Key highlights YTD 3Q2020 vs YTD 3Q2019 •
Strong operational performance maintained as the Group saw improved production volume and recorded higher plant utilisation rate of 95%.
•
Revenue remained healthy at RM10.5 billion albeit a decrease of 13% year-on-year largely due to lower product prices, contributed by weaker crude oil prices coupled with soft demand for petrochemicals and high level of supply volumes.
•
Earnings Before Interest, Taxation, Depreciation and Amortisation (EBITDA) margin slid to 23% on the back of product margin compression caused by lower prices.
• EBITDA and PAT stood at RM2.4 billion and RM1.1 billion respectively.
Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Datuk Sazali Hamzah commented, "PCG recorded stronger performance in 3Q2020 from continued focus on operational and commercial excellence, which ensured our readiness to capture market recovery. Combined with our strong presence in key regional markets and close collaboration with our customers, we are well-positioned to reap the benefits of the reopening of regional economies and resumption of manufacturing activities. These factors, together with stabilised crude oil prices led to demand recovery and improvement in petrochemical prices”.
Notwithstanding the favourable market improvements in 3Q2020, the Group maintains its cautiously optimistic view that a more meaningful and gradual recovery will occur in 2021. “While the prices of petrochemicals are expected to be in line with the recovery momentum, recent reintroductions of COVID-19 containment measures may have a dampening effect on the market recovery. To mitigate potential headwinds and ensure resilience, PCG will continue to focus on operational efficiency, commercial excellence and maintain strict financial discipline,” he added.
Reiterating on PCG’s growth plans, Datuk Sazali said, “Our projects in Pengerang Integrated Complex (PIC) are scheduled for start-up in 1Q2021. PIC will increase our petrochemical production capacity by about 15% to 14.6 million metric tonnes per annum.”
“Despite the challenging business environment, we continue to pursue our investments in downstream value chains and specialty chemicals such as butadiene derivatives, ethoxylates, polyether polyols and silicone derivatives. Moving forward, we expect to continue investing in innovative and high-value specialty chemicals to complement the expansion of our core business. This future-proofing strategy will further strengthen PCG’s resilience” he concluded.
SOURCE: PETRONAS Chemicals Group Berhad
FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
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Email: yogeswari.thangavel@petronas.com--BERNAMA 
