Lenzing H1 revenue at $1.56 bn; tariff policy slows recovery momentum
Lenzing Group reported H1 2025 revenue of €1.34 billion (~$1.56 billion) and EBITDA growth of 63.3 per cent to €268.6 million (~$312.3 million), aided by its performance program. Despite Q2 challenges from global tariffs and high costs, Lenzing improved earnings and secured long-term financing. The company expects further cost savings and higher EBITDA in 2025.
The Lenzing Group generated revenue of €1.34 billion (~$1.56 billion) in the first half of 2025, which was higher than in the same period of the previous year. The operating earnings trend benefited significantly from the positive effects of the performance program. EBITDA grew by 63.3 percent to €268.6 million (~$312.3 million), which included positive exceptional effects from the sale of surplus EU emission allowances amounting to EUR 30.6 mn and the valuation of biological assets amounting to EUR 12.5 mn. The EBITDA margin rose from 12.5 percent to 20 percent. Earnings before interest and tax (EBIT) amounted to EUR 109 mn (compared with EUR 18.9 mn in the same period of the previous year), which corresponds to an EBIT margin of 8.1 percent (compared with 1.4 percent in the same period of the previous year). Earnings before tax (EBT) amounted to EUR 22.1 mn (compared with minus EUR 22.3 mn in the same period of the previous year). Earnings after tax improved significantly to EUR 15.2 mn (compared with minus EUR 65.4 mn in the same period of the previous year).
'Lenzing made further progress on its path to operational recovery in the first half of 2025. Our performance program is making a clear contribution to earnings improvement. At the same time, we are seeing tangible effects from the growing uncertainties in international trade in the second quarter – particularly as a consequence of the aggressive tariffs policy. These developments not only affect our visibility, but also our earnings. For this reason, we are all the more determined to continue our measures to secure our turnaround in the long term and further strengthen our margins,' notes Rohit Aggarwal, Lenzing Group CEO.
The Lenzing Group's performance program is comprehensively geared towards strengthening long-term crisis resilience and enhancing agility in the face of market changes. The aim is to sustainably improve EBITDA and generate free cash flow through increased profitability and consistent cost excellence. Measures such as acquiring new customers for key products and expanding into smaller markets were implemented in order to strengthen sales activities and thereby revenue growth. At the same time, Lenzing is implementing measures to significantly improve its cost structure, which are being reviewed and further developed on an ongoing basis. Over EUR 130 mn in cost savings were already achieved in 2024. Progress was made especially in terms of product costs and product quality. The Managing Board also expects further efficiency gains in the coming quarters, especially in production costs and overhead functions. The ongoing improvements in structures, processes and personnel expenses are expected to lead to an increase in both revenue and margins. The Managing Board anticipates cost savings of in excess of EUR 180 mn in the current financial year.
Lenzing has also successfully strengthened its capital structure over the course of the year to date. A syndicated loan of EUR 545 mn was concluded in May. The structure of the loan comprises a EUR 355 mn term loan with a three-year term and a revolving line of credit of EUR 190 mn, also with a three-year term and extension options totaling two years. In addition, a new EUR 500 mn three-year non-callable hybrid bond was successfully placed on the market. With these measures, Lenzing secures its financing until 2027 and can continue to focus fully on implementing its successful performance program to enhance margins and free cash flow as well as to improve the cost position.
Cash flow from financing activities amounted to EUR 150.1 mn (compared with EUR 239.6 mn in the same period of the previous year). The reduction is partly due to a higher level of working capital. Free cash flow was also positive at EUR 43.1 mn (compared with EUR 141.8 mn in the same period of the previous year). Unlevered free cash flow amounted to EUR 89.4 mn (compared with EUR 180.4 mn in the same period of the previous year).
Liquid assets (including liquid bills of exchange) increased by 66.9 percent compared with December 31, 2024, to a level of EUR 754.0 mn as of June 30, 2025, mainly due to the syndicated loan that was agreed in May.
Lenzing also announced personnel changes on its Managing Board during the first half of the year. At the end of March, Walter Bickel relinquished his operational tasks by mutual agreement. Georg Kasperkovitz was appointed as a member of the Managing Board and as Chief Operations Officer (COO) of Lenzing AG with effect from June 1, 2025. As COO, Georg Kasperkovitz took over the management of the company-wide fiber production sites, including the site in Lenzing (Austria). He will also advance the ongoing performance program and, as a consequence, operational cost excellence and the transformation of the company as a whole.
Outlook
For 2025, the IMF forecasts global growth of three percent, followed by 3.1 percent in 2026 – marking a slowdown compared to the previous year (2024: 3.3 percent). The projection remains below the pre-pandemic historical average. At the same time, the IMF warns of persistently high risks to the global economy: a renewed escalation of trade conflicts, geopolitical tensions, or tighter financing conditions could dampen growth and reignite inflationary pressures.
In an environment characterized by uncertainty and a persistently high cost of living, consumers are anticipated to remain cautious. This is exerting a lasting negative impact on their propensity to spend. Given the announced tariff increases, the rise in spending on apparel in the USA in the first half of the year is to be regarded as a temporary, one-off effect and is unlikely to continue over the course of the remainder of the year.
The currency environment is expected to remain volatile in regions relevant to Lenzing.
In the global bellwether market for cotton, market analysts' current forecasts anticipate a slight increase in stocks to around 16.3 mn tons for the coming 2025/26 harvest season.
Lenzing will continue to consistently implement its performance program and will conduct ongoing evaluations in order to leverage further cost potentials and further improve its revenue and margin generation.
At present, the Lenzing Group confirms its guidance for the 2025 financial year of year-on-year higher EBITDA.
The ongoing tariffs conflict and associated uncertainty are negatively affecting market expectations and are continuing to exert a very restrictive effect on earnings visibility.
In structural terms, Lenzing continues to expect growing demand for environmentally responsible fibers for the textile and apparel industry as well as the hygiene and medical sectors. Lenzing is therefore very well positioned with its strategy and is pushing both profitable growth with specialty fibers and the further expansion of its market leadership in the sustainability area. Note: The headline, insights, and image of this press release may have been refined by the Fibre2Fashion staff; the rest of the content remains unchanged.
Fibre2Fashion News Desk (HU)
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