DSM Q1 2004 Operating Profit of EUR 110 Million Substantially Higher Than Expected

Heerlen,NL,28-Apr-2004

Sales up 29% from Q1 2003, mainly because of contribution from DSM Nutritional Products and autonomous volume growth of 5%

Operating profit 21% higher than in Q1 2003; net profit up 8% from Q1 2003

Development of DSM Nutritional Products above expectations

DSM Anti-Infectives puts results of Life Science Products under strong pressure

Q2 operating profit expected to be around Q1 2004 level; profit on ordinary activities after taxation for 2004 expected to be clearly higher than that for 2003