Chr. Hansen CEO Mauricio Graber says: “2019/20 was a defining and extremely eventful year for Chr. Hansen. We launched our new 2025 Strategy to become a focused bioscience company and to grow a better world, naturally. Chr. Hansen CEO Mauricio Graber says: “2019/20 was a defining and extremely eventful year for Chr. Hansen. We launched our new 2025 Strategy to become a focused bioscience company and to grow a better world, naturally. We made three acquisitions over a short period of time – HSO Health Care, UAS Laboratories and, most recently, Jennewein – and made an agreement to divest Natural Colors.”

The company ended the year with 5 % organic growth for the group, well within the guidance provided at the beginning of the year. Organic growth accelerated in Q4, driven by Health & Nutrition which delivered 18 % growth. Chr. Hansen also delivered on the earnings side and came in at almost 30 % Ebit margin for the full year (compared to 29.6 % in 2018/19), and at 34.3 % in Q4 (compared to 33.3 % in Q4 2018/19). The free cash flow also developed strongly, but this was partly due to capex investments that were delayed during the second half of the year due to Covid-19.

Revenue increased by 2 % to EUR 1,189 m. Ebit before special items increased by 4 % to EUR 356 m. Free cash flow before acquisitions and special items was EUR 245 m, compared to EUR 162 m in 2018/19.

In Q4 2019/20, organic growth was 7 %, corresponded to a revenue increase of 1 % to EUR 308 m. Ebit before special items increased by 4 % to EUR 106 m. Free cash flow before acquisitions and special items was EUR 97 m, compared to EUR 105 m in Q4 2018/19.