Financial Year 2008: Stable Growth Despite Economic Crisis.

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6.5% Sales Growth in Local Currencies: Symrise again outperforms the Market

1.02 Basic Earnings Per Share (EPS) Stable at Last Year's Level

19.9% EBITDA Margin

9.3% Free Cash Flow/Sales: Strong Cash Flow Generation

3 Acquisitions Strengthen Position in the US

(Holzminden/Frankfurt) Despite the unfavorable environment, Symrise boosted sales by 45.4 million to 1.32 billion in 2008. Sales growth included the strategically important acquisitions in the US and equated to a local currency increase of 6.5%. Net of acquisitions, sales increased 3.5% in local currencies (0.8% at actual rates). Symrise again grew faster than the market in 2008. The EBITDA margin of almost 20% is on a par with the leading companies in the global fragrance and flavor industry. The Company generated a strong operating free cash flow of 9.3% of total sales. In line with the dividend policy of distributing about 50% of basic underlying earnings …