WACKER Sales Dropped 14% for Q1 2009      

Wacker Chemie AG generated January-March 2009 sales totaling Euro 872.5 million, down 14% compared to the prior-year quarter. This was primarily due to a decrease in sales volumes, though partially because of lower prices, too.
   The earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) fell 46% year on year to Euro 157.8 million.
    Benefiting from the strength of its polysilicon business, the WACKER Group saw first-quarter sales in Germany climb some 3% year on year to Euro 220.8 million. Asia remains WACKER's largest market, though January-March 2009 sales there dropped by 23% to Euro 267.0 million. China accounts for over half of WACKER's Asian sales.
   In Q1 2009, WACKER invested Euro 176.8 million. The focus was on polysilicon expansion projects in Germany, as well as on extension of the silicones site in Zhangjiagang, China.