KBC Kbc Adv.Tech.

RNS Number:8646W
KBC Advanced Technologies plc
13 January 2006


Strictly embargoed until 0700 on 13 January 2006

                         KBC ADVANCED TECHNOLOGIES PLC
                            ("KBC" or "the Company")

                                 TRADING UPDATE

KBC, a leading consultant to the oil industry, today announces a trading update
in relation to the results for the year ended 31 December 2005 which will be
announced on 23 March 2006. KBC confirms the anticipated improvement in trading
performance for the second half of 2005 and return to profitability during the
last quarter. Consequently the Company is confident of meeting expectations for
a trading loss of around #2m for the year as a whole, in line with the
indications in its half year results statement on 22 September 2005.

The improvement in trading is underpinned by a significant growth in contract
awards and the forward order book. As anticipated in the half year results
statement, total awards for the year were more than #32m, giving a contracted
order book to take into 2006 of close to #19m. The comparable figures at 31
December 2004 were total sales of #17m and an order book of #10m for 2005.

The most significant award included in this total is the $11m contract,
announced on 22 November 2005, with Sinopec in China. There are also a number of
other material awards across the business which are indicative of the improving
market KBC is seeing for its enhanced products and services, including:

   *Licences for Petro-SIM software and SIM models for Cosmo Oil's four
    refineries and head office in Japan. This complements the continuing Profit
    Improvement Programs being executed by KBC at the Cosmo refineries.
   *The redesign and upgrade of Belgian Refining Corporation's crude oil
    vacuum unit to enable the refinery to increase the production of high value
    products and reduce the production of low value fuel oil. KBC has completed
    the feasibility study and basic engineering and is now leading the detailed
    engineering phase.
   *The provision of technical services support covering technical,
    operations, reliability, and maintenance functions during 2006 to the
    Nerefco refinery at Europoort in The Netherlands. Nerefco is a joint venture
    between bp (69%) and Texaco (31%).
   *The implementation of operational excellence into production planning and
    scheduling for Sasol Synfuels in South Africa. This covers (a) developing
    the planning processes, (b) creating a broader awareness within the planning
    team of the business drivers, and (c) upgrading the planning systems to
    better reflect these business drivers. The project is a part of a broader
    multi-year operational excellence initiative across Sasol site operations.

The contracts in the order book run for periods of between a few months and
three years and are expected to generate revenue of #16m in 2006, with the
balance running into 2007 and beyond. This contrasts with the order book of #10m
at the end of 2004, which was comprised almost entirely of revenue which would
be taken in 2005. We are confident that the strengthened order book, together
with the opportunities for further contract wins in the current market
environment, should ensure that the improved trading performance continues in
2006.

                                    - Ends -

For further information please contact:

KBC Advanced Technologies plc                                       01932 236314
Peter Close, Chief Executive
Nicholas Stone, Finance Director

Arden Partners Limited                                             020 7398 1632
Richard Day

Weber Shandwick Square Mile                                        020 7067 0700
James Chandler/Lana-Kathryn Pugh

About KBC: (LSE:KBC)
KBC Advanced Technologies plc, a leading independent oil and energy industry
process engineering consultancy, delivers improved operating performance to
owners and operators in the oil refining, petrochemical and other process
industries worldwide. KBC provides process consulting, strategic planning
advice, petroleum and chemical price forecasting, economic studies, and capital
project services to help clients find the most cost-effective way to achieve
their short- and long-term objectives. KBC analyses plant operations and
management systems, recommends changes for material and measurable improvements
in profitability, and provides implementation services and solutions to assist
clients in realising these improvements. In carrying out this work KBC makes
extensive use of Petro-SIM, its proprietary refinery-wide simulation and process
modelling technology. Formed in 1979, KBC has principal offices in the UK, USA,
Singapore, Japan, Russia, and the Netherlands. For more information, visit
www.kbcat.com.





                      This information is provided by RNS
            The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END
TSTUUSVRNRRAAAR

Kbc Adv.Tech. (LSE:KBC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jun 2024 to Jul 2024

Kbc Adv.Tech. (LSE:KBC)
Historical Stock Chart
From Jul 2023 to Jul 2024