#Textile chemistry

2015-04-23

Novozymes Q1 in line with expectations; 2015 outlook adjusted for currencies

Novozymes, the world’s largest producer of industrial enzymes, today announced its first quarter results for 2015. Sales in the first quarter of 2015 grew by 8% organically and by 18% in DKK compared with Q1 2014. EBIT grew by 6%, and the EBIT margin was 27.4%.

Adjusting for the one-time impact from The BioAg Alliance in Q1 2014, EBIT grew by ~20%, and the EBIT margin expanded by ~1 percentage point compared with Q1 2014. The EBIT margin expansion was mainly due to currencies. Net profit grew by 2%, and free cash flow before acquisitions came in at DKK 610 million.

The 2015 outlook is adjusted for currencies only. Organic sales growth is expected at 7-9%. Currencies are expected to provide further tailwind, and sales in DKK are now expected to increase by 16-18% compared with 13-15% at previous guidance. The expectation for EBIT growth is increased by 3 percentage points to 15-17%, and the EBIT margin is adjusted to ~27%. The expectation for net profit growth is increased to 11-13%, up from 10-12%. Expectations for net investments, cash flow and ROIC are unchanged.

“First-quarter sales and earnings were good and, overall, in line with our expectations at 8% organic sales growth and an EBIT margin above 27%”, says CEO Peder Holk Nielsen. “We see good developments within the agriculture and food markets but also detect a growing uncertainty in Household Care and Bioenergy, as customers navigate volatile currency, grain and energy markets. We're positive about the year as a whole and, due to the appreciation of the US dollar, we increase our outlook.”

Pic: The results as a graphic

SOKO presents low-impact denim finishing innovations at Denim PV Milan

SOKO will present a range of sustainable denim finishing technologies and collaborative projects at the upcoming Denim Première Vision Milan on 20–21 May in Milan. At booth G27 in Superstudio Più, the company will showcase new chemical solutions designed to combine fashionable denim effects with reduced environmental impact.

STOLL: Agreement signed for the divestiture of selected assets

In early 2025, KARL MAYER announced its strategic decision to focus on its core business areas of WARP KNITTING, WARP PREPARATION, and TECHNICAL TEXTILES. As part of this move, the flat knitting machine business under the STOLL brand was discontinued and the production site in Reutlingen was closed in October 2025.

TERNAfil wins first place at PitchMiUp Night 2026 in Minden

The RWTH spin-off TERNAfil has developed MAXCarbon, a new high-performance hybrid fibre that combines the mechanical performance of carbon with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. For this development, TERNAfil was awarded first prize at the PitchMiUp Night in Minden on 21 May 2026.

Carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre proves its worth – NRW Minister for Science Mona Neubaur congratulates ITA start-up TERNAfil

MAXCarbon technology, a novel carbon-ceramic hybrid fibre developed by ITA spin-off TERNAfil, secured third place at the HIGH-TECH.NRW Demo Day on the TÜV NORD campus in Essen. The technology combines the strength of carbon fibres with the temperature and corrosion resistance of ceramic materials. Mona Neubaur, Minister for Science in North Rhine-Westphalia, congratulated the team on their success and on winning prize money of 4,000 euros.