(Lanxess) -- The specialty chemicals company Lanxess exceed the EUR 1 billion EBITDA pre exceptionals mark in 2011 after achieving its best-ever quarterly result in the first quarter. EBITDA pre exceptionals rose 38 percent year-on-year to EUR 322 million, with all segments and regions achieving double-digit growth.
Sales increased 29 percent year-on-year to EUR 2.1 billion. This was due to higher volumes and price increases that helped offset rising raw material costs, in particular for butadiene, cyclohexane and benzene. EBITDA margin pre exceptionals rose to 15.5 percent in the first quarter from 14.4 percent a year earlier and net profit increased by 60 percent year-on-year to EUR 166 million.
Net debt at the end of the first quarter 2011 only rose moderately to EUR 937 million from EUR 913 million from the end of 2010 despite increased net working capital needs in line with stronger business activity.