3. Segment and Regional Reporting

The Board of Management of Covestro AG, as the chief operating decision maker of the Covestro Group, allocates resources to the operating segments and assesses their performance. The reportable segments and regions are identified, and the disclosures selected, in line with the internal financial reporting system (management approach). They are based on the Covestro Group’s accounting policies, which are outlined in the consolidated financial statements as of December 31, 2018, subject to the effects of the first-time adoption of financial reporting standards in the current fiscal year as described in Note 2.1 “Financial Reporting Standards Applied for the First Time in the Reporting Period” above.

As of June 30, 2019, the Covestro Group comprises three reportable segments with the following activities:

Polyurethanes

The Polyurethanes segment develops, produces and markets high-quality precursors for polyurethanes. These precursors are isocyanates (MDI, TDI) and polyether polyols. Flexible polyurethane foam is used especially in the furniture and automotive industries (e.g., in upholstered furniture, mattresses and car seats). Rigid foam is used mainly in the construction industry as an insulating material as well as along the entire refrigeration chain. The segment operates production facilities worldwide as well as systems houses for formulating and supplying customized polyurethane systems.

Polycarbonates

The Polycarbonates segment develops, produces and markets the high-performance plastic polycarbonate in the form of granules, composite materials and semifinished products (sheets). The material is used primarily in the automotive industry (e.g., in the vehicle interior and for vehicle lighting) and in the construction industry (e.g., for roof structures). It is also used in the electrical and electronics industry (e.g., for connector housings, computer cases and DVDs), the medical technology sector and the lighting industry (e.g., for LED components). The Covestro Group produces polycarbonate all around the world and processes it at compounding centers to meet specific customer requirements.

Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties

The Coatings, Adhesives, Specialties segment develops, produces and markets precursors for coatings, adhesives and sealants as well as specialties – primarily for polyurethane systems. They include polymer materials and aqueous dispersions based on the isocyanates HDI and IPDI, which are produced at facilities located throughout the world. The main areas of application are automotive and transportation, infrastructure and construction, wood processing, and furniture. The specialties comprise elastomers, high-quality films and precursors for the cosmetics, textiles, and health care sectors.

Business activities that cannot be allocated to any of the aforementioned segments are reported under “All other segments.” The external sales from these activities are generated mainly from by-products of chlorine production and use.

The costs of Corporate Center functions and higher or lower expenses for long-term stock-based compensation arising from fluctuations in the performance of Covestro AG stock are presented in the segment reporting as “Corporate Center and reconciliation.”

The segment data is calculated as follows:

• EBIT and EBITDA are not defined in the International Financial Reporting Standards. EBIT is equal to income after income taxes plus financial result and income tax. EBITDA is the EBIT as reported in the income statement plus depreciation and impairment losses on property, plant, and equipment and amortization and impairment losses on intangible assets, less impairment loss reversals.
• Working capital comprises inventories plus trade accounts receivable, less trade accounts payable.

The following tables show the segment reporting data for the second quarter and for the first half year (as of June 30), respectively:

Information on geographical areas

The following tables show information by geographical area. The EMLA region consists of Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Latin America except Mexico, which together with the United States and Canada forms the NAFTA region. The APAC region includes Asia and the Pacific region.

The following tables show the regional reporting data for the second quarter and for the first half year:

Reconciliation

The following table shows the reconciliation of EBITDA of the segments to income before income taxes of the Group: