...about Verbio
Verbio was founded in 2001 under the name Mitteldeutsche Umesterungswerke GmbH & Co. KG ("MUW") in Bitterfeld (Saxony-Anhalt), Germany. The foundation stone was laid with the commissioning of our first biodiesel plant, which, with an initial annual capacity of 87,000 tonnes of biodiesel and around 8,000 tonnes of glycerin distillate, was already one of the largest in the German biodiesel market.
Verbio is the acronym for Vereinigte BioEnergie AG. Our company went public under this name in 2006. We have been operating as Verbio SE since November 2023.
In order to support the 1.5-degree target set by the Paris Climate Agreement, industries are currently taking active steps to shape their transition to climate neutrality by replacing fossil resources with renewable raw materials and energies without having to sacrifice business efficiency and security of supply.
Pioneering green solutions. We are pioneers in the field of processing sustainable biomass into climate-friendly fuels, green energy, and high-quality renewable components for the chemical, foodstuff, and animal feed industries, as well as for agriculture. With our products and innovative green solutions we are shaping social and industrial change towards climate neutrality and ecological production. In this way we conserve the planet’s natural resources, protecting it for future generations. We combine profitability with sustainability, and contribute to security of supply by converting locally available biomass into renewable energy sources and bio-based chemicals.
The change from an AG to an SE was intended to reflect Verbio’s image as an international company with European roots. The new legal form as an SE reflects the increasing importance of our stronger international orientation.
Our core activities lie in the development and production of innovative green solutions based on biomass. We produce high-quality biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, and biomethane, using both renewable raw materials and agricultural residues such as straw. With the claim “We make more from biomass” we also produce high-quality renewable products for the chemical and agricultural sectors, as well as for the feed and food industry. This is our contribution to the circular economy and the conservation of resources. Using our expertise and innovative strength, we develop green solutions that enable our customers worldwide to reduce their CO₂ footprint, replace fossil fuels, and thus actively shape the green transformation. In doing so, Verbio combines economic efficiency with ecological responsibility.
Verbio produces climate-friendly fuels such as biomethane, biodiesel, and bioethanol for the transportation sector, but is not limited to this market. We also supply green energy and renewable products for the chemical and agricultural sectors, and we provide the feed and food industry with high-quality components made from sustainably produced biomass. Raw materials such as sterols for the cosmetics, food, and pharmaceutical industries complete our product portfolio. Verbio has a global presence with sites in Europe, North America, and Asia.
Verbio has its corporate headquarters in Zörbig, Germany, while its administrative headquarters are located in Leipzig. The production sites in Germany include Schwedt/Oder (biodiesel, bioethanol, biomethane, glycerin, fertilizer), Zörbig (bioethanol, biomethane, fertilizer), Bitterfeld (biodiesel, glycerin, sterols), and Pinnow (biomethane, humus). Our company operates further production sites in the USA (Nevada/IA: bioethanol, biomethane, humus; South Bend/IN: bioethanol, DDGS, CO2),Canada (Welland/ON: biodiesel, glycerin), India (Punjab: biomethane, humus), and Hungary (Budapest: metathesis catalysts).
Definitely yes. Verbio is driving forward the expansion of its global presence, for example through the growth projects in North America, and is also focusing on diversifying its global product portfolio in order to expand into new markets. For us, global diversification means maximizing opportunities and minimizing risks.
...about our share
Verbio went public on October 16, 2006. The initial public offering (IPO) took place in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange. The placement price was EUR 14.50 per share. A total of 18.2 million shares were offered, of which 13 million came from a capital increase, 3.2 million from the holdings of existing shareholders, and 2 million from an over-allotment option (greenshoe).
Our shares are listed on the Regulated Market in the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange, i.e., in a legally regulated stock market segment that is subject to supervision by BaFin and the stock exchange and is subject to high transparency requirements.
The ISIN (International Securities Identification Number) for Verbio shares is DE000A0JL9W6. The Reuters ticker symbols are VBKG.DE (XETRA) and VBKG.F (floor). Verbio’s Deutsche Börse stock exchange symbol is VBK.
Verbio has the WKN A0JL9W. It is also part of the ISIN.
Verbio has issued ordinary no-par bearer shares, each with a notional par value of € 1. Each share grants the same rights and one vote at the annual general meeting. All shares have a full dividend entitlement in euros. There are no preference shares.
Shares in our company can be purchased, for example, by executing a buy order via one of the trading platforms (XETRA, Frankfurt Stock Exchange, Tradegate, gettex, etc.). A securities account with an online broker or a traditional bank is usually needed to purchase securities. The purchase may be subject to fees with the various service providers.
Verbio shares are no-par value bearer shares with a notional value of EUR 1 each.
The Management Board and Supervisory Board of Verbio SE pursue a dividend policy geared towards continuity, the aim of which is to create a fair balance between the interests of shareholders on the one hand and the financing of Verbio’s growth on the other. The objective is to ensure that shareholders participate in Verbio’s success by receiving an appropriate dividend. At the same time, it is also in the interests of shareholders that Verbio maintains a solid equity base, a high credit rating, and sufficient cash to finance the operating business and to take advantage of expansion opportunities for the Group’s sustainable development. The Management Board and Supervisory Board of Verbio SE therefore examine their dividend proposal very carefully each year, weighing up the interests of shareholders and the Company.
With the conversion to an SE (Societas Europaea), Verbio is required to hold the annual general meeting within six months of the end of the respective financial year (June 30). For this reason, the annual general meeting, at which a dividend resolution can be passed, usually takes place in December of each year. Following the resolution of the annual general meeting to use the net retained profits to pay a dividend, among other things, the dividend is paid out within a certain period of time after the annual general meeting.
Verbio has not yet undertaken any share buyback programs.
The current shareholder structure can be viewed here.
No share splits have taken place since the IPO in 2006.
From time to time Verbio carries out small capital increases against contributions in kind to fulfill its obligations under the Management Board remuneration agreements. Shares are generally issued to form a component of the remuneration package of the members of the Management Board on the basis of a corresponding Supervisory Board resolution needed to implement the capital increase.
We attach great importance to direct and transparent communication with our stakeholders. For this reason, the Management Board and Supervisory Board plan to hold future upcoming annual general meetings alternately in virtual form and in person. This means that the different interests of shareholders who are either for or against meetings in a virtual form can be taken into account.
The dates for the announcement of the quarterly, half-year, and financial year results can be found in our financial calendar.
You can subscribe to our IR news here.
You can contact us at any time via the email address ir@verbio.de or via the contact details below.
...about our sustainability and other ESG topics
By 2026 we want to save at least 8 million tonnes of CO2 with our products and thus further improve our CO2 handprint. By 2035 we aim to be climate-neutral in our direct operations, i.e., for Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions.
With our products and innovative green solutions, we can contribute in many ways to reducing the ecological footprint, creating regional added value, and enabling the transition to a more climate-friendly society in the long term.
We produce biofuels such as biodiesel, bioethanol, and biomethane: These produce significantly less CO₂ compared to fossil fuels. This reduces emissions in the transport sector—a key contribution to climate protection.
- Innovations for the energy transition: Verbio develops technologies that support a low-carbon energy future, e.g., by producing green gas that can be used as energy for heating. This helps to replace fossil energy sources and advance the energy transition.
- We use residual and raw materials: Verbio uses renewable, predominantly non-consumable raw materials and agricultural residues (e.g., straw) to produce its biofuels. This avoids competition with food production and reduces waste—a plus for resource efficiency.
- With our biorefineries, we have created a unique system of multiple interlinked closed loops. In addition to biofuels, Verbio also produces high-quality components such as pharmaceutical-grade glycerin and sterols, which are used in the pharmaceutical and cosmetics industries. This results in the most complete possible recycling of the materials used, and a highly efficient utilization of the value chain. Verbio is thus making a contribution to the circular economy and the conservation of resources.
- Positive effects for rural regions: Verbio’s raw materials often come from the local region, which strengthens agricultural businesses and secures jobs in rural areas.
Verbio’s products actively support customers in reducing their greenhouse gas emissions and achieving their climate targets.
We enable our customers to replace fossil fuels with sustainable alternatives. Our biofuels have a significantly better carbon footprint—in some cases up to 90 percent fewer greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels (depending on the raw material and production method). Many of our products are based on agricultural waste/residues or grain qualities that are not suitable for consumption.
With the products we delivered in the financial year 2023/2024, our customers achieved a CO2 saving effect (“handprint”) of 4.4 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent.
By 2026 we want to increase this CO2 reduction to 8 million tonnes of CO2-equivalent. We are increasingly focusing on the use of advanced biomethane and advanced biodiesel.
We have an ambitious net-zero target, aiming to achieve climate neutrality in our direct operations by 2035. This includes being carbon neutral in Scope 1 and Scope 2 emissions, where Scope 1 emissions are direct greenhouse gas emissions caused by our own activities and Scope 2 emissions are indirect emissions caused by our use of purchased energy such as electricity or heat that is generated outside our company.
Yes! Verbio has an energy management system at its German plants, and is certified to DIN EN ISO 50001 in this area. The certification supports the implementation of the decarbonization strategy through the efficient use of energy.
In the 2023/2024 financial year Verbio published an integrated Group management report for the first time, which includes the non-financial Group statement in addition to the financial report.
Yes! With the entry into force of the CSR Directive Implementation Act (CSR-RUG), Verbio SE, as the Group parent company, is obliged to prepare a non-financial Group statement in accordance with § 315b, 315c in conjunction with § 289c to 289e HGB. To date, we have therefore based our key non-financial information for Group reporting on the requirements of the CSR-RUG in order to transparently present the links between economic, environmental, and social aspects. In addition, reporting is based on the guidelines of the Global Reporting Initiative (GRI), an internationally recognized standard for sustainability reporting. With the national implementation of the CSRD, we will align our sustainability reporting with the new requirements.
We rely on clear preventive measures to effectively prevent corruption and bribery. We pursue a holistic approach that is based on internal guidelines, training, and binding rules of conduct. In our Code of Conduct for Employees we make it clear that corruption has no place at Verbio. A supplementary guideline on the acceptance and granting of benefits regulates the responsible handling of business gifts and invitations. We also commit our suppliers to our Code of Conduct, which prohibits all forms of corruption and bribery. Our understanding and implementation of due diligence obligations in relation to corruption and bribery are also discussed in our Declaration of Principles on Respect for Human Rights.
Yes! Verbio has a clearly defined tax concept. We pursue the principle of paying taxes correctly and appropriately in accordance with local legal requirements in all countries in which we operate. Tax transparency, legally compliant behavior, and the avoidance of artificial tax arrangements without economic substance are key principles in this regard. Responsibility for tax issues lies with Verbio SE’s central tax department (Global Accounting and Tax), which reports to the CFO. Internal guidelines, systematic controls, and regular training for tax staff ensure compliance with all tax requirements.
Verbio ensures the protection of customer, employee, and company data in accordance with the applicable data protection and information security regulations. The Group is guided by international security standards, and implements technical and organizational measures to protect the confidentiality of the data entrusted to it. The exercise of our duty of care with regard to data protection and confidentiality is also discussed in our Statement of Principles on Respect for Human Rights.
Verbio is committed to respecting human rights and fighting corruption, even beyond its own operations. Verbio has been a member of the UN Global Compact since 2022 and is committed to complying with the principles set out therein. The company and its suppliers are guided by internationally recognized labor and social standards, including:
- the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights,
- the UN Guiding Principles on Business and Human Rights,
- the OECD Guidelines for Multinational Enterprises, and
- the core labor standards of the International Labor Organization (ILO).
This voluntary commitment is an integral part of corporate responsibility along the entire supply chain. For more information on this, please refer to our Declaration of Principles on Respect for Human Rights.
In our non-financial Group statement, which forms part of our integrated annual report, information on the EU taxonomy eligibility and EU taxonomy alignment of our economic activities is presented in accordance with the EU Taxonomy Regulation together with the corresponding accounting data.
We involve our stakeholders in the development of our sustainability strategy. The company attaches great importance to an open, continuous, and solution-oriented exchange with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including employees, business partners, investors, representatives of local communities, and civil society organizations. This dialog takes place through a variety of channels, such as employee meetings, surveys, trade fairs, social media, press activities, and direct contact with municipal authorities and local stakeholders.
Verbio uses the feedback from this dialog in its dual materiality analysis, which serves to identify and prioritize sustainability issues in terms of both their social impact and their relevance for our company.
Yes! Verbio is listed by the following rating systems:
- EcoVadis = Sustainability Rating
- ISS = ESG rating
- CDP = ESG rating
- MSCI = ESG rating
- Sustainalytics = ESG risk rating
These rankings reflect Verbio’s continuous efforts to integrate sustainability and quality into all areas of the Group.