Group 1 - Bayer Group announced a restructuring of its crop science division to enhance global competitiveness, including the cessation of production at the Frankfurt plant by the end of 2028 [1] - The restructuring is a response to significant overcapacity and price competition from Asian generic manufacturers, aiming to maintain production facilities in Germany while offering competitive products [1][2] - The Frankfurt plant primarily produces active ingredients and formulations for herbicides, with plans to divest some production activities and transfer remaining operations to the Dormagen and Knapsack plants [1][2] Group 2 - Bayer stated that not all of the approximately 500 employees at the Frankfurt plant will lose their jobs, as some positions will be transferred due to the planned sale of certain business segments [2] - The Dormagen plant, which employs nearly 1,200 people, will see around 200 positions affected, but it will remain Bayer's largest production base for active ingredients and crop protection products [2] - Bayer's restructuring is part of a comprehensive "five-year framework" initiated in March to address challenges in the crop science division and ensure global competitiveness [2] Group 3 - In Q1, Bayer's crop science division reported a 3.3% decline in sales to €7.58 billion, with adjusted EBITDA down 10.2% to €2.557 billion [2] - The company plans to focus on strategic innovative technologies and products, emphasizing the importance of innovation in active ingredients for crop protection [2] - Bayer aims to launch several significant products from its crop science R&D activities over the next decade [2]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company sales declined 14% year-over-year, with pricing down 9% and volume down 1% [16][17] - First quarter EBITDA declined 25% due to lower pricing and FX headwinds [21] - Free cash flow in the first quarter was negative $596 million, significantly lower than the prior year [35] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Plant Health business outperformed the portfolio with sales up 1% year-over-year, driven by biologicals [17] - North America experienced a sales decline of 28%, primarily due to lower volume from cautious purchases [18] - Latin America grew 17% excluding FX headwinds, with increased direct sales to cotton growers in Brazil [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - A strong U.S. Dollar led to a 4% FX headwind [31] - Asia saw a sales decline of 21% excluding currency impacts, driven by prudent selling and lower prices [20] - EMEA reported 7% lower sales excluding currency impact due to lower volumes [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on reducing channel inventory and implementing a post-patent strategy for Renexapia [6][11] - A new route to market in Brazil is being established to sell directly to large corn and soybean growers, expected to provide significant growth opportunities [11][12] - The growth portfolio is positioned to deliver strong growth with new active ingredients expected to perform well in 2025 [12][13] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving financial objectives for 2025, with expectations for significant momentum in the second half of the year [38] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 7% in the second half, driven by new products and the new route to market in Brazil [29] - Management noted that the impact of tariffs is manageable and will not significantly hinder reaching 2025 goals [28] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 14% in the first quarter, with expectations for a full-year rate of 13% to 15% [33] - Gross debt increased to approximately $4 billion due to seasonal working capital build [34] - The company expects free cash flow of $200 million to $400 million for 2025, a decrease from the prior year [35] Q&A Session Summary Question: Price trends in the crop protection market outside of diamides - Management indicated that pricing comparisons will ease in the second half of the year, with expectations for more stability [41][42] Question: Guidance on strong growth in the second half of the year - Management expressed high confidence in revenue growth driven by new products and a healthy channel situation starting in Q3 [46][49] Question: Actions to offset tariff impacts - Management clarified that cost-saving actions were planned regardless of tariffs and that they are confident in offsetting the tariff headwinds [54][56] Question: Reducing channel inventories - Management explained that they shifted focus to promoting products directly to growers, avoiding the need for significant rebates or discounts [62] Question: Updates on the DaiMod strategy - Management confirmed that pricing is lower compared to last year, and they are confident in maintaining competitiveness with generic manufacturers [66][68] Question: Customer order patterns - Management noted that customer orders are picking up speed in Q2, with a positive outlook for demand [82][84] Question: Differences between selling directly to farmers and through the channel - Management indicated that EBIT margins are similar for both sales methods, with cash conversion linked more to regional dynamics [88][90] Question: Second half EBITDA bridge - Management explained that the pricing and FX headwinds are interconnected, with expectations for a lower impact in the second half [94][96] Question: Impact of the new route to market in Brazil - Management confirmed that the new sales organization is in place and expects positive results in Q3 [106][108]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Company sales declined 14% year-over-year, with pricing down 9% and volume down 1% [17][18] - First quarter EBITDA declined 25% due to lower pricing and FX headwinds [21] - Free cash flow in the first quarter was negative $596 million, significantly lower than the prior year [33] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - The Plant Health business outperformed the portfolio with sales up 1% year-over-year, driven by biologicals [18] - North America experienced a sales decline of 28%, primarily due to lower volume from cautious purchases [19] - Latin America grew 17% excluding FX headwinds, with increased direct sales to cotton growers in Brazil [19] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - A strong U.S. Dollar led to an FX headwind of 4% [18] - Asia reported a sales decline of 21% excluding currency impacts, driven by intentional prudent selling [20] - EMEA reported 7% lower sales excluding currency impact due to lower volumes [20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on decreasing product in the channel to align with customer inventory levels and implementing a post-patent strategy for Renexapia [7][8] - A new route to market in Brazil is being established to sell directly to large corn and soybean growers, expected to provide significant growth opportunities [12] - The growth portfolio is positioned to deliver strong growth with new active ingredients expected to perform well in 2025 [13][14] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving financial objectives for 2025, with expectations for significant momentum in the second half of the year [36] - The company anticipates revenue growth of 7% in the second half, driven by new products and the new route to market in Brazil [28] - Management noted that the impact of recently announced tariffs is manageable and will not significantly hinder reaching 2025 goals [27] Other Important Information - The effective tax rate on adjusted earnings was 14% in the first quarter, in line with expectations for the full year [31] - Gross debt increased to approximately $4 billion due to seasonal working capital build [32] - The company expects free cash flow of $200 million to $400 million for 2025, a decrease from the prior year [33] Q&A Session Summary Question: Price trends in the crop protection market outside of diamides - Management indicated that pricing comparisons will ease in the second half of the year, with expectations for more stability [40][42] Question: Guidance on strong growth in the second half of the year - Management expressed high confidence in revenue growth driven by new products and a healthy channel situation starting in Q3 [46][48] Question: Actions to offset tariff impacts - Management clarified that cost-saving actions were planned regardless of tariffs and are expected to be at the higher end of projections [53][56] Question: Reducing channel inventories - Management explained that reducing channel inventories involved shifting focus to end users without significant rebates or discounts [62] Question: Updates on the DaiMod strategy - Management confirmed ongoing cost reductions and confidence in growth run rates despite the upcoming patent expirations [66] Question: Alternatives for sourcing raw materials impacted by tariffs - Management highlighted flexibility in the supply chain with multiple sources for critical raw materials to limit tariff impacts [71][74] Question: Customer order patterns - Management noted that customer orders are picking up speed in Q2, with a positive dynamic observed in Europe [82] Question: Differences between selling directly to farmers and through the channel - Management indicated that the EBIT margin is similar for both sales methods, with cash conversion linked more to regional operations [86][88] Question: Second half EBITDA bridge - Management explained that the pricing and FX headwinds are interconnected, with expectations for a lower impact in the second half [94]