Ad hoc announcement pursuant to Art. 53 LR
Herrliberg, October 16, 2025
- Uncertainty and trade barriers weaken the global economy
- Stronger Swiss Franc
- Successful EMS sales offensive with profitable and innovative new business
- Pleasing business development in Asian markets, full acquisition of the automotive supplier EFTEC in China
- Net operating income remains unchanged s lightly above previous year
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Course of business January - September 2025
The EMS Group, active worldwide in the business areas High Performance Polymers and Specialty Chemicals , and with its companies combined in the EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG, achieved net sales of CHF 1'491 million (1'589) in the first nine months of 2025. In the third quarter, the strong Swiss Franc continued to dampen net sales development in Swiss Francs. Despite a geopolitically hampered environment, a weak industrial economy and a stronger Swiss Franc, EMS was able to generate pleasing new business and significantly increase profitability due to a consistent growth strategy with high-margin specialties and innovations. Expected net operating income for 2025 remains slightly above previous year.
As expected, the global economy continued to cool down further in the third quarter 2025. Higher tariffs, in combination with increasing trade tension, are interfering with global supply chains. Uncertainty dominates companies' and consumers' purchasing
mood and hampers their willingness to invest. In the US, companies and consumers continue to hold back on spending in expectation of higher inflation rates. In Europe, industry is undergoing restructuring. Government relief measures are not yet effective. Protectionist measures are further inhibiting the willingness to invest. In China, the high-tech sector is growing. Government incentive programs stimulate consumer spending. Chinese export business to the US needs to be compensated. The unstable global economic situation is further strengthening the Swiss Franc in its role as a "safe haven".
Despite the expected weaker global economy, EMS was able to successfully grow result and margins with innovation, cost discipline and proactive planning. In the currently restrained and uncertain market environment, EMS is focusing even more consistently on growth with innovative specialties. Against the general trend, EMS decided to significantly expand its technical sales and development organization in the main regions of Asia, America and Europe. Meanwhile, the expansion programs are generating pleasing and highly profitable new business. Intensive local development partnerships, strong sales and global delivery capabilities form important pillars for EMS to realize further cost improvements as well as energy and weight savings together with customers. In addition, EMS pursued its own efficiency measures, which also contributed to strengthened operative profitability.
Already at an early stage, EMS prepared for possible international trade barriers and structured its own supply chains accordingly. At EMS, there are no direct trade relationships between China and the US. Products sold in the US are either produced locally or, as important specialties, are exempt from US customs duties.
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Development of net sales January - September 2025
In million CHF
2025
(Jan-Sep)
% dev. prev. year
2024
(Jan-Sep)
EMS Group
Net sales
1'491
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6.2%
1'589
Currency effect
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3.1%
High Performance Polymers
Net sales
1'344
-
6.5%
1'437
Currency effect
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3.1%
Specialty Chemicals
Net sales
147
-
3.6%
152
Currency effect
-
3.1%
In the third quarter, the strong Swiss Franc devalued net sales in Swiss Francs. Apart from the Euro, all other main currencies dropped significantly in value compared to the Swiss Franc.
Business in the Asian markets developed in a particularly pleasing way.
In the main area of high-performance polymers, EMS was able to successfully continue its strategy of specialties and system solutions, providing customers with total cost, energy and weight savings, while reducing CO2 emission. The global market position was strengthened while new and innovative customer projects were realized.
The secondary area of Specialty Chemicals also achieved growth with innovative specialties and business.
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Complete takeover of the automotive supplier EFTEC in China
EFTEC, worldwide leading supplier to the automotive industry, develops, produces and markets materials and application technology in the specialized fields of bonding, coating, sealing and sound damping. Currently, EMS holds a 75% participation in EFTEC China. EMS will take over the remaining 25% in EFTEC China Ltd. hold by
Huayi and will then own 100% of the EFTEC China business. The purchase price will be financed easily with own funds. Transfer of ownership will take place on October 28, 2025.
The complete takeover of the Chinese automotive supplier business marks another consistent step in strengthening its position as a leading, innovative global development partner to the automotive industry. EFTEC is currently providing all car manufacturers with a revolutionary new process technology enabling them to achieve significant energy savings. China, by far the world's largest and further growing automotive market, offers substantial growth potential due to its still below-average vehicle density and increasing exports. With full operational freedom, EFTEC will roll out its innovative solutions for energy and weight reduction, as well as overall cost savings, more quickly and comprehensively in China. In addition, the full takeover will sustainably improve EMS' profitability. Along with additional cost synergy and administrative savings, deductions from income for minority interests will no longer apply in future.
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EMS clears the board at the award presentation of the International Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE)
In special recognition of innovative performance with very demanding components, the International Society of Plastics Engineers (SPE) awarded EMS a total of five prizes on October 6, 2025.
EMS was overall winner with the "Grand Award 2025" for the BMW MINI Countryman: Dashboard, door cladding and armrest upholstery are made using new flat-knit technology.
EMS also took first place in the category "power train" with a compact position sensor housing for precise control of the electric motor. Three second places were also achieved in the category "Electronic / Optical Components" for an ABS control valve as a lightweight alternative to aluminum, in the category "New Mobility" for a quick coupling system enabling automated battery replacement in the cooling circuit, and in the category "Chassis Unit / Structural Component" for a crash protection element
used in an electrohydraulic brake system (pictures of the award-winning components are enclosed).
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Outlook
For the fourth quarter 2025, EMS is expecting a continuously challenging economic environment. Trade conflicts will interfere with global trade and supply chains. Companies and consumers will remain uncertain, planning security is suffering. By end of the year, many companies will improve their balance-sheet quality for refinancing by reducing their inventories.
EMS will continue its sales offensive with innovative specialties. With its distinct innovation strategy, providing customers with total costs, energy, weight and CO2 savings and enabling them to achieve technologically leading solutions, EMS is assuming a key role in the various markets. EMS has no debt and shows a very high equity ratio. Its innovative agility, its financial solidity and high profit margins will further enable EMS to generate above-average results.
For the business year 2025, EMS continues to expect net sales below previous year due to currency effects, and net operating income (EBIT) slightly above previous year.
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Schedule
EMS reports quarterly on net sales and publishes half-year and final-year reports on net sales and income.
Media conference / Annual results 2025 February 2026
First-quarter report 2026 (net sales) April 2026
Media conference / Half-year report 2026 July 10, 2026
Annual General Meeting 2026 August 8, 2026
Third-quarter report 2026 (net sales) October 2026
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