Stable growth despite economic crisis

Symrise again grew faster than the market in 2008. The EBITDA margin of almost 20% is on a par with the leading companies in the global fragrance and flavour industry. The Company generated a strong operating free cash flow of 9.3% of total sales. In line with the dividend policy of distributing about 50% of basic underlying earnings per share as dividends, the Company will propose a dividend of EUR 0.50 per share at the annual shareholders’ meeting on May 11, 2009.