Semperit further delays divestment of gloves business

Vienna – Semperit AG is delaying the planned divestment of its Sempermed gloves business with no specific timeline in view for the process, the Austrian group has told ERJ.

Semperit disclosed its strategic decision to divest the unit in January 2020 but delayed it until “at least mid-2021” due to the unit’s significant contribution to earnings following the outbreak of Covid.

“The strategic landmark decision that Semperit will separate from the medical business remains in place, but the implementation of this decision is not our focus at the moment,” Semperit told ERJ in a written statement 2 Aug. 

Semperit saw a significant increase in sales and earnings throughout 2020, helped by Covid-driven demand for its Sempermed medical gloves products and its ongoing restructuring measures.

The group achieved the "best results in its recent corporate history" for the year 2020, as earnings (EBITDA) tripled year-on-year to €208.6 million, on 10.4% higher sales of €927.6 million.