Commenting on the 1(st) half of 2022, François Jackow, Chief Executive Officer of the Air Liquide Group, said:
"The Group delivered a very strong performance during the 1(st) half of 2022. This is even more remarkable considering the particularly complex macroeconomic and geopolitical context. Revenue reached 14.2 billion euros, an increase of +7.7% on a comparable basis. As published, revenue was up +31%, reflecting the sharp increase in energy prices in particular. Growth was achieved across all activities: Gas & Services, which represents 96 % of revenue, Engineering & Construction and Global Markets & Technologies.
In Gas & Services, all geographies improved, driven mainly by Industrial Merchant and Electronics, which enjoyed strong growth particularly in Asia. In Industrial Merchant, value creation and dynamic price management allowed the Group to transfer the increase in costs, while in Large Industries, the increase in energy prices is contractually passed on to customers.
In this context, the Group's operating margin improved again significantly by +50 basis points, excluding the energy impact. The Group also continues taking efficiency measures, notably through targeted industrial investments.
Recurring net profit(1) reached 1.6 billion euros, an increase of +20.4% excluding the currency impact. Net profit (Group share) was 1.3 billion euros, an increase as published of +5.3% despite a non-recurring provision on our assets in Russia. Cash flow remained high at 23.5%(2) of sales. The balance sheet is solid, with a net debt-to-equity ratio(3) down again to 46%. Recurring ROCE(4) continued to improve and reached 9.7% at the end of June, in line with the target of 10% by 2023.
The Group maintained a strong investment momentum, which is a guarantee of future growth and the expression of its commitment to fight climate change. With more than 40% of projects linked to the energy transition, 12-month investment opportunities are numerous and total 3.3 billion euros. Investment decisions were high and reached 1.8 billion euros this half-year. The project backlog, at 3 billion euros, remains high.
Given the strong performance in the 1(st) half of 2022, combined with a more resilient business model and a clear strategic plan, as well as committed teams, whose dedication I commend, we are entering the second half of the year.
In 2022, assuming no significant economic disruption, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to further increase its operating margin and to deliver recurring net profit growth at constant exchange rates(5) ."
Highlights of the 1(st) half 2022
Group revenue totaled 14,207 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, a strong comparable growth of +7.7%. Sales were up +7.5% on a comparable basis during the 2(nd) quarter of 2022 compared with the 2(nd) quarter of 2021. Group revenue as published increased significantly by +31.0% during the 1(st) half, with a very high energy impact of +16.8% as well as favorable currency (+5.8%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts.
This performance was delivered in a challenging context of exceptionally high energy prices, strong inflation, strain on supply chains and the war in Ukraine. The Group benefited from a solid business model and diversity of business reach in terms of geographies, businesses, end-markets and customers which ensured a resilient performance and allowed the Group to take advantage of all growth opportunities. Its core positioning in growth markets of the future (in particular the energy transition, Semiconductors and Healthcare) reinforces these attributes.
Gas & Services revenue amounted to 13,600 million euros during the 1(st) half, representing an increase of +7.2% on a comparable basis. Sales as published for the 1(st) half of 2022 showed extremely strong growth of +31.4%, with a very high energy impact at +17.6% as well as positive currency (+5.9%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts.
Large Industries sales were contrasted by region and overall were down slightly (-1.4%) on a comparable basis with the 1(st) half of 2021: sales enjoyed sustained growth in the Americas, were stable in Asia, and were down in Europe. The Industrial Merchant business posted strong revenue growth of +12.7% in the 1(st) half, driven by the acceleration of pricing over the half-year and by solid volumes. Electronics sales growth momentum was particularly dynamic, at +15.5%, with a strong contribution from all business segments. In Healthcare, despite a decline in medical oxygen volumes for the treatment of covid-19, revenue was up +2.3% driven by the strong development in Home Healthcare, notably in Europe, and in proximity care in the United States.
Consolidated revenue from Engineering & Construction totaled 221 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, representing strong comparable growth of +29.0%. Order intake totaled 526 million euros, in line with the high level recorded in the 1(st) half of 2021.
Global Markets & Technologies sales totaled 386 million euros in the 1(st) half, representing marked comparable growth of +13.8%. The biogas business enjoyed strong momentum, benefiting from the ramp-up of new production units in Europe and the United States, the increase in sales prices relating to the spike in energy price, and equipment sales in the United States.
Efficiencies ((1) amounted to 167 million euros and represented a saving of 2.1% of the cost base. In a context of high inflation unfavorable to procurement efficiencies, the priority for the teams is to limit cost increases and transfer them to sales prices.
Group Operating Income Recurring (OIR) reached 2,286 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, an increase of +17.4% and of +9.2% on a comparable basis, which is significantly higher than the comparable sales growth of +7.7%.
The operating margin (OIR to revenue ratio) stood at 16.1% as published, representing a -190 basis point decline compared with the 1(st) half of 2021 due mainly to the sharp increase in energy costs which are contractually passed through to Large Industries customers. This therefore has a dilutive impact on the published margin (without impacting operating income in absolute value). Excluding the energy impact, the operating margin improved very significantly by +50 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. This performance integrates the dilutive impact of strong inflation on costs other than energy costs and which is transferred to sales prices.
The net profit (Group share) amounted to 1,305 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, an increase of +5.3% as published. Excluding the exceptional provision on the Group's industrial assets in Russia, which has no impact on cash, a provision for risks in the Engineering & Construction business, and an exceptional income from Air Liquide taking control of a joint venture in Asia-Pacific, recurring net profit (Group share)(2) reached 1,551 million euros. It increased by +25.1% and +20.4% excluding the currency impact, which is significantly higher than the comparable sales growth of +7.7% over the half-year. Net earnings per share rose by +5.0% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021, in line with the increase in net profit (Group share). These stood at 2.50 euros per share compared with 2.38 euros(3) per share in the 1(st) half of 2021.
Cash flow from operating activities before changes in net working capital amounted to 2,907 million euros during the 1(st) half of 2022, representing a sharp increase of +17.1% and +11.5% excluding the currency impact. This corresponds to a high level of 20.5% of sales and 23.5% excluding the energy impact, and represents a +60 basis point improvement excluding the energy impact compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
Gross industrial capital expenditure amounted to 1,574 million euros, an increase of +9.4% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021 and of +4.7% excluding the currency impact. This represented 12.7% of sales excluding the energy impact, reflecting dynamic project development activity. Financial investments stood at 54 million euros compared with 569 million euros for the 1(st) half of 2021, including approximately 480 million euros for the acquisition of 16 Sasol air separation units in South Africa.
The net debt-to-equity ratio, adjusted for the seasonal effect of the dividend payment, stood at 46.0%, down sharply compared with 56.1% at the end of June 2021.
The return on capital employed after tax (ROCE) was 9.0% for the 1(st) half of 2022. Recurring ROCE((4) stood at 9.7%, an increase of +70 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
In the 1(st) half of 2022, industrial and financial investment decisions totaled 1,796 million euros. This compares to 1,429 million euros during the 1(st) half of 2021, excluding the acquisition of Sasol's Air Separation Units (ASUs) in South Africa for approximately 480 million euros.
The investment backlog remained high at 3.0 billion euros.
The additional contribution to revenue of unit start-ups and ramp-ups totaled 213 million euros over the 1(st) half of 2022. In 2022, the additional contribution to revenue of unit start-ups and ramp-ups is expected to be between 410 and 435 million euros.
The 12-month portfolio of investment opportunities stood at 3.3 billion euros at the end of June 2022. Projects related to the energy transition accounted for more than 40% of the portfolio. These notably included projects for renewable hydrogen production by water electrolysis, facilities for the capture of CO(2) emitted by the Group's or its customers' units, as well as hydrogen mobility projects in Europe and Asia. The share of the Electronics business in the portfolio of opportunities increased and represented around 30%.
Air Liquide's target to reduce its Scope 1 & 2 CO(2) emissions by 2035 has been validated by the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) as qualified and aligned with climate science. The Group is the first in its industry to obtain validation from the Science Based Targets Initiative. This approval represents an important milestone towards the Group's ambition to reach carbon neutrality by 2050.
As previously announced, a new governance has been implemented within Air Liquide. Since June 1, 2022, Benoît Potier remained Chairman of the Board of Directors and François Jackow, became Chief Executive Officer for the Group.
The Air Liquide Board of Directors met on July 27, 2022. During this meeting, the Board reviewed the condensed consolidated financial statements for the first half ending June 30, 2022. Limited review procedures were completed with respect to the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, and an unqualified review report is in the process of being issued by the statutory auditors.
Table of Contents of the activity report
Calculation of performance indicators (Semester) 26
Calculation of performance indicators (Quarter) 29
Sales, Operating Income Recurring and investments key figures synthesis 34
Unless otherwise stated, all variations in revenue outlined below are on a comparable basis, excluding currency, energy (natural gas and electricity) and significant scope impacts.
Group revenue totaled 14,207 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, a strong comparable growth of +7.7%. Sales were up +7.5% during the 2(nd) quarter of 2022 compared with the 2(nd) quarter of 2021.
This performance was delivered in a challenging context of exceptionally high energy prices, strong inflation, strain on supply chains and the war in Ukraine. The Group benefited from a solid business model and diversity of business reach in terms of geographies, businesses, end-markets and customers which ensured a resilient performance and allowed the Group to take advantage of all growth opportunities. Its core positioning in growth markets of the future (in particular the energy transition, Semiconductors and Healthcare) reinforces these attributes.
Engineering & Construction sales enjoyed strong growth of +29.0% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021, which reflects the increase in order intake in recent quarters. Global Markets & Technologies revenue was up +13.8%, mainly driven by strong momentum in the biogas business.
Group revenue as published increased significantly by +31.0% during the 1(st) half, with a very high energy impact of +16.8% as well as favorable currency (+5.8%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts.
Gas & Services revenue amounted to 13,600 million euros during the 1(st) half, representing an increase of +7.2% on a comparable basis. Large Industries sales were contrasted by region and overall were down slightly (-1.4%) compared with the 1(st) half of 2021: sales enjoyed sustained growth in the Americas, were stable in Asia, and were down in Europe. The Industrial Merchant business posted strong revenue growth of +12.7% in the 1(st) half, driven by the acceleration of pricing over the half-year and by solid volumes. Electronics sales growth momentum was particularly dynamic, at +15.5%, with a strong contribution from all business segments. In Healthcare, despite a decline in medical oxygen volumes for the treatment of covid-19, revenue was up +2.3% driven by the strong development in Home Healthcare, notably in Europe, and in proximity care in the United States. Sales as published for the 1(st) half of 2022 showed extremely strong growth of +31.4%, with a very high energy impact at +17.6% as well as positive currency (+5.9%) and significant scope (+0.7%) impacts.
Gas & Services revenue in the Americas reached 5,017 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, representing a very strong increase of +9.2%. Large Industries was up +5.3%, driven by solid demand and the start-up of new units. The marked increase in prices contributed significantly to the high sales growth in Industrial Merchant (+11.6%). Healthcare revenue was up +2.2%, led by proximity care in the United States and Home Healthcare in Latin America, despite a decline in medical oxygen sales for the treatment of covid-19. Finally, all business segments within Electronics contributed to the particularly dynamic growth (+8.2%).
Americas Gas & Services H1 2022 Revenue
Revenue in Europe was up +6.4% during the 1(st) half of 2022 and reached 5,424 million euros. This strong growth was contrasted across business lines in a context of exceptionally high energy prices and the war in Ukraine. Growth accelerated in Industrial Merchant, driven by record price increases, and reached a particularly high of +22.9% in the 1(st) half, offsetting the -7.4% decline in Large Industries sales. Despite a high basis of comparison due to the covid-19 pandemic in 2021, Healthcare sales were up +3.3%, driven by the momentum in Home Healthcare.
Europe Gas & Services H1 2022 Revenue
Sales in Asia Pacific were up +5.5% in the 1(st) half of 2022 and totaled 2,746 million euros, driven by particularly dynamic growth in the Electronics business (+15.8%). Covid-19 related lockdowns in China during the 2(nd) quarter had an impact on demand in other business lines: Large Industries sales were stable (-0.2%) in the 1(st) half, whereas Industrial Merchant sales were up +2.5%, driven by the acceleration in price increases during the half-year.
Asia-Pacific Gas & Services H1 2022 Revenue
Revenue in the Middle East and Africa totaled 413 million euros, representing a slight increase (+0.9%) compared to the 1(st) half of 2021. Large Industries sales were up for the half-year: down in the 1(st) quarter, sales increased markedly during the 2(nd) quarter, driven by high oxygen volumes for the Steel segment in Egypt and strong hydrogen demand from customers in the Yanbu basin in Saudi Arabia. Volumes increased sharply in South Africa with the integration of the 16 Sasol air separation units whose acquisition was finalized at the end of the 1(st) half of 2021: sales of approximatively 72 million euros in the 1(st) half-year were recognized as part of the significant scope impact (and hence excluded from comparable growth). Sales were stable over the half-year in Industrial Merchant, with the business line growth offset by two small divestitures in the Middle East. In Healthcare, revenue was down due to lower medical gas volumes for the treatment of covid-19. Sales in the Home Healthcare business grew in Saudi Arabia, particularly in diabetes treatment.
Consolidated revenue from Engineering & Construction totaled 221 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, representing strong growth of +29.0% and reflecting the increase in order intake from third-party customers in recent quarters.
Order intake totaled 526 million euros, in line with the high level recorded in the 1(st) half of 2021. Orders for the Group mainly included projects in Asia, notably nitrogen generators for the Electronics business and air separation units for Large Industries.
Global Markets & Technologies sales totaled 386 million euros in the 1(st) half, representing marked growth of +13.8%. The biogas business enjoyed strong momentum, benefiting from the ramp-up of new production units in Europe and the United States, the increase in sales prices relating to the spike in energy price, and equipment sales in the United States.
Order intake for Group projects and third-party customers reached 403 million euros, up compared to 2021. This notably included 30 Turbo-Brayton LNG reliquefaction units, biogas processing equipment, hydrogen refueling stations and equipment for the electronics industry.
Operating income recurring before depreciation and amortization totaled 3,475 million euros, an increase of +16.0% and +9.7% excluding the currency impact compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
Purchases were up markedly by +53.4% excluding currency impact, mainly due to the exceptionally strong and rapid increase (+95% excluding the currency impact) of energy costs, which are contractually passed through to Large Industries customers. In a context of high inflation, personnel costs were up +6.5% excluding the currency impact. Other operating expenses increased by +9.4% excluding currency impact and notably included a marked increase in transport and maintenance costs. Depreciation and amortization reached 1,189 million euros, representing an increase of +7.1% excluding currency impact, which reflected the impact of the start-up of new units, the integration of the 16 air separation units acquired from Sasol in June 2021, and Air Liquide taking control of a joint venture in Asia-Pacific.
Group Operating Income Recurring (OIR) reached 2,286 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, an increase of +17.4% and of +9.2% on a comparable basis, which is significantly higher than the comparable sales growth of +7.7%. The operating margin (OIR to revenue ratio) stood at 16.1% as published, representing a -190 basis point decline compared with the 1(st) half of 2021 due mainly to the sharp increase in energy costs which are contractually passed through to Large Industries customers. This therefore has a dilutive impact on the published margin (without impacting the operating income in absolute value). Excluding the energy impact, the operating margin improved very significantly by +50 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. This performance integrates the dilutive impact of strong inflation on costs other than energy costs and which is transferred to sales prices. This +50 basis points improvement therefore particularly reflected the Group's ability to rapidly transfer the exceptionally strong and brutal increase in energy costs and inflation in general to sales prices.
Efficiencies((5) amounted to 167 million euros and represented a saving of 2.1% of the cost base. In a context of high inflation unfavorable to procurement efficiencies, the priority for the teams is to limit cost increases and transfer them to sales prices. Industrial efficiencies contributed more than 50% of total efficiencies and included energy efficiency projects in Large Industries and supply chain optimization projects in Industrial Merchant. The Group's digital transformation continued: in Large Industries with the connection of new units to remote operation centers (Smart Innovative Operations, SIO), in Industrial Merchant with the acceleration of tools implementation to optimize delivery routes (Integrated Bulk Operations, IBO) and in Healthcare with the deployment of remote patient monitoring platforms. The continued implementation of shared service centers and the global continuous improvement program contributed to efficiencies.
Portfolio and pricing management also supported margin improvement.
Gas & Services H1 2022 Operating Income Recurring
Gas & Services operating income recurring totaled 2,404 million euros, up +16.3% as published compared with the 1(st) half of 2021, and up +8.8% on a comparable basis. The operating margin as published stood at 17.7%, a significant improvement of +50 basis points excluding the energy impact compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. The operating margin, as published, was down compared with the 1(st) half of 2021 due to the very strong increase in energy costs, which are contractually passed through to Large Industries customers and thus have a dilutive impact.
Industrial Merchant prices were up +12.6% in the 1(st) half, demonstrating the Group's ability to pass through cost increases. Prices were also up in Large Industries, Electronics and in all regions in Healthcare.
Operating income recurring in the Americas reached 969 million euros over the 1(st) half of 2022, a sharp increase of +20.9% as published. Excluding the energy impact, the operating margin stood at 19.9%, representing an increase of +20 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. This performance was mainly due to high efficiencies, in particular in Industrial Merchant, and by a favorable mix effect in Large Industries due to the strong growth in air gases. The contribution from the Electronics business was also positive.
Operating income recurring in Europe reached 771 million euros, an increase as published of +11.4% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. Excluding the energy impact, the operating margin stood at 19.8%, representing a very sharp increase of +90 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. This performance was driven by a positive mix effect in Large Industries, due to favorable air gas sales compared to hydrogen sales, and the solid contribution of efficiencies. Active business portfolio management, which includes in particular the divestiture of activities in Greece in 2021, contributed to improve performance.
Operating income recurring in Asia Pacific stood at 567 million euros, an increase as published of +10.5%. The operating margin excluding the energy impact reached 21.9%, representing a decrease of -20 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. The slowdown in the Industrial Merchant business in China during the 2(nd) quarter due to lockdowns had an unfavorable impact on the margin, which canceled out the small positive contributions from Large Industries and Electronics, which were mainly driven by efficiencies.
Operating income recurring for the Middle East and Africa region amounted to 96 million euros, representing a marked increase of +61.7% as published compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. Excluding the energy impact, the operating margin stood at 24.0%, representing a significant increase of +470 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021. This performance was mainly driven by the integration of Sasol's 16 air separation units. The improvement was also due to efficiencies generated across all business lines.
Engineering & Construction operating income recurring stood at 22 million euros for the 1(st) half of 2022, representing 10.1% of sales.
Operating income recurring for Global Markets & Technologies stood at 50 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, with an operating margin at 12.9%, an increase of +70 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
Research & Development and Corporate costs
Research & Development expenses and Corporate costs totaled 190 million euros.
Other operating income and expenses showed a net balance of -270 million euros. Other non-recurring operating expenses totaled 475 million euros and included a 404 million euro exceptional provision on the Group's assets in Russia, with no impact on cash, as well as costs for the unwinding of certain hedging positions and mothballing of some projects also in Russia in the amount of 15 million euros. Other non-recurring operating expenses also included, for around 47 million euros, a provision for risks in Engineering & Construction, as well as restructuring costs. Other non-recurring operating income stood at 206 million euros related to Air Liquide taking control of a joint venture in Asia-Pacific during the 1(st) half, revalued at fair market value.
The financial result was -180 million euros compared with -188 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2021. This included a cost of net debt of -145 million euros, which represented an increase of +2.0% excluding the currency impact. The average cost of net debt, at 3.0%, was just slightly higher than in the 1(st) half of 2021 (2.9%), mainly due to the increase in external debt relating to the acquisition of Sasol's air separation units in South Africa.
Income tax expense was 459 million euros. The effective tax rate was 25.0%, up very slightly from 24.7% in the 1(st) half of 2021.
The share of profit of associates amounted to 1 million euros. The share of minority interests in net profit totaled 73 million euros, up +35.3% mainly due to Air Liquide taking control in January 2022 of a joint venture in Asia-Pacific.
The net profit (Group share) amounted to 1,305 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, an increase of +5.3% as published. Excluding the exceptional provision on the Group's industrial assets in Russia, which has no impact on cash, a provision for risks in the Engineering & Construction business, and an exceptional income from Air Liquide taking control of a joint venture in Asia-Pacific, recurring net profit (Group share)(6) reached 1,551 million euros. It increased by +25.1% and +20.4% excluding the currency impact, which is significantly higher than the comparable sales growth of +7.7% over the half-year.
Net earnings per share rose by +5.0% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021, in line with the increase in net profit (Group share). These stood at 2.50 euros per share compared with 2.38 euros per share in the 1(st) half of 2021. Net earnings per share for previous fiscal years have been restated for the free share attribution carried out in June 2022. The average number of outstanding shares used for the calculation of net earnings per share as of June 30, 2022 was 522,144,843.
Change in the number of shares
Cash flow from operating activities before changes in net working capital amounted to 2,907 million euros during the 1(st) half of 2022, representing a sharp increase of +17.1% and +11.5% excluding the currency impact. This corresponds to a high level of 20.5% of sales and 23.5% excluding the energy impact, and represents a +60 basis point improvement excluding the energy impact compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
Working capital requirement (WCR) was up +635 million euros compared with December 31, 2021 due to the increase of stocks reflecting inflation and the increase of accounts receivables (the strong increase of energy costs being passed through to Large Industries customers). The WCR excluding taxes to sales ratio was 2.6% compared with 3.7% at June 30, 2021. Net cash flow from operating activities after changes in working capital requirement amounted to 2,241 million euros, an increase of +2.3% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
Gross capital expenditure totaled 1,628 million euros. Gross industrial capital expenditure amounted to 1,574 million euros, an increase of +9.4% compared with the 1(st) half of 2021 and of +4.7% excluding the currency impact. This represented 12.7% of sales excluding the energy impact, reflecting dynamic project development activity. Financial investments stood at 54 million euros compared with 569 million euros for the 1(st) half of 2021, including approximately 480 million euros for the acquisition of 16 Sasol air separation units in South Africa. Proceeds from the sale of fixed assets and businesses were 68 million euros, notably including the divestiture of two small businesses in the Middle East. This reflects the Group's active business portfolio management. Net capital expenditure((7) totaled 1,547 million euros.
Net debt at June 30, 2022 reached 12,010 million euros, stable compared with 12,013 million euros at June 30, 2021 and an increase of 1,562 million euros compared with December 31, 2021 following the payment of more than 1.4 billion euros in dividends in May and more than 1.5 billion euros in capital expenditure in the 1(st) half. The net debt-to-equity ratio, adjusted for the seasonal effect of the dividend payment, stood at 46.0%, down sharply compared with 56.1% at the end of June 2021.
The return on capital employed after tax (ROCE) was 9.0% for the 1(st) half of 2022. Recurring ROCE((8) stood at 9.7%, an increase of +70 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
INVESTMENT DECISIONS AND INVESTMENT BACKLOG
In the 1(st) half of 2022, industrial and financial investment decisions totaled 1,796 million euros. This compares to 1,429 million euros during the 1(st) half of 2021, excluding the acquisition of Sasol's Air Separation Units (ASUs) in South Africa for approximately 480 million euros.
Industrial investment decisions reached 1,738 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022, up sharply compared to 1,349 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2021. In addition to investments decided during the 1(st) quarter in Asia, the Americas and Europe, new contracts were signed in Electronics in China and Singapore during the 2(nd) quarter. Following a long-term contract signature with a customer within the Electronics industry and the mutualization of Industrial Merchant and Healthcare customers needs, a new ASU will allow to develop significantly the liquefied gas production capacity in the Guangdong, second-largest Industrial Merchant market in China. In Large Industries, a new investment in Germany will connect the steel mill of a customer to the local hydrogen network. This will allow the second phase of a pilot project aimed at injecting hydrogen into a blast furnace to reduce CO(2) emissions. Investment decisions during the 2(nd) quarter also included, in Healthcare, a new specialty ingredients facility in France. Moreover, in the 1(st) half of 2022, 10% of industrial decisions contributed to efficiencies programs.
Financial investment decisions totaled 57 million euros in the 1(st) half of 2022. These included several bolt-on acquisitions in Industrial Merchant in the United States, China and the Netherlands, which will strengthen our local presence and improve the efficiency of our business.
The investment backlog remained high at 3.0 billion euros. Despite a significant number of new projects being signed during the 2(nd) quarter, the investment backlog was down compared with the 1(st) quarter, due to the start-up of several major projects in the United States and the exit of projects in Russia that were decided on in 2020 and 2021 for around 160 million euros. Projects in Asia for Semiconductor, Chemicals and Steel customers, represented more than half of the investment backlog. These investments should lead to a future contribution to annual sales of approximately 1.1 billion euros per year when fully ramped up.
Several major units started up during the 1(st) half of 2022. These notably included large-capacity air separation units to supply Large Industries customers in Texas, and a major hydrogen production and liquefaction unit for the hydrogen mobility market in California. Several carrier gases and advanced materials production units for Electronics customers in Asia also started up during the 1(st) half of 2022. Moreover, in the GM&T business, a biogas production unit in the United States and a refueling station in France to develop hydrogen mobility ahead of the 2024 Olympic Games were commissioned.
The additional contribution to revenue of unit start-ups and ramp-ups totaled 213 million euros over the 1(st) half of 2022. This included a contribution of 72 million euros from Sasol's ASUs in South Africa, which were acquired in 2021 and reported in the significant scope impact on sales.
In 2022, the additional contribution to revenue of unit start-ups and ramp-ups is expected to be between 410 and 435 million euros. This includes the contribution from Sasol's air separation units of around 135 million euros, reported in the significant scope impact, and the contribution from the ramp-up of units in Russia for around 10 million euros during the 2(nd) half (under a continued operations scenario for the 2(nd) half).
The 12-month portfolio of investment opportunities stood at 3.3 billion euros at the end of June 2022.
Projects related to the energy transition accounted for more than 40% of the portfolio. These notably included projects for renewable hydrogen production by water electrolysis, facilities for the capture of CO(2) emitted by the Group's or its customers' units, as well as hydrogen mobility projects in Europe and Asia. The share of the Electronics business in the portfolio of opportunities increased and represented around 30%.
Europe remained the portfolio of opportunities' leading region with numerous energy transition projects, in particular in Large Industries. It is followed by Asia, where the majority of projects for Electronics customers are being carried out. In the Americas, the portfolio also included several Electronics projects, in addition to the investment opportunities in Large Industries and Biogas.
The current military conflict between Russia and Ukraine increases certain risks or categories of risk specific to the Group described on pages 75 to 89 of the 2021 Universal Registration Document. Before the beginning of the conflict, Air Liquide's presence in Ukraine was limited to a sales representation and engineering services for the Engineering & Construction business. Revenue generated by the Group in Russia in 2021 represented less than 1% of the Group's consolidated revenue, and the net value of Group assets located in Russia was less than 2% of the Group's total net assets at December 31, 2021.
The Group is actively reviewing all options as the situation evolves. Air Liquide is in a complex position as it provides medical oxygen to hospitals, in addition to its industrial activity.
The Group has applied management measures that are adapted to each business, including, in particular:
Moreover, the Group moved quickly to set up a crisis management unit. As part of the Group's crisis management mechanism, operational business continuity plans were activated.
Although this crisis increases the probability and the impact of the above-mentioned risk factors, it is not of a nature to call into question the scope and classification of these Group-specific risks as presented in the 2021 Universal Registration Document.
Moreover, the covid-19 public health crisis, which is not specific to the Group, is still ongoing. The Group has maintained its action plan to protect its teams and assets, while providing the best possible service to its customers. The Group has capitalized on the transfer of experience across geographies. In recent months, due diligence and crisis management measures relating to covid-19 have been particularly applied in Asia.
Other risks, which are unknown at the date of this document, may nonetheless occur and have a negative effect on the Group's business.
The Group delivered a very strong performance during the 1(st) half of 2022. This is even more remarkable considering the particularly complex macroeconomic and geopolitical context. Revenue reached 14.2 billion euros, an increase of +7.7% on a comparable basis. As published, revenue was up +31%, reflecting the sharp increase in energy prices in particular. Growth was achieved across all activities: Gas & Services, which represents 96% of revenue, Engineering & Construction and Global Markets & Technologies.
In Gas & Services, all geographies improved, driven mainly by Industrial Merchant and Electronics, which enjoyed strong growth particularly in Asia. In Industrial Merchant, value creation and dynamic price management allowed the Group to transfer the increase in costs, while in Large Industries, the increase in energy prices is contractually passed on to customers.
In this context, the Group's operating margin improved again significantly by +50 basis points, excluding the energy impact. The Group also continues taking efficiency measures, notably through targeted industrial investments.
Recurring net profit((9) reached 1.6 billion euros, an increase of +20.4% excluding the currency impact. Net profit (Group share) was 1.3 billion euros, an increase as published of +5.3% despite a non-recurring provision on the assets in Russia. Cash flow from operating activities before changes in net working capital remained high at 23.5% of sales excluding energy impact. The balance sheet is solid, with a net debt-to-equity ratio(10) down again to 46%. Recurring ROCE(11) continued to improve and reached 9.7% at the end of June, in line with the target of 10% by 2023.
The Group maintained a strong investment momentum, which is a guarantee of future growth and the expression of its commitment to fight climate change. With more than 40% of projects linked to the energy transition, 12-month investment opportunities are numerous and total 3.3 billion euros. Investment decisions were high and reached 1.8 billion euros this half-year. The project backlog, at 3 billion euros, remains high.
Following a strong performance in the 1(st) half of 2022, combined with a more resilient business model and a clear strategic plan, as well as committed teams, the Group is entering the second half of the year.
In 2022, assuming no significant economic disruption, Air Liquide is confident in its ability to further increase its operating margin and to deliver recurring net profit growth at constant exchange rates((12) .
Performance indicators used by the Group that are not directly defined in the financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the AMF position 2015-12 about alternative performance measures.
The performance indicators are the following:
Definition of Currency, energy and significant scope impacts
Since industrial and medical gases are rarely exported, the impact of currency fluctuations on activity levels and results is limited to euro translation impacts with respect to the financial statements of subsidiaries located outside the euro zone. The currency effect is calculated based on the aggregates for the period converted at the exchange rate for the previous period.
In addition, the Group passes on variations in the cost of energy (electricity and natural gas) to its customers via indexed invoicing integrated into their medium and long-term contracts. This indexing can lead to significant variations in sales (mainly in the Large Industries Business Line) from one period to another depending on fluctuations in prices on the energy market.
An energy impact is calculated based on the sales of each of the main subsidiaries in Large Industries. Their consolidation allows the determination of the energy impact for the Group as a whole. The foreign exchange rate used is the average annual exchange rate for the year N-1. Thus, at the subsidiary level, the following formula provides the energy impact, calculated for natural gas and electricity respectively:
Share of sales indexed to energy year (N-1) x (Average energy price in year (N) - Average energy price in year (N-1))
This indexation effect of electricity and natural gas does not impact the operating income recurring.
The significant scope effect corresponds to the impact on sales of all acquisitions or disposals of a significant size for the Group. These changes in scope of consolidation are determined:
Calculation of performance indicators (Semester)
COMPARABLE SALES CHANGE AND COMPARABLE OPERATING INCOME RECURRING CHANGE
Comparable changes for sales and operating income recurring exclude the currency, energy and significant scope impacts described above.
OPERATING MARGIN AND OPERATING MARGIN EXCLUDING ENERGY
The operating margin is the ratio of the operating income recurring divided by revenue. The operating margin excluding energy corresponds to the operating income recurring, not affected by the indexation effect of electricity and natural gas, divided by revenue excluding the energy impact. The ratio of operating income recurring divided by the revenue (whether restated or not from the energy impact) is calculated with rounding to one decimal place. The variation between 2 periods is calculated as the difference between these rounded ratios, which can result in positive or negative differences compared to a more precise calculation, due to rounding.
RECURRING NET PROFIT GROUP SHARE AND RECURRING NET PROFIT GROUP SHARE EXCLUDING CURRENCY IMPACT
The recurring net profit Group share corresponds to the net profit Group share excluding exceptional and significant transactions that have no impact on the operating income recurring.
NET PROFIT EXCLUDING IFRS16 AND NET PROFIT RECURRING EXCLUDING IFRS16
Net Profit Recurring excluding IFRS16:
Efficiencies represent a sustainable cost reduction resulting from an action plan on a specific project. Efficiencies are identified and managed on a per project basis. Each project is followed by a team composed in alignment with the nature of the project (purchasing, operations, human resources...).
RETURN ON CAPITAL EMPLOYED - ROCE
Return on capital employed after tax is calculated based on the Group's consolidated financial statements, by applying the following ratio for the period in question.
For the numerator: net profit excluding IFRS16 - net finance costs after taxes for the period in question.
For the denominator: the average of (total shareholders' equity excluding IFRS16 + net debt) at the end of the past three half-years.
The recurring ROCE is calculated in the same manner as the ROCE using the recurring net profit excluding IFR16 for the numerator.
Calculation of performance indicators (Quarter)
The operating margin (OIR to revenue ratio) stood at 16.1% as published, representing a -190 basis point decline compared with the 1(st) half of 2021 due mainly to the sharp increase in energy costs which are contractually passed through to Large Industries customers. This therefore has a dilutive impact on the published margin (without impacting the operating income in absolute value). Excluding the energy impact, the operating margin improved very significantly by +50 basis points compared with the 1(st) half of 2021.
The analysis of net cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period is as follows:
Statement of changes in net debt
Sales, Operating Income Recurring and investments key figures synthesis
The following tables gather data already available in this report. They complement the key figures indicated in the table on the first page.
The slideshow that accompanies this release is available as of 7:20 am (Paris time) at www.airliquide.com.
Throughout the year, follow Air Liquide on Twitter: @AirLiquideGroup.
Génération Hydrogène:
A world leader in gases, technologies and services for Industry and Health, Air Liquide is present in 75 countries with approximately 66,400 employees and serves more than 3.8 million customers and patients. Oxygen, nitrogen and hydrogen are essential small molecules for life, matter and energy. They embody Air Liquide's scientific territory and have been at the core of the company's activities since its creation in 1902.
Taking action today while preparing the future is at the heart of Air Liquide's strategy. With ADVANCE, its strategic plan for 2025, Air Liquide is targeting a global performance, combining financial and extra-financial dimensions. Positioned on new markets, the Group benefits from major assets such as its business model combining resilience and strength, its ability to innovate and its technological expertise. The Group develops solutions contributing to climate and the energy transition--particularly with hydrogen--and takes action to progress in areas of healthcare, digital and high technologies.
Air Liquide's revenue amounted to more than 23 billion euros in 2021. Air Liquide is listed on the Euronext Paris stock exchange (compartment A) and belongs to the CAC 40, CAC 40 ESG, EURO STOXX 50 and FTSE4Good indexes.
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