Nabaltec AG meets estimates in the second quarter of 2012, according to preliminary figures

- revenues of EUR 68.3 million in the first half, almost as high as the year before;

- updated outlook for remainder of year given increasingly volatile markets.

Schwandorf, 1 August 2012 - According to preliminary figures, Nabaltec AG had revenues of EUR 68.3 million in the first half of 2012, almost as high as last year's record-high EUR 70.1 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) were EUR 6.7 million in the reporting period, down from EUR 8.4 million in the first half of 2011. Nabaltec will publish final data for the first half and the second quarter of 2012 on 21 August.

Revenues in the second quarter of 2012 amounted to EUR 34.2 million, staying at the high level which was reached in the second quarter of last year (EUR 34.8 million). EBIT was down from EUR 4.5 million last year to EUR 3.9 million, but was up by a strong EUR 1.1 million over the first quarter of 2012 (up 39.3%).

Revenues in the 'Functional Fillers' division were up slightly, by 1.7%, over the second quarter of 2011, climbing to EUR 23.8 million. Revenues in the 'Technical Ceramics' division amounted to EUR 10.3 million, down from EUR 11.4 million in the same period of last year. The earnings trend was similar. EBITDA in the 'Functional Fillers' division improved by 8.9%, to EUR 4.9 million, while EBITDA in the 'Technical Ceramics' division fell from EUR 2.0 million in the second quarter of last year to EUR 1.2 million in the reporting period.

These results confirmed the turnaround which was achieved in the first quarter of 2012 relative to the second half of 2011, when growth was considerably weaker. According to Johannes Heckmann, member of Board of Nabaltec AG: 'The second-quarter results place us entirely within the bounds of our estimates for 2012. The course of business in the second half of the year will represent a considerable challenge given the economic slowdown in many countries and increasing volatility within our markets.'

Despite the tough global economic environment, Nabaltec AG is seeing slight growth in its target markets over 2011 and currently expects revenue growth in the low single digits. The EBIT margin continues to hold at last year's level.

 
 
About Nabaltec AG:
Nabaltec AG, with registered office in Schwandorf, a chemicals business which has received multiple awards for innovativeness, manufactures, develops and distributes highly specialized products based on aluminum hydroxide ('ATH') and aluminum oxide, as well as other raw materials, on an industrial scale through its 'Functional Fillers' and 'Technical Ceramics' divisions. The company's product range includes halogen-free flame retardant fillers and eco-friendly additives for the plastics industry. Flame retardant fillers are used e.g. in cables in tunnels, airports, high-rise buildings and electronic devices, while additives replace stabilizers containing heavy metals in PVC processing. Nabaltec also produces base materials for use in technical ceramics, the refractory industry and catalysis. Unlike halogenated flame retardant fillers, the products manufactured by the company's 'Functional Fillers' division contain no hazardous substances and do not require separate disposal. Rather, the company's flame retardant fillers actually decrease the development of fumes hazardous to human health and the environment in the event of fire. Nabaltec maintains production sites in Germany and the US and plans to continue to consolidate its market position by expanding capacity, further optimizing processes and quality and making strategic extensions to its product range. On the strength of its specialty products, the company strives to attain the market leadership in each segment.

 
 
Contact:
Heidi Wiendl

Nabaltec AG 

Phone: +49 9431 53-202 

Fax: +49 9431 53-260 

E-mail: InvestorRelations@nabaltec.de

Frank Ostermair

Better Orange IR & HV AG

Phone: +49 89 8896906-14

Fax: +49 89 8896906-66

E-mail: frank.ostermair@better-orange.de