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ALTANA 2003: New Record Year; the Eighth in Succession.

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Business Editors/Health/Medical Writers

BAD HOMBURG, Germany--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Jan. 27, 2004

- Profits climb by 10% and sales by 5% despite weak dollar; another dividend increase targeted

(Note: All figures mentioned in this press release are provisional and unaudited)

ALTANA AG (NYSE: AAA, FSE: ALT), Bad Homburg, reported further unabated growth in 2003. Consolidated sales rose by 5% to achieve a new record high at EUR2.73 billion (2002: EUR2.61 billion). Adjusted for exchange rate and acquisition effects, operating sales increased by 12% in 2003. Sales revenues were particularly affected by the weak U.S. $, so that the double-digit growth rate in local currencies (+11%) translates as a single-digit value (+5%) when expressed in EUR.

"ALTANA successfully sustained its long-term forward growth throughout 2003. Our operating business is progressing well, generating double-digit growth rates as in past years. However, a strong Euro slowed down growth in sales and profits. And yet we have still managed to increase profitability by a double-digit figure for the eighth time in succession - the result of a long-term oriented corporate policy", commented Dr. Nikolaus Schweickart, Chairman of the Management Board of ALTANA AG.

Strong international growth

Foreign subsidiaries and exports to third parties generated around 82% (2002: 81%) of total sales. International sales as a whole amounted to EUR2.25 billion, up 6% on the previous year's figure. North America again reported the highest growth rate (10%), with sales totaling EUR857 million (2002: EUR779 million). European sales (excluding Germany) climbed...