VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG

Earnings Release • May 15, 2008

News Details

Corporate | 15 May 2008 19:41

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG:– the Biodiesel result improved against previous year, higher operating cash flow, equity ratio 59.5%

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG / Quarter Results

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The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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Leipzig/Zörbig, May 15, 2008: In the first 3 months of the current 2008
financial year VERBIO, shows a sales plus of 21.3% to 125.1 million EUR (Q1
2007: 103.1 million EUR) compared to the previous year’s period. The Gross
Margin accounts for 17.8 million EUR after 16.1 million EUR in Q1 2007, the
operating result of the Group is 0.7 Mio. EUR versus 3.3 million EUR in the
first quarter 2007. The decrease of the result follows from still to be
processed forward contracts in the segment ethanol and less capacity
utilisation compared to previous year’s utilisation. The result of the
period is -1.4 million EUR (Q1 2007: 0.3 million EUR).
VERBIO possess liquid funds of 60.2 million EUR as of the end of period
date, as of 31.12.2007 it was 57.1 million EUR. The operating cash flow
improved from -2.3 million EUR (31.03.2007) to 27.0 million EUR
(31.03.2008). This is mainly due to a reduction in stocks and the
liquidation of receivables.

Positive operating result in Biodiesel
In the first quarter of 2008 sales are 92.6 million EUR, thus significantly
above sales of the previous year’s quarter (Q1 2007: 66.0 million EUR). The
boost in sales and increased mineral oil prices have let to a jump in
segment result from 1.2 million EUR to 4.3 million EUR despite strong
competition and high raw material prices.

Development in the segment Bioethanol according to expectation
Sales are 22.7 million EUR and below sales of the previous year’s period
(Q1 2007: 28.1 million EUR). Despite an about 0.8% higher blending quote of
2.0% the utilisations of Bioethanol only increased by 0.1%. As addressed
beginning of the year, the first quarter was burdened by 2.7 million EUR
closed future contracts.

Outlook – raw material prices seek balance at a high level
For 2008 the Management Board of VERBIO assumes that the biofuel market in
Germany especially the pure biodiesel market will further consolidate. In
2008 the price level concerning the segment bioethanol will also be
predominantly ruled by the import from Brazil because of the high raw
material prices.

Currently there are no signs that the raw oil price will fall sustainably
The development of the raw material prices are not showing any reliable
indication of the price of the new harvest.

Biodiesel – high capacity utilisation and stabilisation of the gross margin
In the Biodiesel segment we want to achieve at least the high capacity
utilisation of prior years in 2008. Additionally we expanded the capacity
by 50,000 tonnes to 450,000 tonnes per year in Schwedt/Oder.

Ethanol – The usage of sugar containing raw material will be forced and
additional profit from trading of grain will be expected
In Mai 2008 out of cost reasons the Bioethanol plant in Schwedt/Oder
(200,000 tonnes per year) will be run up, and should reach a full
utilisation on a monthly basis till year end. The utilisation of the plant
in Zörbig will be reduced in return. Because of the measurements of cost
reduction and successful tests with alternative raw materials like sugar
syrup, crystal sugar and molasses – and if the raw material prices stay at
the current level – we can offer competitive ethanol.

Outlook: Consolidation – positioning – profit generating
Based on the existing conditions the Board of Management of VERBIO assumes
also for 2008 a difficult business year. Operative and financial measures
to improve the competiveness were introduced respectively are currently
further processed. The increase in profitability and the significant
improvement of the CO2-Efficiency in preparation for the
Biomasse-Sustainability Directive are the central working areas.
Besides this, the Board of Management examines to sell the wind engines
because of the limited options to further develop the business sector wind
energy and due to the current good interest.

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 (glycerin 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 press release 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.

VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
Alexandra Mühr
Anna-Maria Schneider
Investor Relations

Sandra Haacker
Public Relations

Augustusplatz 9
04109 Leipzig

Phone: +49 (0) 341 30 85 30 90
Fax: +49 (0) 341 30 85 30 99
Email: ir@verbio.de/pr@verbio.de

15.05.2008 Financial News transmitted by DGAP

Language: English
Issuer: VERBIO Vereinigte BioEnergie AG
Humboldtstraße 18
04105 Leipzig
Deutschland
Phone: +49 (0)341 30 85 30 90
Fax: +49 (0)341 30 85 30 99
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

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