EnviTec Biogas acquires majority in water treatment specialist

Capabilities in the field of fermentation residue processing completed

Lohne, January 8, 2009 – EnviTec Biogas AG, Lohne, has acquired a 70 percent interest in water treatment specialist A3 Water Solutions GmbH (A3) and its sister company, MaxFlow Membran Filtration GmbH (MMF), a manufacturer of membrane modules. The parties have agreed not to disclose the price of the investment. A3 and MMF, both headquartered in Gelsenkirchen, employ a total of 24 employees. For the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2009, both companies expect combined sales of EUR 4.7 million. A3 is a plant manufacturer with expertise in the consulting, planning and development of water treatment and waste water purification plants. Its core competencies include the total processing of fermentation residues from processes in biogas and bioethanol plants. MMF offers micro and ultra filtration membrane modules for solid/liquid separation, water treatment and waste water purification in membrane bioreactors. The use of MaxFlow membrane modules allows excellent process quality to be achieved at low investment and operating costs. The investment provides EnviTec Biogas with additional capacity and specialist knowledge for future research and development activities in the processing of fermentation residues and allows the company to complete its services in this downstream process which serves to separate residues from biogas production into concentrated fertiliser and dischargeable water.

“The processing of fermentation residues is an important element of a sustainable plant concept. We feel that innovative solutions have the potential to extend the value chain for plant operators and to minimise their waste disposal requirements,” explains Olaf von Lehmden, CEO of EnviTec Biogas. “Our long-standing experience in the biogas sector and the specialist know-how of A3 and MMF mean we are ideally positioned to fully exploit the possibilities arising in the field of fermentation residue processing.“ The range of products and services will be developed further by pooling the competencies and capabilities of “EnviTec Filtration” with those of A3. The existing portfolio of A3 and MMF will be retained and customers can continue to rely on the accustomed levels of quality.

“We look forward to tapping the synergies resulting from the alliance with EnviTec,“ says Ulrich Brüß, founder and Managing Director of A3 Water Solutions and MaxFlow Membran Filtration, who remains a shareholder in the companies. “We are convinced that our expertise will provide real added value for EnviTec and its customers.“

EnviTec Biogas AG covers the entire value chain for the production of biogas - including the planning and turnkey construction of biogas plants as well as their commissioning. The company provides the biological and technical service and also offers the full plant and operating management. In Güstrow, in the German state of Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania, EnviTec builds the world’s largest plant for the production of biogas to natural gas standards with an electrical connected load of 22 megawatts. In addition, the company also operates its own biogas plants. Today, the company is represented in more than 15 countries throughout Europe and as well in China and India. In 2007 EnviTec generated revenues of EUR 132 million and EBIT of EUR 18 million. The EnviTec Group has about 280 employees. Since July 2007 EnviTec is listed on the Prime Standard segment of the Frankfurt Stock Exchange.

Investor Relations:
Olaf Brandes
EnviTec Biogas AG
Tel: +49 44 42 80 65 - 118
E-Mail: ir@envitec-biogas.de

Press contact:
Fabian Lorenz, Grit Pauli
HOSCHKE & CONSORTEN Public Relations GmbH
Tel: +49 40 36 90 50- 56 /-31
E-Mail: f.lorenz@hoschke.de; g.pauli@hoschke.de

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