Record 2022 results

2018-2022: years of profound transformation for the Group

23% increase in sales in a context of a profound change in Group structure, with one-third of sales rotated since 2018: €9 billion in divestments and almost €4 billion in acquisitions;  

Sharp improvement in the operating margin in 2022 versus 2018 (270 basis points), including a structural gain of 200 basis points in the period set to rise to 240 basis points on a full-year basis after the disposal of the UK distribution business – thanks to cost savings related to the new organization and the optimization of the Group’s profile;

Significant efficiency improvements thanks to our new organization, reflected especially in close proximity to customers, stronger pricing power and an enhanced culture of results-driven accountability for local teams.

2021-2022: a successful deployment of the “Grow & Impact” strategic plan

The first two years of the plan successfully met the new financial trajectory set out in “Grow & Impact”, with an acceleration in results, cash flow and value creation, exceeding objectives across the board:

Strong organic growth of 10% per annum on average1, benefiting from an unrivalled offer of sustainable solutions accounting for almost three-quarters of Group sales;  

A world leader in construction chemicals, with annual sales of €5.3 billion (pro forma basis for changes in Group structure in 2022), thanks to strong organic growth and recent acquisitions (Chryso, GCP, Impac in Mexico, Brasprefer and Matchem in Brazil, IDP Chemicals in Egypt, Best Crete in Malaysia, Choksey Chemicals in India, and Urumix in Uruguay);

Operating income is now well-balanced between the three geographic zones (pro forma basis for changes in Group structure in 2022): 30% in North America, 32% in Asia and emerging countries and 38% in Western Europe

Record financial results, with on average over two years: an operating margin of 10.3%, a free cash flow conversion ratio of 56% and strong value creation with a ROCE of 15.7%;

Record-high shareholder return: €2.6 billion over two years through share buybacks and dividend payouts. With over €1 billion in shares bought back over two years, the Group is ahead of its €2 billion buyback target over five years (2021-2025).

Sustainability is at the heart of the Group’s strategy

As a worldwide leader in light and sustainable construction, Saint-Gobain has a key role to play in building a carbon-neutral economy. The Group made further significant progress on environmental and social matters in 2022, allowing it to reduce its footprint while maximizing the positive impact of its range of solutions, in line with its “Grow & Impact” strategy. The solutions sold by Saint-Gobain across the globe in one year result in around 1,300 million tons of avoided CO2 emissions over their lifespan, i.e., more than 100 times its scope 1 and 2 footprint.

Saint-Gobain achieved three world-firsts in 2022:    

Zero-carbon production (scopes 1 and 2) of glass in France;    

Zero-carbon production (scopes 1 and 2) of plasterboard in Sweden;     

Very low carbon production (scopes 1 and 2 down 93% versus average) of insulation (glass wool) in Finland.

The Group has reduced its scope 1 and 2 CO2 emissions by 27% since 2017, including a 5% reduction in 2022 (to 9.8 million tons), in line with the 33% emissions reduction target through to 2030 validated by the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi).

Growth decoupled from its CO2 emissions: carbon intensity per euro of sales and EBITDA fell by 42% and 57%, respectively, in 2022 versus 2017, reflecting the Group’s objective of maximizing its positive impact on the environment while minimizing its footprint.

We stepped up our commitment to the circular economy, reducing our non-recovered waste by 37% versus 2017. Saint-Gobain rolled out ORAÉ®, the world’s first low-carbon glass featuring 70% of cullet (recycled glass), as well as Placo® Infini 13, the first plasterboard made with over 50% of recycled gypsum.

In 2022, in line with its commitment, Saint-Gobain finalized the roll-out of its “CARE by Saint-Gobain” social protection and prevention program. The program provides coverage for the Group’s employees, in all countries where it operates, supporting them during different stages of their lives (maternity and paternity leave, medical and hospitalization costs for the entire family, and life insurance).

In terms of safety, our accident frequency rate with and without lost time (TRAR or total recordable accident rate) fell by 19% between 2021 and 2022 and has been almost halved in the last five years.

The year’s progress was recognized by the following major independent organizations:

SBTi validated Saint-Gobain’s 2050 target and confirmed that the Group’s net-zero carbon trajectory is in line with the Paris agreement;     

CDP “A-List”: second consecutive year;     

Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index 2023: fifth consecutive year;   

Top Employer Global 2023: eighth consecutive year, with only 15 companies worldwide globally recognized.

  
Group operating performance

Like-for-like sales rose 13.3%. This performance – supported by strong momentum in all our segments with double-digit organic growth in each – was driven by the Group’s worldwide leadership in light and sustainable construction.

Leveraging the added value offered by its solutions and its dynamic local organization as close to its customers as possible, Saint-Gobain was able to protect its operating margin, generating a positive price-cost spread over 2022 as a whole and in each half of the year, thanks to a 14.6% price increase overall (13.8% increase in the second half against a higher comparison basis). This agility enabled the Group to effectively manage energy and raw material cost inflation, which represented about €3 billion in 2022 versus 2021.

The Group reported a slight decline in volumes, down 1.3% over the year as a whole and down 2.3% in the second half (with a negative working day effect of around 0.5% for this latter period).

On a reported basis, sales jumped 15.9% to €51.2 billion, with a positive currency effect of 3.6% over the year as a whole (2.4% in the fourth quarter). The Group structure impact reduced sales by 1.0% over the year as a whole but was positive in the second half, adding 1.3% to sales.

The Group resolutely continued to optimize its profile in 2022, in terms of both divestments, with €3.8 billion in sales divested or in the process of being divested – namely distribution in the UK and Poland, glass processing and Crystals & Detectors businesses – and in terms of acquisitions, with €1.9 billion in sales acquired, mainly GCP Applied Technologies (GCP) in October 2022 and Impac in Mexico in April 2022 in construction chemicals, Kaycan in North America in August 2022 in exterior products, and Rockwool India Pvt Ltd. in February 2022 in insulation.

The disposal of all remaining UK distribution brands (around €2.7 billion in sales in 2022) will be finalized by the end of March 2023.

The integration of recent acquisitions is proceeding seamlessly, and all synergies have been confirmed and are being put in place: 

Chryso: 20% growth in sales and €100 million in EBITDA for 2022, maintaining an industry-leading EBITDA margin;

Kaycan: USD 84 million in EBITDA for 2022 as a whole;

GCP: EBITDA forecast at USD 170 million in 2023 for the first full year. 

Operating income rose sharply to a new record high of €5,337 million, up 18.4% as reported versus 2021 and up 13.3% at constant exchange rates (up 11.7% like-for-like). Operating income is 66% higher than in 2018.

The Group’s operating margin hit a new record high, at 10.4% in 2022 (versus 10.2% in 2021), representing an increase of 270 basis points since the launch of the Group’s transformation at the end of 2018.

Segment performance (like-for-like sales)

Northern Europe was up 12.4% in the year against a strong inflationary backdrop, with a slight decrease in volumes amid a slowdown in new construction. Renovation remained at a good level, supported by stimulus measures and stricter energy performance regulations. The Region’s operating margin came in at a new record high of 7.8% (versus 5.6% in 2018), thanks to an optimized business profile and sound management of the price-cost spread.

Nordic countries outperformed their market thanks to their successful presence across the entire construction value chain. Trade professionals continued to see full-order books. Our Fredrikstad factory in Norway, the world’s first carbon-neutral plasterboard plant, will start production by the end of first-half 2023. The UK put in a satisfactory performance amid a more pronounced slowdown in the market in both new construction and renovation. The country has been very active in optimizing its portfolio, with about €3.4 billion in sales divested or in the process of being divested (all distribution brands and glass processing) over the past two years. In Germany, where the market slowed in the second half owing to fears regarding inflation and the energy supply, the Group benefited from its solid positions in energy efficiency renovation. Despite a slowdown in the second half, Eastern Europe posted an excellent performance in 2022 – led by Poland and Romania – benefiting from its leadership positions. A renewable electricity supply agreement has been signed in Poland, which will cover around 45% of Saint-Gobain Poland’s electricity needs from 2025.
 

Sales in Southern Europe - the Middle East & Africa were up by 12.6% in a strongly inflationary environment, with volumes down slightly over the year on the back of a slowdown in new construction. Note that the Region delivered a good fourth-quarter performance with stable volumes, thanks to its continued outperformance on the more resilient renovation market, where demand was driven by stricter regulations, government stimulus measures and faster payback for energy efficiency renovation projects. Operating income hit a new record high with an operating margin of 8.0% (versus 4.6% in 2018), thanks to a highly optimized post-transformation profile, good management of the price-cost spread, productivity gains and a tight rein on costs.

In France, the Group strengthened its presence in the renovation market. Trade professionals continue to see healthy order books – thanks mainly to a favourable regulatory environment, public building programs and household stimulus packages (MaPrimeRenov’). Saint-Gobain’s presence across the entire value chain – the market’s first low-carbon glass solutions, digital apps for customers, a focus on collection and recycling, and training centres for trade professionals – confirms the Group’s position as the undisputed leader in energy efficiency renovation.

Spain and Italy delivered robust growth with a further increase in volumes, thanks to their commercial organization by sales channel and range of light and sustainable construction solutions. Benelux held firm in a more difficult market and benefited from the development of innovative solutions improving our clients’ productivity. Middle East and Africa continued to see robust growth, benefiting from the opening of three new construction chemicals plants (Kenya, South Africa, Oman) and from upbeat markets, particularly in the Gulf States and Egypt.

The Americas Region delivered 13.9% organic growth, despite a slowdown in new construction in the second half of the year. Operating income for the Region hit a new record high of €1.5 billion with a 30% increase in absolute terms; the US now represents the Group’s biggest market in terms of operating income. The Region achieved an operating margin of 16.1% (versus 11.2% in 2018), supported by good momentum from recent acquisitions, cost and sales synergies and a clear positive raw material and energy price-cost spread.    

North America progressed by 15.0%, driven by the development of a comprehensive range of solutions, by good momentum in light construction solutions, and by a strong presence in the renovation. 2022 saw the launch of MaxPro, a new blowing wool to insulate attics. Although new construction slowed, the structural need for more housing, as well as the number of construction projects currently in progress, should help limit the slowdown. Our teams made good progress on the integration of Kaycan and of GCP’s speciality construction materials business (waterproofing membranes), helping to speed up the implementation of the expected synergies, confirm the sales development opportunities and reinforce Saint-Gobain’s leading position in construction materials in North America. After a renewable wind farm energy supply agreement executed in 2021, in 2022, the Group signed a new contract based on solar energy: together, these agreements will cover over 60% of Saint-Gobain’s electricity needs in North America by the end of 2024.    

Latin America reported 11.0% growth in a macroeconomic environment that remains challenging in Brazil. Growth in all countries of the Region was supported by higher sales prices, an enriched offer and mix, and a geographic footprint and product range enhanced by bolt-on acquisitions country-by-country in construction chemicals (Impac in Mexico, Brasprefer in Brazil in waterproofing, and Urumix in Uruguay – Saint-Gobain’s first facility in the country) and in insulation (Termica San Luis in Argentina).

The Asia-Pacific Region reported 23.6% organic growth, led by India and South-East Asia. The operating margin came in at an annual record high of 12.1% (compared to 10.4% in 2018), supported by good momentum in volumes and by a positive raw material and energy price-cost spread.

India delivered an excellent performance in 2022, thanks to further market share gains and an innovative, integrated range of solutions rolled out to new customers. Around 85 “MyHome by Saint-Gobain” showrooms presenting our range of solutions to a new consumer market will soon be operational in the country. To remain in step with market growth, Saint-Gobain has inaugurated a new plasterboard plant which will be powered by biomass in 2024, continued to expand in construction chemicals and made preparations for the opening of its sixth float glass plant in 2023. The successful integration of Rockwool India Pvt. Ltd. (stone wool insulation) and the definitive agreement to acquire U.P. Twiga Fiberglass Ltd. (glass wool insulation) complete the Group’s leading positions in façade and interior solutions. Despite disruptions owing to the health situation, China posted moderate growth mainly driven by prices, benefiting from its distinctive positioning in the growing light construction and renovation markets. In South-East Asia, the Group continues to enjoy a strong growth dynamic and to outperform the market – particularly in Vietnam and Malaysia – supported by a diversified offering in construction chemicals with two new production lines opened in 2022 (Vietnam and Philippines). In addition, the acquisition of Best Crete in Malaysia at the end of the year enhances our resin-based flooring solutions.

HPS sales were up by 14.3%, benefiting from an acceleration in prices in the second half and from good volume growth (up 5.0% in 2022), thanks mainly to the recovery in automotive in Europe in the second half. The operating margin came in at 12.0%, down slightly year-on-year owing to a negative mix effect and to the gradual catch-up in prices in Mobility in a strongly inflationary environment.

Businesses serving global construction customers achieved record sales and outperformed the market with 19.5% growth. They continued to benefit from upbeat trends in textile solutions for external thermal insulation systems (ETICS). The very strong trends in Chryso sales and results continued, driven by decarbonization in the construction sector, growth capex (fifth additives plant in India) and targeted acquisitions (Matchem in Brazil, IDP Chemicals in Egypt). The new Construction Chemicals organization integrating GCP has been in place since October 1, 2022, and will help to accelerate the implementation of the expected synergies.

The Mobility business saw sales progress 14.9% over the year, with an acceleration in the second half at 24.4%, supported by both a gradual catch-up in sales prices and a rebound in volumes. The business continued to enjoy upbeat momentum in the Americas, India and China. Thanks to its technological lead in solutions for electric vehicles – which accounted for 30% of our sales at the end of the year – and to its high value-added solutions, the Mobility business continues to outperform the automotive market.

Businesses serving the Industry grew 12.8%, supported by activities relating to investment cycles such as ceramics, which benefited from strong demand for innovation in speciality materials and new decarbonization technologies. Against this backdrop, Valoref, a pioneer in ceramic recycling in Europe, increased its sales by almost 50% in 2022 by expanding its operations internationally into India and China and is now targeting North America.

The 2022 consolidated financial statements were approved by Saint-Gobain’s Board of Directors at its meeting of February 23, 2023. The consolidated financial statements were audited and certified by the statutory auditors.