EANS-News: Symrise AG Increases Sales and EBITDA by 7 % in the First Half of the Year

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6-month report

Subtitle: • EBITDA margin of 20 % despite ongoing high raw
material prices

• Share of sales from Emerging Markets up to 47 %

• Earnings per share rise to € 0.71

• Outlook for the full year confirmed

Holzminden August 9, 2012 (euro adhoc) - Symrise AG benefited from a
further rising demand in both segments during the second quarter of
2012. The Group thus increased sales by 7 % in the first half of the
year, to EUR 872 million (H1 2011: EUR 812 million). The dynamics in
Emerging Markets, especially Latin America, as well as positive
developments in North America played a particular role. Business with
global key customers was also a source of positive momentum. EBITDA
increased by 7 % to EUR 174.0 million (H1 2011: EUR 162.5 million)
despite ongoing high raw material costs.

Dr. Heinz-Jürgen Bertram, CEO of Symrise AG, commented: "We continued
to gain momentum in the second quarter and benefited from a
considerable rise in demand in both, the Emerging Markets and
established markets. Once again, Symrise achieved an EBITDA margin of
20 %. This is a notable achievement considering the impacts from high
raw material and energy prices as well as ramp-up costs for our new
menthol plant. Although many questions remain surrounding the
development of the eurozone, we expect further growth in the second
half of the year. We are well-positioned internationally and enjoy a
broad customer base. Additional growth is expected from our new
menthol production plant which has been operating since the end of
June. We therefore confirm our raised outlook from May and are aiming
for sales growth at local currency between 3 % and 5 % for the full
year."

Symrise Enjoys Strong Second Quarter

Symrise generated sales of EUR 871.6 million in the first half of
2012 (H1 2011: EUR 811.8 million). This represents an increase of 7 %
(4 % at local currency). This development was particularly driven by
the second quarter when the Group boosted sales by 11 % to EUR 438.9
million (Q2 2011: EUR 395.0 million).

North America performed especially well in the first half with sales
up 19 % (10 % at local currency). Latin America also posted
disproportionately positive growth with a sales increase of 18 % (18
% at local currency). Sales in the Asia/Pacific region were up 11 %
(4 % at local currency) while sales remained stable in the EAME
region despite economic uncertainties in Southern European markets.

EBITDA Margin of 20.0 %

Symrise improved its earnings before interest, tax and depreciation
(EBITDA) by 7 % in the first half to EUR 174 million (H1 2011: EUR
163 million). The cost situation remained characterized by
persistently high raw material and energy costs. Ramp-up costs for
the expansion of Symrise's menthol capacities in Holzminden also had
an effect in the first half. Despite these costs, the Group managed
to achieve an EBITDA margin of 20 % (H1 2011: 20 %) and kept
profitability at a sustainable high level.

Net income for the period rose by 8 % to EUR 84 million (H1 2011: EUR
77 million). Earnings per share increased by 6 cents to EUR 0.71
after EUR 0.65 last year.

Cash Flow from Operating Activities Nearly Doubles at EUR 62.5
Million

Cash flow from operating activities amounted to EUR 63 million,
substantially higher than in the previous year (H1 2011: EUR 34
million). The company has the necessary liquidity and financial
strength to fully implement the Group's strategy. The ratio of net
debt incl. pension provisions to EBITDA remained, despite the
distribution of dividends for 2011, nearly constant with last year's
period at 2.3.

Share of Sales from Emerging Markets Increases to 47 %

The Group's strong position in Emerging Markets led to an increase in
sales for these regions of 8 % at local currency. Thus, Symrise is
growing nearly twice as fast in Emerging Markets than the Group as a
whole. The Emerging Markets in Latin America were substantial growth
drivers along with those in Eastern Europe, Russia and the Middle
East. Latin America also benefited from growth initiatives
implemented there. The share of Group sales generated in the Emerging
Markets increased to 47 % in the first half after amounting to 46 %
in the first half of 2011.

Above Average Growth with Global Customers

Symrise has a balanced portfolio of local, regional and global
customers. The first half of 2012 continued to deliver especially
positive results in business with internationally active key
customers. Sales with this customer group increased 11 % at local
currency and therefore exceeded the overall growth of the Group.
Business with top 10 customers was especially strong in the Scent &
Care division with an increase of 13 % at local currency. Sales with
major customers rose 8 % at local currency in the Flavor & Nutrition
division. Symrise generated 32 % of its overall sales with
international key customers in the first half (H1 2011: 30 %).

Scent & Care Division

Scent & Care increased sales in the first six months of 2012 by 9 %
(6 % at local currency) to EUR 444 million (H1 2011: EUR 410
million). The application areas Oral Care, Fragrances and Life
Essentials were the top contributors to this result, each posting
double-digit growth rates.

With a 29 % jump in sales at local currency, Latin America was the
strongest growth driver in the division. The Oral Care business unit
played a leading role in this development with substantial growth in
sales. In Fragrance, a number of new businesses also made a notable
positive impact. North America was the second strongest region,
generating sales growth of 9 %. Also in this region, the Oral Care
business unit was the clear growth driver posting strong sales
growth, particularly with key customers. Continuing uncertainties
regarding the sovereign debt crisis led to reserved sales performance
in the EAME region. Despite the positive impulses from the Emerging
Markets in Africa as well as solid growth in the Fine Fragrances and
Personal Care application areas, sales were down 4 % at local
currency compared to the first half of 2011. The Asia/Pacific region
saw sales up 7 % at local currency and generated double-digit growth
rates in the Household, Oral Care and Cosmetic Ingredients
application areas.

Scent & Care increased its EBITDA in the first half by 5 % to EUR 81
million (H1 2011: EUR 77 million) despite ramp-up costs for the
expanded menthol production. The EBITDA margin for the segment
amounted to 18.2 % (H1 2011: 18.8 %).

Flavor & Nutrition Division

Flavor & Nutrition increased sales by 6 % in the first half to EUR
427 million (H1 2011: EUR 402 million). At local currency, this
corresponded to an increase of 3 %. The division benefited
particularly from its activities in the Emerging Markets, favorable
core-list positions and from additional new business gained with
regional and international customers.

Flavor & Nutrition achieved the strongest growth in North America
with sales up 12 %. Every application area contributed to this
positive development, with sales increases in the high single-digit
and double-digit ranges. Sales were up 3 % at local currency in the
EAME region. The main growth driver was Russia with a double-digit
growth rate, while the sovereign debt crisis continued to have a
notable effect on Western European markets. Sales growth was
restrained in the Asia/Pacific region, up 1 %. In Latin America,
Flavor & Nutrition increased its sales by 2 % at local currency.

Flavor & Nutrition improved its EBITDA by 9 % in the first half to
EUR 93 million (H1 2011: EUR 86 million). The EBITDA margin remained
at an excellent level with 21.8 % compared to 21.3 % in the
prior-year period.

Outlook for the Full Year - Objectives Confirmed

Symrise remains confident of a good second half despite continuing
uncertainties surrounding the European sovereign debt crisis. The
Group has a balanced business: it is geographically well positioned
and operates with two nearly identically sized divisions; in addition
it has a broad customer base. Following the positive developments of
the first half of 2012, Symrise confirms its increased outlook from
May and continues to aim for sales growth between 3 % and 5 %.
Further growth is expected in both Emerging Markets as well as
industrialized nations although in Western Europe this is expected to
be reserved due to the sovereign debt crisis. Symrise also continues
to focus on its approach to realize sustainable, profitable growth
and aims to achieve an EBITDA margin of about 20 %, despite
persistently high raw material and energy prices.

Key Figures of the Group

EUR MILLION | |H1 2011 H1 2012 Change % Change lc %

Sales | |811.8 | |871.6 | |7.4 | |4.4 |
EBITDA | |162.5 | |174.0 | |7 | |4 |
EBITDA margin in % | |20.0 | |20.0 | | | | |
EBIT | |120.7 | |130.8 | |8 | |5 |
EBIT margin in % | |14.9 | |15.0 | | | | |
Net income for the period | |77.4 | |83.5 | |8 | | |
Earnings / share in EUR | |0.65 | |0.71 | |9 | | |
Operating cash flow | |34.0 | |62.5 | | | | |

Scent&Care
Sales | |409.5 | |444.4 | |8.5 | |5.5 |
EBITDA | |76.9 | |81.0 | |5 | |3 |
EBITDA margin in % | |18.8 | |18.2 | | | | |

Flavor&Nutrition
Sales | |402.3 | |427.2 | |6.2 | |3.2 |
EBITDA | |85.6 | |93.0 | |9 | |5 |
EBITDA margin in % | |21.3 | |21.8 | | | | |

| |Dec. 31, | |June 30, |
| |2011 | |2012 |

Balance sheet total EUR million | |2,098.2 | |2,138.3
Equity ratio in % | |43.5 | |43.8 |
Net debt (incl. pension provisions)/EBITDA ratio | |2.2 | |2.3 |
Employees (FTE) | |5,434 | |5,552 |

FTE = Full Time Equivalent, not including apprentices and trainees
lc = local currency

About Symrise

Symrise is a global supplier of fragrances, flavorings, cosmetic
active ingredients and raw materials as well as functional
ingredients. Its clients include manufacturers of perfumes, cosmetics
and foods, the pharmaceutical industry and producers of nutritional
supplements.Its sales of EUR1.584 billion in 2011 place Symrise among
the top four in the global flavors and fragrances market.
Headquartered in Holzminden, Germany, the Company is represented in
over 35 countries in Europe, Asia, the United States and Latin
America. Symrise works with its clients to develop new ideas and
market-ready concepts for products that form an indispensable part of
everyday life. In doing so, Symrise combines its insights into
consumer trends with cutting-edge technologies, focusing on
innovative trend and lifestyle products that have additional
practical value for the consumer. Symrise - always inspiring more…

www.symrise.com

Further inquiry note:
Pressekontakt
Bernhard Kott
Tel. +49 (0)5531 90-1721
bernhard.kott@symrise.com

Investorenkontakt
Tobias Erfurth
Tel. +49 (0)5531 90-1879
tobias.erfurth@symrise.com

end of announcement euro adhoc
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company: Symrise AG
Mühlenfeldstraße 1
D-37603 Holzminden
phone: +49 (0) 5531/90-0
FAX: +49 (0) 5531/90-1649
mail: ir@symrise.com
WWW: http://www.symrise.com
sector: Chemicals
ISIN: DE000SYM9999
indexes: MDAX
stockmarkets: free trade: Hannover, Berlin, München, Hamburg, Düsseldorf,
Stuttgart, regulated dealing/prime standard: Frankfurt
language: English