SRT Sartorius AG

Today on Tuesday, Sartorius (FWB:SRT), a leading international process and laboratory technology provider, announced its results of the first nine months for the current fiscal year. From January through September, the Group earned a sales revenue of 453.4�million euros. This corresponds to a currency-adjusted gain of 2.8% (current exchange rates: -1.2%). Order intake at a currency-adjusted 454.0 million euros is slightly above last year�s level* (+0.9%; current exchange rates: -3.0%). Despite this restrained growth overall and the unfavorable currency effects, Sartorius�s profitability continues to remain at a robust level. Nine-month operating earnings, reported as EBITA (earnings before interest, taxes and amortization), are at 40.6 million euros relative to 46.9 million euros a year ago. The corresponding EBITA margin is 8.9%. * To ensure the best possible comparability, the figures of the year-earlier period are presented on a pro forma basis and adjusted for extraordinary expenses and non-permanent effects (�underlying�). Business Development of the Divisions Sartorius Stedim Biotech On the basis of constant currencies, sales revenue for Sartorius Stedim Biotech edged up by 1.0%. In the reporting currency, the division�s revenue at 273.3 million euros is 3.0% below the year-earlier figure of 281.8 million euros. The major reason for this sluggish growth was the soft demand from individual key accounts in the North American biopharmaceutical sector, who temporarily manufactured considerably fewer medications than originally planned because of delayed or restricted drug approvals. In Europe, by contrast, sales revenue increased, where the strong first-half development of equipment business substantially weakened in the third quarter. Business in Asia evolved at moderate growth rates. Sartorius Stedim Biotech�s order intake developed sluggishly: For January to September, the Biotechnology Division posted an order intake of 269.3 million euros relative to 283.8 million euros a year ago (-1.1%; current exchange rates: -5.1%). Based on the growth rates achieved, management assesses that the Biotechnology Division performed well within the overall difficult market environment. Reported at an EBITA margin of 10.7%, the profitability of Sartorius Stedim Biotech continues to remain sound (currency-adjusted around 11.5%; Q1�Q3 2007: 12.5%). In absolute figures, the operating result amounts to 29.1 million euros compared with 35.2 million euros last year. Sartorius Mechatronics Nine-month sales revenue for the Mechatronics Division continued to develop within the range of the company�s expectations, rising by a currency-adjusted 5.5% to 180.0 million euros (current exchange rates: +1.7%). Significant growth impulses came from all across its business areas, especially from Asia and Europe. For order intake as well, Sartorius Mechatronics posted a gain of 3.9% (current exchange rates: +0.2%). Its operating result eased slightly from 11.7 million euros to 11.4 million euros. The corresponding EBITA margin at the end of the nine-month period is at 6.3% (currency-adjusted around 7%; Q1�Q3 2007: 6.6%). Outlook As the global economic conditions are becoming increasingly difficult and uncertain, Sartorius does not consider it possible to make a reliable, quantitative forecast of further business development for the last quarter of this year. Nevertheless, the company does anticipate that the overall stable development, though below forecasts, of the three quarters seen so far will also continue in the coming months. For this reason, the company does not expect to completely reach its full-year targets announced after the first half. Among these targets projected, both divisions were to post higher sales revenue and earnings in the second half than in the first half. However, a robust operating result is projected for the fourth quarter. Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO of Sartorius, commented on this outlook as follows: �Even though 100% reliable business forecasts are not possible to make in the current turbulent economic situation, we remain confident about the further development of Sartorius: The attractiveness of our markets is above-average, we are very well-positioned in these markets, and our broad-based geographical presence has a balancing effect and lowers risks.� Conference Call and Webcast Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius, will discuss the nine-month figures with analysts and investors today, October 28, at 3:00 p.m. Central European Time (CET), in a teleconference. You may dial into the teleconference starting at 2:45 p.m. CET at the following numbers: Germany: +49 (0) 69 2222 2220; France: +33 (0) 1 70 99 42 82; UK: +44 (0) 20 7138 0839; USA: +1 718 354 1362. The dial-in code is: 4944170; to view the webcast, log onto http://www.sartorius.com or http://www.livemeeting.com/cc/premconfeurope/join?id=4944170&role=atte nd&pw=pw4329 Current Image Files: Dr. Joachim Kreuzburg, CEO and Executive Board Chairman of Sartorius AG: www.sartorius-stedim.com/media/content/press/support/Dr_Kreuzburg. jpg Sartorius Stedim Biotech: http://www.sartorius.com/media/content/press/support/biotechnology _01.jpg Sartorius Mechatronics: http://www.sartorius.com/media/content/press/support/Mechatronics_ 2_AR_08.jpg (Due to their lengths, some of the above URLs may need to be copied/pasted into your Internet browser's address field. Remove any extra space if one exists.) Upcoming Financial Dates: February 2009 Publication of the preliminary figures for fiscal 2008 March 2009 Annual press conference in Goettingen, Germany April 23, 2009* Annual Shareholders� Meeting in Goettingen, Germany April 2009 Publication of quarterly figures from Jan. � March 2009 * tentatively scheduled date This is a translation of the original German-language press release. Sartorius shall not assume any liability for the correctness of this translation. The original German press release is the legally binding version. Furthermore, Sartorius reserves the right not to be responsible for the topicality, correctness, completeness or quality of the information provided. Liability claims regarding damage caused by the use of any information provided, including any kind of information which is incomplete or incorrect, will therefore be rejected. A Profile of Sartorius The Sartorius Group is an internationally leading laboratory and process technology provider covering the segments of biotechnology and mechatronics. In 2007, the technology group earned pro forma sales revenue of 622.7 million euros. Founded in 1870, the Goettingen-based company currently employs approximately 4,500 persons. The major areas of activity in its biotechnology segment focus on fermentation, filtration, purification, fluid management and laboratory applications. In the mechatronics segment, the company primarily manufactures equipment and systems featuring weighing, measurement and automation technology for laboratory and industrial applications. Key Sartorius customers are from the pharmaceutical, chemical and food and beverage industries and from numerous research and educational institutes of the public sector. Sartorius has its own production facilities in Europe, Asia and America as well as sales subsidiaries and local commercial agencies in more than 110 countries.