal 2. Our engineering services make sure the value of investments is maximized • Catalyst sample retrieval, activity testing, accumulated poison analysis and remaining service life projection 3.
    [Show full text]
  • Innovation Roadmap in Clean Mobility Materials
    Seoul, Korea 6 June 2018 Innovation roadmap in clean mobility materials SPEAKER Denis Goffaux Chief Technology Officer Executive Vice-President Energy & Surface Technologies 2 Agenda Well to wheel efficiency considerations Key developments in xEV battery materials Key developments in fuel cells Wrap-up 3 On the road towards clean mobility Well to wheel efficiency considerations Well to wheel – efficiency to convert fossil energy into motive energy Well to tank – energy consumed to Tank to wheel – energy extract and transform fossil fuel into consumed to transform usable fuel (by extension, electricity) the chemical energy from fuel into motive energy 4 On the road towards clean mobility There’s nothing like BEV in terms of tank to wheel efficiency ENERGY CONTENT (Wh/kg) Gasoline 13,100 Diesel 12,700 Hydrogen 39,400 Li-Ion battery 280 APPROXIMATE TTW PER DRIVETRAIN Gasoline 25% Diesel 30% Tank to wheel – energy FCEV 50% consumed to transform the chemical energy from BEV 90% fuel into motive energy 5 On the road towards clean mobility Well to wheel sets a clear trend towards BEV…. 140 120 …. but it is an 2021: 100 95 g/km evolution and not a revolution 80 /km 2 Beyond During which 60 2021: gCO we need: <95 g/km 40 20 1 2 Typical C-segment car 0 Sources: JEC consortium, Cleaner and more Roland Berger study and Umicore estimates Diesel ICEs xEVs Gasoline CNG (EU-mix) BEV (renewables) FCEV (50% renew.)BEV (EU-mix 2030) Full Hybrid (gasoline)PHEV (30% electric) Tank to wheel Well to tank 6 Agenda Well to wheel efficiency considerations Key developments
    [Show full text]
  • B2136annex2.Pdf
    FEBELIEC vzw/asbl BluePoint Brussels, Bld. A. Reyerslaan 80, 1030 – Brussel/Bruxelles Tel: +32 (0)496 59 36 20, e-mail: [email protected], www.febeliec.be RPR Brussel - TVA/BTW BE 0439 877 578 Febeliec answer to the CREG consultation on the request for derogation from Elia on the minimum level of capacity to be made available for cross-zonal trade Febeliec would to thank CREG for this consultation on the request for derogation from Elia on the minimum level of capacity to be made available for cross-zonal trade. Febeliec would like to stipulate that it is not at all in favour of derogation on the 70% minRAM requirement, as any derogation leads to lesser cross-zonal trade and as such to less European market integration. However, Febeliec understands that it is important to ensure the integrity of the system and under that premise can accept derogations to the 70% minRAM requirement to the extent that these are only intended to ensure the integrity of the system without any additional margins and after all remedial actions have been applied, and this only as a last resort measure and on a temporary basis until the structural bottlenecks have been taken care of. As such, Febeliec will not oppose the proposal by Elia as this should ensure that as much cross-zonal capacity is given to the market, insofar indeed all available remedial actions have been taken to maximize this cross-zonal capacity. Febeliec also supports that the derogation for 2021 also is limited to only one of the three derogations on the 70% minRAM that were granted in 2020 and this as far as Febeliec is concerned only for non-predicable circumstances on critical grid elements.
    [Show full text]
  • Umicore 2.0 Clean Mobility and Recycling
    Environment and Resource Needs Impact Analysis Intent 3 Umicore 2.0 Clean mobility and recycling Umicore is a global materials technology and recycling group. Umicore dedicates its efforts to clean technologies, such as emission control catalysts, materials for Product Impact 3 3 Business Practices rechargeable batteries and recycling. Umicore’s ambition is to develop, produce 2.5 1.5 and recycle materials in a way that fulfils its mission: materials for a better life. Product Impact Intent Business Practices Umicore has high product impact in the context Umicore has undertaken a significant Challenges around safety appear to be at the Umicore of Positive Change holdings. The breadth and reorganisation of the business and has made more substantial end of things, albeit offset by depth of impact are both impressive and its significant investments to drive its strategy positives elsewhere, such as fully integrated criticality to a circular approach is likely to be for materials for the low carbon and circular sustainability across the business. increasingly important over time, particularly in economy. the context of electrification. Investment Case What challenge is the Climate change is the most significant challenge of our time and human activities are creating pollution Company tackling? in numerous forms from vehicle exhaust fumes to waste, to the detriment of land, sea and air. Umicore’s businesses aim to tackle vehicle emissions and resource scarcity, contributing to a circular economy. Reducing air pollution also helps to address healthcare challenges. The World Health Organisation Relevant Targets Relevant Products estimates that ambient air pollution causes 4 million premature deaths per year globally.
    [Show full text]
  • Surface Technology White Papers 100 (8), 1-8 (September 2013)
    Surface Technology White Papers 100 (8), 1-8 (September 2013) Cyanide-Free Electroplating of Cu-Sn Alloys by Uwe Manz,* Dr. Sascha Berger, Klaus Bronder, Klaus Leyendecker, Bernd Weyhmüller and Guenter Wirth Umicore Galvanotechnik GmbH Schwaebisch Gmuend, Germany Editor's Note: This paper is a peer-reviewed and edited version of a presentation delivered at NASF SUR/FIN 2012 in Las Vegas, Nevada on June 13, 2012. ABSTRACT Copper-tin (Cu-Sn) layers are well known and frequently used to avoid the use of nickel in many decorative and some technical applications. Consequently the plating of bronze has been with us for a long time. At present industrial electroplating is still performed from solutions containing cyanide. There have been many attempts to substitute for cyanide, but so far only with minor success. The results have not been satisfying with regards to appearance, operating window, plating speed and other properties. Therefore the cyanide-free electroplating of bronze is still just a wish for many platers. However, the requirements regarding legislation and environment are increasing and the problem to get a license for cyanide, especially in China, has become severe. Therefore the need for alternative cyanide-free electrolytes is high. This paper reviews some basic chemistry and some concepts as well as recent developments in the electroplating of Cu-Sn from cyanide-free electrolytes. The influence on properties like alloy composition, appearance and operating window are highlighted. Keywords: Copper-tin electroplating, bronze electroplating, cyanide substitutes, alloy electroplating Introduction Copper-tin (Cu-Sn) layers are well known and frequently used to avoid the use of nickel in many decorative and some technical applications.
    [Show full text]
  • News Release
    NEWS RELEASE Embargoed until Thursday 15 September 2016 UMICORE PRECIOUS METALS (THAILAND) LTD ACHIEVES RJC CHAIN-OF- CUSTODY RE-CERTIFICATION LONDON - RJC today announced that Umicore Precious Metals (Thailand) Ltd, has achieved Re- Certification against the RJC Chain-of-Custody (CoC) Standard. “RJC is delighted to congratulate Umicore Precious Metals (Thailand) Ltd on having achieved RJC CoC Certification. CoC Certification provides a mechanism for Members to demonstrate how they are implementing the OECD Due Diligence Guidance for Responsible Supply Chains,” says Andrew Bone, RJC’s Executive Director. Umicore Precious Metals (Thailand) Ltd’s CoC Certification results from a successful verification assessment conducted by UL Responsible Sourcing, an international auditing company accredited by the RJC. “In 2013, Umicore Precious Metals (Thailand) Ltd was one of the first companies achieving the highly regarded RJC Chain of Custody-certification, and we are very proud to achieve our recertification. We believe that metal-related materials have a vital role, as they can be efficiently and infinitely recycled, which makes them the basis for more sustainable products and services. The RJC and CoC principles correspond perfectly with our ambition to combine commercial success with social responsibility and a commitment to environmental protection,” says Jeroen Dejonckheere, Managing Director Umicore Precious Metals (Thailand) Ltd. For further information please contact: Gerhard Humphreys-de Meyer, Communications Coordinator, Responsible Jewellery Council Tel: +44 (0)207 321 0992, [email protected] About RJC The Responsible Jewellery Council is an international not-for-profit standards and certification organisation. It has more than 800 Member companies that span the jewellery supply chain from mine to retail.
    [Show full text]
  • Press Release Regulated Information – Inside Information 11 February 2021 - 07:30 CET
    Press release Regulated information – Inside Information 11 February 2021 - 07:30 CET UMICORE ANNOUNCES RECORD RESULTS AND PREPARES FOR CEO SUCCESSION Record earnings in unprecedented conditions Despite the severe disruption brought by the COVID-19 pandemic in its end-markets, Umicore posted its strongest financial performance ever, boosted by an exceptional PGM price environment. This underscores Umicore’s resilience and the merits of its strategy building on the complementarity of its activities. After a solid performance in the first half of 2020, with a strong result in Recycling offsetting the impact of the automotive industry downturn on the results of Catalysis and Energy & Surface Technologies, the second half of the year was marked by a strong sequential improvement in the Group’s revenues and earnings driven by continued robust operational performance and buoyant metal prices in Recycling, as well as strong growth in Catalysis. Full year adjusted EBIT was € 536 million, up 5% compared to the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA increased by 7% to € 804 million. Revenues in Catalysis decreased, albeit less than the global car market, due to Umicore’s strong market position in gasoline technologies for light-duty vehicles, particularly in China and Europe, as well as higher sales of heavy-duty diesel and fuel cells catalysts. Adjusted EBIT declined more than revenues for the full year reflecting the significant impact of the pandemic in the first half of the year. Revenues of Energy & Surface Technologies reflected the impact of the pandemic as well as lower sales of cathode materials for high-end portable electronics and energy storage applications.
    [Show full text]