Blue Cap AG: Preliminary figures for the first half of 2025 show good earnings performance despite expected decline in sales

• Half-year revenue of EUR 97.9 million as expected below previous year’s level (previous year: EUR 102.3 million)
• Profitability significantly improved: EBITDA margin rises to 8.8% (previous year: 7.2%) – driven by robust business models and strict cost control
• Annual forecast confirmed with consolidated revenue of EUR 200–220 million and adjusted EBITDA margin of 10.0–11.0%

Munich, July 30, 2025 – Based on preliminary calculations, Blue Cap AG (“Blue Cap”) can look back on a solid first half-year in line with expectations. The Management Board therefore confirms the full-year forecast issued on March 28, 2025.

Blue Cap generated consolidated Group revenue of EUR 97.9 million in the first half of 2025 (previous year⁽¹⁾: EUR 102.3 million). Of this, EUR 51.5 million was attributable to the second quarter (first quarter: EUR 46.5 million). Operating earnings (adjusted EBITDA⁽²⁾) improved significantly to EUR 8.9 million in the first half of the year (previous year: EUR 7.5 million), bringing the adjusted EBITDA margin to 8.8% (previous year: 7.2%). The result underscores the resilience of the diversified portfolio: Continued customer restraint and lower order volumes were offset by positive order trends and successful transformation processes.

Key figures for the Group at a glance

Blue Cap continues to have a solid balance sheet and financing structure. Net debt (including lease liabilities) increased slightly to 0.6 years (March 31, 2025: 0.3). It remains well within the target range of less than 3.5 years.

Very mixed performance across the portfolio

As of June 30, 2025, Blue Cap’s portfolio comprises five majority shareholdings in the Plastics, Adhesives & Coatings, and Business Services segments, as well as one minority shareholding. The Blue Cap portfolio is experiencing very mixed performance across its individual holdings in a market environment that remains volatile.

As in previous quarters, the Plastics segment benefited from positive margin development and stable order intake at con-pearl. H+E also performed solidly in line with expectations and held its ground in an automotive market that remained characterized by cost pressure. Overall, the segment maintained its already good revenue level while achieving higher profitability.

The Adhesives & Coatings segment, which currently comprises Planatol, also stabilized its revenue and remained almost at the previous year’s level. Earnings also improved in this segment.

Looking at the Business Services segment, caution continues to prevail in the respective markets. As expected, both HY-LINE and Transline fell short of the previous year’s revenue in the first half of the year. While revenue declined, profitability in this segment also increased thanks to targeted efficiency measures.

At the minority shareholding Inheco, the transformation measures completed in 2024 showed initial success and were reflected in a stabilized EBITDA.

Henning Eschweiler, COO of Blue Cap: “We are satisfied with the overall operational performance in the first half of the year. In a market environment that remains demanding, we have succeeded in securing the earnings quality of the top performers in our portfolio while also continuously improving the currently challenging segments.”

Segment key figures before consolidation at a glance

Note: Rounding differences are possible, figures relate to continuing operations.

Highlight of the first half of the year: record dividend paid

Blue Cap's Annual General Meeting took place on June 27, 2025. All items on the agenda were approved with a very high level of approval. Dr. Henning von Kottwitz, CEO of Blue Cap: “At this year’s Annual General Meeting, we were able to propose a record dividend of EUR 1.10 to our shareholders. We are delighted with the consistently high approval ratings and the confidence expressed by our shareholders.”

Outlook: 2025 forecast confirmed

The preliminary financial figures for the first half of the year are within the expectations of the Management Board. It therefore confirms its existing forecast for the current fiscal year of consolidated revenue between EUR 200 million and EUR 220 million, an adjusted EBITDA margin between 10.0% and 11.0%, and a net debt ratio of less than 3.5 years.

Important note

A conference call with the Management Board of Blue Cap AG will be held today at 11:00 a.m. to discuss the published figures. You can register at this link. The presentation will be available on our website at https://www.blue-cap.de/en/investor-relations/ following the conference call.

The figures announced in this press release are preliminary. Further details about the company can be found on the website: https://www.blue-cap.de/en/investor-relations/. The complete half-year report for 2025 will be published at the end of August 2025. 

⁽¹⁾ Continuing operations (without the Neschen und Nokra investments sold in 2024)

⁽²⁾ Adjustments: Adjusted for extraordinary, out-of-period and other effects from reorganization measures and one-off effects

About Blue Cap AG

Blue Cap AG is a Munich-based investment company founded in 2006 and listed on the capital market. The company acquires medium-sized companies from the B2B sector in special situations and supports them in their entrepreneurial development with the aim of selling them profitably at a later date. The acquired companies are headquartered in the DACH region, generate sales of between EUR 20 and 200 million and have a sustainably stable core business. Blue Cap mostly holds majority stakes in six companies from the Adhesives & Coating Technology, Plastics Technology, Production Technology, Life Sciences and Business Services sectors. The Group currently employs around 800 people in Germany and other European countries. Blue Cap AG is listed on the open market (Scale, Frankfurt and m:access, Munich; ISIN: DE000A0JM2M1; ticker symbol: B7E). https://www.blue-cap.de/en/ 

Contact:

Blue Cap AG
Annika Küppers
Corporate Affairs
Phone +49 89 288909-24
ir@blue-cap.de