Wrap Text
Mondi plc
(Incorporated in England and Wales)
(Registered number: 6209386)
LEI: 213800LOZA69QFDC9N34
LSE share code: MNDI ISIN: GB00B1CRLC47
JSE share code: MNP
7 October 2021
Trading update: Strong Q3 performance
Underlying EBITDA for the third quarter was '388 million, up 27% compared to the prior year period
(Q3 2020: '306 million) and 9% on a sequential basis (Q2 2021: '356 million).
Andrew King, Chief Executive Officer, said: 'Mondi delivered a strong performance in the third quarter with
higher average prices across the business and strong volume growth year-on-year, against a backdrop of
sharply higher input costs. Throughout this period of high demand, we remained focused on ensuring
security of supply and high-quality service for our customers. Our growth is underpinned by our leading
packaging portfolio and we continue to develop innovative and sustainable packaging solutions to help our
customers achieve their environmental goals.
Our major capital investment projects are progressing well. With these investments we capture opportunities
in our growing packaging markets, strengthen our cost competitiveness and deliver sustainability benefits.
We also have expansionary projects underway at a number of our converting operations to grow with our
customers, enhance our product and service offering, and improve efficiencies and converting costs. We
are excited by the possibilities offered by our high-quality asset base, supported by strong structural growth
trends in the markets we serve, including eCommerce and the demand for more sustainable packaging
solutions, and we continue to evaluate further organic development opportunities in our packaging
businesses.'
Business unit overview
Demand for Corrugated Packaging continued to be strong across all end-uses. On the back of tight global
markets, we implemented price increases during the quarter across our portfolio of containerboard grades.
Corrugated Solutions performed strongly, growing volumes significantly year-on-year, while making good
progress in passing on higher input paper costs. The integration of the Olmuksan acquisition continues to
progress well.
Flexible Packaging delivered strong volume growth in consumer, building and construction, eCommerce
and specialised applications. On the back of strong order books, price increases across our range of kraft
papers and paper bags were implemented during the quarter, where not fixed by annual or semi-annual
contracts. The business made progress in passing on higher plastic resin costs.
Engineered Materials' performance in the quarter was stable, as expected, with good volume growth in
functional papers and films driven by a recovery in industrial and specialised applications, and strong
demand for sustainable packaging materials.
Uncoated Fine Paper sales volumes increased year-on-year with our customers valuing the stability of a
long-term supplier in the key markets where we operate. Average uncoated fine paper prices were higher
both year-on-year and sequentially, following price increases implemented during the year.
Input costs and maintenance shuts
Input costs were significantly higher in the quarter, both year-on-year and sequentially. When compared with
the second quarter of 2021, we saw higher energy, resins, transport and chemical costs. Paper for recycling
costs were mostly stable, although they increased towards the end of the quarter. Energy costs in Europe
increased through the period and rose sharply at the end of the quarter on the back of material increases in
electricity and gas prices. We expect them to remain at these elevated levels in the fourth quarter.
The impact of scheduled maintenance shuts on underlying EBITDA during the period was around '30
million. The fourth quarter's impact is estimated at around '70 million, in line with previous estimates, and
includes an extended project-related shut at Richards Bay (South Africa) as part of the ongoing
modernisation programme at the mill.
Outlook
Demand remains strong and we are implementing price increases across the business that will support the
recovery of ongoing inflationary pressures. While in the short term the fourth quarter will be impacted by
recent input cost increases alongside planned maintenance and project-related shuts, the Group remains
well-placed to deliver sustainably into the future, supported by our leading offering of sustainable packaging
solutions, integrated cost-advantaged asset base and culture of continuous improvement.
Contact details
Investors/analysts
Clara Valera +44 193 282 6357
Mondi Group Head of Strategy and Investor Relations
Media
Kerry Cooper +44 193 282 6323
Mondi Group Head of External Communication
Richard Mountain +44 790 968 4466
FTI Consulting
Conference call dial-in details
A conference call will be held today at 08:00 (UK) / 09:00 (South Africa).
The conference call dial-in numbers are:
UK 0800 279 6619
South Africa 0800 014 552
Other +44 2071 928 338
Conference ID 3055818
Should you have any issues with accessing the dial-in conference call, please call +44 2071 928 338.
A replay facility will be available until 21 October 2021 (Pin number: 3055818). The dial in details are:
United Kingdom 0844 571 8951
Other +44 3333 009 785
Notes
This trading update provides an overview of our financial performance and financial position since the half-
year ended 30 June 2021. Financial metrics have not been audited or reviewed by Mondi's external auditors.
Underlying EBITDA is an Alternative Performance Measure that is not defined or specified according to
International Financial Reporting Standards. This measure is defined as operating profit before special items,
depreciation, amortisation and impairments not recorded as special items.
About Mondi
Mondi is a global leader in packaging and paper, contributing to a better world by making innovative
packaging and paper solutions that are sustainable by design. Our business is integrated across the value
chain ' from managing forests and producing pulp, paper and plastic films, to developing and manufacturing
effective industrial and consumer packaging solutions. Sustainability is at the centre of our strategy and
intrinsic in the way we do business. We lead the industry with our customer-centric approach, EcoSolutions,
where we ask the right questions to find the most sustainable solution. In 2020, Mondi had revenues of
'6.66 billion and underlying EBITDA of '1.35 billion.
Mondi has a premium listing on the London Stock Exchange (MNDI), and a secondary listing on the JSE
Limited (MNP). Mondi is a FTSE 100 constituent, and has been included in the FTSE4Good Index Series
since 2008 and the FTSE/JSE Responsible Investment Index Series since 2007.
Sponsor in South Africa: UBS South Africa Proprietary Limited.
Date: 07-10-2021 08:00:00
Supplied by www.sharenet.co.za
Produced by the JSE SENS Department. The SENS service is an information dissemination service administered by the JSE Limited ('JSE').
The JSE does not, whether expressly, tacitly or implicitly, represent, warrant or in any way guarantee the truth, accuracy or completeness of
the information published on SENS. The JSE, their officers, employees and agents accept no liability for (or in respect of) any direct,
indirect, incidental or consequential loss or damage of any kind or nature, howsoever arising, from the use of SENS or the use of, or reliance on,
information disseminated through SENS.