• Very strong Q2 result based on 17% organic sales growth.
• Changing dynamics in vitamin business drive significantly higher profitability in Life Sciences.
• Materials Sciences performing well against difficult economic background.
• EBIT from continuing operations up 19% to EUR 276 million.
• Earnings per share 34% higher.
• Guidance raised: 2008 EBIT from continuing operations expected to be around EUR 970 million, with potential upside.
• Execution of Vision 2010 strategy fully on track.

Commenting on the results, Feike Sijbesma, chairman of the DSM Managing Board, said: ‘This is the strongest quarterly result in DSM's history. DSM benefited during the quarter from favorable market conditions in particular in Nutrition, where changing dynamics in the vitamins business are taking place which are in large part expected to be sustainable over the medium term. As a result of the performance in Nutrition, and with our other businesses performing solidly despite the more difficult macro-economic environment, we have been able to raise our guidance by around EUR 100 million on what was already expected to be a record year for DSM.

‘DSM is continuing to see the benefits of our decision to focus on Life Sciences and Materials Sciences. Our work to complete the transformation continues apace and we believe that DSM is well placed to exploit the opportunities arising from the reshaping of our business.’

Full version of the press release (PDF 229 Kb).