The management boards of Grupa Azoty S.A., Grupa Azoty Police, and Grupa Azoty Kędzierzyn have signed agreements with Trade Union Organizations to suspend selected cost-intensive provisions of their Collective Bargaining Agreements (ZUZP). This marks another step in the cost restructuring process that has been underway since spring this year, in response to the financial difficulties Grupa Azoty has faced since the second half of 2022.
Grupa Azoty is expanding its product line in the field of ammonium nitrate, a primary nitrogen fertilizer. Initially, production of the fertilizer with a 33.5% nitrogen content, previously the flagship product of Grupa Azoty ZAK, will also begin at Grupa Azoty Puławy. The next step involves rebranding the product from ZAKsan 33.5 to megAN 33.5. This move accelerates the integration of production, sales, and marketing activities in the Agro segment across the entire Grupa Azoty Capital Group.
The 7th edition of the "We Care for Polish Soil" lottery, held under the slogan "The Best for the Best," has concluded. Anyone who made a single purchase of Grupa Azoty fertilizers worth at least PLN 1,000 gross between February 1 and April 30 was eligible to participate. This year's grand prize, a John Deere 5090M tractor, was awarded to Mr. Adam from the Lublin province, who purchased Pulan fertilizer for almost PLN 2,000 gross on the winning receipt.
Grupa Azoty has completed its agreements in the Agro sector for the 2024/2025 season, signing a total of 66 contracts with its authorized distribution network for the domestic market. Internationally, a significant portion of sales is based on short-term agreements, while some cooperation is carried out under framework agreements.
In 2023, Grupa Azoty achieved consolidated sales revenues of PLN 13,545 million and an EBITDA result of minus PLN 1,366 million, with an EBITDA margin of minus 10.1%. The net loss amounted to PLN 3.29 billion. In 2023, Grupa Azoty relied significantly more on external financing, including loans and factoring, increasing debt by PLN 2.8 billion from PLN 7.1 billion at the end of 2022 to PLN 9.9 billion as of December 31, 2023.
The financial situation that the new management board encountered at Grupa Azoty prioritizes ensuring the continuity of operations within the Capital Group companies and developing and implementing a recovery plan. Consequently, Grupa Azoty is making difficult decisions to withdraw from sponsorship activities. It is worth noting that the sponsorship policies adopted by the previous management board do not allow Grupa Azoty companies to engage in such activities in 2024.