STEICO SE (ISIN DE000A0LR936) released its Half-Year Report 2026 today, revealing a mixed performance as the company navigates catch-up effects in the second quarter alongside significant cost pressures from geopolitical tensions. The report, published on July 20, 2026, shows that with the start of the construction season, demand for STEICO products rose significantly, bringing the group's turnover to EUR 200.3 million at the end of the first half, up 0.6% from EUR 199.1 million in the same period last year.
However, the company faced massive cost increases in the second quarter due to the US–Iran conflict and related supply chain disruptions. These cost pressures have not shown signs of easing, and costs continue to rise in many areas. Although STEICO implemented price increases to offset these costs, they are taking effect with a time lag, heavily impacting margins for the first half of the year. EBITDA after six months stood at EUR 29.0 million, a decline of 22.1% compared to EUR 37.2 million in the previous year. EBIT fell to EUR 14.7 million, 30.8% below last year's EUR 21.2 million, resulting in an EBIT margin of 7.5%.
Despite these headwinds, the Executive Board expects further growth in the second half of the year and anticipates continued improvement in profit margins. Management has confirmed its full-year 2026 forecast, provided the economic outlook does not deteriorate further. Revenue for the full year is expected to grow between -2% and +4% compared to the previous year, corresponding to approximately EUR 375 million to EUR 398 million. EBIT is projected to be between EUR 30 million and EUR 38 million, implying an EBIT margin of 8.0% to 9.5%.
The complete financial report can be downloaded at https://www.steico.com/en/investor-relations/. This news is important as it highlights how global conflicts, such as the US–Iran tensions, can disrupt supply chains and inflate costs for companies in the construction materials sector, impacting profitability and potentially affecting building costs for consumers. For the industry, STEICO's performance reflects broader challenges, including rising raw material and logistics expenses, which may lead to higher prices for bio-based insulation and timber construction products. The company's ability to offset cost increases with price adjustments and maintain growth expectations suggests resilience, but the margin compression serves as a warning for the sector.
STEICO, as a global market leader in wood fibre insulation materials and a system provider for integrated timber construction, plays a crucial role in the shift toward sustainable building. The outcomes of this half-year report could influence investor confidence in green building materials and signal how companies are adapting to geopolitical risks.
