• Significant increase in biofuel production and sales
• Increases in EBITDA to EUR 21.5 million and in EBIT to EUR 10.5 million
• Debt reduction by EUR 56.6 million
• Raising of the earnings forecast for financial year 2013/2014

Leipzig, 6 February 2014 – VERBIO is very satisfied with the performance in the first half of financial year 2013/2014 and optimistic about the prospects for the current year. For the continued operations consolidated sales increased, compared to the corresponding prior-year figure, by 15 percent to EUR 420.2 million (1 HY 2012/2013: EUR 363.9 million). The significant sales increase is essentially demand-driven and has been favoured by the re-establishment of fair competition for the biofuel market in Europe. Overall, in the first half of 2013/2014, VERBIO produced 309,441 tons of biofuel, an increase of more than 20 percent compared with the first half of 2012/2013. At the same time gross margin improved by about 26 percent, personnel expenses amounted to EUR 11.1 million and other operating expenses turned out to be significantly reduced by 26 percent or EUR 3.7 million to EUR 12.5 million compared to those of the previous year. This initially increased earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) significantly by EUR 14.5 million to EUR 21.5 million. Results were enhanced by the increased production and sales volumes, higher selling prices and targeted cost reduction measures. The operating profit (EBIT) for the first half of 2013/2014 is reported at EUR 10.5 million (1 HY 2012/2013: EUR -4.2 million). Consolidated earnings before taxes (EBT) for the reporting period amounted to EUR 8.8 million (1 HY of 2012/2013: EUR -6.0 million), and net results for the period were EUR 7.9 million (1 HY 2012/2013: -6.4 million). This resulted in earnings per share (diluted/undiluted) of EUR 0.13 (1 HY 2012/2013: EUR -0.10).

As of the balance sheet date 31 December 2013, liquid assets totalled EUR 25.1 million. Due to the positive cash flow from operating activities as well as cash inflows from the sale of Märka locations bank and loan liabilities were reduced up to a total of EUR 56.6 million. With net financial liabilities in the amount of EUR 55.9 million the ratio of net financial liabilities to EBITDA, related to the overall financial year, is again clearly below two.

Segment development

Biodiesel segment benefits from improved conditions
The biodiesel capacity of VERBIO was utilized at a rate of 98 percent in the first half of 2013/2014, which is almost full utilization. Overall, in this period, significantly more biodiesel (209,522 tons) was produced than in the corresponding period (1 HY 2012/2013: 173,387 tons). This is mainly due to the decline in imports of subsidized biodiesel from Argentina and Indonesia, as well as the declining amounts of UCOME (Used Cooking Oil Methyl Ester), and thus to the elimination of the market turmoil which had been ongoing since 2012.

In the first half of 2013/2014, revenues in the biodiesel segment totalling EUR 257.9 million were achieved (1 HY 2012/2013: EUR 235.4 million). The cost of materials amounted to EUR 234.5 million, after EUR 225.1 million in the first half of 2012/2013. Overall, the gross profit margin improved considerably, due to increased sales, lower raw material costs and better margins. Segment operating profit increased significantly from EUR -0.6 million in the comparable period of 2012/2013 to EUR 10.7 million in the reporting period.

Fall in grain prices has a positive effect on bioethanol capacity utilization
With a production of 99,919 tons of bioethanol in the first half of 2013/2014, approximately 16 thousand tons more were produced than in the corresponding period of the previous year (1 HY 2012/2013: 84,098 tons). Capacity utilization was at 74.0 percent (1 HY 2012/2013: 62.3 percent). Sales revenues, including commercial transactions, totalled EUR 151.0 million in the first half of 2013/2014, compared to EUR 121.1 million in the first half of 2012/2013. The cost of materials amounted to EUR 137.6 million (1 HY 2012/2013: EUR 117.4 million). Compared to prior year grain prices fell, having a positive impact on the segment result. Segment operating profit for the first half of 2013/2014 was EUR 1.1 million, after EUR -1.7 million in the first half of 2012/2013. Earnings of EUR 4.0 million in the previous year were positively influenced by commodity futures.

The trend of demand is above previous expectations and the positive business outlook has let the Executive Board raise the earnings forecast for financial year 2013/2014 once again
For continuing and discontinued operations for financial year 2013/2014, the Executive Board is currently expecting an EBITDA of between EUR 30 million to EUR 35 million and an EBIT in the range of EUR 3 million to EUR 8 million. Finally, the company is assuming an EBITDA of EUR 25 million and a largely balanced operating result.

For detailed information about the business trend in the first half of 2013/2014, please refer to the 2013/2014 Semi-annual Report, which is available at www.verbio.de.

Information about VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG (VERBIO)
VERBIO is one of the leading independent producers and providers of biofuels and is at the same time the only large industrial producer of biodiesel, bioethanol and biomethane in Europe. The nominal capacity is at a rounded 450,000 tons biodiesel, 270,000 tons bioethanol and 480 gigawatt hours biomethane per year. In the production of its highly efficient fuels, the company uses energy-saving production processes and innovative technologies of own development. The biofuels of VERBIO achieve CO2 reductions of up to 90 percent compared to petrol or diesel. VERBIO delivers its products directly to the European mineral oil conglomerates, mineral oil trading companies, independent gas stations, freight forwarders, municipal utilities and vehicle fleets. In addition, VERBIO markets high-quality pharma glycerine for the consumer goods and cosmetics industry (glycerine is gained as a by-product in biodiesel production). Within the group, VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG acts as Management Holding. The operative business is exercised by the subsidiaries, VERBIO Diesel Bitterfeld GmbH & Co. KG, VERBIO Diesel Schwedt GmbH & Co. KG, VERBIO Ethanol Schwedt GmbH & Co. KG, VERBIO Ethanol Zörbig GmbH & Co. KG and Märka GmbH. The VERBIO stock (ISIN DE000A0JL9W6 / WKN A0JL9W) has been listed at the Prime Standard of the Frankfurt stock exchange since October 2006.

Important notice
This publication contains certain forward-looking statements concerning the VERBIO group of companies. The forward-looking statements contained herein represent the judgment of VERBIO as of the date of this release and involve risks and uncertainties. Should actual conditions differ from the Company's assumptions, actual results and actions may differ from those anticipated. VERBIO does not intend to update any of these forward-looking statements as far as the wording of the relevant ad hoc release is concerned.