Despite the challenging market environment, Covestro still achieves strong sales growth

· Core business sales increased by 3%

Group sales totaled approximately EUR 2 billion (-16%)

· EBITDA of EUR 425 million (-55%), on target

Net profit fell to EUR 147 million (-74%)

· Free operating cash flow of EUR 243 million (-50%)

· Further clarification of the forecast range for 2019

Despite the challenging economic environment, Covestro achieved a year-on-year increase of 3% in core business sales in the third quarter of 201 At the same time, group sales fell by 16% to 2 billion euros, in line with expectations, due to lower selling pric.

"After we achieved solid business volume growth in the second quarter, market demand grew again in the third quart.

Confirm full year outlook, further clarify scope

Based on the third quarter report, Chief Financial Officer .

After the third quarter, the group narrowed the range of its previously announced forecast for fiscal 2019: Covestro expects a low-single-digit percentage increase in core business volume in fiscal 201 At the same time, it is expected that the group's free operating cash flow will remain between 300 million and 500 million euros, while the return on capital employed will be between 8% and 1

Launch a new circular economy plan

In order to maintain long-term success with sustainable and innovative solutions, Covestro is increasing its focus on the circular economy and has launched a new strategic plan for this purpo.

Sustainability and innovation are also the key words at the 2019 International Plastics and Rubber Exhibition (K Exhibition) held in Düsseldorf, Germa.

Sales growth in the polyurethane and polycarbonate segment in the third quarter

In the Polyurethanes segment, the core business volume increased by

        The sales volume of the core business of the polycarbonate business segment increased by 3% year-on-year, mainly due to the electrical and electronic and construction industri.

        The Coatings, Adhesives and Specialty Chemicals segment saw a 0% decline in core business volume due to weaker demand for coatings raw materials in all major industries, especially the automotive indust.

        First September features: Increased competition, price changes

        As expected, market competition intensified in the first nine months of the year and pricing adjustments were also ma.