Lohne, 23 October 2014 –EnviTec Biogas AG (ISIN: DE000A0MVLS8) announces that the company’s main shareholders and founders, Olaf von Lehmden and Tobias Schulz, have increased their shareholdings in the company. Von Lehmden Beteiligungs GmbH acquired 1,350,000 shares and now holds 8,638,317 shares (57.6% of the share capital). TS Holding GmbH, which is owned by Tobias Schulz, increased its shareholding by 600,000 shares to 3,880,000 shares (25.9% of the share capital). 15.5% of the 15,000,000 shares are widely held.
The 1,950,000 shares were sold by Ruhe Verwaltungs GmbH. This means that Kunibert Ruhe, one of the EnviTec founders, who sat on the Executive Board until 2010, has sold his shares in full. The parties agreed not to disclose the purchase price.
The transaction ensures a stable shareholder structure, which will allow EnviTec to concentrate on continuing the positive operating performance. In spite of the difficult market environment, the company managed a turnaround in profits at all levels in the first half of 2014 and is optimistic about the future.
The first six months of 2014 saw EnviTec boost its sales revenues by 9.5% to EUR 75.3 million. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) climbed to EUR 5.3 million, up from EUR -1.7 million in the previous year. The first-half profit improved markedly from EUR -1.4 million to EUR 3.8 million. In addition, the company generated positive cash flow of EUR 28.6 million. Consolidated sales revenues for the full year 2014 are expected to amount to between EUR 145 million and EUR 165 million; EBIT should remain positive.
About EnviTec Biogas AG
EnviTec Biogas AG covers the entire value chain for the production of biogas, including the planning and turnkey construction of biogas plants and biogas upgrading plants as well as their commissioning. The company takes charge of biological and technical services on demand and also offers full plant and operational management. In addition, EnviTec also operates its own biogas plants. In 2011, EnviTec Biogas along with EnviTec Energy GmbH & Co. KG and its 100% subsidiary EnviTec Stromkontor GmbH & Co. KG expanded its business operations into the direct marketing of upgraded biomethane as well as the marketing of green electricity and balancing energy. EnviTec Biogas AG currently operates in 20 countries. In 2013, EnviTec generated revenues of €148.8 million and an EBIT of €2.4 million. The EnviTec Group currently has 345 employees. EnviTec Biogas has been listed on the Frankfurt stock exchange since July 2007.