WESEL, Germany/DÜSSELDORF, Germany – The specialty chemicals group ALTANA significantly accelerated its growth in the 2017 fiscal year. Sales rose to €2,247 million, 8% higher than in the previous year. This was primarily due to a strong increase in sales volumes, but also to acquisitions in the United States and China. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange-rate effects, sales climbed by 7%, which exceeded the company’s medium-term target of 5%.
Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were up by 4% to €470 million. The EBITDA margin in 2017 was below the previous year’s figure (20.9% compared to 21.8% in 2016), mainly on account of continuously rising raw materials prices.