WACKER’s Annual Shareholders’ Meeting adopts agenda proposals by a large majority

In his speech, WACKER CEO Christian Hartel referred to the forecast for the current fiscal year, 2026. The company adjusted its guidance in mid-April ahead of its presentation of the Q1 figures due to the turmoil on the energy and commodity markets caused by the conflict in the Middle East. This has led to significantly higher costs for energy, raw materials and logistics, some of which affect WACKER as well.

“We are consistently passing on additional costs incurred by increased raw-material and energy prices to our customers,” explained Hartel. For this reason, the company adjusted its full-year sales forecast. Sales growth is now expected to be in the high single-digit percentage range (previous forecast: low single-digit percentage range). In view of the ongoing uncertainties and volatile order intake, the full-year EBITDA guidance, in contrast, remains unchanged in the range of €550 million to €700 million. “Volatility in the markets is currently high. The situation in the Middle East with all its consequences is uncertain. Our forecast for the year is therefore still subject to great uncertainty,” emphasized the CEO.

In his speech, he explained that regardless of the current developments in the Middle East, the chemical industry was facing fundamental challenges – especially in Germany and Europe. “Chemical production in Germany has been going in reverse for years. This is no longer a cyclical dip, but a process of structural change.”

He added that WACKER will successfully navigate through this change by implementing the measures the company had already taken. In spring 2025, WACKER formulated strategic priorities that point the way to the future. In October 2025, WACKER launched “PACE” – the largest cost-savings and efficiency program in the company’s history. “With PACE, we are strengthening our competitiveness and creating an economic foundation. At the same time, we are laying the foundation for our future growth in line with our strategic priorities,” he said.

Nonetheless, Hartel called on Berlin and Brussels to create the right political framework for the measures to be fully effective. “Whether energy prices, bureaucracy or regulations: we need a level playing field on which comparable international competitive conditions apply. This is the only way for the chemical industry in Germany and Europe to have a successful future,” added the CEO by way of clarification.

During the general debate at the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, shareholders were able to participate live via video to deliver their statements and ask questions.

40,319,159 shares accounting for 77.31 percent of the capital stock were represented at today’s meeting.

Details of the voting results, together with further information on the Annual Shareholders’ Meeting, can be found in the Investor Relations section of www.wacker.com.