Brenntag SE reported lower earnings for fiscal year 2025

Essen, Germany — Brenntag SE reported lower earnings for fiscal year 2025 amid challenging market conditions, according to preliminary results released March 4. The global chemicals and ingredients distributor reported preliminary sales of 15.2 billion euros ($16.5 billion), down 3.7% from the previous year. Operating gross profit totaled about 3.8 billion euros, a decline of 1.9%.

Operating EBITDA was 1.287 billion euros, down 8.6%, while operating EBITA fell 12.6% to 929 million euros, slightly below the company’s adjusted guidance issued in July 2025.

Brenntag said the results reflect a difficult macroeconomic and geopolitical environment marked by muted consumer confidence, weak industrial activity and persistent pricing pressure that weighed on demand and margins.

Despite lower earnings, preliminary free cash flow rose 5.4% to 941 million euros, which the company said highlights the resilience of its business model and its ability to generate cash in challenging markets.

The company proposed a dividend of 1.90 euros per share, about 10% lower than the previous year. Brenntag said the proposal reflects extraordinary write-offs recorded during the fiscal year but still exceeds the upper end of the company’s dividend policy range.

Preliminary earnings per share are expected to total 1.83 euros, compared with 3.71 euros the previous year. Brenntag said results were significantly affected by non-cash impairments and other special items totaling 248 million euros following a balance-sheet review. Excluding those effects, earnings per share would be 3.55 euros.

Looking ahead, Brenntag said it expects market conditions to remain subdued in 2026 and plans to focus on cost discipline, cash generation and organizational simplification. The company forecasts operating EBITDA for 2026 in the range of 1.15 billion to 1.35 billion euros.

Brenntag plans to publish its full fiscal year 2025 financial results on March 12, 2026.