VERBIO: Bioethanol business in 2007 clearly below expectations, continuing margin pressure in the biodiesel business

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG anticipates at present that in 2007 the cumulated results of the previous year won’t be achieved. The Board of Management raised concerns that the Group-EBIT in 2007 will be in the single-digit million EUR range.

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG anticipates at present that in 2007 the cumulated results of the previous year won’t be achieved. The Board of Management raised concerns that the Group-EBIT in 2007 will be in the single-digit million EUR range.

The reasons for that negative outlook for 2007 are in the bioethanol segment the very hesitant fulfilment of the mandatory blending and still high crop prices. The prospective result of the biodiesel segment is burdened with the since August 2006 existing taxation, the high rapeseed oil price and the stronger competition in the German biodiesel market. However VERBIO is satisfied with the current utilisation of the biodiesel capacity.

VERBIO has achieved in 2006 sales*of 446.2 million EUR and realised an operating result before special items (amortisation of intangible assets and adjustments of claims in respect of investment grants and subsidies) of 55.5 million EUR. Thus the operative target for 2006 (EBIT-margin 12.4%) was fully achieved.

The full annual report of the VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG will be published at the press conference on March 29, 2007.


*2nd abbreviated financial year 2006 cumulated with IFRS-consolidated pro forma information for the period 01.01.- 30.06.2006.