Mixed figures for the additives producers.
Fuchs has revealed positive figures for sales revenue for the first half of 2014, with a 1% rise of €910.3m to €919.3m year-on-year. Although earnings before interest, tax and income (EBIT) have fallen slightly from €147m to €145m, the company stated that its recent growth initiative was bearing fruit, despite much of the positive effects being erroded by significant currency effects.
The growth plan focused on investment in plant, property and equipment in Germany, China and the US.
Meanwhile, additives group Calumet recorded a dip in income with Q2 EBITDA of $39m against $70m for the same time last year. The downturn was primarly as a result of a 30-day maintenance programme across its 60,000b/d Shreveport refinery in Louisiana, combined wth reduced margins in the fuel sector.