Mannheim-based ethanol producer Crop Energies posted lower earnings in the 2013-14 financial year, citing difficult market conditions and EU policy uncertainty.
Crop Energies earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (Ebitda) fell by 43pc to €68mn from €199mn a year earlier, according to its results for the financial year from 1 March 2013 to February 2014.
Compounded by a reduced operating margin of 4.4pc, compared with 12.6pc in 2012-13, overall operating profit fell to €34.5mn, down by 60pc from a year earlier.
But the firm boosted revenues by 13pc to €781mn with the acquisition of the 400mn litre/yr Ensus plant in Teesside in the UK, helping to boost overall ethanol production by 9pc to 884,000m³.
Overall sales rose by 20pc to a little over 1mn m³, up from 840,000m³ a year earlier.
Crop Energies said it is satisfied with the results in light of the "difficult market conditions", including "lower ethanol prices and higher raw material costs".
The company spoke out against uncertainty from the European Commission for "slowing down" the development of the European ethanol market.
"The current uncertainty makes many member states hesitate to increase the share of biofuels as planned and for example to introduce E10 [gasoline containing 10pc ethanol] to the market. This means that the potential to lower the consumption of fossil fuels and corresponding greenhouse gas emissions quickly and cost effectively is being squandered."
Crop Energies expects revenues to rise to €850mn-900mn in the 2014-15 financial year. Ebitda is forecast at €10mn-60mn, while the firm expects to make between a loss of €30mn and a profit of €20mn in operating terms next year.
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