Announcements

25.06.2024

CPH Group AG embarks on new business era after successful spinoff of its paper manufacturing activities

• Separation of paper business from chemistry and packaging activities successfully effected • Newly named CPH Group AG will seek further organic and non-organic growth • Off-exchange trading in shares of the newly spun-off and newly founded Perlen Industrieholding AG begins today

20.06.2024

Extraordinary General Meeting approves separation of paper business from chemistry and packaging activities

• The shareholders of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG have approved the creation of two separate companies, the stock exchange-listed CPH Group AG and the off-exchange Perlen Industrieholding AG. • Existing CPH shareholders will receive one registered share in the new Perlen Industrieholding AG for every CPH registered share they hold through the distribution of a dividend-in-kind which will be effected by 27 June 2024. • The first trading day for the shares of Perlen Industrieholding AG has been scheduled for 25 June 2024.

29.04.2024

Successful closing completes CPH Group’s acquisition of Sorbead India and Swambe Chemicals

The CPH Group has concluded its acquisition of Indian-based Sorbead India and Swambe Chemicals, continuing its strategy of expanding its global market position in regions with high growth potential.

12.10.2023

CPH repays 2% bond issue 2018 to 2023

The CPH Group repaid the outstanding portion of its expiring bond issue "CPH 18-23" on time.

05.07.2022

Perlen Packaging and Cipatex conclude collaboration on mono PVC pharmaceutical films in Brazil

Perlen Packaging is further expanding its activities in Latin America, and is entering into an exclusive collaboration with Brazil-based PVC manufacturer Cipatex.

15.12.2021

Long-serving CPH Chairman Franz-Josef Albrecht has died

Dr. Franz-Josef Albrecht, former Chairman of the Board of Directors of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG, has died. He was 73. It was under Dr. Albrecht’s chairmanship in 2001 that CPH became a Swiss Stock Exchange-listed company.

12.10.2021

Production at Perlen Papier interrupted for three days

After a fire in the waste paper storage facility, production at Perlen Papier was interrupted for three days. However, deliveries within Switzerland are only affected to a minor extent.

26.08.2021

CPH to serve as key supplier for new Perlen wood-fibre insulation board production plant of Schilliger Holz AG

Schilliger Holz AG plans to build a new facility for manufacturing wood-fibre insulation board out of Swiss wood at its existing Perlen site. The CPH Group is leasing the company a 20,000-square-metre land plot for the plant’s construction, and will also supply power and water for the new operation.

29.06.2021

Chemistry Division to expand its capacities

Zeochem is investing just over CHF 10 million in increasing its Louisville and Zvornik molecular sieve production capacities.

23.02.2021

The 2020 business year: Diversification proves its worth

The CPH Group delivered a relatively sound overall performance during the coronavirus pandemic in 2020, thanks to its diversification in various business segments. With net sales of CHF 445.2 million, the Group achieved annual earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) of CHF 24.7 million. The net result for the year of CHF 47.0 million was broadly at its 2019 level, thanks to non-recurring income of CHF 25.9 million. The 2021 Ordinary General Meeting will be asked to approve the distribution of a dividend of CHF 1.80 per share for the 2020 financial year.

22.01.2021

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG plans merger with its main shareholder Uetikon Industrieholding AG

Uetikon Industrieholding AG is to be merged into CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG. As a result, the present shareholders of Uetikon Industrieholding AG will hold shares directly in CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG, raising the free float and thus enhancing the attractiveness of the CPH share. Following the merger, the CPH Group will continue to have the descendants of its founding families as strong anchor shareholders within its shareholder base.

26.10.2020

CPH generates deferred tax income of some CHF 12 million

The CPH Group is transferring certain land assets to a newly-founded real estate subsidiary in a move that will generate deferred tax income of around CHF 12 million. This will raise the Group’s non-recurring income for 2020 to some CHF 26 million. The CPH Group now expects to report a net result for the current year of around CHF 40 million.

08.09.2020

Domestically-produced paper is more sustainable

Perlen Papier, a company of the CPH Group, continues to ensure the recycling of recovered paper and the production of newsprint in Switzerland during the corona crisis, too. Having consistently reduced its emissions, Perlen Papier now has a carbon footprint which is 75% smaller than those of its European competitors. Newspapers and magazines that are printed on Perlen Papier paper are ecofriendly and sustainable.

25.08.2020

Perlen Packaging to build film coating plant in Brazil

Having constructed a new film coating plant in China, the Packaging Division of the CPH Group is now continuing its emerging markets expansion in Latin America. Perlen Packaging is to build a further new film coating plant at its operating site in Brazil where it will also be co-financing a new calendering facility for mono film production.

17.06.2020

Bernhard Schaub, first CPH Board Chairman, deceased

Dr. Bernhard Schaub, the first Chairman of the Board of Directors of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG, has passed away at the age of 90. Dr. Schaub was responsible for the company’s foundation in 1971, and continued to serve as its Board Chairman until 1999.

18.05.2020

Lower provisions required for Uetikon lake bed clean-up

Canton Zurich has commissioned a full-services contractor to conduct the clean-up of the lake bed beside the CPH Group’s former Uetikon operating site. The total cost of the operation is now projected to be lower than the CHF 40 million which was estimated at the time of the site’s sale to Canton Zurich. In view of this, the CPH Group can release CHF 12 million of the provisions which it originally made for these clean-up activities.

25.02.2020

The 2019 business year: CPH achieves its first-ever double-digit annual EBIT margin

The CPH Group generated total net sales of CHF 524.7 million for 2019, broadly in line with prior-year levels. EBIT for the year was raised 9.6% to CHF 56.6 million, while the net result of CHF 48.5 million was a 14.6% year-on-year improvement. In place of a dividend, the Board of Directors will recommend a CHF 1.80 reduction in the nominal value of the CPH share and the repayment to shareholders of the reduction amount.

19.07.2019

2019 Half-year report: Encouraging business performances in all three divisions

The CPH Group generated net sales of CHF 267.5 million in the first six months of 2019, a 1.3% improvement on the prior-year period. All three business divisions reported encouraging operating results. Group first-half earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were raised 15.0% to CHF 32.0 million, and the net result of CHF 27.2 million was a 20.1% improvement on January-to-June 2018.

10.07.2019

CPH repays CHF 120 million bond

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG repaid its 2.75% bond on 10 July 2019, raising the company’s balance sheet equity ratio back towards 60%.

26.02.2019

The 2018 business year: CPH Group achieves record operating margin

The CPH Group increased its annual net sales by 13.6% to CHF 533.5 million in 2018. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were raised from CHF 2.9 million to CHF 51.6 million. The net result amounted to CHF 42.3 million. A doubled dividend of CHF 1.30 per share will be proposed for the year, together with a special 200th anniversary dividend of CHF 0.50 per share.

12.10.2018

Outlook for 2018 annual results

The strong business trends of the first half of 2018 continued in the third-quarter period, and the CPH Group expects to report annual results for the 2018 financial year that are a substantial improvement on the prior year.

08.10.2018

CPH increases public bond to CHF 100 million

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG (CPHN) has increased the total amount of the public bond launched on 14 September 2018 by CHF 15 million. The action has been taken in response to high investor demand.

14.09.2018

CPH refinances Swiss-franc bond

CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG (CPHN) placed a CHF 85 million corporate bond on the Swiss capital market today. The Swiss-franc bond has a maturity of 5 years and carries a coupon of 2.0%.

11.09.2018

High prospects: the CPH Group welcomes its new apprentices

Sixteen young people embarked on a new phase in their lives at the end of August. They began their vocational training in nine different units at the CPH Group’s operating sites in Perlen (Switzerland) and Müllheim (Germany).

20.07.2018

Interim results 2018: earnings substantially improved

The CPH Group generated total net sales of CHF 264.1 million in the first six months of 2018, a 14.0% increase on the prior-year period. First-half EBITDA amounted to CHF 43.3 million. All three business divisions posted substantially-improved earnings, and the group EBIT margin for the period rose to 10.5%. The Packaging Division achieved a new record operating result.

23.05.2018

Zeochem acquires distribution business from Yusheng

The CPH Group’s Chemistry Division takes over the sales activities for molecular sieves in China from Shanghai Yusheng Chemical Co. Ltd.

20.02.2018

CPH Group achieves growth in all business divisions

The CPH Group increased its annual net sales by 8.0% to CHF 469.8 million in 2017, and achieved further success in its internationalization strategy. Thanks to extraordinary income, the net result for the year was improved by CHF 23.9 million to CHF 16.2 million. The dividend payment for the year remains unchanged at CHF 0.65 per share.

28.01.2018

Perlen Packaging to acquire Sekoya of Brazil

Perlen Packaging AG, the packaging division of the CPH Group, is to acquire a majority shareholding in Sekoya Industria e Comercio Ltda. of Brazil. As well as representing Perlen Packaging in the Brazilian market, Sekoya maintains its own finishing plant.

02.11.2017

Zeochem to acquire Armar

The Chemistry Division of the CPH Group is to acquire Armar AG, a manufacturer of deuterated solvents and its long-established distribution partner, under an asset deal effective 1 March 2018.

25.07.2017

Paper Division to acquire Papierfabrik Utzenstorf AG’s paper recycling business

The Paper Division of the CPH Group is to take over the customer and recovered paper supplier contracts of Papierfabrik Utzenstorf AG with effect from 1 January 2018. The acquisition will ensure the continuation of waste paper recycling in the Swiss communities concerned. The Utzenstorf recovered paper sorting facility will also remain in operation.

21.07.2017

Interim Results 2017: CPH increases net sales in all its business divisions

The CPH Group generated total net sales of CHF 231.7 million in the first six months of 2017, a 5.5% improvement on the same period last year, and achieved a slightly positive first-half operating result. Earnings for its Chemistry and Packaging divisions showed encouraging trends, while the EBIT result for the Paper Division was depressed by higher recycled paper prices.

05.07.2017

Chemistry and Packaging divisions sharpen brand profiles

The CPH Group’s Chemistry and Packaging divisions will in future trade solely under the “Zeochem” and “Perlen Packaging” brands.

26.06.2017

Zeochem merges its Swiss-based companies

The CPH Group’s Chemistry Division is merging its Swiss-based companies CU Deutero + Agro AG and Chemie Uetikon AG into Zeochem AG.

24.02.2017

Business Year 2016: CPH Group expands in Asia and posts a positive EBIT result

The CPH Group raised its net sales 3.5% to CHF 434.8 million in 2016. With actions consistently taken to further enhance efficiency, EBIT was improved CHF 27.7 million to CHF 5.9 million. The Chemistry and Packaging divisions continued to pursue their Asian growth strategy.

29.12.2016

Richard Unterhuber appointed CFO of the CPH Group

The Board of Directors of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG (SIX: CPHN) has appointed Richard Unterhuber as the CPH Group's new Chief Financial Officer (CFO). He will take up the post on October 1, 2016.

17.10.2016

Zeochem to build production plant in Zvornik

Zeochem, the Chemistry Division of CPH Chemie + Papier Holding AG has acquired an industrial site in Bosnia and Herzegovina to build a new production facility. The plant, planned to be completed by the end of 2017, will be used to manufacture molecular sieves powder and silica chromatography gels.

22.07.2016

Interim Results 2016: CPH returns to operating profit in the first half of 2016

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.

22.06.2016

2015 business year: CPH Group adversely affected by Swiss franc appreciation and falling paper prices

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.

22.06.2016

CPH’s paper business shows strong environmental credentials

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.

22.03.2016

CPH Group offers hand for school building project in Uetikon

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.

30.11.2015

CPH Group CFO to step down

Manfred Häner to relinquish his position after four years

18.11.2015

Zeochem acquires ALSIO of China

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.

22.07.2015

Interim Results 2015: Chemistry and Packaging improve first-half EBIT; Paper Division feels impact of weak euro and lower paper prices

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.

27.02.2015

Business Year 2014: CPH posts black-ink result

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.

11.12.2014

Two new Board members for CPH

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.

22.07.2014

Interim Results 2014: CPH returns to profit

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.

30.06.2014

Hanspeter Balmer steps down from the CPH Board of Directors

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

26.06.2014

CPH issues its first CHF bond

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 %.

18.06.2014

CPH well on track in 2014 to date

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.

04.06.2014

Perlen Packaging wins ASCO Award

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.

28.05.2014

CPH Group expanding to China

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.

17.02.2014

Business Year 2013: CPH makes impairment to realign its balance sheet to a difficult market environment

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%.

21.01.2014

CPH-group: Resumption of the LWC production at the paper machine 4 in Perlen

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.

17.01.2014

CPH’s 2013 sales depressed by persistent pricing pressures

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.