In 2004, the Environment and Process Business Area broadened its product range and technology knowledge through the acquisition of Bird Machine, the NETZSCH Filtration business, and the fluidized bed drying systems Business Area of VA TECH WABAG.  As a result, the Business Area is now one of the world’s leading suppliers of industrial and municipal dewatering and drying technologies.

The acquisition of Bird Machine from Baker Hughes, Inc. in the USA added a full range of R&B filter presses, Bird KHD/Humboldt solid and screen bowl centrifuges, and special Bird Humboldt Young Filters to the product portfolio of the Business Area.

The NETZSCH Filtration business added process knowledge for fully automated filter presses as well as for the palm oil processes to the product portfolio.  In addition, NETZSCH Filtration has an excellent market presence in Southeast Asia and South America, which will be used to sell other products of the Business Area.

The acquisition of VA TECH WABAG’s fluidized bed drying systems further enhances the comprehensive range of drying technologies. The Business Area is the global market leader in bio-solids drying. Through this acquisition, the Business Area expanded its activities into the chemicals and food industry markets.

Sales of the Business Area increased significantly in 2004.  As a result of organic growth and the acquisition of Bird Machine, NETZSCH Filtration, and VA TECH WABAG’s fluidized bed drying systems Business Area (all three companies were not included in last year’s financial statement), Sales almost doubled to 217.9 MEUR (2003: 110.4 MEUR).

Sales of Bird Machine, NETZSCH Filtration, and VA TECH WABAG’s fluidized bed drying systems Business Area together amounted to approximately 93 MEUR in 2004.

In 2004, Andritz again confirmed its leading position as a supplier of centrifuges for sewage sludge treatment, reaching another record number of centrifuges sold.  

As a result of increased Sales and positive Earnings contributions from the newly acquired companies, EBITA increased to 9.9 MEUR (2003: 1,5 MEUR).  EBITA margin improved significantly from 1.4% in 2003 to 4.5% in 2004.

Development of the Business Area’s Order Intake was mainly influenced by the newly acquired companies, adding approximately 94 MEUR to the Business Area’s total Order Intake of 200.7 MEUR (2003: 110.2 MEUR).