International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. reported financial results and strategic achievements for the second quarter ended June 30, 2018.
 
“Top-line trends remained strong in the second quarter, marking the fourth consecutive quarter of mid-single digit growth,” said IFF Chairman and CEO Andreas Fibig.  “Performance was broad-based, as all regions and categories improved versus prior year, driven by new wins and price increases needed to compensate for raw material inflation.  In particular, we continued to see robust growth with our local and regional customers, as well as in the emerging markets - both of which grew high-single digits. In terms of bottom-line performance, we delivered a high-single digit improvement in adjusted currency neutral EPS. 

“Based on our strong year-to-date performance and our current outlook for the balance of the year, we are reconfirming our previously stated full year currency neutral guidance.
“We are progressing toward the completion of our combination with Frutarom announced during the second quarter.  We received Frutarom shareholder approval, as well as antitrust approval in the United States and Israel and we now expect to close in the fourth quarter - earlier than our previously communicated timeline, pending the remaining regulatory approvals. The integration planning process is well underway and, after nearly three months, we are more enthusiastic than ever about the opportunities ahead of us.
 
“Together with Frutarom, IFF expects to deliver accelerated growth and offer our customers a stronger, more differentiated portfolio of integrated solutions, allowing us to expand beyond our core taste and scent businesses into nutrition. We continue to focus on driving differentiation via R&D, balancing our customer base by emphasizing fast-growing small and mid-sized customers and maximizing our portfolio by expanding into fast-growing and diverse adjacencies. Our combination, especially in the context of the strong performance both companies continue to deliver, is expected to result in significant value creation for our shareholders. We could not be more excited about what the future holds.”
 
Reported net sales for the second quarter rose 9% to $920 million. Operating profit increased 2% to $155 million.
 
For the Fragrances Business Unit, sales increased 10% to $469.5 million. Fine Fragrances increased 7% led by double-digit growth in LATAM and low-single-digit growth in North America. 
Consumer Fragrances grew 8% with growth achieved in all categories.  Performance was led by double-digit growth in Hair Care as well as mid-single-digit increases in Toiletries, Home Care & Fabric Care. On a geographic basis, growth was broad-based, with all regions contributing positively to the results.
 
Fragrance Ingredients grew 16% with increases in three of the four regions.Fragrances segment profit was flat on a reported basis and decreased 9% on a currency neutral basis as volume growth and the benefits from productivity initiatives were more than offset by the impact of higher raw material costs, net of price increases, including the previously announced citral supply issue, said the company.