First-quarter report 2005 of the EMS Group

The EMS Group with global activities in the business areas of Performance Polymers and Fine Chemicals / Engineering and with its companies combined in EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG, completed the spin-off of the EMS-DOTTIKON business unit on March 31, 2005. In the first three months of 2005 the continued business activities of EMS generated an increase in sales of 7.9% over the same period of 2004. This performance is within the anticipated scope.

Consolidated net sales for the continued activities in Swiss francs increased by 7.9% to CHF 314 million (291), corresponding to a rise of 10.2% in local currencies. In particular the Performance Polymers business reports a highly satisfactory volume boost. Sales including the non-continued activities rose by 10.1% to CHF 349 million (317).

In a comparable scope of consolidation EMS continues to project sales and operating income (EBIT) slightly over the previous year's result.