The CPH Group’s extensive endeavours to offset the adverse impact of a strong Swiss franc paid off in all three of the Group’s business divisions in the first six months of 2016. Total net first-half sales amounted to CHF 219.5 million, a 10.1% increase on the prior-year period; and first-half EBITDA and EBIT were both raised by well over CHF 20 million, to CHF 22.0 million and CHF 6.0 million respectively. CPH expects to report a positive operating result for 2016 as a whole.

The stronger Swiss franc and lower paper prices had a negative impact on the business activities of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG in 2015. The CPH Group's sales fell by 14.7% to CHF 420.0 million, and EBIT declined to CHF -21.8 million. The Group aims to return to profitability at operating level in 2016.

The Paper Division of the CPH Group has almost halved its greenhouse gas emissions per tonne of paper produced at its Perlen operating site in the last five years. The business is also a European leader in its heating and electricity efficiency, as its 2015 Environmental Impact Statement – its first ever – confirms.

The Canton of Zurich is to build a cantonal school on the site of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG's chemicals division in Uetikon am See in a few years' time. CPH can continue to produce at the existing site for the time being and is considering relocating production to the surrounding area or abroad.

Manfred Häner to relinquish his position after four years

The CPH Group has agreed to acquire a majority shareholding in Jiangsu ALSIO Technology of the Jiangsu Feixiang Group. The purchase of China’s leading manufacturer of molecular sieves marks a further milestone in CPH’s current expansion strategy.

All three business divisions of the CPH Group increased their sales volumes in the first half of 2015 over the same period last year. But with a weaker euro and lower paper prices, net group sales for the period fell 18.0% to CHF 199.3 million, and the first-half group EBIT of CHF -18.5 million was a CHF 27.8 million decline on the prior-year period. On a brighter note, and despite a strong Swiss franc, the Chemistry and Packaging divisions achieved slight year-on-year improvements in their first-half EBIT results.

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG increased its net sales by 2.3% to CHF 492.5 million in 2014, and achieved earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of CHF 16.0 million for the year. The 2015 Ordinary General Meeting will be asked to approve an unchanged capital repayment from the capital contribution reserve of CHF 13.00 per share, along with a 20-for-1 stock split. With lower paper prices and the abolition of the minimum euro exchange rate, CPH expects to post a negative operating result for 2015.

Kaspar W. Kelterborn and Manuel Werder are to be proposed for election to the Board of Directors of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG at the company’s 2015 Annual General Meeting. The nominees would succeed Hanspeter Balmer, who relinquished his seat this summer, and Max Walter, who will not be standing for re- election for age reasons.

The CPH Group generated net sales of CHF 242.9 million in the first six months of 2014. The net sales result, which is broadly in line with prior-year levels, was achieved in a challenging business environment. Thanks to further efficiency enhancements and a lower depreciation base, group first-half EBIT was improved by CHF 22.9 million to a positive CHF 9.3 million. CPH also successfully issued its first-ever Swiss-franc bond.

Hanspeter Balmer is relinquishing his mandate on the Board of Directors of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG in mid-term for health reasons.

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG (CPHN) is issuing its first-ever Swiss-franc corporate bond on the Swiss capital market. The CHF 120 million bond carries a coupon of 2,75 %.

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG (CPHN), the holding company of the CPH Group, returned to profit in the first five months of the current business year.

Perlen Packaging, the packaging division of the CPH Group, has earned the Silver ASCO Award for 2014 for its successful implementation of its transformation strategy.

Perlen Packaging, the packaging division of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG, is to establish a new film coating production facility in China. The new plant will commence operations in 2016, and should provide further impetus for the present growth in the Asian pharmaceuticals market.

The CPH Group faced another challenging market environment in 2013 in operational terms. The Group generated net sales of CHF 481.3 million and achieved consolidated earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) of CHF 30.9 million for the year. As already communicated at the beginning of 2014, the radically- changed market environment has prompted the Group to effect a CHF 250.9 million impairment to tangible fixed assets. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) declined accordingly to CHF –277.6 million, and the net result for the year to CHF –271.5 million. Even after the impairment, however, the CPH Group remains in sound financial health with a balance sheet equity ratio of 64%.

Perlen – After the fire end of October 2013 at the winder of the LWC line, the production of PM4 at Perlen Papier AG has been successfully resumed on December 19th.

Despite increasing its product volumes sold, the CPH Group saw its net annual sales decline to CHF 481.1 million for 2013, 1.6% down from the previous year. In view of the significant changes in the market environment over the past few years (particularly in the Paper and Silicate Chemistry Divisions), CPH is to reassess – with a view to possible impairments – the values of its tangible fixed assets in Switzerland.