Kemira's Q3 operative EBITDA fell 18% as raw material cost inflation outpaced price hikes, prompting the firm to reiterate its conservative full-year guidance amid ongoing market volatility.
Kemira's Q3 2026 performance was significantly impacted by raw material cost inflation stemming from the conflict in the Middle East, leading to an 18% decline in operative EBITDA and a margin contraction to 15.9%. While revenue grew 3% due to acquisitions, the company struggled to fully offset rising input costs through price increases, particularly in the packaging and paper markets. Management has maintained its full-year guidance, anticipating a EUR 100 million negative impact from cost inflation, with only half expected to be recovered via pricing.
Kemira estimates a negative impact of approximately EUR 100 million on the 2026 cost base, with roughly 50% expected to be offset by price increases.
Kemira expects operative EBITDA to be between EUR 400 million and EUR 500 million for the full year 2026.
Revenue increased by 3% year-on-year, primarily driven by the positive impact of acquisitions, while organic revenue in local currencies remained stable.
Kemira Oyj reported an 18% decline in Q3 operative EBITDA to EUR 112.8 million, pressured by raw material cost inflation linked to Middle East geopolitical tensions. While revenue grew 3% to EUR 708.9 million due to acquisitions, profitability margins tightened significantly, leading the company to maintain its cautious full-year outlook.
The decline is primarily attributed to raw material and logistics cost inflation resulting from geopolitical tensions in the Middle East, which the company has only been able to partially offset through customer price increases.