While many companies in the plastics industry are suffering or staggering due to the coronavirus crisis, Holland Colours (Apeldoorn / The Netherlands; www.hollandcolours.com) is reporting good figures for fiscal 2019/2020 (ending 31 March) – the 12% increase in revenue at EUR 101.5m was driven by higher volumes and higher average prices in Europe (up 8.8%) and America (up 11.4%). The increase in revenue in Asia (up 8.7%) was primarily due to higher unit sales. Profits also rose, with earnings increasing by around 18 percentage points to EUR 10.8m, while net profits were up by almost a quarter at EUR 7.9m.

All three of the company’s business areas, which account for more than 90% of its sales, developed positively. While the packaging segment positioned itself as the frontrunner in 2019/2020, Holland Colours expects demand here to remain at an acceptable level in the current fiscal year, particularly in the food, hygiene, health, and personal care sectors. After exports to China for the local packaging market were completely disrupted for two months due to the coronavirus pandemic, these have now returned to the previous levels.

In contrast, the Dutch additive and paint manufacturer expects sales volumes to decline in its largest segment – construction – and in the coatings and adhesives business. Holland Colours therefore decided in April 2020 to adopt a “very restrictive spending and investment policy.” In addition to this, net profit is to be added to reserves, with no dividend paid this year. The global supply of raw materials also remains uncertain at present.