Interim report January - September 2003

Interim report January - September 2003 - The Group's net sales amounted to SEK 2,469 million (2,376). - Earnings after net financial items totalled SEK 147 million (151). - Earnings after tax were SEK 106 million (109). - Earnings per share amounted to SEK 5.05 (5.16). - Tough business climate, a stronger Swedish krona and higher energy costs affected Group earnings. - Keen competition had negative effects on business area Oils & Fats. Continued productivity improvements and growing volumes of high value-added products are offsetting this impact. - Investment granted to expand production capacity for high value-added products in business area Oils & Fats. - Profit improvement and volume growth in business area Technical Products. - Continued volume growth for Feed Materials. Capacity-expanding investments are currently coming on stream. Karlshamn 22 October 2003 [REMOVED GRAPHICS] Jerker Hartwall President For further information, phone +46 (0)454-826 03 These interim figures have not been audited ------------------------------------------------------------ This information was brought to you by Waymaker http://www.waymaker.net The following files are available for download: http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00530/wkr0001.doc The full report http://www.waymaker.net/bitonline/2003/10/22/20031022BIT00530/wkr0002.pdf The full report