Cognis' first half-year results for 2009: lower sales volumes but stable operating result due

摘要

IN the first six months of 2009, Cognis operated in an extremely difficult market environment and sales volumes declined by 15.8 percent compared with the same period in 2008. Europe and especially Germany and France suffered most from these volume declines. The total net external sales figure of 1,302 million euros represented a fall of 15.1 percent compared to the first half of 2008. On an organic basis (excluding foreign currency effects and the effects of acquisitions and divestments), sales fell by 15.6 percent. How- ever, Cognis experienced a stabilization of its worldwide businesses in the second quarter. Global sales volumes rose by 3.8 percent in the second quarter compared to the first quarter of 2009. This was mainly driven by a pick up in growth in Asia-Pacific as well as Central and South America, whereas the market environment in Europe remained difficult.