The Lenzing Group confirms its preliminary figures for business year 2006 that were published on 12 March. According to these, Lenzing's core business cellulose fibers generated a new all-time record result due to its dynamic expansion.
Sales increased by 16.8% to EUR 1,100.5 million (2005: EUR 942.6 million), exceeding the one billion euro mark for the first time. EBIT at EUR 107.1 mill. was 31% higher than the year before (EUR 81.8 million).
The result before taxes came to EUR 98.6 million (2005: EUR 79.3 million), an increase of 24%. Net income after minority interests was at EUR 83.9 million (2005: EUR 56.9 million), an increase of 48%. Due to this excellent result the management board will propose an increased dividend of EUR 10 per share (2005: EUR 8).
In the first months of 2007, Lenzing set more important milestones in its dynamic expansion. The new viscose fiber production plant at Nanjing/China successfully started operation after a construction period of two years.
The Group announced its decision for the construction of another viscose fiber production plant in India with an investment volume of USD 200 mill. Further investment in the optimization of production at the Lenzing site is scheduled in 2007.
Lenzing Plastics made two important acquisitions in the first weeks of 2007 and expects a significant increase in sales. The results for the first quarter will be published on 18 May 2007.