Third-Quarter Report 2002 of the EMS-Group

With its companies combined in EMS-CHEMIE HOLDING AG and global activities in the fields of Performance Polymers, Fine Chemicals and Engineering, the EMS Group reports a 2.2% decline in sales to CHF 930 million for the first 3 quarters of 2002 against the previous year's result of CHF 951 million. The circle of consolidation remained the same. Sales in local currencies increased by 2.0%. This muted development of sales reflects the restrained approach to investment all over the world and the pronouncedly feeble economic situation in the USA, Europe and Japan. It may be assumed that the general climate of customer hesitancy and the unsatisfactory business trend will continue through the remainder of the year.