In the 2019 fiscal year, the specialty chemicals Group ALTANA held its ground in a challenging market environment and at the same time set the course for further growth. Sales amounted to € 2,249 million and were thus nearly 3 percent below the level of the previous year, which was still characterized by a strong first half in economic terms. The main reasons for this were the continuing sluggish demand in key industrial sectors, especially the automotive industry, and the general economic slowdown, especially in China. Adjusted for acquisition and exchange-rate effects, sales decreased by 4 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell by 3 percent to € 416 million. At 18.5 percent, the EBITDA margin was roughly at the previous year’s level despite further increases in expenditure, particularly for research and development and digitization, and thus within the long-term target range of 18 to 20 percent.