Trading Update

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 Mondi Group Head of Strategy and Investor Relations	[phone]
Media Kerry Cooper Mondi Group Head of External Communication	[phone]
Richard Mountain FTI Consulting	[phone]

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  [phone]

Conference ID    3055818

Should you have any issues with accessing the dial-in conference call, please call [phone]. 

A replay facility will be available until 21 October 2021 (Pin number: 3055818). The dial in details are:

United Kingdom  0844 571 8951

Other  [phone]

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.