On February 10, 2021 Kuraray Co., Ltd. reported that Business Results for the Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2020 (Unaudited) (Press release, Kuraray, FEB 10, 2021, https://pdf.irpocket.com/C3405/HTFv/kDuX/RKtl.pdf [SID1234575002]).
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1. Consolidated Financial Results for Fiscal 2020 (January 1, 2020 to December 31, 2020)
(1) Consolidated Operating Results (Percentage changes displayed for net sales, operating income, ordinary income and net income attributable to owners of the parent are comparisons with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.)
(2) Consolidated Financial Position
(3) Consolidated Cash Flows
2. Dividends
3. Forecasts of Consolidated Financial Results for the Fiscal Year Ending December 31, 2021 (January 1, 2021 to December 31, 2021) (Percentage changes displayed for net sales, operating income, ordinary income and net income attributable to owners of the parent are comparisons with the corresponding period of the previous fiscal year.)
1. Unconsolidated Results for Fiscal 2020 (January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2020) (Percentages displayed for net sales, operating income, ordinary income and net income attributable to owners of the parent are comparisons with the previous fiscal year.)
(1) Unconsolidated Operating Results
(2) Unconsolidated Financial Position
1. Qualitative Information regarding Business Results
(1) Overview of Consolidated Business Results In the fiscal year ended December 31, 2020 ("fiscal 2020"), the global economy rapidly declined due to the worldwide spread of COVID-19 at the beginning of the year as the prolonged trade war between the United States and China and emerging geopolitical risks around the globe caused global trade to shrink. Amid this environment, to support industrial supply chains, the Group maintained business activities after ensuring safety and taking thorough measures to prevent the spread of infection.
The Group’s long-term vision, Kuraray Vision 2026, is to become a "Specialty Chemical Company, growing sustainably by incorporating new foundational platforms into its own technologies." With the aim of realizing this vision, we will steadily take specific measures in line with the key management strategies underlined in the medium-term management plan "PROUD 2020." Through these efforts, we will also continue working to establish a new business portfolio from a medium-to long-term perspective. In fiscal 2020, demand for products used for electric, electronic, and food packaging applications remained steady even during the pandemic. However, demand for products for automotive and construction applications plunged, and, despite gradually recovering from the second half of the fiscal year, demand for the full year was much lower than in the previous year.
Consequently, consolidated operating results for fiscal 2020 are as follows: net sales decreased ¥34,009 million, or 5.9%, compared with the previous fiscal year to ¥541,797 million; operating income fell ¥9,831 million, or 18.1%, to ¥44,341 million; ordinary income decreased ¥8,530 million, or 17.7%, to ¥39,740 million; and net income attributable to owners of the parent totaled ¥2,570 million (compared with net loss attributable to owners of the parent of ¥1,956 million in the previous fiscal year). In fiscal 2020, Kuraray recognized a loss on litigation of ¥23,196 million which has been classified as an extraordinary loss mainly in connection with a fire in May 2018 at a group subsidiary in the United States. Results by Business Segment Vinyl Acetate Sales in this segment decreased 3.4% year on year to ¥257,114 million, and segment income fell 13.9% year on year to ¥40,779 million.
(1) Sales of PVA resin remained weak due to stagnant global demand and a subsequent production adjustment. Due to a recovery in demand, especially for large displays, the sales volume of optical-use poval film increased. Demand for PVB film gradually recovered from the third quarter onward despite the effects of stagnant demand for construction and automotive applications. However, sales of water-soluble PVA film expanded for use in unit dose detergent packets.
(2) The sales volume of EVAL ethylene vinyl alcohol copolymer (EVOH resin) increased for food packaging applications due to at-home consumption but gas tank applications remained weak. Isoprene Sales in this segment decreased 5.4% year on year to ¥50,390 million, and segment income fell 10.0% year on year to ¥3,808 million.
(1) Sales of isoprene chemicals and SEPTON thermoplastic elastomer began to recover from the fourth quarter despite being affected by stagnant demand, mainly in China and the rest of Asia.
(2) Sales of GENESTAR heat-resistant polyamide resin remained brisk for electric and electronic device applicationsFunctional Materials Sales in this segment decreased 0.8% year on year to ¥124,980 million, and segment income fell 21.9% year on year to ¥2,994 million.
(1) The overall methacrylate business was affected by rising raw material costs and worsening market conditions despite an increase in sales of spatter-blocking barrier panels and displays.
(2) In the medical business, the dental materials business struggled mainly in Europe and the United States in the first half of the year due to clinic closings caused by the pandemic and sales decreased.
(3) As for Calgon Carbon and the Carbon Materials business, sales were steady, especially of products for water treatment applications, even during the pandemic as such products underpin people’s daily lives.
Furthermore, in line with expanding demand for high-performance activated carbon, we decided to expand facilities at Calgon Carbon Corporation’s existing U.S. factory in the second quarter. In addition, with expanding demand for industrial applications, we decided in the third quarter to expand the facilities for reactivated carbon at our Belgian subsidiary. Fibers and Textiles Sales in this segment fell 15.7% year on year to ¥54,408 million while segment income decreased 61.9% year on year to ¥2,155 million.
(1) The sales volume of CLARINO man-made leather decreased due to receding demand, especially for shoe applications in Asia and luxury good applications in Europe.
(2) In fibers and industrial materials, the sales volume of KURALON decreased for cement reinforcement and rubber materials.
(3) In consumer goods and materials, the sales volume of KURAFLEX decreased as sales for automotive and cosmetic applications stagnated despite an increase in sales volume for mask-related applications. Trading In fiber-related businesses, despite firm sales for sports clothing, sales remained weak for materials and products for other applications due to a polyester fiber production adjustment as well as stagnant demand. However, demand for resins and chemicals recovered in China in the second half of the fiscal year and performance was on par with the previous year.
As a result, segment sales decreased 4.9% year on year to ¥124,438 million, and segment income fell 14.6% to ¥3,606 million.Others In other business, due to weak sales of domestic affiliates, segment sales declined 18.4% year on year to ¥41,707 million, and segment income fell 67.0% to ¥214 million.
(2) Overview of Financial Position We increased liquidity to prepare for funding aimed at securing resilience against financial risks caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Specifically, liquidity comprising cash and cash deposits and investment securities increased ¥86,888 million due mainly to an increase of ¥104,524 million in interest-bearing debt, including increases of ¥30,000 million in corporate bonds and ¥78,875 million in long-term loans payable. Due primarily to the above factors, total assets increased ¥60,435 million from the end of the previous fiscal year to ¥1,051,584 million. Total liabilities increased ¥83,499 million from the end of the previous fiscal year to ¥536,103 million due mainly to the aforementioned increase in interest-bearing debt and a decrease of ¥32,534 million in accrued expenses. Total net assets fell ¥23,064 million to ¥515,481 million. Equity attributable to owners of the parent amounted to ¥498,798 million, for an equity ratio of 47.4%.
(3) Overview of Cash Flows Cash Flows from Operating Activities: Net cash provided by operating activities totaled ¥79,947 million. Cash provided included ¥9,127 million from income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests. Cash used included ¥62,459 million in depreciation and amortization, a ¥16,731 million decrease in inventories, ¥9,624 million in income taxes paid, and ¥37,543 million from loss on litigation paid.Cash Flows from Investing Activities: Net cash used in investing activities totaled ¥64,025 million. Contributing factors included a ¥14,625 million decrease in investment securities and ¥83,490 million used for the purchase of tangible fixed assets and intangible fixed assets.
Cash Flows from Financing Activities: Net cash provided by financing activities was ¥91,508 million. Cash provided included ¥79,274 million in proceeds from long-term loans payable and ¥30,000 million from corporate bonds. Cash used included a ¥4,000 million decrease in commercial paper and cash dividends paid totaling ¥14,784 million. The above factors along with the effect of exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents resulted in a ¥106,116 million increase in cash and cash equivalents at the end of the fiscal year to ¥182,084 million.
(4) Outlook for Fiscal 2021 In the next year, the global economy is expected to gradually head toward recovery as countries around the world grapple with stopping the spread of COVID-19 and maintaining economic activity. Although the recovery situation is expected to differ for each region and industry, a full recovery is forecast for the second half of the fiscal year onward. At the same time, it is difficult to predict the impact of a shift in U.S. government policies under the newly elected president on trade with China and the actual economy.
Accordingly, the uncertain outlook is expected to continue into the next fiscal year as well. Based on these circumstances, the forecast of operating results for fiscal 2021 is as shown below. Furthermore, although we recorded an extraordinary loss in fiscal 2020 related to the litigation over the fire at the U.S. subsidiary, the litigation is still ongoing.
(5) Basic Policies Related to Profit Distribution and Dividends in Fiscal 2020 and 2021 The Company positions the distribution of profits to all shareholders as a priority management issue. Our basic policy is to increase profit distribution through the sustainable improvement of operating results. During "PROUD 2020" (fiscal 2018–2020), our basic policy was to ensure a total return ratio of at least 35% as a proportion of net income attributable to owners of the parent and an annual dividend per share of ¥40. Under this policy, the interim dividend in fiscal 2020 was ¥21 per share, and the year-end dividend is expected to amount ¥19, for a total annual dividend of ¥40 per share.
In fiscal 2021, continuing with the policy for the "PROUD 2020" period, our basic policy is to ensure a total return ratio of at least 35% as a proportion of net income attributable to owners of the parent, and an annual dividend of at least ¥40 per share. We therefore plan to pay out an annual dividend of ¥40 (dividend payout ratio: 45.86%) comprising an interim dividend of ¥20 and a year-end dividend of ¥20, having set a prerequisite of recording ¥30.0 billion in net income attributable to owners of the parent.
2. Management Policies
(1) Fundamental Management Policies Kuraray’s mission is: "For people and the planet—to achieve what no one else can." Based on this, the Company has established the Kuraray Vision 2026 long-term vision, which we aim to realize by 2026, the centennial of the Company’s founding. The vision for Kuraray is of being a: "Specialty Chemical Company growing sustainably by incorporating new foundational platforms into its own technologies." Kuraray will remain a company that provides the world with unmatched specialty products and services while creating value with society.
(2) Management Indicator Targets, Medium-to Long-Term Strategies and Issues to Be Addressed In line with Kuraray Vision 2026, the Group established the three basic policies listed below. 1) Pursue competitive superiority Kuraray will continue to enhance its competitiveness by developing high-value-added products and applications based on customer needs, strategically reinforcing initiatives with the understanding that burgeoning emerging countries offer new opportunities, and achieving innovation and improvement of production and operational processes through the use of IoT.
2) Expand new business fields We will expand new business fields through the creation of new businesses by improving on Kuraray’s own technologies and incorporating external ones, the capture of new business areas by M&A and alliance, and the establishment of a new business model bundling technology and services.
3) Enhance comprehensive strength of the Kuraray Group Kuraray will establish global business foundations in line with its expanding businesses, create a workplace in which employees find their jobs rewarding to attract high-quality, diverse talent from around the world, and cultivate a strong culture of unity within the Kuraray Group while reinforcing measures to ensure thorough compliance. Through the implementation of the basic policies listed above, the Company will further strengthen its core segment of vinyl acetate-related business, establish second and third pillars of business, and create new future-oriented businesses with the aim of building a new portfolio for sustainable growth. During the period of the medium-term management plan "PROUD 2020,
" we acquired Calgon Carbon Corporation, which is the largest activated carbon producer in the world, and decided to expand activated carbon facilities in the United States with the aim of further expanding business. We also decided to invest in the construction of a new isoprene plant in Thailand. In addition, we have strengthened initiatives aimed at building a forward-looking, stable business portfolio by steadily implementing targeted strategic measures to achieve growth, including expanding facilities for optical-use and water-soluble PVA films.
In 2020, which is the last fiscal year of the plan, demand in many industries fell sharply due to stagnant economic activity around the world caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Although demand began to recover from the third quarter, especially in China and the United States, full-year operating results have turned out to be lower than the annual plan. Considering that the effects of the pandemic are still unclear, the next medium-term management plan will span five years, from 2022 to 2026—the 100th anniversary of Kuraray’s founding, and 2021 will be covered by a single-year management plan.
In 2021, we will move steadily ahead with the construction of the new isoprene plant in Thailand, an investment decision made under "PROUD 2020," and accelerate the generation of integrated synergies with Calgon Carbon in the environmental solutions business (activated carbon business) as well as further expanding our vinyl acetate-related businesses. In addition, we will promote our group-wide digital strategy, make it possible to reform operational processes and swiftly build business strategies, and focus on developing digitally proficient personnel. In this way, we will strengthen our competitive position while looking to ensure the continuity of these efforts and the next medium-term management plan slated to start in 2022.
In addition, there was a fire that resulted in injuries of outside contract workers at a U.S. subsidiary in May 2018, and a civil lawsuit was filed seeking damages. Although we have reached a settlement with some of the plaintiffs, the litigation continues. To ensure a similar fire does not occur again, safety inspections have been conducted at our main overseas chemical plants since 2019 under the guidance of the Kuraray headquarters in an effort to revise and strengthen safety measures. In 2020, we conducted safety inspection at two plants in Europe and two plants in the United States. We confirmed the status of improvement on issues identified in 2019 and identified new issues. Going forward, we will address the newly identified issues while continue diligently working to enhance the safety of our equipment atplants, revise and improve management systems and manuals, enhance employee education, and take other such measures.
3. Basic Approach to Selection of Accounting Standards The Kuraray Group applies Japanese generally accepted accounting principles ("GAAP"). The Kuraray Group is considering the adoption of International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") and other matters while taking into account various circumstances in Japan and overseas
.(5) Notes regarding Consolidated Financial Statements Notes regarding Going Concern Assumptions None Changes to Presentation Methods (Regarding Consolidated Cash Flow Statements) "Insurance received" and "insurance income," which had been listed separately under net cash provided by (used in) operating activities in the previous consolidated fiscal year, were included in the "Other, net" line item in fiscal 2020 because their financial significance had diminished. To reflect this change in presentation methods, we revised the consolidated financial statements of the previous fiscal year. As a result, in the consolidated cash flow statement of the previous fiscal year, the −¥11,374 million presented for insurance received and the ¥11,374 million presented for insurance income under net cash provided by (used in) operating activities were reclassified as "Other, net." Changes to Accounting Estimates
●Loss on litigation Regarding the fire that occurred in May 2018 at the Company’s U.S. subsidiary, in the previous fiscal year Kuraray recorded an estimate of part of the damages sought through litigation brought against several companies, including said U.S. subsidiary. However, due to subsequent progress made in the litigation and settlement negotiations, we were able to make a more rational estimate of the loss. We therefore revised our estimate, and the difference between the original and new estimates is listed under extraordinary loss. As a result, fiscal 2020 income before income taxes and noncontrolling interests decreased ¥5,212 million.
Segment and Other Information (Segment Information) 1. Segment Overview The business segments reported by Kuraray are the business units for which the Company is able to obtain respective financial information separately in order for the Board of Directors to conduct periodic investigations to determine the distribution of management resources and evaluate their business results. Kuraray adopts an in-house company system where each in-house company conducts business activities and establishes its own comprehensive strategy, both for Japan and for overseas markets, for the products it handles. In addition, among Kuraray subsidiaries, Kuraray Trading Co., Ltd. independently conducts propriety planning and sales activities, including the processing and sale of Kuraray Group products as well as other companies’ products. Consequently, Kuraray has created five business segments for reporting – "Vinyl Acetate," "Isoprene,""Functional Materials," "Fibers and Textiles" and "Trading" – categorized by product group based on the respective in-house companies and the Trading segment. The Vinyl Acetate segment manufactures and markets functional resins and film, including PVA, PVB and EVAL. The Isoprene segment manufactures and markets SEPTON thermoplastic elastomer, isoprene-related products and GENESTAR.
The Functional Materials segment manufactures and markets methacrylic resin, medical products and carbon materials. The Fibers and Textiles segment manufactures and sells synthetic fibers and textiles, CLARINO man-made leather, non-woven fabrics and others. The Trading segment mainly processes and sells synthetic fibers and man-made leather, and conducts planning and marketing for other products produced by the Kuraray Group and other companies. 2. Methods for Calculating Reporting Segment Net Sales, Income and Loss, Assets and Other Items The accounting method applied to reported business segments is the same as that used in creating the consolidated financial statements. Profits from reported segments are operating income, and intersegment sales and transfers are based on the prevailing market prices