- Fresenius Medical Care with stronger than projected COVID-19 related headwind
- Fresenius Kabi improves EBIT1 outlook; North America returning to growth; Emerging Markets business with continued healthy financial performance
- Helios Germany with ongoing upward trend for elective treatments; activity levels at Helios Spain above pre-pandemic levels
- Fresenius Vamed with good performance in the service business; order book in the project business remains at all-time high
- Cost and efficiency program on track; savings targets confirmed for FY/23
- Fresenius raises FY/21 Group sales outlook; earnings now expected to be around the top-end of guidance
If no timeframe is specified, information refers to Q3/21.
1 In constant currency
2 Before special items
3 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation table in the PDF document.
Stephan Sturm, CEO of Fresenius, said: “More and more people being vaccinated against COVID-19 is good news. However, the pandemic remains very relevant. It has also more strongly impacted Fresenius and for longer than could have been foreseen. Yet despite this, we continue to grow and remain on track to achieve this year’s, again raised, targets. Launching the Group cost and efficiency program has proved to be the right decision: Our initiatives will help us to better absorb the burdens caused by the pandemic. At the same time, they will strengthen our foundations to thrive, long-term, in a challenging environment. The demand for high-quality, affordable healthcare will be even greater in the future. Fresenius will continue making an important contribution, while creating value for all stakeholders.”
COVID-19 assumptions for guidance FY/21
Negative COVID-19 effects at Fresenius have increased sequentially in Q3/21, driven by significant excess patient mortality at Fresenius Medical Care. Fresenius expects also Q4/21 to be impacted by COVID-19 effects. Meaningfully rising COVID-19 case numbers, the further evolution of virus mutations as well as stalling vaccination progress could impact Fresenius’ ability to achieve its FY/21 guidance. Additionally, Fresenius expects headwinds from cost inflation including rising commodity and shipping prices, increasing energy costs, as well as supply chain constraints in Q4/21. Hence, Fresenius remains vigilant.
Whilst the risk of renewed far-reaching containment measures in one or more of Fresenius’ major markets cannot be excluded, it now appears unlikely. Any resulting significant and direct impact on the health care sector without appropriate compensation is not reflected in the Group’s FY/21 guidance. These assumptions are subject to considerable uncertainty.
FY/21 Group sales guidance raised, earnings guidance improved
Based on the Group’s good Q3/21 results and the progress to improve Group-wide efficiencies, Fresenius raises its sales guidance and improves its earnings guidance. The Company now projects constant currency sales1 to grow in a mid single-digit range in FY/21. Previously, the Company projected sales1 growth in a low-to-mid single-digit percentage range in constant currency. Earnings2,3 growth in constant currency is now expected to be around the top-end of the low single-digit percentage range.
Implicitly, net income2 for the Group excluding Fresenius Medical Care is now expected to grow in a low double-digit percentage range in constant currency. Previously, Fresenius expected high single-digit percentage growth in constant currency.
The guidance implies ongoing COVID-19 related headwinds, primarily at Fresenius Medical Care, and increasingly noticeable cost inflation across selected markets in Q4/21. It also reflects negative pricing effects related to tender activity at Fresenius Kabi in China.
Based on expected lower contributions to Group EBITDA from Fresenius Medical Care as well as assumed cash phasing effects in Q4/21, Fresenius does not expect the net debt/EBITDA4 ratio of 3.55x as of September 30, 2021 to improve in Q4/21.
1 FY/20 base: €36,277 million
2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
3 FY/20 base: €1,796 million, before special items; FY/21: before special items
4 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures; excluding further potential acquisitions; before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation table in the PDF document.
Progress on efficiency measures to sustainably improve profitability
During Q3/21, Fresenius finalized the concept phase of its cost and efficiency program. At the same time, first initiatives were already implemented. Fresenius Medical Care is providing an update on its FME25 transformation program in addition to its Q3/21 results presentation. Fresenius confirms its expectation that the measures to sustainably enhance profitability and operational excellence to reach cost savings of more than €100 million p.a. after tax and minority interest in 2023, with some potential to increase thereafter.
Achieving these sustainable efficiencies will require significant up-front expenses. For the years 2021 to 2023, those expenses are expected to average more than €100 million p.a. after tax and minority interest, with the largest portion currently expected to materialize in 2022. They will be classified as special items, consistent with previous practice.
Fresenius expects significant contributions from all four business segments and from the corporate center in the 2021 to 2023 period. For FY/21, low double-digit million Euro savings after tax and minority interest from the Group’s cost and efficiency measures are expected to support the Group’s profitability. These savings and efficiency gains derive from activities in all four business segments.
5% sales increase in constant currency
Group sales increased by 5% (5% in constant currency) to €9,324 million (Q3/20: €8,918 million). Organic growth was 3%. Acquisitions/divestitures contributed net 2% to growth. Currency translation had no effect on sales growth. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects1, Group sales growth would have been 7% to 8% in constant currency.
In Q1-3/21, Group sales increased by 2% (5% in constant currency) to €27,554 million (Q1-3/20: €26,973 million). Organic growth was 4%. Acquisitions/divestitures contributed net 1% to growth. Currency translation reduced sales growth by 3%. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects1, Group sales growth would have been 5% to 6% in constant currency.
2% net income2,3 increase in constant currency
Group EBITDA before special items decreased by 2% (-2% in constant currency) to €1,700 million (Q3/20: €1,729 million). Reported Group EBITDA was €1,667 million (Q3/20: €1,729 million).
In Q1-3/21, Group EBITDA before special items decreased by 5% (-1% in constant currency) to €5,002 million (Q1-3/20: €5,246 million). Reported Group EBITDA was €4,957 million (Q1-3/20: €5,246 million).
Group EBIT before special items decreased by 6% (-6% in constant currency) to €1,041 million (Q3/20: €1,113 million). The decrease is primarily due to COVID-19 related headwinds at Fresenius Medical Care. The EBIT margin before special items was 11.2% (Q3/20: 12.5%). Reported Group EBIT was €1,008 million (Q3/20: €1,113 million).
In Q1-3/21, Group EBIT before special items decreased by 8% (-5% in constant currency) to €3,080 million (Q1-3/20: €3,361 million). The constant currency decrease is primarily due to COVID-19 related headwinds at Fresenius Medical Care. The EBIT margin before special items was 11.2% (Q1-3/20: 12.5%). Reported Group EBIT was €3,035 million (Q1-3/20: €3,361 million).
1 For estimated COVID-19 effects please see table in the PDF document.
2 Before special items
3 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation table in the PDF document.
Group net interest before special items and reported net interest improved to -€126 million (Q3/202: -€154 million) mainly due to lower interest rates.
In Q1-3/21, Group net interest before special items improved to -€384 million (Q1-3/202: -€495 million). Reported Group net interest improved to -€384 million (Q1-3/20: -€503 million).
Group tax rate before special items was 23.0% (Q3/202: 22.0%) while reported Group tax rate was 22.8% (Q3/20: 22.0%).
In Q1-3/21, Group tax rate before special items was 22.4% (Q1-3/202: 22.7%) while reported Group tax rate was 22.3% (Q1-3/20: 22.7%).
Noncontrolling interests before special items were -€270 million (Q3/20: -€321 million) of which 91% were attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Fresenius Medical Care. Reported noncontrolling interests were -€268 million (Q3/20: -€321 million).
In Q1-3/21, noncontrolling interests before special items were -€747 million (Q1-3/20: -€913 million) of which 91% were attributable to the noncontrolling interests in Fresenius Medical Care. Reported noncontrolling interests were -€741 million (Q3/20: -€913 million).
Group net income1 before special items increased by 2% (2% in constant currency) to €435 million (Q3/202: €427 million) driven by Fresenius Vamed and Fresenius Kabi as well as by the favorable net interest development. Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects3, Group net income1 before special items would have grown 12% to 16% in constant currency. Reported Group net income1 decreased to €413 million (Q3/20: €427 million).
In Q1-3/21, Group net income1 before special items increased by 3% (6% in constant currency) to €1,345 million (Q1-3/202: €1,302 million). Excluding estimated COVID-19 effects3, Group net income1 before special items would have grown 7% to 11% in constant currency. Reported Group net income1 increased to €1,319 million (Q1-3/20: €1,297 million).
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
2 Before special items
3 For estimated COVID-19 effects please see table in the PDF document.
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation table in the PDF document.
Earnings per share1 before special items increased by 1% (1% in constant currency) to €0.78 (Q3/202: €0.77). Reported earnings per share1 were €0.74 (Q3/20: €0.77).
In Q1-3/21, earnings per share1 before special items increased by 3% (6% in constant currency) to €2.41 (Q1-3/202: €2.34). Reported earnings per share1 were €2.36 (Q1-3/20: €2.33).
Continued investment in growth
Spending on property, plant and equipment was €449 million corresponding to 5% of sales (Q3/20: €521 million; 6% of sales). These investments served primarily for the modernization and expansion of dialysis clinics, production facilities as well as hospitals and day clinics.
In Q1-3/21, spending on property, plant and equipment was €1,342 million corresponding to 5% of sales (Q1-3/20: €1,542 million; 6% of sales).
Total acquisition spending was €167 million (Q3/20: €142 million). In Q1-3/21, total acquisition spending was €807 million (Q1-3/20: €651 million) mainly for the acquisition of Eugin Group at Fresenius Helios which has been consolidated since April 1, 2021, and the acquisition of dialysis clinics at Fresenius Medical Care.
Cash flow development
Group operating cash flow increased to €1,226 million (Q3/20: €1,199 million) with a margin of 13.1% (Q3/20: 13.4%). Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends increased correspondingly to €793 million (Q3/20: €682 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions and dividends increased to €594 million (Q3/20: -€185 million).
In Q1-3/21, Group operating cash flow decreased to €3,329 million (Q1-3/20: €5,159 million) with a margin of 12.1% (Q1-3/20: 19.1%). The decrease was mainly due to continued recoupment of the U.S. federal government’s payments under the CARES Act in Q2/20. Free cash flow before acquisitions and dividends decreased to €1,986 million (Q1-3/20: €3,593 million). Free cash flow after acquisitions and dividends decreased to €352 million (Q1-3/20: €2,149 million).
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
2 Before Special items
Solid balance sheet structure
Group total assets increased by 7% (4% in constant currency) to €71,081 million (Dec. 31, 2020: €66,646 million) given the expansion of business activities and currency effects. Current assets increased by 10% (7% in constant currency) to €17,334 million (Dec. 31, 2020: €15,772 million) driven by the increase of cash and cash equivalents, trade accounts receivables, and inventories. Non-current assets increased by 6% (3% in constant currency) to €53,747 million (Dec. 31, 2020: €50,874 million).
Total shareholders’ equity increased by 8% (4% in constant currency) to €28,186 million (Dec. 31, 2020: €26,023 million). The equity ratio was 39.7% (Dec. 31, 2020: 39.0%).
Group debt increased by 5% (3% in constant currency) to €27,191 million (Dec. 31, 2020: € 25,913 million). Group net debt increased by 3% (1% in constant currency) to € 24,778 million (Dec. 31, 2020: € 24,076 million).
As of September 30, 2021, the net debt/EBITDA ratio increased to 3.55x1,2 (Dec. 31, 2020: 3.44x1,2) driven by COVID-19 effects weighing on EBITDA as well as increased net debt. The improvement over June 30, 2021 (3.60x1,2) is driven by the reduction of net debt in Q3/21 due to the good cash flow performance.
1 At LTM average exchange rates for both net debt and EBITDA; pro forma closed acquisitions/divestitures
2 Before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation table in the PDF document.
Business Segments
Fresenius Medical Care (Financial data according to Fresenius Medical Care press release)
Fresenius Medical Care is the world's largest provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases. As of September 30, 2021, Fresenius Medical Care was treating approximately 345,000 patients in 4,151 dialysis clinics. Along with its core business, the Renal Care Continuum, the company focuses on expanding in complementary areas and in the field of critical care.
- Stronger than projected headwind from COVID-19 effects with significantly increased patient excess mortality due to global spread of Delta variant
- Organic growth continued with 1%
- Financial targets for FY 2021 confirmed, expectation to reach lower end of the guidance ranges for revenue and net income
Sales of Fresenius Medical Care increased by 1% (increased by 1% in constant currency) to €4,441 million (Q3/20: €4,414 million). Organic growth was 1%. In Q1-3/21, sales of Fresenius Medical Care decreased by 4% (increased by 2% in constant currency) to €12,972 million (Q1-3/20: €13,459 million). Thus, currency translation had a negative effect of 6%. Organic growth was 1%.
EBIT decreased by 20% (-19% in constant currency) to €505 million (Q3/20: €632 million) resulting in a margin of 11.4% (Q3/20: 14.3%). EBIT before special items declined by 19% to €510 million (-19% in constant currency; Q3/20: €632 million), resulting in a margin of 11.5% (Q3/20: 14.3%). The decline was mainly due to adverse COVID-19-related effects, inflationary cost increases and higher labor costs. These effects were slightly mitigated by an improved U.S. payor mix, in particular due to an increased number of patients with Medicare Advantage coverage.
In Q1-3/21, EBIT decreased by 24% (-20% in constant currency) to €1,403 million (Q1-3/20: €1,843 million) resulting in a margin of 10.8% (Q1-3/20: 13.7%). EBIT before special items decreased by 23% (-19% in constant currency) to €1,417 million (Q1-3/20: €1,843 million) resulting in an EBIT margin before special items of 10.9% (Q1-3/20: 13.7%).
1 Before special items
2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables in the PDF document.
Net income1 decreased by 23% (-22% in constant currency) to €273 million (Q3/20: €354 million) mainly due to effects explained for operating income and a higher tax rate. Net income1 before special items decreased by 22% (-21% in constant currency) to €277 million (Q3/20: €354 million).
In Q1-3/21, net income1 decreased by 25% (-21% in constant currency) to €741 million (Q1-3/20: €987 million). Net income1 before special items decreased by 24% (-20% in constant currency) to €751 million (Q1-3/20: €987 million).
Operating cash flow was €692 million (Q3/20: €746 million) with a margin of 15.6% (Q3/20: 16.9%). The decrease was mainly due to continued recoupment of the U.S. federal government’s payments in the second quarter of 2020 under the CARES Act. In Q1-3/21, operating cash flow was €1,820 million (Q1-3/20: €3,649 million) with a margin of 14.0% (Q1-3/20: 27.1%).
For FY/21, Fresenius Medical Care confirms its outlook for revenue2 to grow at a low-to-mid single-digit percentage rate and net income1,3 to decline at a high-teens to mid-twenties percentage rate against the 2020 base and is now expecting to be at the lower end of these guidance ranges4.
For further information, please see Fresenius Medical Care’s press release at http://www.freseniusmedicalcare.com.
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA
2 FY/20 base: €17,859 million
3 FY/20 base: €1,359 million, before special items; FY/21: before special items
4 These targets are based on the 2020 results excluding the impairment of goodwill and trade names in the Latin America Segment of €195 million. They are inclusive of anticipated COVID-19 effects, in constant currency and exclude special items. Special items include costs related to FME25 and other effects that are unusual in nature and have not been foreseeable or not foreseeable in size or impact at the time of giving guidance.
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables in the PDF document.
Fresenius Kabi
Fresenius Kabi offers intravenously administered generic drugs, clinical nutrition and infusion therapies for seriously and chronically ill patients in the hospital and outpatient environments. The company is also a leading supplier of medical devices and transfusion technology products. In the biosimilars business, Fresenius Kabi develops products with a focus on oncology and autoimmune diseases.
- North America with healthy organic sales growth; EBIT growth only hindered by a non-cash one-time effect
- Solid organic sales growth in Europe supported by ongoing recovery of elective treatments
- Continued strong Emerging Markets growth driven primarily by Latin America; China slowing down due to price effects post successful participation in VBP tenders
- EBIT outlook3 for FY/21 improved
Sales increased by 9% (8% in constant currency) to €1,854 million (Q3/20: €1,694 million). Organic growth was 8%. In Q1-3/21, sales increased by 4% (7% in constant currency) to €5,370 million (Q1-3/20: €5,161 million). Organic growth was 6%. Negative currency translation effects of 3% in Q1-3 were mainly related to the weakness of the US dollar, the Argentinian peso and the Brazilian real.
Sales in North America increased by 6% (organic: 6%) to €589 million (Q3/20: €558 million) driven by extra demand for COVID-19 related products. In Q1-3/21, sales in North America decreased by 9% (organic: -4%) to €1,669 million (Q1-3/20: €1,827 million).
Sales in Europe increased by 7% (organic: 5%) to €620 million (Q3/20: €581 million) supported by the ongoing recovery of elective treatments. In Q1-3/21, sales in Europe increased by 6% (organic: 5%) to €1,880 million (Q1-3/20: €1,778 million).
1 Before special items
2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
3 In constant currency
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables in the PDF document.
Sales in Asia-Pacific increased by 12% (organic: 8%) to €447 million (Q3/20: €399 million) mainly due to normalizing elective treatment activity in the region. In China, organic growth is slowing down due to initial negative price effects from successful participation in VBP (Volume-Based Purchasing) tenders as well as the demanding prior-year base. In Q1-3/21, sales in Asia-Pacific increased by 17% (organic: 16%) to €1,248 million (Q1-3/20: €1,069 million).
Sales in Latin America/Africa increased by 27% (organic: 27%) to €198 million (Q3/20: €156 million) due to ongoing COVID-19 related extra demand. In Q1-3/21, sales in Latin America/Africa increased by 18% (organic: 26%) to €573 million (Q1-3/20: €487 million).
EBIT1 increased by 8% (7% in constant currency) to €300 million (Q3/20: €278 million) with an EBIT margin of 16.2% (Q3/20: 16.4%). The increase in constant currency was primarily driven by the Emerging Markets and European businesses, tempered by an IP R&D write-off in North America. Adjusted for this one-time effect, North America returned to healthy growth. EBIT was supported by positive COVID-19 effects. In Q1-3/21, EBIT1 increased by 2% (5% in constant currency) to €874 million (Q1-3/20: €859 million) with an EBIT margin of 16.3% (Q1-3/20: 16.6%).
Net income1,2 increased by 9% (9% in constant currency) to €206 million (Q3/201: €189 million). In Q1-3/21, net income1,2 increased by 3% (7% in constant currency) to €600 million (Q1-3/201: €582 million).
Operating cash flow increased to €393 million (Q3/20: €225 million) with a margin of 21.2% (Q3/20: 13.3%) mainly due to a healthy operational performance. In Q1-3/21, operating cash flow increased to €868 million (Q1-3/20: €836 million) with a margin of 16.2% (Q1-3/20: 16.2%).
For FY/21, Fresenius Kabi improves its EBIT outlook. The company now projects EBIT1,3 growth in constant currency around the top end of its low single-digit percentage guidance range. The company continues to expect organic sales growth4 in a low-to-mid single-digit percentage range. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 Before special items
2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
3 FY/20 base: €1,095 million, before special items; FY/21: before special items
4 FY/20 base: €6,976 million
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables in the PDF document.
Fresenius Helios
Fresenius Helios is Europe's leading private hospital operator. The company comprises Helios Germany and Helios Spain. Helios Germany operates 89 hospitals, ~130 outpatient centers and 6 prevention centers. Helios Spain operates 47 hospitals, 86 outpatient centers and around 300 occupational risk prevention centers. In addition, the company is active in Latin America with 6 hospitals and as a provider of medical diagnostics and reproduction medicine worldwide.
- Helios Germany with ongoing upward trend for elective treatments
- Treatment activity at Helios Spain above pre-pandemic levels in most medical areas
- Strong results in Latin America
- FY/21 outlook confirmed
Sales increased by 9% (10% in constant currency) to €2,622 million (Q3/20: €2,400 million). Organic growth was 5%. Acquisitions, including the hospital acquisitions from the Order of Malta in Germany and the fertility business Eugin (consolidated as from April 1, 2021) contributed 5% to sales growth. In Q1-3/21, sales increased by 12% (12% in constant currency) to €8,009 million (Q1-3/20: €7,181 million). Organic growth was 7%. Acquisitions contributed 5% to sales growth.
Sales of Helios Germany increased by 7% (organic: 3%) to €1,640 million (Q3/20: €1,529 million) driven by positive price and case mix effects. The hospital acquisitions from the Order of Malta contributed 4% to sales growth. In Q1-3/21, sales of Helios Germany increased by 6% (organic: 2%) to €4,988 million (Q1-3/20: €4,703 million).
Sales of Helios Spain increased by 8% (9% in constant currency) to €941 million (Q3/20: €870 million). Organic growth of 8% was driven by a consistently high level of treatments and ongoing demand for occupational risk prevention (ORP) services. Furthermore, the hospitals in Latin America showed a good development and contributed 2% to sales growth. In Q1-3/21, sales of Helios Spain increased by 19% (20% in constant currency) to €2,937 million (Q1-3/20: €2,476 million). Organic growth was 18%.
1 Before special items
2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables in the PDF document.
EBIT1 of Fresenius Helios decreased by 1% (0% in constant currency) to €222 million (Q3/20: €225 million) due to the demanding prior-year base at Helios Spain. The EBIT1 margin was 8.5% (Q3/20: 9.4%). In Q1-3/21, EBIT1 of Fresenius Helios increased by 13% (14% in constant currency) to €788 million (Q1-3/20: €697 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 9.8% (Q1-3/20: 9.7%).
EBIT1 of Helios Germany increased by 5% to €140 million (Q3/20: €133 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.5% (Q3/20: 8.7%). In Q1-3/21, EBIT1 of Helios Germany decreased by 1% to €442 million (Q1-3/20: €445 million) with an EBIT margin1 of 8.9% (Q1-3/20: 9.5%).
EBIT of Helios Spain decreased by 17% (-17% in constant currency) to €79 million (Q3/20: €95 million) due to an exceptional Q3/20 driven by post-lock-down catch-up effects. In addition, higher costs for personnel, personal protective equipment and selected medical products, among others, had a negative impact. The EBIT margin was 8.4% (Q3/20: 10.9%). The hospital acquisitions in Colombia contributed nicely. In Q1-3/21, EBIT of Helios Spain increased by 35% (36% in constant currency) to €352 million (Q1-3/20: €261 million) with an EBIT margin of 12.0% (Q1-3/20: 10.5%).
Net income1,2 decreased by 5% (-4% in constant currency) to €135 million (Q3/20: €142 million). In Q1-3/21, net income1,2 increased by 14% (15% in constant currency) to €501 million (Q1-3/20: €441 million).
Operating cash flow decreased to €157 million (Q3/20: €275 million) with a margin of 6.0% (Q3/20: 11.5%) as the previous year was supported by the accelerated payment scheme under the German law to ease the financial burden on hospitals. In Q1-3/21, operating cash flow decreased to €595 million (Q1-3/20: €715 million) with a margin of 7.4% (Q1-3/20: 10.0%).
For FY/21, Fresenius Helios confirms its outlook. The company expects organic sales3 growth in a mid single-digit percentage range. EBIT4 is projected to grow in a high single-digit percentage range in constant currency. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 Before special items
2 Net income attributable to shareholders of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
3 FY/20 base: €9,818 million
4 FY/20 base: €1,025 million; FY/21 before special items
For a detailed overview of special items please see the reconciliation tables in the PDF document.
Fresenius Vamed
Fresenius Vamed manages projects and provides services for hospitals and other health care facilities worldwide and is a leading post-acute care provider in Central Europe. The portfolio ranges along the entire value chain: from project development, planning, and turnkey construction, via maintenance and technical management to total operational management.
- Further acceleration of EBIT growth despite persistent COVID-19 impacts
- Project business still marked by COVID-19; order book remains at all-time high
- Good performance, particularly in the high-end service business; upward trend in elective treatments supports rehabilitation business
- FY/21 outlook confirmed
Sales remained stable (0% in constant currency and organic) at €516 million (Q3/20: €517 million). In Q1-3/21, sales increased by 4% (4% in constant currency) to €1,549 million (Q1-3/20: €1,491 million). Organic growth was 4%.
Sales in the service business increased by 9% (9% in constant currency) to €410 million (Q3/20: €377 million), driven by high-end services and growing case numbers in the rehabilitation business. Sales in the project business decreased by 24% (24% in constant currency) to €106 million (Q3/20: €140 million). In Q1-3/21, sales in the service business increased by 10% (10% in constant currency) to €1,165 million (Q1-3/20: €1,063 million). Sales in the project business decreased by 10% (-10% in constant currency) to €384 million (Q1-3/20: €428 million).
EBIT increased to €23 million (Q3/20: -€11 million) with an EBIT margin of 4.5% (Q3/20: -2.1%). In Q1-3/21, EBIT increased to €35 million (Q1-3/20: -€10 million) with an EBIT margin of 2.3% (Q1-3/20: -0.7%).
Net income1 increased to €14 million (Q3/20: -€15 million). In Q1-3/21, net income1 increased to €18 million (Q1-3/20: -€23 million).
1 Net income attributable to shareholders of VAMED AG
Order intake was €120 million in Q3/21 (Q3/20: €188 million) and €971 million in Q1-3/21 (Q1-3/20: €362 million), particularly driven by a turnkey project for a hospital in Wiener Neustadt, Austria. As of September 30, 2021, order backlog of €3,647 million (December 31, 2020: €3,055 million) remained at an all-time high.
Operating cash flow increased to €9 million (Q3/20: -€4 million) with a margin of 1.7% (Q3/20: -0.8%) mainly due to payments from the international project business. In Q1-3/21, operating cash flow increased to €23 million (Q1-3/20: €4 million) with a margin of 1.5% (Q1-3/20: 0.3%).
For FY/21, Fresenius Vamed confirms its outlook. The company expects organic sales1 growth in a mid-to-high single-digit percentage range and EBIT2 to grow to a high double-digit Euro million amount. Both sales and EBIT outlook include expected COVID-19 effects.
1 FY/20 base: €2,068 million
2 FY/20 base: €29 million; FY/21 before special items
Conference Call
As part of the publication of the results for Q3/21, a conference call will be held on November 2, 2021 at 1:30 p.m. CET (8:30 a.m. EDT). All investors are cordially invited to follow the conference call in a live broadcast over the Internet at www.fresenius.com/investors. Following the call, a replay will be available on our website.
For additional information on the performance indicators used please refer to our website www.fresenius.com/alternative-performance-measures.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Future results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to certain factors, e.g. changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, regulatory reforms, results of clinical trials, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. Fresenius does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.
February 22, 2022
Bad Homburg v.d.H.
Press Conference Full Year Results 2021, Fresenius and Fresenius Medical Care
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Fresenius Medical Care, the world’s leading provider of products and services for individuals with renal diseases, has conducted a study examining the effectiveness of the “Medical Patient Review continuous quality improvement” (MPR-CQI) program in 20 countries of the region Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA). The study has demonstrated, by means of mediation analysis, that improvements in medical key performance indicators (KPIs), occurring after the MPR-CQI program implementation, was associated with a significant reduction in mortality risk of about 30 percent in study participants.
For the development of the MPR-CQI program, the company used therapy data from more than 70,000 patients treated in Fresenius Medical Care’s EMEA NephroCare network to define, monitor and improve 10 KPIs – intermediate clinical endpoints – including hemoglobin, hydration status, hemodynamic status and infusion volume. The Medical Patient Review’s monthly review circles and evaluations of patients’ health indicators allow physicians to identify, prioritize and address patient’s medical needs.
“Delivering the highest quality care for people living with kidney disease is central to our mission, and data-driven insights are vital for ongoing clinical care improvement and innovation,” said Franklin W. Maddux, MD, Global Chief Medical Officer of Fresenius Medical Care. “The breadth and depth of our company’s clinical data, combined with our efforts in digital innovation and connected health, are generating a compelling evolution of clinical results.”
The quality performance of Fresenius Medical Care’s clinical governance strategy has been evaluated in an historical cohort study based on the company's own EuCliD database in the EMEA region. The company has published the study results in Nephrology, Dialysis & Transplantation, the official journal of the European Renal Association/European Dialysis and Transplant Association, to make them publicly available to the professional community and support further improvements in care worldwide: https://doi.org/10.1093/ndt/gfab160
The Medical Patient Review continuous quality improvement program is based on EuCliD data – Fresenius Medical Care’s digital patient care system- and enables the company to define evaluation processes involving medical and nursing experts. It also enables a detailed analysis of patients that allows a better understanding of medical needs, while providing intensive experiences from correlating improvements in medical and economic efficiency results – to deliver feedback focused on effective and efficient care. Through its digital patient care system, Fresenius Medical Care is planning to also enable third-party clients to benefit from the MPR.
As part of its 2025 growth strategy, Fresenius Medical Care is using digital technologies and artificial intelligence (AI) to develop new forms of kidney therapy. Physicians in more than 100 clinics in the company’s network can already use an AI-based algorithm that can help to improve renal anemia management while reducing drug-related costs. Fresenius Medical Care is planning to enrich the Medical Patient Review process by the MPR Advanced Benchmarking System which is based on an ensemble of 22 AI-based models that are designed to help detect best clinical practices, pinpoint high-performing centers beyond case-mix differences, discover emerging medical needs and set realistic margins of improvement for each intermediate clinical endpoint in all clinics.
The MPR Advanced Benchmarking System will be piloted starting this fall in NephroCare clinics in one EMEA country. Additional AI-based products for the management of non-dialysis dependent chronic kidney disease, vascular access care, home dialysis therapies and intradialytic complications are now being developed.
This release contains forward-looking statements that are subject to various risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially from those described in these forward-looking statements due to various factors, including, but not limited to, changes in business, economic and competitive conditions, legal changes, regulatory approvals, impacts related to the COVID-19 pandemic results of clinical studies, foreign exchange rate fluctuations, uncertainties in litigation or investigative proceedings, and the availability of financing. These and other risks and uncertainties are detailed in Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA's reports filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. KGaA does not undertake any responsibility to update the forward-looking statements in this release.

Infusion therapy is the administration of medication intraveniously through a needle or catheter. Among the essential products are infusion solutions, medical devices, blood volume replacement solutions, and medical products such as rinsing solutions as well as intravenously-administered drugs.
Infusion solutions, for example, comprise electrolyte and glucose solutions as well as concentrated carbohydrate solutions, infusion solutions containing electrolytes and substrate solutions for drugs. Volume replacement solutions based on hydroxyethyl starch (HES) are used to increase plasma volume.
I.V. Drugs
Intravenous administration of drugs is indispensable today. A patient is administered drugs intravenously, meaning directly into a vein. This type of administration is used in cases of emergency, since the drug this way reaches the entire human body directly through the bloodstream and can be effective within a few seconds. Drugs are also administered intravenously in intensive care and during surgeries. Physicians decide to administer drugs via the vein particularly when patients are no longer able to take drugs orally or if the digestive tract no longer functions properly.
Fresenius Kabi offers a wide range of generic intravenously administered drugs. Primarily severely ill patients in hospitals are treated with these drugs – for example at emergency wards and intensive care units. Analgesics and anesthetics as well as antibiotics and antiinfectants are among these drugs.
Analgesics eliminate or decrease sensitivity to pain. Patients at emergency wards receive these preparations intravenously during or after surgical procedures.
Through intravenous anesthetics, such as Propofol, anesthesia can be induced or maintained. Furthermore, these drugs are used in intensive medicine for long-term sedation: Patients are put into an artificial coma to support their healing process. Fresenius Kabi also offers products for this application.
Antibiotics treat bacterial infections, which can have many different causes. Fresenius Kabi offers a large selection of different active ingredient categories. Among these are the most important antibiotic groups such as penicillins, cephalosporins and quinolones. Some of these products have a limited stability in liquid form and are therefore offered as sterile powder products, which are dissolved shortly before administration. Other substances are available as a ready-to-use solution in infusion bottles or infusion bags.
Other antiinfectants that Fresenius Kabi offers include drugs such as acyclovir that are used to treat viral infections.
In addition to these product groups, Fresenius Kabi offers drugs that are used to stabilize the cardiovascular function of patients receiving intensive and emergency care and to treat gastrointestinal problems.
Contact
Fresenius Kabi AG
Else-Kröner-Str. 1
61352 Bad Homburg
Germany
T: +49 6172 686-0
communication@fresenius-kabi.com
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Contact

Vice President Investor Relations
Deputy Head of Investor Relations
T: +49 (0) 6172 608-5167
florian.feick@fresenius.com
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Contact

Vice President Investor Relations
Deputy Head of Investor Relations
T: +49 (0) 6172 608-5167
florian.feick@fresenius.com
Related Links
Interactive ToolMembers of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Member of various supervisory bodies
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2021
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | March 19, 1955 |
Place of Birth: | Bensberg |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
2002 - 2018 | DZ Bank AG
|
2000 - 2002 | Deutsche Bank AG, Frankfurt
Managing Director and Senior Credit Executive of the Corporates and Real Estate Division and CIB Corporate and Investment Bank |
1998 - 2000 | Deutsche Bank, Singapore
General Manager and Chief Country Officer |
1981 - 1998 | Deutsche Bank AG, Düsseldorf and Frankfurt
Various positions within the Corporate and Investment Banking Division |
Education/Academic career
1977 - 1981 | Universität Köln
Business Administration (Diplom-Kaufmann) |
1975 - 1977 | Deutsche Bank AG
Banking apprenticeship |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
Adolf Würth GmbH & Co. KG | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Full-time Works Council Member
Helios Vogtland-Klinikum Plauen GmbH
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2018
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | October 1, 1958 |
Place of Birth: | Bad Elster |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
since 09/2018 | Chairman of the Group Works Council Helios Kliniken GmbH |
since 2010 | Member of the European Works Council of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA |
since 2006 | Helios Vogtland-Klinikum Full-time Works Council Member (Chairman) |
2003 - 2006 | Humaine Vogtland-Klinikum 50% Works Council Member (Chairman); 50% Degreed engineer, Department of biomedical engineering |
1990 - 2003 | Vogtland-Klinikum Plauen Degreed engineer
|
1985 - 1990 | Bezirkskrankenhaus Plauen Degreed engineer |
Education/Academic career
1980 - 1985 | Ilmenau University of Technology Engineering degree in Technical Cybernetics and Biomedical Engineering |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
Helios Vogtland-Klinikum Plauen GmbH (Fresenius Group mandate) | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Member of various Supervisory Boards
Deputy Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2015
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | December 23, 1954 |
Place of Birth: | Bielefeld |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
2003 - 2015 | Allianz SE (formerly Allianz AG) Chairman of the Management Board |
1998 - 2003 | Allianz AG Member of the Management Board |
1988 - 1998 | Allianz Versicherungs-AG |
1983 - 1988 | Diekmann / Thieme GbR (publishing house) CEO |
Education/Academic career
1973 - 1982 | University of Göttingen Studies in Law and Philosophy |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
Allianz SE1 (Chair) | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
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1 Stock listed company
Secretary of the Trade Union ver.di Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft
Deputy Chair of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2020
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | January 24, 1973 |
Place of BIrth: | Cottbus |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
since 1991 | Trade Union Vereinte Dienstleistungsgewerkschaft ver.di
|
Education
1989 - 1991 | Lausitzer Braunkohle AG Apprenticeship as business management assistan |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Full-time Works Council Member Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
| |
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Date of Birth: | August 03, 1963 |
Place of Birth: | Northeim |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
since 2021 | Member of the European Works Council of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
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Since 2019 | Deputy Chair of the Group Works Council Helios Kliniken GmbH |
since 2014 | Helios Clinic Herzberg and Osterode GmbH
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1998 – 2014 | Specialist nurse (from 1999) for nursing care in the surgical service Klinik Herzberg and Osterode GmbH (Rhön) |
1991 – 1998 | Nurse in the OR
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4/83 – 03/91 | Temporary soldier
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Education
1983 – 1986 | Training as a nurse |
1997 – 1999 | Training as a specialist nurse for nursing in the surgical service |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Chairman of the Board and Medical Director
of the Mainz University Medical Center
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2025
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | May 14, 1970 |
Place of Birth: | Wiesbaden |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
since 2024 | Mainz University Medical Center Chairman of the Board and Medical Director |
2021 – 2023 | Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken Wiesbaden Medical Director |
2014 – 2021 | Helios Dr. Horst Schmidt Kliniken Wiesbaden Gastroenterology Clinic Director, Medical Director |
2012 – 2014 | St. Marienkrankenhaus Frankfurt Chief Physician for Internal Medicine and Gastroenterology |
2008 – 2012 | Mainz University Medical Center W2 Professorship for Gastrointestinal Endoscopy |
Education/Academic career
2005 | Mainz University Medical Center Habilitation |
1996 | Mainz University Medical Center Promotion |
1990 – 1996 | Mainz University Medical Center Studies of human medicine |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None | |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None |
Full-time Works Council Member
Quirónsalud Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya
Senior trade union secretary of the UGT trade union
for the private healthcare sector Barcelona
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2025
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | May 25, 1984 |
Place of Birth: | Barcelona |
Nationality: | Spanish |
Professional Experience
since 2025 | Member of the European Works Council of Fresenius SE & Co. KGa |
since 02/2024 | Mediator and Conciliator of the UGT trade union Labor Court of Catalonia Barcelona, Barcelona |
since 06/2020 | General Secretary of the UGT trade union UGT representative for occupational health and safety Quirónsalud Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya San Cugat del Vallés, Barcelon |
since 01/2006 | Administration Emergency Department Quirónsalud Hospital Universitari General de Catalunya San Cugat del Vallés, Barcelona |
Education/Academic career
2008 - 2010 | Master‘s degree in secretarial and operational management Vapor Universitario de Terrassa, Barcelona |
2006 - 2008 | CFGS Administration and Finance IES Terrassa, Barcelona |
2004 - 2005 | CFGM Administrativa IES Santa Eulalia, Barcelona |
1996 - 2000 | Secondary school diploma I.E.S. Cavall Bernat, Barcelona |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Member of various supervisory bodies
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2016
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | November 17, 1960 |
Place of Birth: | Offenbach / Main |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
2008 - 2024 | UCB S.A. Chief Medical Officer and Executive Vice President Development |
2001 - 2009 | Schwarz Pharma AG Member of the Executive Board, Head of Research and Development |
2000 - 2001 | BASF Pharma Vice President Global Projects |
1992 - 2000 | Hoechst AG Various positions, last serving as Vice President Clinical Development |
Education/Academic career
since 2000 | University of Frankfurt am Main Professor for internal medicine |
1985 | University of Frankfurt am Main Doctorate in medicine (Dr. med.) |
1979 - 1985 | University of Frankfurt am Main Studies of medicine |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
Evotec AG1 (Chair) | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
Sobi Swedish Orphan Biovitrum1 (Member of the Board of Directors) |
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1 Stock listed company
Full-time Works Council Member
Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2023
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | May 18, 1969 |
Place of Birth: | Marburg |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
since 2002 | Fresenius Kabi Deutschland GmbH, Standort Friedberg
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since 2021 | Honorary Judge, Hessian Tax Court |
since 2017 | IHK-Examiner, IHK Frankfurt |
since 2015 | Honorary Judge, Labour Court |
2007 – 2018 | Laboratoy Manager, IPK-Laboratories |
2003 – 2007 | Quality Control Technician |
1992 – 2003 | Quality Control Laboratory Assistant |
Education
2021 | Specialist for Occupational Health Management, IHK |
2020 – 2021 | Certified Specialist for Data Protection and Data Security |
2018 | Project Manager, IHK |
1999 – 2001 | Training as Bachelor Professional of Management for Industry |
1985 – 1989 | Apprenticeship as Chemical Laboratory Technician |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Production staff member
Fresenius Kabi España S.A.U.
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2016
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | January 29, 1974 |
Place of Birth: | Barcelona |
Nationality: | Spanish |
Professional Experience
since 2008 | Member of the European Works Council of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA |
since 2004 | Member of the Works Council Fresenius Kabi España S.A.U. |
since 1998 | Fresenius Kabi AG |
Education
2016 | Seminar at ETUI (European Trade Union Institute): Current challenges for employee representatives in supervisory boards: How to deal with confidentiality rules and impact of European commercial law |
2015 | Seminar: Trade union cultures in the European Union Training for the European Works Council (EWC training center) Seminar: Occupational Health and Safety (Trainig center of CC.OO.) |
1990 - 1994 | Instituto Cristófol Ferrer, Secondary school |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
None | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Member of various Supervisory Boards
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2022
Current term of office: 2025 – 2029
Date of Birth: | February 28, 1961 |
Place of Birth: | Marl |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
2012 - 2022 | Deutsche Beteiligungs AG, Frankfurt / Main Member of the Executive Board / Chief Financial Officer Responsible for Finance and Accounting, Investor Relations, Legal and Tax, Portfolio Valuation, Risk Management, Internal Audit, Human Resources, Organization, IT |
2011 – 2012 | Kirche in Not, Königstein im Taunus Managing Director at the global headquarter of the organization |
1990 – 2011 | KPMG AG, Frankfurt / Main Last position: partner
|
1987 - 1990 | Winterhager Dr. Heintges Stützel Laubach GmbH, Wirtschaftsprüfungsgesellschaft, Düsseldorf Last position: Auditor and tax specalist |
Education/Academic career
1995 | Appointment as auditor (2013 waiver of appointment) |
1992 | Appointment as tax advisor (2022 waiver of appointment) |
1980 - 1987 | Westfälische Wilhelms-Universität Münster
|
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
Fresenius Management SE (Fresenius Group mandate) | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
Member of various supervisory bodies
Member of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Initial appointment: 2022
Current term of office: 2025– 2029
Date of Birth: | April 13, 1961 |
Place of Birth: | Stuttgart |
Nationality: | German |
Professional Experience
2018 – 2022 | Siemens Healthineers AG, Erlangen Member of the Managing Board Responsible for Imaging, Advanced Therapies, Technology & Innovation, Quality & Regulatory Affairs, Sustainability
|
2015 – 2018 | Siemens AG, Healthcare Sector, Erlangen
SVP, General Manager of Business Line Magnetic Resonance |
2014 – 2015 | Beckmann-Coulter – A Danaher Company, Miami (USA) SVP, Head of Business Unit Hematology and Urinalysis |
1998 – 2014 | Siemens AG, Healthcare Sector, Knoxville (USA)
|
2012 – 2014 | Siemens AG, Healthcare Sector, Knoxville (USA) CEO PETNET Solutions (Radiopharmaceuticals) |
1994 – 1998 | University of Tübingen Resident Physician Surgery |
1993 – 1994 | University of Frankfurt am Main Resident Physician Internal Medicine, Nuclear Medicine |
Education/Academic career
1995 | University Frankfurt am Main
Doctor of Medicine, M.D. (Dr.) |
1985 – 1992 | University Frankfurt am Main Studies in Medicine |
Membership of other statutory supervisory boards | |
Gerresheimer AG1 | |
Membership of comparable German or foreign supervisory bodies | |
None |
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1 Stock listed company
Committees of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Wolfgang Kirsch (Chair)
Michael Diekmann
Susanne Zeidler
Susanne Zeidler (Chair)
Bernd Behlert
Grit Genster
Wolfgang Kirsch
Dr. Christoph Zindel
Dr. Dieter Schenk (Chair)
Michael Diekmann
Wolfgang Kirsch
Susanne Zeidler
The committee consists equally of two members each of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA and of Fresenius Management SE.
Additional information on the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Rules of Procedure
Rules of Procedure
CVs of the Supervisory Board members
Meeting participation by individual
Members of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius Management SE
Chairman of the Supervisory Board of Fresenius SE & Co. KGaA
Former Chief Executive Officer of Deutsche Post DHL Group
Member of various Supervisory Boards
Member of various Supervisory Boards
Deputy Chairman
Member of supervisory bodies
Member of supervisory bodies
Contact

For blood donation and component processing, Fresenius Kabi offers medical devices. These include cell separators (apheresis systems), autotransfusion devices, blood bag and filter systems as well as related blood processing equipment. Component processing consists of the separation and collection of certain blood cells.
Blood Cell Separator
The Fresenius cell separator has three areas of application:
- Donate blood cells: obtaining cells from the blood of a donor for transfusion, for example for treating coagulation dysfunctions or leukemia patients
- Remove cancer cells: removing diseased cells or blood plasma from the blood of a patient with leukemia or an autoimmune disease, i. e., in patients with disorders where the body produces defense substances against its own cells
- Collect a patient’s cells: collecting cells from a patient's own blood for re-infusion, for example prior to operation.
A cell separator is primarily used to collect blood platelets or thrombocytes. While red blood cells mainly transport oxygen and other blood cells ward off pathogens, thrombocytes play an important role in blood clotting. Patients with too few thrombocytes suffer from an inability of the blood to coagulate properly. Injuries can lead to potentially dangerous bleeding. One example of the cause of thrombocyte deficiency is cancer therapy. Doctors infuse patients with healthy donor thrombocytes following treatment.
Thrombocytes are obtained most effectively with a blood cell separator. The machine, which works like a centrifuge, gently separates thrombocytes from the other blood components. Components that are not needed are immediately returned to the donor. Because only the thrombocytes are taken, which regenerate much quicker than red blood cells, a donor may donate much more frequently than in regular whole-blood donations. The cell separator also allows a much larger number of thrombocytes to be collected per donation than in whole blood. All patients who require a large number of thrombocytes can benefit double from the procedure – regular transfusions include thrombocytes from several sources but a blood cell separator can reduce the number of donors needed per transfusion. This allows a doctor to select thrombocytes from the most appropriate donors. This is important because the efficacy of the thrombocytes improves when the blood groups of donors and recipients match.
A cell separator can separate thrombocytes from other blood cells; it can also support the treatment of leukemia patients by removing diseased cells directly from the blood. Since leukemic cancer cells quickly reproduce, this procedure cannot heal a patient. But it relieves the strain on the kidneys by considerably lowering the number of destroyed cancer cells that must be removed from the blood following treatment.
Although rarely used, another application of the blood cell separator is quickly gaining in importance. Doctors can use the device to remove stem cells from the blood of a cancer patient. Through pre-treatment bone marrow stem cells start to reproduce and partially move into the blood stream. These stem cells can be collected almost like platelets. This way surgery to obtain stem cells directly from bone marrow can be avoided.
The treatment subsequently used to combat cancer cells damage the stem cells from which all other blood cells are made. If the patient receives healthy stem cells after chemotherapy, healthy blood cells can develop quicker, for example the platelets that are important for hemostasis and coagulation.
Blood bag systems
Blood bag systems are the foundation for worldwide blood supply by "classical" blood donation. More than 90 percent of all blood donations are processed in these systems that consist of up to six different bags with variable functions.
A combination of bags with venous cannulae and integrated needle protection, pre-donation sampling pouches and different filtration devices form the basis for highly professional whole blood collection systems. They allow producing different blood component preparations according to national and international standards. Blood donation and processing with these systems is supplemented by other devices such as automated scales and blood separators, sterile docking systems and sealers to name a few.
Contact
Fresenius Kabi AG
Else-Kröner-Str. 1
61352 Bad Homburg
Germany
T: +49 6172 686-0
communication@fresenius-kabi.com