Ad-hoc | 10 February 2009 16:46
VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG / Preliminary Results
Release of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted by
DGAP - a company of EquityStory AG.
The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.
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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.
Contact:
VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
Augustusplatz 9
04109 Leipzig
Anna-Maria Schneider
Investor Relations
Tel: +49(0)341/30853094
Fax: +49(0)341/30853098
E-Mail: ir@verbio.de
Sandra Haacker
Public Relations
Tel: +49(0)341/30853063
Fax: +49(0)341/30853099
E-Mail: pr@verbio.de
10.02.2009 Financial News transmitted by DGAP
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Language: English
Issuer: VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
Augustusplatz 9
04109 Leipzig
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)341 30 85 30 90
Fax: +49 (0)341 30 85 30 98
E-mail: ir@verbio.de
Internet: www.verbio.de
ISIN: DE000A0JL9W6
WKN: A0JL9W
Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr
in Berlin, Stuttgart, Düsseldorf, München
End of News DGAP News-Service
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