“This was another very good quarter for Innospec. Sales increased with volume growth and price/mix improvements across our businesses driving a 25 percent increase in operating income over last year. Our focus remains on delivering technologies and products that add value to our customers through improved cost and performance.
In Performance Chemicals, continued strong demand for our industry-leading mild, sulfate-free and natural personal care chemistries drove the majority of margin improvement and operating income grew 61 percent over the prior year. In addition to personal care, sales grew in all other Performance Chemicals end-markets. Personal care currently contributes over 75 percent of Performance Chemicals operating income, and we are adding significant additional capacity backed by multi-year contracts for these technologies. To further support our long-term growth, last week we announced the acquisition of adjacent land which significantly increases the available footprint for future expansion at our primary US personal care manufacturing facility.
In Fuel Specialties, price/mix improvements drove an 11 percent increase in operating income over a strong comparative quarter last year. Gross margins remained at the lower end of our target range, and there continues to be potential for gross margin improvement as inflation normalizes and mix improves. Volumes increased on market share growth as we expanded our industry-leading technology into new applications like renewable diesel, low sulfur marine fuel, gasoline direct injection engines and various non-fuels areas.
In Oilfield Services, operating income approximately doubled versus the prior year. Under current market conditions, significant room for improvement remains in sales, margins and operating leverage. We expect sequential operating income and margin expansion to continue in the coming quarters.”
In Performance Chemicals, revenues of $169.0 million were up 32 percent from $128.2 million in the second quarter last year. Volume growth of 6 percent and a positive price/mix of 34 percent were partially offset by an adverse currency impact of 8 percent. Gross margins increased by 1.2 percentage points from the same quarter last year to 25.8 percent. Operating income for the quarter of $28.8 million was up 61 percent on the prior year.
Revenues in Fuel Specialties were $176.4 million for the quarter, a 23 percent increase from $143.1 million a year ago. Volume growth of 3 percent and a positive price/mix of 27 percent were partially offset by an adverse currency impact of 7 percent. Gross margins of 32.3 percent were 2.7 percentage points below last year. Operating income for the quarter of $31.5 million was up 11 percent on last year.
Revenues in Oilfield Services were $122.2 million for the quarter, up 47 percent from $83.2 million in the second quarter last year. Gross margins improved by 0.2 percentage points from the same quarter last year to 32.2 percent. Operating income of $4.5 million was approximately double the $2.2 million in the prior year.
Corporate costs for the quarter were $18.5 million, compared with $11.6 million a year ago, up due mainly to higher personnel-related expenses driven by increased share-based compensation and performance related remuneration accruals.
The effective tax rate for the quarter was 23.6 percent compared to 44.1 percent in the same period last year which included the enacted change in the U.K. tax rate impacting deferred tax. The adjusted tax rate for the quarter was 22.8 percent compared to 24.2 percent last year.
Net cash used in operating activities after capital expenditure was $16.5 million for the quarter, as net working capital increased. In addition, the Company distributed $15.6 million to shareholders for the semi-annual dividend and repurchased 18,700 of its common shares at a cost of $1.8 million. As of June 30, 2022, Innospec had $71.4 million in cash and cash equivalents and no debt.
Mr. Williams concluded,
“Our team continues to execute very well in a challenging business environment, and we are pleased with the strong double-digit sales and operating income growth achieved this quarter. We believe that our businesses are well positioned to navigate near-term headwinds which include higher interest rates, persistent inflation and European energy concerns.
Entering the second half of 2022, we expect demand to remain strong in the majority of our businesses. Volumes and capacity additions in personal care, which makes up the dominant share of Performance Chemicals operating income, are backed by multi-year contracts. Fuel Specialties has traditionally been a defensive business during recessionary times, and the cost-saving, sustainability benefits of our products are well aligned with current customer priorities. We feel that Oilfield Services continues to have significant growth potential with the target of returning to pre-COVID operating income levels over the medium term.