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Q4 2024 results

• Revenue ^[1] was €476 million, up 6.6% like for like versus 2023. Volumes were up 9.0% including mix effects, and grew in all categories. The increase was driven primarily by the growth acceleration in North America as well as sustained growth in selected categories in Europe. As anticipated, sales prices were largely stable sequentially, and 2.4% lower year on year, reflecting the past raw material index decreases and investments in increased competitiveness. Forex fluctuations were supportive, adding 0.2%, bringing total growth at 6.8% year on year.

• Adjusted EBITDA ^[1] was €57 million, up 22% year on year. The cost transformation program delivered €17 million, driving stronger profitability and competitiveness. Volume and mix growth contributed €7 million. Sales prices had a €(11) million adverse impact. While raw material prices were stable overall year on year, continued inflation drove other operating costs up by €(6) million. SG&A costs were stable sequentially, but €4 million lower than in 2023. Forex fluctuations had an adverse effect of €(1) million. The adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 11.9%, up 1.5pp year on year. The operating profit ^[1] was €36 million, versus €23 million in 2023, reflecting the strong operational improvement.

• Discontinued operations generated an operating loss of €(5) million, compared to a profit of €13 million in 2023. Revenue was 8.4% lower like for like and the adjusted EBITDA margin dropped to 5.6%, reflecting more challenging market conditions in Brazil. The operating result also includes an impairment of €(6) million on the Turkish assets, triggered by the divestment process.

Strategic developments since Q4 2024

• In November, Ontex entered into a new syndicated facilities agreement, encompassing a new revolving credit facility with a maximum drawable amount of €270 million and a five-year maturity. The new facility replaces the previous one, which had maximum drawable amount of €242 million, and similarly holds a floating interest rate based on EURIBOR plus a margin, subject to certain conditions including the leverage ratio.

• In December, Ontex launched a share buyback program to acquire a maximum of 1.8% of its issued shares by June 2025. The acquired shares are to contribute to meeting Ontex’s obligations under its current and future long-term incentive plans.

• In January 2025, Ontex reached a binding agreement to sell its Turkish business activities to Dilek Grup for an enterprise value of approximately €24 million, net of cash disposed, and prior to taxes and transaction costs. The closing is expected during the third quarter of 2025 subject to customary conditions. With this agreement, Ontex will conclude its strategic refocus on retailer and healthcare brands in Europe and North America in 2025. Including the previously announced divestment of the Brazilian business, about €100 million net proceeds are expected to be received in the year.

2025 outlook

Based on solid delivery in the last two years, Ontex is well positioned to successfully complete its intensive three-year transformation journey, and thereby expects the following for 2025:

• Revenue to grow by 3% to 5% like for like, supported by double-digit volume growth in North America;

• Adjusted EBITDA to grow by 4% to 7%, supported by revenue growth and further improvement of operational efficiencies;

• Free cash flow to remain strong, while continuing the step-up of investments in Ontex’s transformation. This step-up will be nearing completion by the end of 2025.

Key business indicators

_{[1]    Reported P&L figures, represent continuing operations, i.e. Core Markets, only. As from 2022, Emerging Markets are reported as assets held for sale and discontinued operations, following the strategic decision to divest these businesses.}

_{[2]    The Emerging Markets and Total Group year-on-year comparison is affected by divestments, i.e. the Mexican business activities in 2023 and the Algeria and Pakistan ones in 2024. The LFL comparison is corrected for this scope reduction.}

_{[3]    The adjusted EBITDA bridge methodology was changed in order to only present currency translation effects separately, whereas before all foreign exchange and hedge effects were presented separately.}

_{Unless otherwise indicated, all comments in this document are on a year-on-year basis and for revenue specifically on a like-for-like (LFL) basis (at constant currencies and scope and excluding hyperinflation effects). Definitions of Alternative Performance Measures (APMs) in this document can be found on page 10.}

Full year 2024 business review of Core Markets (continuing operations)

Revenue

Revenue was €1,860 million, up 3.5% like for like, driven by strong volume and mix growth, which more than offset the anticipated lower prices. Including slightly supportive forex, revenue was up 3.7%.

Volumes grew in all categories, and were up 5.7% overall including mix effects, outperforming the market in Europe and especially in North America, which remained overall stable. Market demand for adult care products in European retail was up by mid-to-high single digits, supported by societal trends with an increasing and more active elderly population, and with retailer brands gaining market share. Ontex’s volume/mix grew by double digits, mainly thanks to market share gains in the institutional channel. While market demand for feminine care products in Europe was largely stable, retailer brands gained share, and Ontex’s sales volumes grew in line. Market demand for baby care products in Europe decreased by low single digit, reflecting the decreasing birth rate. Retailer brands consolidated their market share gains made in 2023, when consumers switched to better value-for-money alternatives. Ontex’s baby care volumes in Europe were lower, largely in line with the market, albeit with a switch in the portfolio to more premium products, like baby pants, where volumes grew by double digits. Demand for baby care products in North America was largely stable, albeit that A-brands lost some market share to retailer and lifestyle brands. Ontex volumes were up by strong double digit growth in the region, boosted by contract gains with retailers, which started in the second half of 2023 and throughout 2024.

Sales prices were lower across categories, down 2.2% overall. This was expected, reflecting planned investments in competitiveness, and adjustments for the decrease of raw material price indices since end 2023.

Forex fluctuations were supportive, adding 0.2%, mainly thanks to the appreciation of the British pound and the Polish zloty, which compensated for the depreciation of the Russian ruble.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was €223 million, up 28%. Volume and mix growth contributed €21 million, and strong delivery of the cost transformation program €70 million. Lower sales prices for €(39) million, were offset by index-driven raw material tailwinds. Other operating and SG&A costs rose with inflation, however.

The cost transformation program delivered €70 million net operating savings, leading to a reduction of the operating cost base by 4.6% year on year, based on purchasing, supply chain, product innovation and manufacturing initiatives.

Raw material prices had a €39 million positive impact, in particular for super-absorbent polymers and for fluff. Raw material indices started to rise sequentially again in the second half of 2023 and first quarter of 2024, but largely stabilized since.

Other operating costs were up by €(28) million, largely due to inflation of salaries, as well as energy and distribution costs. These were exacerbated by temporary inefficiencies resulting from the North American production ramp-up and the footprint adjustments in Europe.

SG&A expenditure was up by €(10) million, mainly due to salary inflation. SG&A over revenue remained largely stable at 10.1%.

Forex fluctuations had a €(3) million net negative impact, mainly linked to the depreciation of the Mexican peso affecting the contribution from the Tijuana plant.

The adjusted EBITDA margin rose to 12.0%, up 2.3pp year on year.

Q4 2024 business review of Core Markets (continuing operations)

Revenue

Revenue was €476 million, up 6.6% like for like versus 2023, driven by a substantial volume increase, including mix, which more than offset the anticipated lower sales prices. Including slightly supportive forex, revenue was up 6.8% overall versus the prior year and 1.8% versus the prior quarter.

Volumes were up 9.0% year on year including mix effects, and grew in all categories. Volumes were up by double digits in North America, versus the previous quarter and especially versus the fourth quarter of 2023, mainly as orders from new contracts ramped up. In Europe volumes were up in all categories, especially in adult care and in baby pants, where Ontex’s is leveraging its expertise in service and innovation.

Sales prices were largely stable quarter on quarter, as anticipated, and 2.4% lower year on year, reflecting the past raw material index decreases and investments in increased competitiveness.

Forex fluctuations were supportive, adding 0.2%, mainly thanks to the appreciation of the British pound and the Polish zloty, which compensated for the depreciation of the Russian ruble.

Adjusted EBITDA

Adjusted EBITDA was €57 million, up 22% year on year and largely in line sequentially versus the previous quarter. Volume and mix growth contributed €7 million. Sales prices had a €(11) million adverse impact. The cost transformation program continued to deliver solid results. While raw material prices were stable overall year on year and SG&A costs came out lower, continued inflation drove other operating costs up.

The cost transformation program delivered €17 million net operating savings, leading to a reduction of the operating cost base by 4.4% year on year, with purchasing, supply chain, product innovation and manufacturing initiatives.

Raw material prices were largely stable year on year, and slightly up versus the previous quarter, reflecting a slight increase in fluff prices.

Other operating costs were up by €(6) million year on year, largely due to inflation of salaries, and temporary inefficiencies resulting from the North American production ramp-up and the footprint adjustments in Europe.

SG&A expenditure was stable sequentially, but down by €4 million year on year. Inflation drove salaries up, but the fourth quarter of 2023 it compares to, was exceptionally high due to cost phasing over that year.

Forex fluctuations had a €(1) million net negative impact, mainly linked to the depreciation of the Mexican peso affecting the contribution from the Tijuana plant.

The adjusted EBITDA margin was 11.9%, up 1.5pp year on year compared to the fourth quarter of 2023, and slightly down by 0.1pp sequentially versus the third quarter of 2024.

Full year 2024 operational review

Supply chain

The cost transformation program delivered €70 million savings after netting with implementation costs. This represents an increase of about 25% versus 2023. These initiatives allowed to reduce raw materials and operating costs, prior to volume and inflation effects, by 4.6%. While the bulk of the savings were realized on procurement, the continuous implementation of the program allowed to further improve operational efficiencies and lower scrap rates. Service levels also improved from the 2023 level.

To further support these initiatives in the coming years, Ontex is transforming its operating footprint in Belgium, with the closure of its Eeklo plant in December of last year, and the transformation of its Buggenhout plant over the next two years into a center of excellence for research, development and production of medium and heavy incontinence care products. A total amount of €62 million was provisioned, covering the redundancy cost according to the Belgian legal requirements and the supplementary social plan.

Besides the optimization of the manufacturing footprint, Ontex continues to invest in its operations, ramping up in the year to €112 million for the Total Group, or 5.2% of revenue, and close to 6% for Core Markets only. As anticipated this is a step-up compared to 4.1% in 2023 and approximately double Ontex’s depreciation ^[4] level. The vast majority was invested in Core Markets, with about half in business expansion, with new production lines for baby pants and adult care, and adding capacity in North America and about a quarter in operational efficiency improvement projects, mostly in Europe.

Innovation

Innovation in Core Markets represented €18 million in operational and capital expenditure, a 5% increase compared to 2023, with 13 major product innovations launched in the year. All Ontex’s innovation is thoroughly tested with consumers, to guarantee that new solutions offered to customers are comparable to leading A-brand standards.

Baby care focus in 2024 was to boost leak prevention, with the launch of baby diapers with front and back barriers, as well as baby pants with back barrier. The year also saw the introduction of larger pants sizes and bags with mechanical post-consumer recycled content. In adult care overnight extra -protection pads were brought to market. In feminine care the focus was on boosting recently introduced product concepts being the first follower of the A-brand equivalent, with ConfiDaily ™ pantyliners and SatinSense^® tampons.

Ontex also secured its place in the top 10 of Belgian applicants at the European Patent Office, for the second year in a row. Ontex currently holds more than 800 patents grouped in 160 patent families.

Sustainability ^[5]

Ontex takes the safety of its employees to heart. In 2024 the accident frequency rate was 3.20, decreasing 9% versus 3.52 lost workday cases per million worked hours in 2023, and 41% compared to the base year 2020, by focusing on machine risk reduction, behaviors and leadership awareness. Ontex strives to reduce the number of accidents further down year after year to eventually reach its ultimate ambition to be a zero harm workplace.

Ontex is also committed to reducing its environmental footprint. Also in 2024, actions were undertaken to support Ontex’s long-term climate strategy, investing in energy efficiency initiatives, increasing renewable energy sourcing and working closely with suppliers. Despite these initiatives, scope 1 & 2 emissions went up by 5.2% compared to 2023, reflecting higher electricity consumption in one of the plants. Scope 3 emissions also increased, by 1.4%, as supplier engagement efforts and more efficient product design were offset by the growing production volumes.

Ontex's sustainability efforts continue to be externally recognized, including recently by the global environmental non-profit organization Carbon Disclosure Project (CDP), with an “A” score for leadership in corporate transparency and performance on climate change and an “A-“ score on forestry, bringing Ontex in the leadership segment. Earlier in 2024, Ontex received a gold medal from sustainability rating agency EcoVadis for transparency in sustainable initiatives throughout the supply chain and operations. This recognition places Ontex in the top 5% of companies assessed worldwide.

_{[4]    Depreciation adjusted for depreciation of right-of-use assets, as lease payments are not included in capex either.}

_{[5]    Preliminary unaudited figures for 2024}

Key financial indicators

_{[6]    The Adjusted income tax expense consists of the income tax expense, as presented in the income statement, adjusted for the impact of EBITDA adjustments.}

_{[7]    EBITDA adjustments and their impact on income tax are subtracted from adjusted profit to obtain profit.}

_{[8]    Balance sheet data reflect the end of the period and compare to the start of the period, i.c. December 2023.}

FY 2024 financial review of Total Group

P&L

Depreciation & amortization from continuing operations was slightly up at €(74) million, reflecting the higher investment level.

EBITDA adjustments of €73 million were made in continuing operations. These adjust for €(62) million restructuring provisions, and consist primarily of the provision taken to restructure the Belgian operating footprint. This amount reflects the redundancy cost for the employees concerned according to the Belgian legal requirements and the agreed social plan. EBITDA adjustments were also made for €(11) million impairments on redundant assets linked to the footprint transformation.

Net finance cost from continuing operations was €(51) million, higher than €(45) million in 2023. Net interest charges decreased, as a result of the lower indebtedness, following the repayment of the €220 million term loan mid-2023. Forex fluctuations had a negative impact on financing activities, compared to a positive impact in 2023.

Income taxes from continuing operations were €(3) million, compared to a €(16) million in 2023. The decrease is attributable to the impact of the restructuring charges on profit before income tax, and the lower effective tax rate, following the recognition of deferred tax assets in the period in view of the improving underlying profitability.

Discontinued operations, consisting of the Emerging Markets division, generated revenue of €307 million, a 5% like for like decrease, excluding forex and scope effects. The adjusted EBITDA margin was slightly up at 9.5%, versus 9.0% in 2023. The adjusted EBITDA was €29 million, lower than €49 million in 2023, due to the scope reduction, following the divestment of the Mexican business in the second quarter of 2023 and the Algeria and Pakistan businesses in the second quarter of 2024. The operating profit was €2 million and includes €(27) million divestment-related costs. The divestment of the Algeria and Pakistan businesses led to €(7) million costs and the non-cash recycling of €(20) million currency translation adjustments. The planned Brazilian divestment led to a €7 million impact, consisting of a capital gain and impairment reversal, netted with upfront divestment costs. In anticipation of the Turkish divestment a non-cash impairment of €(6) million was taken. The loss from discontinued operations was thereby €(11) million.

Profit of the period for the Total Group was €10 million, compared to €35 million the year before, and consists of the €(11) million loss from discontinued operations and a €21 million profit from continuing operations. The latter compares to €27 million in 2023, and includes the impact of restructuring and impairment related costs. Excluding these, the adjusted profit from continuing operations was €76 million, well up versus €39 million the year before. Basic earnings per share of the Total Group were €0.13, compared to €0.43 in 2023.

Cash flow

Capital expenditure was €(112) million, representing 5.2% of the Total Group revenue, a significant increase versus €(96) million or 4.1% of revenue in 2023. Combined with lease payments of €(25) million, it represented 1.9x the depreciation.  The intensification of capital investments was planned, and is foreseen to remain at a high level in 2025 to support the business expansion in North America and the further implementation of the cost transformation program.

Free cash flow amounted to €48 million, well up compared to €9 million in 2023. Strong operational delivery, more than compensated for the higher capital expenditure and one-time restructuring and divestment-related cash-out. These accounted for €(39) million, of which €(29) million relates to the restructuring of the Belgian operations. Solid working capital management contributed €9 million. Cash taxes were €(10) million and net financing cash-out totaled €(31) million, substantially lower than in 2023, as the interest payments decreased.

M&A proceeds totaled €10 million net. Ontex completed the divestment of its Algeria and Pakistan business in the second quarter of 2024, for which it received net cash proceeds of €17 million, net of cash disposed, taxes and  transaction costs. The deferred receivable, linked to the divestment of the Mexican business in 2023, was partly collected.  €15 million were received from the acquirer and €11 million remains outstanding. Prior to the finalization of the divestment of the Brazilian business, expected in the second quarter of 2025, €(21) million transaction-related costs were paid in 2024.

The on-going share buy-back program, launched in December, led to the acquisition of 146,338 shares for €(1) million. By June 2025 Ontex foresees to buy back 1.5 million shares in total for the program.

Balance sheet

Net working capital for the Total Group at the end of the period was €118 million, a €49 million decrease versus the end of 2023, linked to the scope reduction following the divestment of the Algeria and Pakistan businesses, as well as good working capital management. Net working capital decreased from 7.6% end 2023 to 5.3% end 2024 relative to revenue. Trade receivables remained stable, with increased needs for the growing business offset by slightly higher factoring activity. Factoring increased by €12 million to €176 million over the year. Inventories were up to support the ramp-up in revenue in North America and the footprint adjustments in Europe. These were more than offset by higher trade payables, reflecting the growing business and better payment terms as a result of the cost transformation program.

Net financial debt for the Total Group dropped €53 million, from €665 million to €612 million over the year, thanks to the solid free cash flow and the net proceeds on divestments. The leverage ratio decreased from 3.25x at the start of the year to 2.46x at the end, as a combination of the net financial debt reduction and especially the further increase of the adjusted EBITDA of the Total Group of the last twelve months.

Gross financial debt of the Total Group reduced even more, by €97 million, from €834 million to €736 million, thanks to cash optimization. It consists primarily of the €580 million bond at fixed 3.5% rate maturing in July 2026, of €123 million of short- and long-term lease liabilities, and of €24 million drawn on the new floating rate revolving credit facility with a maximum capacity of €270 million maturing in November 2029. The available liquidity of the Total Group increased from €322 million to €370 million, consisting of the €124 million cash and cash equivalents and the undrawn part of the revolving credit facility.

Assets-held-for-sale at the end of the period, i.e. mainly the Brazilian and Turkish businesses, have a net assets value of €155 million at the end of the year, including a €51 million net cash position. The balance sheet also includes €(211) million of cumulative translation reserves in equity related to these assets, that will be recycled through the P&L once the divestments are finalized.

Practical information

Disclaimer

This report may include forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are statements regarding or based upon our management’s current intentions, beliefs or expectations relating to, among other things, Ontex’s future results of operations, financial condition, liquidity, prospects, growth, strategies or developments in the industry in which we operate. By their nature, forward-looking statements are subject to risks, uncertainties and assumptions that could cause actual results or future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied thereby. These risks, uncertainties and assumptions could adversely affect the outcome and financial effects of the plans and events described herein. Forward-looking statements contained in this report regarding trends or current activities should not be taken as a report that such trends or activities will continue in the future. We undertake no obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. You should not place undue reliance on any such forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date of this report.

The information contained in this report is subject to change without notice. No re-report or warranty, express or implied, is made as to the fairness, accuracy, reasonableness or completeness of the information contained herein and no reliance should be placed on it. In most of the tables of this report, amounts are shown in € million for reasons of transparency. This may give rise to rounding differences in the tables presented in the report.

Corporate information

The financial information in this document of Ontex Group NV for the twelve months ended December 31, 2024 was authorized for issue in accordance with a resolution of the Board on February 18, 2025.

Audio webcast

Management will host an audio webcast for investors and analysts on February 19, 2025 at 12:00 CET / 11:00 BT. To attend, click on https://channel.royalcast.com/landingpage/ontexgroup/20250219_1. A replay will be available on the same link shortly after the live presentation. A copy of the presentation slides will be available on ontex.com.

Financial calendar

• April 30, 2025            Q1 2025 results

• May 5, 2025               2025 Annual general meeting of shareholders

• July 31, 2025              Q2 & H1 2025 results

• October 30, 2025     Q3 2025 results

Enquiries

• Investors                    Geoffroy Raskin                +32 53 33 37 30           investor.relations@ontexglobal.com

• Media                          Catherine Weyne             +32 53 33 36 22           corporate.communications@ontexglobal.com

About Ontex

Ontex is a leading international developer and producer of baby care, feminine care and adult care products, both for retailers and healthcare. Ontex’s innovative products are distributed in around 100 countries through retailers and healthcare providers. Employing some 7,000 people, Ontex has a presence in 14 countries, with its headquarters in Aalst, Belgium. Ontex is listed on Euronext Brussel and is a constituent of the Bel Mid^® index. To keep up with the latest news, visit ontex.com or follow Ontex on LinkedIn.

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