At today's Annual General Meeting, starting at 14.00 hrs, Peter Elverding, Chairman of the DSM Managing Board, will give a trading update on Q1 2005.

DSM confirms its outlook statement, made in February, that its Q1 2005 operating profit will be substantially higher than in Q1 2004, but revises its related indication upwards, from a previously expected level of 20% to a level which is about 40% higher than in Q1 2004 (which stood at EUR 131 million; IFRS-based and before exceptional items).

This trading update reflects stronger than expected market conditions in Performance Materials and Industrial Chemicals and a continued good performance of DSM Nutritional Products, whereas the dollar and raw material prices have remained unfavorable.

DSM will publish its first quarter results on 27 April 2005.