Novozymes, the world leader in bioinnovation and industrial enzymes, today reported 7 percent sales growth in 2012 compared with 2011. EBIT increased by 17 percent, raising the EBIT margin to 24.4 percent. Net profit grew by 10 percent. Strong free cash flow before acquisitions of DKK 1,581 million exceeded the outlook. For 2013, the EBIT margin is expected to remain at its current high level, while organic sales growth is expected to increase to 5 to 8 percent. Long-term financial targets adjusted to reflect high profitability and timing of sales growth.

“We delivered strong earnings growth and record profitability in a year when organic sales growth was challenged and came in at 4 percent—below our ambition,” says Steen Riisgaard, president and CEO. “With 2012 behind us, we have reviewed our long-term growth scenarios and decided to adjust our long-term financial targets. We are still confident that we can reach the long-term sales growth target of more than 10 percent, although not until 2015. Meanwhile, profitability will remain at current levels, and we are raising our target for EBIT margin to more than 24 percent. The ROIC target is confirmed as more than 22 percent. The company’s strategy is unchanged and, under the leadership of the new president and CEO, Peder Holk Nielsen, Novozymes will continue to focus on innovation, partnerships and sustainability.”

In 2012: