http://www.albagroup.de/presse/pressemitteilungen.html Pressemitteilungen der Alba Groupde http://www.albagroup.de/fileadmin/system/images/logo_ALBA_Group.jpg http://www.albagroup.de/presse/pressemitteilungen.html 17430Pressemitteilungen der Alba GroupTYPO3 - get.content.righthttp://blogs.law.harvard.edu/tech/rssMon, 20 May 2013 08:55:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-se-achieves-results-at-the-previous-years-level-interim-report-on-the-first-quarter-of-2013.html + EBT slightly above the previous year’s comparative figure + Steel crisis and material shortages... + Steel crisis and material shortages cause decline in sales and pressure on margins in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment
+ Focus set on further internationalisation and new markets The listed environmental services provider and raw materials trader ALBA SE, a subsidiary of ALBA Group, achieved earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 7.8 million during the first quarter of 2013 (previous year’s figure: EUR 7.3 million). Earnings before interest and taxes and shares in earnings of associated companies (EBIT) amounted to EUR 10.1 million (previous year’s figure: EUR 9.7 million). EBT in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment turned out lower than at this time in the previous year because of the continuing steel crisis whereas EBT in the Services segment increased. Consolidated sales revenue for the group amounted to EUR 446.5 million in the first three months of the current financial year (previous year: EUR 553.3 million). “Our business has been greatly affected by the economic conditions. The requirements for an upturn in Germany have already been in place for some time. This has however failed to materialise due to the intensification of the crisis in the Eurozone. In addition, the continuing severe European steel crisis and shortage of materials of both ferrous and non-ferrous recovered metal has also contributed. In this market environment ALBA SE group has been able to hold its own in the first quarter of 2013,” said Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “Our strategy of internationalisation of sales and procurement routes has proven itself. We’re feeling the crisis but when comparing within the sector we are much less affected than our competitors.” Working capital has increased at the end of the first quarter compared with the balance sheet date of December 31, 2012, because the business has expanded since the end of the year. As a result, the balance sheet total also increased. The net cash and cash equivalents – defined as the balance of debts and current liabilities from cash pooling with the ALBA Group, short and long-term liabilities to banks as well as liquid funds – has clearly decreased since December 31, 2012. Development of the segments Sales in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment amounted to EUR 368.2 million in the first three months of the current financial year (previous year: EUR 474.1 million). Lower prices than in the first quarter of 2012 and a lower marketed tonnage caused the decline inturnover. Margins were under pressure due to the intense competition in a market environment shaped by shortage of materials. In the first quarter of 2013, raw steel production from the German steel industry remained steady at the level of the same period last year, however in the EU-27 steel production decreased by 5.4% in the same period. Recovered steel prices stayed on the level they were at the end of 2012, and were still below the level of the first quarter of 2012. For instance the average warehouse sale price of leading scrap type 2 decreased from EUR 327.40 per ton in the first three months of 2012 to EUR 310.77 per ton in the first quarter of 2013. The demand for non-ferrous metals from China was stable. Sales were however impeded by material shortages in the European procurement market. INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH, Dortmund, acquired 65 per cent of ZG Balkan Holding GmbH at the end of 2012 (now trading under ALBA Balkan Holding GmbH). Altogether the purchase, through its subsidiary, covers twelve scrap yards in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania. The antitrust authorities granted their approval on February 7, 2013. The Services segment generated sales of EUR 80.7 million in the first quarter of 2013 (previous year’s figure: EUR 81.6 million). EBT has increased in comparison with the same period last year.In the area of sales packaging the portfolio was adjusted for further below-cost contracts in the first three months of 2013, which helped to stabilise the result. As before, it is difficult to react sustainably in this market. Reasons for this are unclear wording in the Packaging Regulation and a lack of checks by the enforcement authorities. However, it is encouraging that the BDE certificate co-initiated by Interseroh is increasingly applied as self-regulation of the economy. Lower marketing prices and amounts strained sales and the result of the business unit transport packaging. Business Unit Recycling Solutions Interseroh raised sales and results in particular through new acquisitions in facility management and by expanding branch waste disposal. Outlook The Board of Directors is not counting on a considerable change in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment in the second quarter of the current financial year. However, for the second half of 2013 there are the first signs of a recovery in the steel industry which assumes a steel production equal to at least 2012 levels. From China there are also new demands both for recovered metal and for non-ferrous metals. Furthermore the development of the European Single Market is seen as critical by the Board of Directors. “Our most important goal can and must be the further internationalisation of sales and procurement routes as well as the bundling of quantities. The acquisition of shares in the Balkan companies was an important step towards this,” stressed Schweitzer. “However emerging countries in South America such as Brazil are increasingly interesting partners in particular with regard to the procurement of recovered metals.” In the Services segment the Board of Directors does not expect any considerable changes in the marketing situation and a stable economic development. However, the management is concerned about the development of the dual system: In 2012, 2.4 million tons of plastic waste were recovered in yellow bins and bags. However, trade and industry only paid the stipulated licence fees for 1.1 million tons. “Our focus in the Services segment is on thefurther development of new business areas and in new markets to support sustainable growth,” said the Chairman of the Board of Directors. Furthermore, cross selling is promoted within the segment and also within the whole ALBA Group in 2013. The interlinking of the Steel and Metals Recycling segment with the waste disposal business of the ALBA Group is being intensified. Considerable goals of these measures are the more efficient utilisation of resources and the achievement of synergies.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Wed, 15 May 2013 08:18:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/despite-the-steel-crisis-alba-se-above-2010-levels-early-indicators-suggest-a-recovery-alba-se.html + Operating EBT drops 6.8 percent to EUR 37.7 million + Consolidated Group sales revenues 12.8... + Consolidated Group sales revenues 12.8 percent lower than 2011 at EUR 1.9 billion

The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader, ALBA SE, a subsidiary of the ALBA Group, achieved positive earnings before taxes (EBT) in fiscal 2012, that were approximately 6.8 percent less than in the previous year. The reason for the slightly lower earnings was a tangibly weaker demand for steel scrap and metals against the backdrop of the Euro crisis and the European economic crisis, as well as a slowdown in China's dynamic growth.

"Our 2012 earnings are still above the 2010 level, which shows that we have dealt with the difficult market environment in the steel and metals recycling segment better than a number of other companies in the sectoral comparison", states Dr Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the ALBA SE Board of Directors, on the occasion of the 2012 financial statements presentation in Cologne. He continues: "We already pointed out in the previous fiscal year that 2012 would be a challenging year. This proved only too true."

Schweitzer referred to the production declines in those countries affected by the European national debt crisis - Spain, Italy, Portugal and Greece - in the past year as dramatic. At the same time raw materials production in Germany was below the previous year and weaker growth in China had an impact on the scrap business.

Schweitzer mentioned positive signals indicating recovery in the steel industry in the second half of 2013. There are budding signs of demand from China, especially for non-ferrous metals. At the same time, though, he is anticipating that the situation in the European domestic market will continue to be difficult and that growth in Germany will be subdued, Schweitzer continued.

In Germany the Board of Directors perceived "considerable risks, resulting from a lack of controls for compliance with the packaging ordinance", especially for the dual system. In view of this situation, ALBA SE considers itself to be well positioned based on its current market share. Despite this, the Dual System continues to remain an important strategic business area.

Schweitzer also announced additional earnings improvement measures for the ALBA SE Group. "We are pushing forward with the integration of the Interseroh companies into the ALBA Group. We will use the next two years to optimise this integration structurally. Efficient exploitation of resources, enhancing the quality of service and creating synergy within the ALBA Group are our key goals."

In this context Schweitzer announced that the brand appearance will be better structured in 2013 as well. The plan is to turn the steel and metals recycling subsidiaries, which still operate under their own names on the market, into ALBA companies. In Schweitzer's words: "In order to remain distinctive in all of Germany, we are daring to dispense with the brands and logos that have hitherto been known only on a regional basis. Ultimately, the customer in Würzburg and the customer in Rostock should know: If I go to ALBA, I can be sure of getting what I need and that price and quality are in order."

As communicated by the Company, in fiscal 2012 earnings before interest and taxes and shares in earnings of associated companies (EBIT) amounted to EUR 50.2 million (previous year: EUR 55.9 million) and earnings before taxes (EBT) to EUR 37.7 million (previous year: EUR 40.4 million). Consolidated group sales revenues total EUR 1,926.9 million (previous year: EUR 2,210.7 million).

Group earnings total EUR 33.3 million in 2012 (previous year: EUR 37.2 million).

Overview:

The Course of Business in the Segments Despite declining sales, the services segment evidenced an increase in earnings in the past fiscal year. According to the Chairman of the Board, Axel Schweitzer, there were primarily several reasons for this: "We were able to counteract economic developments by strategic expansion of our service portfolio for existing customers," he explained. In addition, we have subsequently modified low-yield contracts in the Dual System.

On the whole the interest of the processing industry in the long-term supply of raw materials has risen even more clearly than in previous years. "We are very happy to be able to offer a secondary plastics product, Procyclen, developed jointly by our Company and the plastics industry, which was awarded several prizes last year," says Schweitzer.

The innovative plastic received three prizes this past year: In March of 2012 the Bundesverband Deutscher Heimwerker-, Bau- und Gartenfachmärkte e. V., (Federal Association of German Do-It-Yourself, Building and Garden Stores), Cologne, awarded INTERSEROH Dienstleistungs GmbH the special prize for sustainability, the Huber Verlag für Neue Medien GmbH (Huber Publishing House for New Media) included the Company in its list of the best for INDUSTRY PRIZE 2012 and in November INTERSEROH Dienstleistungs GmbH received the "Best Recycled End-Consumer Product 2012" prize together with a customer.

Top player in the international market environment

ALBA SE continued to build up its position as top player in the international market environment. The ALBA SE subsidiaries operating in the steel and metals recycling segment are among the top 3 in the ranking of German scrap treatment companies. With a trans-shipment site in Sweden and the acquisition of the ALBA Balkan Group at the end of 2012, including the associated expansion by twelve scrap yards in Croatia, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Serbia, Montenegro and Romania, further important steps were taken in strengthening its position as international player in the steel and non-ferrous metals trade.

Developments in individual segments

The market environment in the steel and metals recycling segment turned out to be considerably more difficult than expected in 2012, resulting in depressed sales and earnings. The segment achieved sales of EUR 1.6 billion (prior year: EUR 1.7 billion); EBIT in this segment amounted to EUR 18.6 million (prior year: EUR 33.9 million) and EBT to EUR 3.1 million (prior year: EUR 16.7 million).

The services segment generated sales revenues of EUR 330.9 million (previous year: EUR 478.8 million). The segment, however, was able to offset these declining sales revenues by rising earnings as early as the beginning of the fiscal year. EBIT thus equalled EUR 31.6 million (previous year: EUR 22.1 million) and EBT rose from EUR 23.8 million to EUR 34.6 million.

Outlook

The overall weak economic environment has resulted in a muted forecast for the current fiscal year, 2013. Economic experts are assuming feeble economic development throughout the country as before and expect growth in German gross domestic product of only one percent at most. The poor economic prospects are also reflected in forecasts for the steel industry: Only a slight recovery is anticipated for 2013.

Axel Schweitzer: "Framework conditions continue to be anything but easy. The economic situation remains fraught. As long as we have to struggle with the well-known problems of national and currency crises in Europe, the German economy will not be able to avoid these developments entirely. Nevertheless, we expect that the economy will accelerate in emerging markets, providing a significant stimulus for economic development in Germany."

He perceives opportunities and potential for ALBA SE in active portfolio redesign, especially with a view to further development of international trade. The ALBA SE Group has risen to one of the top ten scrap suppliers to Turkey with the acquisition of the companies in the Balkans. "This market position is to be further expanded by consolidating quantities and extending the international sales business," Schweitzer continues.

For the services segment the focus is on continued development of new business fields and on new markets in order to support sustained growth. Business volume especially in the area of the recycled resource business unit will be expanded.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Thu, 11 Apr 2013 12:00:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-group-starts-waste-management-of-electronic-and-hazardous-waste-in-turkey-joint-venture-with.html ALBA Group, one of the ten largest groups of companies for recycling, environmental services and... Murat Bodur, General Manager for the region of Turkey within the ALBA Group. About INCI Holding:
INCI Holding, Izmir, is a family-run Turkish company with around 2,000 employees. The company is largely active within the areas of the automotive industry (production of steel and aluminium rims as well as production and distribution of car batteries), logistics, insurances, the production and distribution of mini bars and within the recycling industry (hazardous waste). From this 65% of the production is exported to 70 countries.
]]> Pressemitteilungen ALBA Group ALBA Interseroh Pressemitteilungen Interseroh ALBA ALBA Group Pressemitteilungen Interseroh Tue, 26 Feb 2013 09:00:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-group-expands-activities-in-turkish-scrap-metal-market-interseroh-scrap-and-metals-holding-gm.html INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH, subsidiary of environmental service provider and raw...
“With this acquisition we are very pleased to strengthen our activities in South Eastern Europe, and therefore have a stronger presence in the Balkans – especially towards Turkey,” explains Joachim Wagner from the Board of Directors for the Steel and Metals Recycling segment of ALBA Group.

With the purchase, ALBA Group can also build on their role as the leading provider of steel and metals recycling in the Balkans, and moreover the company can improve its position as a scrap metal supplier in Turkey: In a booming European market, Interseroh thus climbs into the Top Ten of active scrap metal suppliers in Turkey. The company already supplies the Turkish market with its deep-sea terminal in Dordrecht (port of Rotterdam/The Netherlands).

The new ALBA Balkan Recycling SRL will be active from now on particularly in the purchase of ferrous scrap metal (iron scrap) from smaller to medium-sized suppliers. The such bundled amounts then primarily supply Turkish steel mills. In addition to the existing scrap iron business, future trade will also be established in the Balkans in so-called non-ferrous metals.

Joachim Wagner: “With Zlatko Garac, an absolute expert in the field of steel and metals recycling serves as a director of our company. With his vast experience and expertise, especially in the Balkan markets, he will decisively drive our business forward.”]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Sun, 23 Dec 2012 12:10:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-se-new-board-member-for-international-trading-international-recycling-services-provider-and.html In its meeting today, the Supervisory Board of publicly listed recycling services provider and raw... Dr Axel Schweitzer, CEO of ALBA SE: “The internationalisation of our markets is growing continuously. We have now taken account of this development by adding a Trading segment to our Board. We are delighted to have won over such an expert as Rob Nansink for this task.” Dutchman Nansink can boast of 20 years of successful trade of non-ferrous metals to Asia: In 1990, he founded the Dutch company Europe Metals B.V. and successfully developed the company, with subsidiaries in The Netherlands and Hong Kong, to one of the biggest exporters of non-ferrous metals in Europe. Today, Europe Metals is a 100% subsidiary of ALBA SE. Rob Nansink has been working for ALBA SE since 2007. Currently he is chairman of the management of INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH, Dortmund/Germany. The other responsibilities within ALBA SE’s Board of Directors are not affected by Nansink’s appointment: The Steel and Metal Recycling segment is still headed by Joachim Wagner, CEO Dr Axel Schweitzer continues to hold responsibility for the segment Services, as well as the finance department.
]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Wed, 05 Dec 2012 15:11:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-se-board-of-directors-decreasing-demand-for-raw-materials-influencing-revenues-and-earnings.html EBIT and EBT in the third quarter nevertheless slightly higher than the previous year, though...

EBIT and EBT in the third quarter nevertheless slightly higher than the previous year, though revenue for the first nine months and earnings are lower

Decreased demand for raw materials in Europe continuing

Adjusted contract portfolio increases earnings in the Services segment compared to the previous year; however, margins remain under significant pressure

The Board of Directors of ALBA SE (until July 2, 2012: INTERSEROH SE) expects a further decline in demand on the raw materials markets in light of the European debt and economic crisis. "Far less is being produced in numerous European countries today than even a year ago. This is reflected directly in demand for raw materials and the supply of secondary resources and thus also reflects to some extent in our figures," said ALBA SE Chairman of the Board of Directors, Dr Axel Schweitzer, on the occasion of the publication of the third quarter results. As a listed subsidiary of the family business ALBA Group, ALBA SE consolidates steel and metals recycling, packaging recycling, waste prevention and recycling management activities. In the first nine months of 2012, ALBA SE and its associated subsidiaries generated earnings before share of results of associates, interest and taxes (EBIT) of EUR 35.69 million (previous year: EUR 39,74 million). Pre-tax profits (EBT) amounted to EUR 26.23 million (previous year: EUR 33.50 million). Consolidated group revenue totalled EUR 1,518.91 million (previous year: EUR 1,743.76 million). Revenue between segments of EUR 7.19 million was consolidated (previous year: EUR 8.90 million). Inter-segment consolidations in EBIT totalled EUR 0.02 million (previous year: EUR 0.07 million), in EBT EUR 0.02 million (previous year: EUR 0.00 million). In the third quarter of 2012, EBIT was slightly higher than in the same period of the previous year at EUR 15.21 million (third quarter 2011: EUR 14.04 million); likewise, EBT totalled EUR 12.88 million (previous year: EUR 12.19 million). The contribution made to revenue in the months July to September fell on a consolidated basis to EUR 463.91 million (previous year: EUR 615.51 million). Schweitzer emphasised that the raw materials sector, and with it the secondary resources sector, are good early indicators for further economic development. "In Germany things are going comparatively well in a European context, but all European countries affected by crises are battling negative growth rates. This also puts a strain on German manufacturers as well as upstream and downstream industries such as the recycling sector, for example." Steel consumption in European industry (EU 27) alone is expected to decline by 5.6 percent this year; in Spain and Italy, the decrease is expected to be as much as around 12 percent. According to Schweitzer, difficult conditions in the European steel industry as well as the weakening growth dynamic in China also had a negative impact on the scrap metal collection and processing sector and, as expected, weighed heavily on revenue and earnings in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment. In contrast, the Services segment recorded an increase in earnings. Fundamental to this, said Schweitzer, was the adjustment of the contract portfolio to remove low-return customer contracts. However, due to intensive competition in the German market, margins remain under considerable pressure. Compared to the balance sheet date of December 31, 2011, working capital fell in the first nine months of the current year. The main reason for this is the reduction in inventories as well as declining prices and quantities in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment. As a result the balance sheet total and net debt also fell compared to December 31, 2011. Developments in the individual segments Since April, the Steel and Metals Recycling segment has been operating within an economically difficult market environment. As expected, low demand and lower prices depressed margins and earnings compared to the same period last year. At EUR 1,267.81 million, revenue was down on the previous year's figure of EUR 1,369.43 million. From the second quarter onwards, the general uncertainty concerning the development of the European debt crisis led to restrained steel demand and declining prices below those of the same period last year. According to the German Steel Association, in the period from January to September 2012, Germany produced 5 percent less crude steel than in the same period last year. As a consequence, the average warehouse selling price of the leading scrap type 2 fell from EUR 352.20 per ton in the period from January to September 2011 to EUR 325.10 per ton in the first nine months of 2012. Prices for non-ferrous scrap metals were characterised by high volatility. In the third quarter of 2012, difficult conditions in the sales and procurement market could also be attributed principally to relatively weak growth in the Chinese economy, low levels of demand from many customers due to the uncertainty already mentioned, but also to the high level of ocean freight and the weak US dollar. As a result, exports of zinc, copper and brass decreased compared to the previous year. Revenue in the Services segment for the first three quarters of the year totalled EUR 258.29 million (previous year: EUR 383.23 million). The decline in revenue was accompanied by an increase in earnings. Both were primarily caused by the adjustment to the customer portfolio to remove low-return customer contracts in the area of sales packaging in the fourth quarter of 2011. Revenue and earnings from the transport packaging business unit remained at the same level as the same period last year due to stable economic circumstances in the first three quarters. In the deposit business, the insourcing of clearing services, logistics, marketing and "counting" for some customers resulted, as expected, in a reduction in revenue and earnings. The market for toner cartridges was placed under significant pressure by imitation cartridges. This was reflected in the fall in revenue and earnings figures. Revenue volumes in the reusable transport crate business recovered, with earnings significantly improved compared to the same period last year. The recycled resource business unit, producing custom-made high-quality synthetic granules from used plastics for the product requirements of its customers, recorded an increase in revenues and constant earnings. Outlook Since the start of the current financial year, the expectations of steel producers have markedly deteriorated. According to the World Steel Association, steel production in Europe will fall by 5 percent this year compared with 2011. Price reductions are forecast in Europe for non-ferrous metals. Uncertainty surrounding economic and currency developments is continuing to have a negative impact. Revenue and earnings in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment are expected to decline accordingly in 2012 compared to 2011. Despite intense competition and declining prices in the raw materials markets, the Board of Directors are assuming earnings in the Services segment to continue making positive progress. "The economic conditions are currently far from favourable globally. As a result, we are focused on demonstrating to our clients how they can increase earnings by using secondary resources in the crisis to save resources and at the same time, further optimising our own cost structure", said Schweitzer.
]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Fri, 16 Nov 2012 11:29:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/dallas-mavericks-play-alba-berlin-for-the-first-time-ever-alba-group-raffles-four-pairs-of-tickets.html NBA premiere of Dirk Nowitzki and his teammates in Germany / basketball highlight of the year on 6... NBA premiere of Dirk Nowitzki and his teammates in Germany / basketball highlight of the year on 6 October 2012 in the o2 World
On Saturday, 6 October 2012, the basketball highlight of the year will take place in the o2 World, starting at 8 pm: as part of the NBA Europe Live Tour, the Dallas Mavericks will play ALBA BERLIN for the first time, a team in the highest German national league. This is also the first meeting of an NBA team with a German team in the NBA Europe Live Tour. ALBA Group will support the game as an “Official Associate Partner of NBA Europe Live Berlin 2012, presented by BBVA™” and, starting immediately, will raffle four pairs of exclusive tickets for the already sold-out highlight game online at www.albagroup.de/highlight. “As main sponsor and name giver of ALBA BERLIN, we are very happy to be able to top off our unique partnership with the club, which has existed for more than 21 years, with a game as high-profile as this one. We are expecting an absolutely thrilling game. For us, it is important to support this type of basketball highlight and to further increase the interest in this great sport with German audiences,” says Dr. Axel Schweitzer, co-owner of ALBA Group and Chairman of the Supervisory Board of ALBA BERLIN Basketball GmbH. “This is the first time an NBA team will play a German team as part of the NBA Europe Live Tour. The entire basketball community in Germany is excitedly looking forward to this game. Of course, we are very happy that our long-term partner ALBA Group will also support us in this unique game,” says Marco Baldi, Managing Director of ALBA BERLIN Basketball GmbH. To accompany this top event ALBA Group plans as well a smallish surprise for all fans and viewers of the game at the ALBAmobil in front of the o2 World, starting at 6:30 pm on the day of the match. In its sixth year, the NBA Europe Live Tour continues the tradition of NBA teams travelling the continent to play a series of pre-season games against the top teams of the Euroleague. The game in Berlin is the only game of this year’s tour that will take place in Germany. Istanbul, Milan, and Barcelona are the other three venues. You will find information about the other exciting games played by ALBA BERLIN in the German basketball Bundesliga and the Euroleague here: www.albaberlin.de/spielplan  ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Thu, 27 Sep 2012 09:19:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-service-italia-new-expert-for-packaging-management-europes-recycling-specialist-alb.html With immediate effect the new company INTERSEROH Service Italia S.r.l. has taken up its activities... Roberto Magnaghi, Managing Director of INTERSEROH Service Italia S.r.l.. “Our new service will assist our business partners to efficiently manage aspects that do not pertain to their core business, but are, nevertheless, important. What we want is for our clients to reduce costs while they focus on what they do best.”  Through its German subsidiary Interseroh, ALBA Group is experienced on the sector of packaging recycling for more than 20 years. And also to the Italian recycling market ALBA Group is no newcomer: in 2006 it started with ISR INTERSEROH Italia S.r.l., which has become one of the leading companies handling and trading recovered paper in Italy. From its head office in Genoa, the company annually handles approximately 120,000 tonnes per year. Further information about Interseroh in Italy can be found here ...

Comunicato stampa: INTERSEROH Service Italia: I nuovi esperti della gestione degli imballaggi]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Mon, 10 Sep 2012 09:02:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/half-year-financial-report-from-alba-se-2012-innovative-take-back-and-circulatory-systems-further.html Adjusted contract portfolio brings a rise in earnings in the Services segment. Revenue for the...

Adjusted contract portfolio brings a rise in earnings in the Services segment. Revenue for the whole group following the European national debt crisis has lowered slightly to EUR 1,055.00 million (previous year EUR 1,128.25 million)

Declines in production in the steel and metals industry are responsible for a weaker EBIT for the total group of plus EUR 20.48 million (previous year EUR 25.71 million)

The listed leading environmental services provider and raw materials trader ALBA SE (until July 2, 2012: INTERSEROH SE) has shown a fall in earnings and revenue in the second quarter figures for the first time in three years, against the backdrop of the European national debt crisis. At the presentation of the half-year financial report, the Chairman of the Board of Directors Dr Axel Schweitzer said: "The market for raw materials and therefore also secondary resources has clearly shown that the European national debt crisis has now also affected the German real economy. In view of the obvious signs of economic trouble, we therefore expect challenging times." Considering declining prices and demand in the secondary resources markets the wide range of services offered by ALBA SE and the clear orientation towards profitability help. "Our efficiency programme to optimise structures and costs, already implemented in the first half of the year, will be continued consistently, at the same time strategically important decisions cannot be neglected", announced Schweitzer. In the first six months of 2012, ALBA SE earnings before the share of results from associated companies, interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR 20.48 million (previous year's figure: EUR 25.71 million). Pre-tax profits (EBT) amounted to EUR 13.36 million (previous year: EUR 19.28 million). Group sales totalled EUR 1,055.00 million (previous year: EUR 1,128.25 million). Sales between segments of EUR 4.95 million were consolidated (previous year: EUR 5.72 million). Inter-segment consolidations in EBIT equalled EUR 0.01 million (previous year: EUR 0.05 million). The Services segment showed a growth in earnings in the first half of the current business year thanks to the adjustment of the contract portfolio to remove low-return client contracts. At the same time, innovative take-back and circulatory systems were further established on the market. Axel Schweitzer: "The incoming orders show that more and more companies are looking for solutions for the sustainable handling of resources. In view of continuously growing energy and raw material costs, secondary resources and closed loop strategies are becoming more important." Thanks to the success of the high-quality material cycles, the management of the Services segment is currently in discussions with potential customers with a view to the development of further closed loop systems, according to the Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Our concept for success is based on the fact that we offer individually tailored ecological and sustainable solutions to our customers, which draws heavily on our core strengths: closing material and logistic cycles," continued Schweitzer. In the Steel and Metals Recycling segment, the global uncertainty with regards to the further development of the European debt crisis in the second quarter lead to a restrained demand for steel and lower prices year-on-year. "Because of the economically difficult market environment, the steel industry has dramatically reduced production in the second quarter worldwide. This also had an effect on the demand for steel scrap and therefore on our profits," explained the Chairman of the Board of Directors. This is accompanied by higher freight costs and a flooding of the Chinese steel market with cheap steel. An outstanding event in the first six months of the current business year was the name change from INTERSEROH SE to ALBA SE, resolved upon at the General Meeting on June 13, 2012. Following entry into the commercial register, the listed holding operates under ALBA SE since July 2, 2012. The share price of ALBA SE developed extremely positively in the first half of 2012. When the stock exchange opened on January 2, the share was quoted at EUR 52.22 on the Frankfurt stock exchange; it rose to EUR 60.50 in the period under review and stood at EUR 58.45 on June 30. The balancing payment for 2011 amounted to EUR 3.25 net per share in ALBA SE. Developments in the individual segments The Steel and Metals Recycling segment moved within an economically difficult market environment. Nevertheless, the division managed to maintain its revenue, with EUR 889.34 million, at the level of the previous year (EUR 887.47 million) and to raise the handled tonnage to more than 56,000 tonnes. However, lower margins and higher freight costs had an effect on profits. The general uncertainty in regards to the further development of the European debt crisis led to a restrained demand for steel in the second quarter. Prices were below the level of the same period in the previous year. For example, the average warehouse selling price of the leading scrap type 2 decreased from EUR 350.70 per tonne in the first six months of 2011 to EUR 328.80 per tonne in the first half of 2012. The prices for non-ferrous metals were highly volatile. The difficult sales and supplier market situation for non-ferrous metals in the first half of the year was principally due to the slowed growth of the Chinese economy and the low demand from many customers due to the uncertainty mentioned. This was accompanied by a rise in the cost of sea freight in Asia as well as partially non-competitive European prices for zinc and copper in Asia. The revenue in the Service sector amounted to EUR 170.61 million in the first half of this year (previous year: EUR 246.50 million). The decline in revenue went hand in hand with rising earnings. Both are primarily due to the adjustment of the contract portfolio to remove low-return client contracts in the fourth quarter of 2011 as part of the sales packaging. Due to the positive development of the order situation in closed loop systems, the management is currently holding discussions with potential customers with regards to the development of further take-back systems. Outlook In view of the national debt crisis, the Board of Directors expects a further weakening in economic dynamism in Germany until 2013. In connection with this, the management expects a decline in raw material prices. A falling demand in scrap steel is expected to lead to lower volumes and smaller margins. In the non-ferrous metals division, the slowdown of growth in China should lead to reductions in prices in the coming months. For the Services segment, the Board of Directors expects a stable development of results, despite a higher intensity of competition and falling prices in the raw materials market. ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Tue, 14 Aug 2012 08:00:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/shareholders-decide-on-rebranding-interseroh-se-to-alba-se.html INTERSEROH SE, the holding company of the listed environmental services provider and raw materials... download logo of the future ALBA SE
]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Wed, 13 Jun 2012 10:13:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-sales-growth-despite-pressure-on-margins-interim-report-on-the-first-quarter-of-201.html Earnings before tax increased slightly / Tonnages in Steel and Metals Recycling segment increased... Earnings before tax increased slightly / Tonnages in Steel and Metals Recycling segment increased in Germany despite reduced raw steel production / Private consumption allows licensing volumes in the transport packaging market to grow

INTERSEROH SE, the market-listed environmental service provider and raw materials trader, improved its earnings before tax (EBT) in the first three months of the current financial year at Group level from a solid EUR 6.9 million in the first quarter of 2011 to EUR 7.3 million in the months January to March 2012.

Earnings before interest and taxes and shares in earnings of associated companies (EBIT) amounted to EUR 9.7 million (previous year's figure: EUR 10.1 million).

Consolidated Group sales fell in the first quarter of 2012 on the previous year's figures from EUR 561.5 million to EUR 553.3 million.

"The Interseroh group has held its own in the first quarter of 2012," said Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "For example, we succeeded in increasing the volumes traded in the iron metals business, although raw steel production in Germany was five per cent below the previous year's figure. The tonnage of non-iron metals also grew. The adjustment of the contractual portfolio for low-return customers in sales packaging recycling has led to sales growth in the Services segment."

In comparison to the balance-sheet date of December 31, 2011, working capital increased in the first quarter of 2012. The cause of this is essentially higher purchase prices and sales prices in the markets for steel and non-iron metals scrap. As a result, the balance sheet total also increased. The net cash and cash equivalents – defined as the balance of loans and advances and current liabilities from cash pooling with the ALBA Group, short and long-term liabilities to banks as well as liquid funds – stayed at around this level as at December 31, 2011.


Development of the segments

Sales in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment climbed from EUR 444.8 million in the first quarter of 2011 to EUR 474.1 million in the first three months of the current financial year.

Raw steel production in the German steel industry was almost 5 per cent below the previous year's value in the quarter just ended. Interseroh still managed to increase the processed tonnage of steel scrap. The cause of this is optimizing the distribution channels.

Steel scrap prices increased on the last few months of the previous year, but were still below the level of the first quarter of 2011. Thus, the average warehouse sale price of leading scrap type 2 decreased from EUR 335.00 per ton in the first three months of 2011 to EUR 327.40 per ton in the first quarter of 2012.

Whilst the prices for steel scrap remained relatively stable after an increase in January 2012, the prices for non-iron metals were distinguished by high volatility during the entire period under review. In the first quarter, declining growth data in China led to a difficult sales and procurement situation in the non-iron metals market. However, even here, Interseroh succeeded in increasing the amounts of non-iron metals sold.

Margins in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment were under pressure due to intensive competition.

On March 1, 2012, INTERSEROH Stainless Steel GmbH, Dortmund, acquired the current assets of the "alloyed scrap" business division of INTERSEROH NRW GmbH, Dortmund and began operations with alloyed scrap.

The Services segment generated sales of EUR 81.6 million in the first quarter of 2012 (previous year's figure: EUR 119.2 million). Adjusting the contractual portfolio for low-return customer contracts in the fourth quarter of the 2011 financial year led to a clear reduction in the market share and turnover in the Sales Packaging business. In contrast to this, earnings increased.

Interseroh's success in transport packaging recycling marked an increased licensing volume in comparison to the previous year's figure and thus higher sales and earnings contributions. The reason for this was essentially higher private consumption. Acquiring new customers also contributed to the positive development.

The return of disposable packaging subject to a deposit generated sales and earnings losses, as expected. The cause of this was essentially insourcing clearing services, logistics, marketing and "counting" with several customers.


Further prospects for the industry

Management does not expect any improvement at the moment in the non-iron metals business. "We are cautiously optimistic about trading with iron scrap," said Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the Board of Directors. "Although the steel industry is likely to be less volatile in the current financial year than in 2011, looking ahead involves uncertainties because of the fragile economic environment."

Along with the continued expansion of existing services, the European market is most interesting to the Services segment. Interseroh also wants to gain a foothold with take-back systems in other European countries – Italy, for example. The know-how in the Sales Packaging Recycling business is an excellent basis for growth in other EU countries.

"Even if we bank on intensive competition and pressure on margins in both segments, we are still convinced that we are very well positioned in the market with Interseroh. We will help form future trends such as sustainably closing loops and continue to expand our function as a raw materials partner in the industry," Schweitzer said in summary.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Wed, 16 May 2012 17:53:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-shareholders-decide-on-new-name-alba-se-on-june-13-interseroh-se-general-shareholde.html INTERSEROH SE, the holding company of the listed environmental services and raw materials trading... Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Fri, 04 May 2012 11:46:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-group-pushes-ahead-with-internationalisation.html The ALBA Group, one of the world’s leading groups in recycling and raw materials supply, is pushing... Dr Axel Schweitzer, CEO of ALBA Group plc & Co. KG. “The Valencia location also gives us access to Spain’s largest deep-sea port, which is a perfect fit for the ALBA Group’s international network, allowing us to supplement our Spanish operations with additional material streams.” To reflect the new company’s integration into the ALBA Group, the name has been changed with immediate effect to ALBA Servicios Verdes, S.L. The entire workforce of just under 80 employees at the Madrid and Valencia locations have been taken over by the ALBA Group.]]> ALBA Group ALBA Group ALBA Group Fri, 27 Apr 2012 09:07:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/a-leap-in-earnings-for-the-interseroh-group-after-the-control-and-profit-transfer-agreement-with-alb.html - The contract with ALBA has already shown an effect in the first year- EBT rose by over 20... - The contract with ALBA has already shown an effect in the first year
- EBT  rose by over 20 percent (approximately EUR 6.8 million) to EUR 39.3 million
- Adjusted sales rose by 22 percent to EUR 2.2 billion

The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader INTERSEROH SE finished out fiscal 2011 with a rise in earnings before taxes (EBT) of approximately EUR 6.8 million when adjusted for deconsolidation profits to  EUR 39.3 million (previous year’s figure: EUR 32.5 million).

The Chairman of the Board, Dr. Axel Schweitzer, noted at the press conference in Cologne: “2011 was a year of changes for the Interseroh Group. With the control and profit transfer agreement with ALBA we have set ourselves up from the under corporate law and in terms of structure in such a way that, on the one hand, we control the extremely high volatility of the raw materials markets, while, on the other hand, we are taking part in the shaping of future trends and have increasingly become the raw materials partner of industry. Our business results show, even after a short six-month period, that we have chosen and continue to choose the right path. Moreover, uncertainties regarding the procurement of raw materials have significantly increased interest in recycling in Germany.”

Earnings before interest, taxes and the shares of earnings in associated companies (EBIT), adjusted for deconsolidation profits (profits from the sale of fully consolidated companies), amounted to approximately EUR 54.8 million for fiscal 2011, as the Company announced today on the occasion of the publication of its annual financial statements (adjusted figure for the previous year: EUR 48.6 million).  Only earnings from the segments of steel and metals recycling and services were included in EBIT and EBT.

The companies in the raw materials trading segment were sold at the end of the third quarter to INTERSEROH SE’s holding company, the ALBA Group plc & Co. KG, and consolidated with the ALBA business division. EBIT totalled EUR 56.7 million (2010: EUR 49 million) including the business segment raw materials trading and adjusted for deconsolidation profits, while EBT was EUR 40.8 million (2010: EUR 32.1 million).

Sales from the continuing business segments of steel and metals recycling and services rose from EUR 1.8 billion to EUR 2.2 billion. Sales in the raw materials trading segment as at September 30, 2011, amounted to EUR 127.8 million (previous year: EUR 107.7 million).

Axel Schweitzer: “We have continued to grow profitably in a difficult economic environment due to the EU crisis. Furthermore, we profited from our stronger international orientation.”

The contract with ALBA has already shown an effect in the first year

The Chairman of the Board traced the positive earnings growth to, among other factors, the integration of the Interseroh Group with the ALBA Group. By entering into the control and profit transfer agreement between ALBA and Interseroh, both groups are flexible with respect to formulating agreements with one another and can cooperate in all business segments without bureaucracy. This is also of great significance to the development of completed cycles and innovations in waste treatment.

Schweitzer states: “By entering into the control and profit transfer agreement, Interseroh - under the umbrella of the ALBA Group - is one of the world's ten largest corporate groups for environmental services and raw materials trading. We want to solidify this position. This is a demanding goal against the backdrop of strong global growth in the industry." Schweitzer further emphasized: “We have ensured that our professional sales team is committed to new products and niche markets, where we see considerably better earnings opportunities. One example is the numerous take-back systems for commerce and industry."

Uncertainties in raw materials procurement in Germany resulted in a rise in interest in recycling on the part of industry, according to recent publications of the German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (DIHK). 76 percent of German companies already see the rise in raw materials and energy prices as the top risk to their companies’ futures.

Interseroh has recognised the trend to higher demand for recycling material, has been offering valuable secondary resources for years and is a pioneer in the development of completed cycles and new processes for the treatment of waste and recyclables. For example, Interseroh has produced an innovative plastic out of almost 100 percent recycling material with companies from the plastics industry. The quality of the recycling plastic procyclen is comparable to the parameters of new material.

The average size of the Interseroh Group’s workforce during the year was 1,959 (previous year: 1,774). Due to the acquisition of companies, the number of employees has risen especially in the steel and metals recycling segment.

Developments in individual segments

Sales rose in the steel and metals recycling segment from EUR 1,384.5 million to EUR 1,743.5 million. EBIT in this segment totalling EUR 33.9 million (previous year: EUR 35.5 million) and EBT in the amount of EUR 16.7 million (previous year: EUR 19.5 million) failed to fully keep up with the positive sales trend. This was due in large part to one-time tax effects. These impacted EBIT in the amount of EUR 995,000 and EBT in the amount of EUR 3.7 million.

The services segment generated sales revenues of EUR 478.8 million (previous year: EUR 452.9 million). Despite the difficult market environment, EBIT in this segment amounted to EUR 22.1 million (previous year: EUR 22.7 million) and EBT to EUR 23.8 million (previous year: EUR 22.6 million). Deconsolidation profits of EUR 7.1 million were included in the previous year.

Sales between segments of EUR 11.6 million (previous year: EUR 5.2 million) were consolidated. Inter-segment consolidations equalled EUR 0.1 million (previous year: EUR 0.03 million). Inter-segment consolidations that would tend to impact EBT did not occur, as in the previous year.

Sales in the raw materials trading segment amounted to EUR 127.8 million (9 months of the previous year: EUR 107.7 million). Earnings after taxes  totalled EUR 3.5 million (9 months of the previous year: EUR 7.7 million, 12 months of the previous year: EUR 4.2 million).

Consolidated earnings totalled EUR 37.2 million (previous year: EUR 34.1 million).

Outlook

INTERSEROH SE’s Board of Directors is anticipating a volatile, fragile economic environment and sharply fluctuating raw materials prices, due to the debt of numerous countries in the Euro zone and a global economy that is generally weaker than in 2011.

Axel Schweitzer predicts: “2012 is likely to be a challenging year, since overall economic conditions are anything but rosy. Nevertheless, Interseroh is very well placed in the market. Setting up the Interseroh Group under the umbrella of the ALBA Group creates the conditions for further growth. It is my goal to continue to enhance the Group’s profitability. We do, however, anticipate slight losses in sales and earnings in 2012.”

Schweitzer announced that Interseroh wanted to gain a foothold in additional European countries with its take-back systems. The corporate group perceives opportunities in a concentration on stronger gross margin products, such as non-ferrous metals and alloyed scrap, in the steel and metals recycling segment.

On the other hand Interseroh is expecting a rise in sales and earnings for 2013.


All speeches as well as the presentation regarding the annual financial press conference can be found here: http://www.interseroh.com/corporate/investor-relations/finanzberichte/geschaeftsberichte/ ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Mon, 26 Mar 2012 18:57:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/alba-group-continues-to-push-forward-with-integration-along-the-value-creation-chain-waste-operati.html The Board of Directors of ALBA Group, one of the worlds’ leading groups in recycling and raw...
Dr Eric Schweitzer (46), also CEO of ALBA Group, and Martin Becker-Rethmann (43), the Board member responsible for the Trading & Processing division since August of 2009, will assume joint management of the new division of Waste Operations and Trading.

Due to this internal reorganisation, Hermann Holstein (57), engaged in management positions in the ALBA Group since the beginning of 2006 and the member of the Board of Directors of ALBA Group responsible for the Waste Operations segment since April 1, 2008, will resign as Member of the Board effective January 18, 2012. He will assume responsibility for future international growth of the Group in the field of Waste Operations.

Responsibilities in the remaining divisions will stay the same. The Board of Directors of ALBA Group’s holding company shall, therefore, consist of six rather than seven members in future.

Dr Axel Schweitzer, CEO of ALBA Group: “We wish to offer Hermann Holstein our heartfelt thanks for his outstanding work and untiring commitment as member of the Board of Directors. The success of his dedication is evident above all from the extremely positive developments in the segment of Waste Operations under his leadership in these past few years. We are, therefore, convinced that he will continue to contribute significantly to ALBA Group's further development in his new area of responsibility."

Download Pressphoto of Dr Eric Schweitzer 
Download Pressphoto of Martin Becker-Rethmann  ]]> ALBA Group ALBA Group ALBA Group Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:50:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-high-demand-for-recycling-metals-spurs-increase-in-sales-and-earnings.html Earnings before taxes up / market share in Dual System down / sale of raw materials activities to... Earnings before taxes up / market share in Dual System down / sale of raw materials activities to the holding company

The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader, INTERSEROH SE, proved successful during the ongoing fiscal year, 2011, despite a difficult market environment. In the first nine months of 2011, the Interseroh Group achieved earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 33.0 million. When adjusted for deconsolidation profits, the EBT figure is EUR 31.9 million. This signifies that Interseroh achieved an increase of EUR 3.6 million compared to the previous year’s figure of EUR 28.3 million, also adjusted for deconsolidation profits (including deconsolidation profits: EUR 41.9 million EBT).

Earnings before shares in earnings in associated companies, interest and taxes (EBIT) amounted to EUR 41.6 million in the first nine months. Adjusted for deconsolidation profits, this figure was EUR 40.5 million (previous year adjusted figure: EUR 39.7 million). Consolidated Group sales rose from EUR 1,449.5 million in the months from January to September of 2010 to EUR 1,844.7 million in the first three quarters of 2011.

EBT totalled EUR 14.3 million (3rd quarter of 2010: EUR 16.5 million) in the third quarter and EBIT amounted to EUR 12.3 million (comparative figure: EUR 12.6 million). Contribution to sales amounted to EUR 651.0 million on a consolidated basis (comparative figure: EUR 481.8 million).

Improved margins, slight increases in sales and prices above the same period in the previous year positively impacted the Steel and Metals Recycling segment; the business divisions of Services and Raw Materials Trading, however, were affected by a more troubled market environment. In Raw Materials Trading Interseroh evidenced lower arbitrage effects in recovered paper exports to Asia. In the Services segment, Interseroh parted with a major customer group in line with the relevant contract. The reason for this step was that the overall market situation in the dual system, in contrast to what had been assumed when the contract was entered into, had come to a head due to significant violations of the Packaging Ordinance. According to the Bundesverband der Deutschen Entsorgungs-, Wasser- und Rohstoffwirtschaft e.V. (BDE-National Association of the German Waste Disposal, Water Management and Raw Materials Sectors), as at August 2011 approximately 800,000 tons of light packaging, i.e. circa 40 percent of the total market volume, had not been licensed, in other words, not paid for, by the production industry in accordance with the Packaging Ordinance.  This does not mean, however, that Interseroh is withdrawing from the dual system, according to Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the INTERSEROH SE Board of Directors. “We shall continue to service our customers who are interested in a legally compliant and qualitatively flawless system with the same dedication and to the same degree as we have to date.” Dr. Schweitzer emphasised the importance of the certificate “to safeguard the Packaging Ordinance” of the BDE and declared that Interseroh would continue to work towards consistent testing in compliance with the Packaging Ordinance on the part of the authorities.

The companies in the Raw Materials Trading segment were sold to the holding company of INTERSEROH SE, the ALBA Group plc & Co. KG, as at October 1, 2011, and consolidated with the ALBA business division. This allows optimal bundling of the raw materials activities of the entire group in future, as well as the development of new markets for paper and plastics, such as in Western and Southern Europe.

All assets and liabilities of the Raw Materials Trading segment have been classified as ‘for sale’ in the quarterly financial statements as at September 30, 2011. There was no effect on earnings in the quarterly financial statements. The sales price of the Raw Materials Handling business division is equivalent to net segment assets. The deconsolidation as at October 1, 2011, therefore, has no impact on earnings.

Working capital has risen in the months between January and September 2011 vis-à-vis the December 31, 2010, balance sheet date. The main reason for this increase is higher purchase and sale prices in the markets for steel and non-ferrous metal scrap. Consequently, total assets and net debt rose compared to December 31, 2010.


Developments in the segments

The Steel and Metals Recycling segment Segment sales were up from EUR 1,036.9 million in the same period of the previous year to EUR 1,369.4 million in the months of January to September 2011. Enhanced coordination of the operating sites resulted in an improvement in margins and an earnings rise in this segment. The focus of the Interseroh Group was on the development of high-margin business along with slightly increased quantities.

The sale of steel scrap was characterised by ongoing high demand from European industry at the beginning of 2011 and slowed significantly during the year. Prices for all types of scrap were above the previous year’s levels.

Average prices for non-ferrous metals remained at a high level until the middle of the year, but were extremely volatile. They collapsed dramatically in August due to turbulence on the stock exchanges; in the first weeks of September, however, they stabilised. Interseroh achieved slight increases in sales quantities both in Europe and in Asia.

INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH, Dortmund, took over Elvira Westarp GmbH, Aschaffenburg, effective September 1, 2011. With this step Interseroh is expanding its portfolio in the field of collection, transport and recycling of steel and metal scrap and strengthening its site structure in the areas of Rhine-Main and Lower Franconia.

In the Services Sales rose from EUR 332.2 million in the first three quarters of 2010 to EUR 383.2 million in the months from January to September of 2011. Compared to the first nine months of the previous year, the segment showed declining earnings due primarily to developments in market quantities in the area of light packaging (LVP) in the Dual System business unit.

Sales in the Raw Materials Trading segment rose from EUR 107.7 million to EUR 127.8 million. Lower arbitrage effects in the recovered paper exports to Asia brought about a slight decrease in earnings compared to earnings in the same period of the previous year once adjusted for deconsolidation profits. 

After European paper prices rose from January to May and the necessary correction occurred in June, they initially remained stable in the third quarter, but declined in September. Average prices, however, for the first nine months of 2011 remained significantly above the levels of the same period in the previous year. Quantities dropped compared to 2010 due to the sale of French operations. 

Marketed plastics tonnage was up compared to the first three quarters of 2010. While average prices for foil at the middle of the year lagged behind prices in the first six months of 2010, price increases in the third quarter resulted in comparable average values on the whole. Prices for PET dropped in the months from July to September, but on average for the first nine months still exceeded the previous year’s values.

Developments in the first half of the year in the Recovered Wood division continued in the third quarter as anticipated. Demand for material qualities was lower due to a reduction in capacity in the chip board industry. Fully stocked warehouses and audits of thermal recyclers resulted in lower sales of wood for thermal recycling.


Outlook

The Board of Directors is anticipating earnings increases in the Services segment due to improved contract structures within the Dual System Interseroh business unit. Sales will fall due to the elimination of customers in this business division, as well as due to the sale of the Raw Materials Trading segment to the holding company, ALBA Group plc & Co. KG.

The Board of Directors is expecting a weaker, demanding fourth quarter in 2011 in the steel scrap trading. “Traditionally, customers refrain from purchasing steel at the end of the year. Current economic forecasts pose an additional uncertainty factor”, explained Dr. Schweitzer.

After three positive quarters in 2011, the willingness to sell non-ferrous scrap is low due to currently below-average prices. This hampers materials procurement. On the other hand, demand is at present subdued, both in Europe and Asia. Government regulation of banks in Asia limits financing options. The Board of Directors is not anticipating a recovery in demand for the fourth quarter of 2011.

In the wake of the trend in the third quarter, Interseroh expects slightly lower quantity and earnings growth until the end of the year in comparison to the first half of 2011. ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Thu, 10 Nov 2011 08:02:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-sells-raw-materials-trading-segment-to-alba-group-alba-group-combines-raw-materials-tra.html The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader INTERSEROH SE has sold...
The companies sold cover RDB plastics GmbH, INTERSEROH Holzhandel GmbH and ALBA Recycling Asia Limited – including subsidiaries INDO China B.V. and ISR Italia S.A., as well as a shareholding in all of Interseroh's wood sites, and will bring them under the management of Martin Becker-Rethmann in the Raw Materials and Trading segment of the ALBA Group.

Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the Board of Directors of Interseroh and CEO of the ALBA Group commented: "This move has brought us one step closer to optimising the structures and administrative processes within the ALBA Group and to standardising the workflows within our raw materials trading activities." In addition, the sale will make it easier to develop new markets for paper and plastic both in Western and Eastern Europe. Furthermore, ALBA Recycling Asia Ltd. based in Hong Kong will be increasingly used as a joint marketing platform for the south Asian Market. ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Thu, 13 Oct 2011 09:28:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/toom-baumarkt-introduces-paint-buckets-made-almost-entirely-from-recycled-plastic-in-germany-inter.html Toom Baumarkt (REWE group), one of the leading German DIY-companies, has been offering the first...
In total more than 320 toom stores across Germany toom Baumarkt will market the paint bucket. Initially, the paint bucket will be introduced in connection with white wall paint, but an extension of the product portfolio has not been ruled out.

Detlef Riesche, toom Baumarkt's managing director responsible for sustainability, explains why a decision was made in favour of this material for the packaging of his favourite wall paint from the quality brand range toom: “For toom and all of the REWE group sustainability is the focus of all their actions – the same is naturally true for our products. The use of packaging made from 100 per cent recycled plastic is the next logical step for toom premium paints which are already identified by the PRO PLANET label as products providing an added ecological benefit. The most interesting fact about the substance procyclen is that it has been manufactured almost entirely from old plastic taken from household recycling bins, while nevertheless enabling the production of demanding products such as paint buckets.”

This is the very reason why recycled plastics had until now been used for technically less demanding products explains Kai Bastuck, managing director of INTERSEROH Pool GmbH, in charge of the project. “Consistent quality and availability were up to now eliminating factors for recycled plastic. With our innovative process we have achieved the introduction of the first products made from procyclen into shops.” Bastuck explains that now plastic manufacturers do not need to shy away from recycled plastic because of the guaranteed high quality standards of procyclen, particularly in terms of technical material properties.

High Security of Supply – Stable Prices

Dr. Hans-Joachim Weintz, J.W. Ostendorf’s director of technological enterprise development, also confirms: “While usability of recycled plastic proved to be a problem for machines for a long time, procyclen now provides a viable alternative which complies with the high requirements for mechanical and hygienic properties for use in paint packaging.” Apart from quality, two further decisive factors also speak for the use of procyclen: “Security of supply as well as stable prices.”

Interseroh obtains its raw materials from domestic recycling bins, which can be found on every street in every town. Kai Bastuck of Interseroh: “These resources are always available. Therefore we can offer a high security of supply with predictable costs.” And last but not least the use of recycled materials contributes to sustainable behaviour: discarded disposable packaging from recycling bins is returned to the production cycle and natural resources are being preserved which has a positive impact on the carbon footprint.

The Bucket is only the Beginning

Interseroh considers itself to be on the right path: “Many speak of closed loops, but most cannot maintain them – at least not without the quality of the plastic produced suffering. We are able to show now that it is possible to satisfy highest customer demand with the help of fully developed technology. In practice we have the opportunity to satisfy any customer request through our procedure to recycle the extracted plastic granules,” describes Bastuck. In the meantime more firm enquiries regarding procyclen have been received from various fields of industry. ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Mon, 12 Sep 2011 09:43:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/mid-year-financial-report-interseroh-is-profiting-from-strong-demand-in-metals-markets.html A hike in margins and sales in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment / Successful expansion of... A hike in margins and sales in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment / Successful expansion of innovative business fields / Enforcement weaknesses in packaging recycling depress earnings from services

Earnings of the Cologne company INTERSEROH SE in the first half of 2011 exceeded earnings in the first half of 2010 when adjusted for deconsolidation profits: The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader achieved earnings before taxes, interest and shares in associated companies (EBIT) of EUR 27.3 million in the first six months of the current fiscal year (same period of the previous year: EUR 36.7 million with deconsolidation profits of approximately EUR 11 million). This is apparent from the 2011 mid-year report presented today. EBT  totalled EUR 20.6 million (previous year: EUR 29.3 million). Consolidated Group sales rose from EUR 967.7 million in the first half of 2010 to EUR 1,193.8 million in the months from January to June of 2011. An amount of EUR 23.5 million was consolidated between the segments (prior year: EUR 14.9 million).

All segments contributed to the sales growth. While Steel and Metals Recycling booked increases in earnings, the areas of Services and Raw Materials Trading had to deal with a decline in earnings in a difficult market environment.

The foremost event during the first six months of the current fiscal year was registering the profit and loss pooling agreement with ALBA Group plc & Co. KG in the commercial register.

“In the twentieth year of our Company’s history, Interseroh has set the course for a successful future by entering into this agreement," explained Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of INTERSEROH SE’s Board of Directors. “With the merger of Interseroh and ALBA under the umbrella of the ALBA Group, the first vertically structured corporate group in Germany has been created, one which plays a leading role in the licensing market, the waste disposal market and in the supply of secondary resources to industry. The ALBA Group is among the top 10 in recycling and raw materials supply in the world.”

Developments in the segments The Steel and Metals Recycling segment developed positively the first half of 2011 as well. Sales rose from EUR 698.2 million in the first six months of 2010 to EUR 887.5 million in the months from January to June of 2011. Higher steel scrap and non-ferrous metal prices drove up sales. The focus on high-margin business and the progressive networking of operational sites in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment has led to improved margins and earnings increases in the segment.

Sales in the Services segment amounted to EUR 246.5 million (same period in the previous year: EUR 209.5 million). In particular expanding business volumes in the areas of sales packaging and reusable transport boxes contributed to this result. The segment had declining sales when compared to the first six months of the previous year. The main reason for this is that, as before, significantly more packaging had to be disposed of with cost than actually licensed.

Sales revenues in the Raw Materials Trading segment amounted to EUR 83.4 million (previous year: EUR 74.9 million). The decline in earnings in this business unit has been brought about by fewer arbitrage opportunities in recovered paper export to Asia in the first half of the year. Furthermore, deconsolidation profits positively impacted mid-year earnings in 2010. Outlook The currency, logistics, steel and steel scrap markets are subject to a high degree of volatility expected to last through the end of the current fiscal year. As a result Interseroh continues to focus on creating a balanced relationship between European and international customers. The use of arbitrage potential in marketing non-ferrous metals will continue to be a major emphasis in future as well. The improved networking of sites, already successful to date, will continue to be optimised.

The company for packaging market research (Gesellschaft für Verpackungsmarktforschung) continues to note a considerable difference of several hundred thousand tons between lightweight packaging brought into the market versus those registered with systems providers and other authorized return systems. By means of Interseroh, and five further systems providers, signing the BDE certificate and the associated audits performed by a joint, independent auditor, a clear, effective analysis and documentation on the part of the signatories are guaranteed. This implies that the leading providers of recycling solutions for sales packaging have done everything possible now.

Interseroh plans to step up expansion of innovative business fields. Under the leadership of the recycled-resource business unit, the national implementation of paint buckets produced from post-consumer materials from the yellow recycling bins in a German do-it-yourself chain took place at the beginning of August 2011, replacing primary plastics to a great extent. Potential arising from the association between Interseroh and ALBA within the ALBA Group is to be increasingly expanded. “Complete and sustainable disposal solutions, encompassing the full product range of the entire group of companies, are now available to our customers from a single source,” Schweitzer sums up. “Furthermore, our innovative business fields have developed extremely successfully. Decoupling economic growth and resource consumption will increasingly shift to the forefront for us in future.” ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Interseroh Fri, 12 Aug 2011 10:10:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-strong-domestic-demand-shapes-the-course-of-business-during-the-first-quarter-inter.html Earnings before taxes up slightly / prices drive sales / margins in the steel and metals recycling... Earnings before taxes up slightly / prices drive sales / margins in the steel and metals recycling segment further improved by optimised structures

The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader INTERSEROH SE achieved EBIT of EUR 10.8 million for the first three months of the current fiscal year at the Group level compared to EUR 11.3 million in the same quarter last year. EBT improved from EUR 7.0 million in the first quarter of 2010 to EUR 7.5 million in the months of January to March of 2011.

Markets for scrap, paper and PET were influenced by prices that exceeded the same period in the previous year. The Group’s consolidated sales rose from EUR 438.6 million in the previous year’s quarter to EUR 594.1 million in the first quarter of 2011.

“Strong domestic demand was also experienced by the Interseroh Group in the first three months of 2011. Above all revived demand for steel products from Germany, as well as copper from Asia, had a positive impact on prices and trade in secondary resources,” stated Dr. Axel Schweitzer, INTERSEROH SE’s Chairman of the Board of Directors.

Working capital is up in the first quarter of 2011 compared to the December 31, 2010, balance sheet date. The main reason for this increase is higher purchase and sale prices in the markets for steel and non-ferrous metal scrap. Consequently, total assets and net debt rose compared to December 31, 2010.

Developments in the segments

Revived demand in the domestic markets had an especially positive impact on the Steel and Metals Recycling segment. German steel companies were the main buyers of scrap treated and traded by Interseroh during the first quarter. Prices were significantly above those of the first three months of 2010. The average warehouse sales price of leading scrap type 2 rose from EUR 211.90 per ton in the first quarter of 2010 to EUR 335.03 per ton in the first quarter of 2011. Sales revenues in the steel and metals recycling segment rose from EUR 308.3 million in the first quarter of 2010 to EUR 444.8 million in the first three months of the current fiscal year. Alloyed metals developed well. In addition to the location built in Dortmund in 2009, a second location in North Germany is currently being erected. Progressive interaction of the operating sites in the segment resulted in margin improvement.

INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH acquired the remaining 51 percent of fm Beteiligungsgesellschaft mbH, Lübbenau, effective January 1, 2011. The latter holds all shares in TVF Altwert GmbH, Lübbenau, a leading European company in the field of demolition, reconstruction and waste disposal projects. Furthermore, it holds all shares in the Brandenburgische Boden Gesellschaft für Grundstücksverwaltung und -verwertung mbH, Zossen.

Also as at January 1, 2011, INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH raised its investment in Europe Metals B.V., Heeze, the Netherlands, from 60 to 100 percent.

INTERSEROH-Metallaufbereitung Rostock GmbH, Rostock, has functioned under the name of INTERSEROH Metallaufbereitung Ost GmbH, Rostock, since January 1, 2011. INTERSEROH Berlin GmbH, Berlin, was merged upon entry into the commercial register on March 8, 2011, into INTERSEROH Metallaufbereitung Ost GmbH, Rostock.

During the same period of the previous year a portion of sales revenues related to investments that were sold during the course of 2010.

Sales revenues in the Services segment climbed from EUR 100.7 million in the first quarter of 2010 to EUR 119.2 million in the first three months of the current fiscal year, due in large part to higher transaction volumes in the field of sales packaging and Interseroh Pool (returnable transport packaging). Nevertheless, developments in the market environment in the field of light packaging (LVP) in the Dual System Interseroh business unit resulted in a reduction in earnings.

Interseroh joined an initiative of the National Association of German Waste Disposal, Water Management and Raw Materials Sectors (BDE) by signing a certificate to ‘assure packaging disposal’. Under this agreement Interseroh commits to allowing an external auditor to check proper compliance with the packaging ordinance. The objective is to confirm externally compliance with the legal regulations, with a view to assuring customers with respect to legality. The associated audit process has already been instituted.

Sales revenues in the Raw Materials Trading segment rose from EUR 35.1 million to EUR 40.4 million compared to the same time last year. The beginning of the year was marked by healthy Asian demand for recovered paper, which, however, dropped a bit subsequently. This effect was able to be offset by higher order activity from European customers. Price levels were significantly above the same period of the previous year on the other hand. Demand for foil remained at the previous year’s level. Price levels for lower-quality foil remained the same as the same period in the previous year, while prices for higher-quality foil were considerably below the previous year’s. At the beginning of the second quarter prices of all foil types fell enormously. Considerable overcapacity among European PET recyclers, seasonally lower collection quantities and rising prices for new goods meant that the PET recycling market's prices were almost twice as high as in the first quarter of 2010. In the first quarter of 2011 input and output prices in the timber domain hovered around the previous year’s levels. Adjusted by quantities from the Wuppertal wood site, which has been sold, tonnage sold by Interseroh has risen.

Effective January 1, 2011, RDB plastics GmbH raised its share in ISR Interseroh Italia S.r.l., Genoa, Italy, from 50 to 100 percent.

In the previous year, sales revenues included the investments in INTERSEROH France S.A.S., Pantin, France, as well as in the Wuppertal wood site, which are now no longer part of the Interseroh Group.

Further industry perspectives

The optimised structures of the Interseroh Group form the basis for participation in the forecast growth of the recycling industry and rising requirements for secondary resources. The markets for secondary resources will, however, continue to be extremely volatile due to trouble spots around the world. Prospects for the market are, however, very promising in the medium to long term.

“Consistent with the principle of margin over volume, we place great emphasis on sustainable growth. Furthermore, we will expand our innovative business fields in which we follow a zerowaste approach. Recycling has become an indispensable part of the raw material supply chain, thus helping secure the future of industry," Schweitzer says. “This is true not only for Germany, but for all developed countries; it is also increasingly recognised in high-growth emerging markets.”]]> Interseroh Interseroh Fri, 13 May 2011 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-management-approves-of-profit-and-loss-pooling-legal-basis-for-the-merger-of-alba-and-i.html After an in-depth consultation, the Board and Supervisory Board of the environmental service... After an in-depth consultation, the Board and Supervisory Board of the environmental service provider and raw materials trader, INTERSEROH SE (ISIN: DE0006209901, General Standard), have in principle approved the conclusion of the profit and loss pooling agreement proposed by Isabell Finance Vermögensverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG.

On December 10, 2010, the Board of ALBA AG informed Interseroh management of its intention to conclude a profit and loss pooling agreement in accordance with Section 291 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act between Isabell Finance Vermögensverwaltungs GmbH & Co. KG, part of the ALBA Group of companies, and INTERSEROH SE. This should help to create a secure legal basis for the merger of both group companies.

Joachim Wagner, Board member of INTERSEROH SE explains, “Both group companies will be able to combine their market presence into a single and effective unit and the agreement will simplify many of our processes. It will enable us to better exploit the considerable potential for growth that the global market for recycling and raw materials trading offers.”

The planned profit and loss pooling agreement requires the approval of the INTERSEROH SE general meeting.

In the coming weeks, the Board and Supervisory Board – without the participation of Drs Axel and Eric Schweitzer – will be laying down the terms of the agreement with ALBA AG. This especially includes agreeing appropriate compensation in accordance with Section 304 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act for the outstanding shareholders and an appropriate settlement in accordance with Section 305 (1) of the German Stock Corporation Act for any shareholders wishing to cede their shares in Isabell Finance Vermögensverwaltung GmbH & Co. KG. The company valuation required for this will be carried out on the basis of the valuation procedure prescribed by law and will be inspected by a judicially appointed expert.

The general meeting is expected to be held in the first half of 2011.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Wed, 15 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-board-of-directors-and-management-committee-responsibility-for-the-services-and-raw.html - Roland Stroese takes on new challenges in the consumer goods area - Area of responsibility passes... - Roland Stroese takes on new challenges in the consumer goods area
- Area of responsibility passes to Dr Axel Schweitzer effective January 1, 2011 

Roland Stroese (49), member of the INTERSEROH SE Board of Directors since October of 2005, has decided to resign membership effective December 31, 2010, to pursue new career opportunities. The INTERSEROH SE Supervisory Board has accepted his resignation with regret.

The responsibilities in the Board of Directors are being adjusted in consequence and the committee reduced in size. The Chairman of the Board, Dr Axel Schweitzer (41), will assume responsibility for the segments of Services and Raw Materials Trading starting on January 1, 2011. Joachim Wagner (43) will continue to be responsible for the Steel and Metals Recycling segment as a member of the INTERSEROH SE Board of Directors.

A six-member Management Committee, reporting directly to the Board of Directors, ensures a close connection between strategic management and the operational units. In this committee Eric Mendel (41), Chief Representative of INTERSEROH SE and Chairman of the management of INTERSEROH Dienstleistungs GmbH, will bear operational responsibility for the Services, Marketing and Sales division. Bernd Fricke (44), as of December 1, 2010 managing director of Interseroh’s subsidiary RDB plastics GmbH, is a new member covering the Raw Materials Trading division.

Roland Stroese moved from the management team of the confectionery manufacturer INTERSNACK onto the Board of Directors of INTERSEROH SE in October of 2005. He has been responsible for the Services and Raw Materials Trading segments and the Marketing and Sales divisions ever since.

Stroese has contributed significantly to the development of the Interseroh Group in these two segments. With the Dual System Interseroh operating domain, one of his responsibilities, the Company has grown into the second-largest systems service provider after the former monopolist. The task of differentiating business fields with greater precision and restructuring the segments that he took on has in the interim been completed for the most part.

Against this backdrop Roland Stroese will pursue new career opportunities after five-and-a-half years as a member of the Interseroh SE Board of Directors. “Interseroh has developed from a newcomer in the area of Dual Systems in 2004 to the second most important player in the market in an unbelievably short period of time,” remarks Roland Stroese. “Furthermore, now the Company is the only full-range supplier that combines the entire product range from innovative pool and recycling systems through international materials trading under one roof.” After five-and-a-half years, however, he feels that personally it is time to take on new professional challenges in a completely different field. “Interseroh has set the course properly for the future – it is now primarily the task of the operational units to advance along the road to success," Stroese explains.

The Supervisory Board and the Board of Directors wish to thank Roland Stroese for his work. Stroese can be singled out as having provided a significant contribution to the success of the Interseroh Group.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Wed, 17 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/the-interseroh-group-continues-on-its-successful-path-interim-report-on-the-3rd-quarter-of-2010.html Positive developments sustained through third quarter / Significant rise in earnings vis-à-vis the... Positive developments sustained through third quarter / Significant rise in earnings vis-à-vis the previous year / Optimistic outlook for the recycling industry

The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader INTERSEROH SE continued its successful course in the third quarter. In the first nine months of 2010 the Interseroh Group achieved earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 41.9 million, a significant increase over the comparison figure from the previous year of EUR 2.9 million (January to September 2009).

Interseroh profited especially from its wide network of operating sites and trading locations in Germany and abroad, given the rising demand for steel and metal scrap, secondary plastics and recovered paper. Earnings before interest and taxes (EBIT) grew from EUR 17.6 million to EUR 53.2 million. Consolidated sales climbed from EUR 928.6 in the same period of the previous year to EUR 1,449.5 million in the first three quarters of 2010.

“In 2009, in restructuring the Interseroh Group, we created the basis for profiting from forecast growth in the recycling industry. The first three quarters of 2010 demonstrate that we have chosen the right path,” Dr. Axel Schweitzer, INTERSEROH SE’s Chairman of the Board, states.

In the months from July to September EBT was EUR 12.6 million (third quarter of 2009: EUR 7.5 million). EBIT rose over the same period in the previous year from EUR 11.1 million to EUR 16.5 million. At the beginning of fiscal 2010 the definition of Group EBIT was modified (essentially to exclude investment earnings). The previous year's figures were adjusted accordingly. Contribution to sales from the third quarter of 2010 amounted to EUR 481.8 million on a consolidated basis (comparative figure: EUR 350.8 million).

Rising sales quantities and higher purchasing prices for secondary resources, in particular in the steel scrap markets, allowed working capital to increase significantly in the first nine months compared to the balance sheet cut-off date of December 31, 2009. The fact that total assets of the Interseroh Group rose a mere 3 per cent is due above all to eliminations from the scope of consolidation. Net debt remained at the same level.

Developments in the segments

Benefiting from the good economy, sales quantities in the months January to September 2010 rose compared to the same period in the previous year in all three segments of the Interseroh Group, as did sales revenues.

The Steel and Metals Recycling segment contributed the lion’s share to this growth. Segment sales jumped from EUR 612.1 in the same period of the previous year to EUR 1,036.9 million in the months from January to September 2010. The reasons for this development were, in addition to high demand for scrap due to the economy, the expansion of Interseroh export competence, as well as the still new alloyed scrap business. While steel scrap prices rose continuously from January to May of 2010, they fell in June and July only to revive in August and September. In the first two quarters the steel scrap tonnage marketed by Interseroh grew continuously and then dropped for seasonal reasons in the summer months of July and August, before rising again in September. Average prices for non-ferrous metals increased until April, dropped slightly in May and were up again moderately in June.

In the Services segment all services contributed to positive sales growth. Sales were up from EUR 224.8 million to EUR 332.2 million. In the field of household sales packaging Interseroh continued to forego business that fails to cover costs. Nevertheless, the Executive Board is anticipating a share in the light packaging market of 18 percent by the end of the fiscal year. This allows Interseroh to take up the top market position behind the former monopolist.

Positive developments in the first half of the year in the Raw Materials Trading segment carried on in the third quarter. As a result of the sale of INTERSEROH France S.A.S., the sales of which were consolidated only until June 30, 2010, sales fell in the first three quarters compared to the previous year from EUR 109.7 million to EUR 107.7 million, while sales of the subsidiaries consolidated in the Raw Materials Trading segment grew as at September 30, 2010. The excellent order levels of European paper factories, predicated on economic factors, remained stable. The demand for recovered paper was similarly high. Prices were clearly above the level of the same period in the previous year. Both demand for, and prices of, secondary plastics rose slightly in comparison to the first half of 2010, particularly in the PET area. Demand for secondary plastics hovered at the previous year's level, while prices were approximately 10 percent higher. As a result of greater wood quantities for treatment in the third quarter, the pressure on acceptance prices relaxed. Correspondingly, trading prices softened slightly.

Outlook

For the year as a whole, the Executive Board is anticipating a quite considerable rise in earnings vis-à-vis the previous year. EBT of the Interseroh Group is approximating pre-crisis levels after three quarters in the current fiscal year. The continued rise in raw materials demand forecast will result in positive, albeit volatile, market developments.

“The need for raw materials will continue to increase over the next few years, especially due to strong growth in China. At the same time the importance of secondary resources is growing, due to the limited availability of primary raw materials. In the Interseroh Group, we have set our course so as to participate significantly in this development,” Dr. Axel Schweitzer explains.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Mon, 08 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/rob-nansink-coordinates-international-trading-of-non-ferrous-metals-at-interseroh-restructuring-of.html Listed environmental service and raw materials provider INTERSEROH SE has completed the... Listed environmental service and raw materials provider INTERSEROH SE has completed the restructuring of the management for the holding company for its steel and metals recycling segment: Rob Nansink (48), a proven specialist in the international trade of non-ferrous metals, will start his role as managing director of INTERSEROH Scrap and Metals Holding GmbH with immediate effect.

"Rob Nansink has been working in the international trading of non-ferrous metals for more than two decades," explains Joachim Wagner, INTERSEROH SE director for the steel and metals recycling segment. "He will be responsible with immediate effect for marketing non-ferrous metals for the whole Interseroh Group." In addition to Nansink, the other managing directors are Markus M. Barg, who is responsible for ferrous scrap, Michael Meißner, who in particular covers commercial activities, and Bernd Ott who is responsible for investment and systems engineering. Joachim Wagner will in future focus on his role as member of the Board of Directors responsible for the strategic direction of the whole segment.

Dutchman Rob Nansink has traded non-ferrous metals internationally since the late 1980s. This is how Europe Metals B.V., which later became an Interseroh holding, turned into one of the leading exporters of scrap metal from Europe to Asia. Rob Nansink: "I am delighted about the new challenge. The trading of non-ferrous metals is gaining importance because there are ever more shortages of raw materials around the world. That is why it is particularly attractive for me to be actively involved in developing this division at Interseroh.”

Changes to the national structure

At the national level too there have been changes in the steel and metals recycling segment at Interseroh since November 1, 2010: Markus Karberg (40), to date managing director of subsidiary INTERSEROH Jade-Stahl GmbH in Wilhelmshaven, is giving up his post and taking on responsibility for regional management east in the steel and metals recycling segment. In addition, he has also been appointed managing director for INTERSEROH Metallaufbereitung Rostock GmbH and INTERSEROH Berlin GmbH.

Interseroh operates around 110 locations in the steel and metals recycling segment in Germany, Poland, the Netherlands, China and the US. In 2009 these companies handled around 2.7 million tonnes of scrap steel and metal. This makes Interseroh one of the top 3 German scrap processors. In Europe Interseroh is number one when it comes to processing and trading non-ferrous metals.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Thu, 04 Nov 2010 00:00:00 +0100 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-above-average-earnings-growth-in-mid-year-financial-report-2010.html EBT growth continues to accelerate / New business fields are developing positively / Management... EBT growth continues to accelerate / New business fields are developing positively / Management Board is anticipating significant earnings growth for the year as a whole

Developments during the first half of the current fiscal year were most successful for the Cologne-based INTERSEROH SE. The publicly quoted environmental services provider and raw materials trader achieved earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 29.3 million in the months from January to June as compared with EUR -4.6 million in the same period of the previous year. In the first six months of 2010 alone the Interseroh Group’s earnings are thus significantly above those of the entire crisis year 2009 (EUR 3.8 million). EBIT rose from EUR 6.5 million in the same period of the previous year to EUR 36.7 million. During the same time period the Group’s consolidated sales were up from EUR 577.8 million to EUR 967.7 million. Sales between segments in the amount of EUR 14.9 million were consolidated (prior year: EUR 9.8 million).

“The considerable leap in earnings shows that we have been doing our homework in the shape of a comprehensive package of measures to increase earnings and reduce costs and are as a result benefiting today as the leading trader of secondary resources, as well as a full-range provider of environmental services," declared Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the Board of INTERSEROH SE. “At the same time these results reflect the success of the Interseroh Group’s strategic development,” Schweitzer added.

In the case of the steel and metals recycling segment it has been possible to continue to better mesh domestic activities and to expand export competency. In the services segment the promotion of non-regulatory business fields increasingly paid off and in the raw materials segment international structures for the collection and marketing of raw materials continued to improve.

Working capital rose by EUR 69.8 million in the first half of the year compared to the December 31, 2009, cut-off date. During the same period, however, the Interseroh Group’s total assets rose by only EUR 13.9 million to EUR 673.4 million. The Group’s financial liabilities remained at roughly the same level. The Group’s equity ratio rose by 2.9 percentage points vis-à-vis December 31, 2009, to 27.0 percent.

Developments in the segments

Sales revenues rose in all three segments in the period under review, benefiting from good economic developments world-wide:

Elevated demand for steel scrap and non-ferrous metals in conjunction with prices above the level of the same period in the previous year resulted in a strong sales hike in the steel and metals recycling segment. Sales rose compared to the same period in the previous year from EUR 371.0 million to EUR 698.2 million in the first half of 2010.

All business areas in the services segment contributed to sales growth. Sales rose from EUR 146.2 million in the same period of the previous year to EUR 209.5 million. Another major customer was won for the Interseroh Dual System. Second place in the dual system ranking was solidified and the distance to the former monopolist again reduced. In the division recycled-resource, initial material orders were successfully obtained and serviced.

In the raw materials trading segment Interseroh focussed increasingly on high-quality materials that permit higher value creation. Price rises in recovered paper and high-quality secondary plastics brought about higher sales figures. Sales rose from EUR 70.4 million to EUR 74.9 million in the raw materials trading segment.

Outlook

Based on this healthy operating business, the Management Board anticipates a considerable rise in earnings for the entire year compared to the previous year.

“We expect the markets to continue to be demanding in 2010, however. The forecast rise in raw materials demand, particularly from Asia, will usher in positive, albeit volatile, market developments. The specific degree of improvement in earnings is, therefore, principally dependent on the development of global economic conditions," Schweitzer indicates.

Interseroh perceives additional opportunities for growth in the steel and metals areas in terms of greater depth in value creation and in increasing supply to the structurally under-supplied regions such as Southern Europe and Asia. In the services segment Interseroh is focusing on the continued successful development of established services and the expansion of the range of waste disposal services in Eastern Europe. In raw materials trading Interseroh is promoting trading activities with recovered paper and plastics in Europe and will continue to reinforce its marketing position with international customers.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Fri, 13 Aug 2010 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-expects-significant-increase-in-earnings-general-shareholders-meeting-2010.html Environmental sector set to become most important economic sector in Germany / Dr Axel Schweitzer:... Environmental sector set to become most important economic sector in Germany / Dr Axel Schweitzer: "Under the umbrella of the ALBA Group, Interseroh is among the ten leading environmental services providers worldwide, partaking in two important trends of the future: environmental protection and raw materials security!"

The listed environmental services provider and raw materials trader INTERSEROH SE, based in Cologne, is looking forward to a pronounced increase in earnings for 2010. At the General Shareholders' Meeting of INTERSEROH SE, the CEO, Dr. Axel Schweitzer, said: "On the basis of sound business operations, and with an additional boost from the turnaround of the raw materials markets, we have made a successful start into the new fiscal year. As the positive trend of the first quarter continued into April and May, we are anticipating a significant increase in profits for the full year compared to the previous year, assuming stable raw materials markets.

"Schweitzer expressed his confidence that the worldwide demand for raw materials is set to continue increasing in coming years. As a leading environmental services provider and raw materials trader, Interseroh is working towards strategic alignment with the growth markets of the future, there by "increasingly turning from a national into an international supplier of raw materials".

To this end, Asian export competence was strengthened in the steel and metals segment,whilst the range of disposal services in Eastern Europe was expanded in the segment of services. In the business area of raw materials trading, distribution channels have been restructured in order to accelerate the international marketing of recovered paper and plastics.

In his speech, the CEO also pointed out "the two major trends of the future", which Interseroh is looking to serve in the next few years: Apart from the trend of raw materials shortages and the consequent rising demand for secondary resources, Interseroh is also standing to benefit from the growing importance of environmentally advantageous products. In this context, Schweitzer outlined the innovative recycling system for the transport of food boxes, which substitute for conventional packaging and hence waste production entirely. The most important client is ALDI Süd.

The CEO stressed that Germany is the world leader in the areas of recycling technology and recovery of resources. Schweitzer is convinced that "the environmental sector is set to become the most important economic activity in Germany in the medium term", expecting it to outgrow the entire German automotive industry with an estimated market volume of EUR 470 billion by 2020.]]> Interseroh Interseroh Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-se-strengthens-its-board.html As of August 1, 2010, there will be an addition to the Board of Directors of publicly quoted... As of August 1, 2010, there will be an addition to the Board of Directors of publicly quoted environmental service provider and raw materials trader INTERSEROH SE: The Supervisory Board appointed Joachim Wagner (43), hitherto Member of the Management Committee, new member of the Board of Directors responsible for the Steel and Metal Recycling segment. Thus, all three core segments of the group of companies are now represented on the Board. CEO Dr Axel Schweitzer will stay in charge of the Finance department (CFO), and Roland Stroese will continue to head the segments Services and Raw Materials Trading.

Joachim Wagner was appointed Member of the Management Committee of INTERSEROH SE in August 2009. Furthermore, he holds the positions of Managing Director of INTERSEROH Wagner Rohstoffe GmbH and chairman of the executive committee of INTERSEROH Hansa Recycling GmbH, and is in charge of the region North-West within the Steel and Metal Recycling segment. In addition, he is also member of the management boards of INTERSEROH USA as well as TOM Sp. Z o.o. in Poland.

Wagner developed his parents’ company Wagner Rohstoffe GmbH from a one-man business to a leading player on the market in the Rhine-Main area. As of March 1, 2007, Interseroh bought 85 percent of Wagner Rohstoffe GmbH, raising its share to 100 percent at the beginning of 2009.

“The extension of our Board is another important move on our strategic course for growth. During the crisis, it was important and right to manage the operational business even stronger through the Management Committee, thus being able to react to changes in the market even faster. Regarding the strategic advancement of the whole Group we are convinced that by now strengthening the Board both in numbers and know-how, we will boost this development even further,” says Dr Axel Schweitzer, CEO INTERSEROH SE.

By adding Joachim Wagner, the Board will profit from the knowledge of an experienced and designated expert on steel and metals recycling. Wagner stressed that his key aims were to improve cooperation between the operational companies, as well as to press ahead with the international alignment of the steel and metals business.

Wagner: “Interseroh is one of the biggest traders of non-ferrous metals in Europe and one of the leading marketers of steel scrap in Germany. We want to take advantage of this excellent position to profit from the increasingly growing international demand for secondary raw materials.”]]> Interseroh Interseroh Tue, 29 Jun 2010 00:00:00 +0200 http://www.albagroup.de/en/press/press-releases/alba-group/details/article/interseroh-successful-start-in-the-new-fiscal-year-interim-report-on-the-1st-quarter-of-2010.html Earnings before taxes in the first quarter of 2010 are already above the EBT of the entire fiscal... Earnings before taxes in the first quarter of 2010 are already above the EBT of the entire fiscal year 2009 – Long-term profitable growth in view

INTERSEROH SE has concluded its first quarter of the current fiscal year on a clearly positive note: The publicly quoted environmental service provider and raw materials trader has achieved earnings before taxes (EBT) of EUR 7.0 million during the first quarter of 2010 as compared to EUR -9.8 million in the same quarter of the previous year. Growing demand for secondary resources accompanied by a continuous rise in prices has positively impacted business development. The EBT of the first quarter of 2010 is thus considerably above the EBT of the entire fiscal year 2009. The brightening economy, as well as increased substitution of secondary resources for primary resources, has led to higher demand for recovered paper, scrap and high-quality waste plastic.

The Interseroh Group has been in a position to profit directly from the trend reversal in the raw materials markets: Consolidated Group sales rose from EUR 258.7 million to EUR 438.6 million in the first quarter of 2010 as compared to the same period in the previous year. During the same period EBIT climbed from EUR -3.7 million to EUR 11.3 million. In the beginning of fiscal 2010 the definition of the Group's EBIT was modified (primarily by excluding investment income). The previous year's figures were adjusted accordingly.

“At present we note that secondary resources are once again becoming scarce. Demand significantly exceeds supply across the board for raw materials. As a result the situation in the raw materials market has been completely reversed compared to the extreme months of the economic crisis,” explains Dr. Axel Schweitzer, Chairman of the INTERSEROH SE Board of Directors.

Higher sales quantities and increased purchase prices in the steel scrap markets resulted in a rise in working capital in the first quarter compared to the balance sheet date, December 31, 2009. As a result the Interseroh Group’s total assets grew, while net debt remained at the same level.

 Developments in the segments

Favourably affected by the healthy economic situation sales quantities of the Interseroh Group, and consequently in sales revenues, were up in all three segments:

In the Steel and Metals Recycling segment, demand for both steel scrap and non-ferrous metals rose continuously. Demand from Asia for non-ferrous metals, in particular, was strong. Furthermore, higher prices of iron ore necessary in the production of primary steel led to more frequent substitution of steel scrap for iron ore, which accelerated price increases. Sales in the Steel and Metals Recycling segment practically doubled from EUR 158.7 million in the first quarter of 2009 to EUR 308.3 million in the first quarter of 2010.

In the Services segment sales grew from EUR 70.5 million to EUR 100.7 million, due largely to higher transaction volumes in the area of sales packaging. Higher raw materials prices also resulted in sales increases in all areas of business. On the other hand quantity increases in the total market of licensed packaging were disappointing. Licensed packaging volumes in Germany continue to be well below total quantities of disposed packaging. The systems operators are anticipating stronger controls over reported quantities by enforcement authorities, so as to effectively implement the 5th amendment of the Packaging Ordinance.

Collected quantities of recovered paper and waste plastic fell short of demand during the first quarter. Prices were clearly above the level of the same period in the previous year. In March availability of waste plastics grew, while prices remained high. Due to low volumes, sales in the Raw Materials Trading segment rose only slightly vis-à-vis the previous year, from EUR 33.6 million to EUR 35.1 million. Sales in the timber segment were up due to higher trading prices. Volumes of used timber were below the levels of the first quarter of 2009.

Bright prospects for the industry

The Board of Directors continues to expect high market demand for the current fiscal year. Interseroh is anticipating positive, although volatile, market developments for all secondary resources, especially from Asian countries, due to the stabilising economy and the forecast increase in demand. The Company is aiming at long-term, profitable growth, in other words, earnings that rise faster than sales.
The degree to which earnings are likely to improve, however, depends to a great extent on developments in overall economic conditions.

“Last year, in restructuring the Interseroh Group, we created the basis for profiting from forecast growth in the recycling industry. Raw materials requirements will grow over the next few years. Secondary resources will continue to become more important at the same time. A study by strategy consultants Roland Berger recently estimated the market volume of Green Business, which includes the recycling sector, at EUR 470 billion by 2020. Interseroh has set the course in the Group to participate in this development”, Schweitzer asserts. ]]> Interseroh Interseroh Mon, 10 May 2010 00:00:00 +0200