WESEL, Germany – The specialty chemicals group ALTANA was able to match its prior-year level in terms of sales and operating earnings in the first half of 2013. Sales in the first six months of the current business year reached €887 million (prior year: €886 million). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) were at €178 million, compared to €180 million in the first half of 2012. At 20.1 percent, the EBITDA margin also remained at a high level.
"We are looking back on a successful first half year, in which we were able to maintain the strong prior-year level, despite the difficult overall economic conditions in Europe," said Matthias L. Wolfgruber, CEO of ALTANA AG.