Preliminary financial statements for 2008: operating result in 4th quarter of 2008 behind expectations

Leipzig/Zörbig, 10 February 2009 – VERBIO achieved a preliminary group-wide turnover of 666.6 million euros in 2008 (2007: 408.0 million euros). The preliminary group operating result (EBIT) is between 13-15 million euros (2007: -257.5 million euros*), so that in either case a positive group result will be reported. Against expectations, the 4th quarter result was behind those for the 3rd quarter of 2008. These figures are preliminary figures before the preparation of the annual financial statements.

Biodiesel capacity utilisation close to 100%
398,802 tonnes of biodiesel were produced in 2008 (2007: 349,557 tonnes). According to preliminary figures, total turnover of 456.4 million euros was achieved in the Biodiesel segment, representing a significant increase of 60.3% on segment revenues in the previous year (2007: 284.7 million euros); however, the turnover of 119.9 million euros in the 4th quarter of 2008 was below that in the previous quarter (Q3/2008: 128.1 million euros). Profits in the Biodiesel segment were negatively affected by lower turnover, which is linked by the terms of contracts to the falling price of mineral diesel, thus resulting in a lower profit margin for the level of raw materials available.
 
Bioethanol – all plants back in operation since October 2008
As of October 2008, bioethanol is being produced in both Zörbig and Schwedt/Oder again. The amount produced was 138.478 tonnes, despite temporary production stops (2007: 123,751 tonnes). According to preliminary figures, this resulted in turnover of 182.2 million euros for the Bioethanol segment (2007: 97.3 million euros), corresponding to an increase in turnover of 87.3%.

Energy segment
According to preliminary figures, the Energy segment contributed revenues of 20.0 million euros (2007: 21.9 million euros) to the group’s turnover in the financial year 2008. These revenues were below those of the previous year due to low-wind months.

‘Other’ segment
The ‘Other’ segment – which essentially receives its revenues from vehicle fleet services and has only been generating revenue since the 4th quarter of 2007 – achieved a turnover of 7.9 million euros in 2008 according to preliminary figures (2007: 4.1 million euros).

The full group financial statements of VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG will be published on 25 March as part of the presentation of the annual results. On this date, the VERBIO management board will also be discussing the legal framework for the business, their future strategic policies, and the key data for the financial year 2009.

* This included one-time, non-cash write-downs in the amount of 257.0 million euros.

Contact
VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
Anna-Maria Schneider
Investor Relations
Augustusplatz 9    
04109 Leipzig     
Phone: +49 (0) 341 30 85 30 94   
Fax: +49 (0) 341 30 85 30 98   
Email: ir@verbio.de
www.verbio.de

Information on VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
The VERBIO Group is one of the leading producers and suppliers of biofuels and also the only industrial-scale producer of biodiesel and bioethanol in Europe. Nominal capacity currently amounts to around 450,000 tons of biodiesel and 300,000 tons of bioethanol per year. The company has developed its own processes and innovative technologies for the production of biodiesel and bioethanol. It supplies its products directly to European mineral oil corporations, mineral oil traders, independent gas stations and haulage companies. VERBIO AG also markets high-quality pharmaglycerin for the consumer goods and cosmetic industries (glycerine is a by-product of biodiesel production). Within the Group, VERBIO AG acts as the management holding company. The Group’s operating business is run by its subsidiaries: VERBIO Diesel Bitterfeld GmbH & Co. KG, VERBIO Diesel Schwedt GmbH & Co. KG, VERBIO Ethanol Zörbig GmbH & Co. KG, VERBIO Ethanol Schwedt GmbH & Co. KG and VERBIO STS AG.

Important Note
This ad hoc announcement contains forward-looking statements, which are based on assumptions and estimates of the company management of VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG. Even though the company management believes that these assumptions and estimates are correct, the actual future development and actual future results can deviate substantially from these assumptions and estimates due to many factors. For example, these factors can include alteration of the economic situation, legal and regulatory constraints in Germany and the EU, and changes in the industry. VERBIO assumes no liability and provides no warranty that future developments and actual future results will agree with the assumptions and estimates expressed in this ad hoc announcement.