Verbio optimistic about the new year after a year of losses

After a difficult financial year, the biofuel producer Verbio sees significantly better market conditions for the coming period. The course has been set for a recovery of the biofuel market in Germany, said CEO Claus Sauter in Leipzig. He emphasized: "With the potential of our international team and our flexibility to react quickly to changing market conditions, we are consistently taking advantage of the growth opportunities that arise."

Verbio confirmed its positive forecast for 2025/2026 at the Annual General Meeting. The planned return of Verbio shares to the SDAX on 22 December was also an important signal. The SDAX is an index for 70 smaller listed companies that are listed below the DAX and MDAX.

From billions in losses to record production

The company had recently come under heavy pressure: Declining prices and lower margins had led to a loss of around 138 million euros. The operating result (EBITDA) slumped to 14.2 million euros. Despite this, Verbio achieved record production of more than 1.2 million tons of biodiesel and bioethanol as well as 1,190 gigawatt hours of biomethane.

The company is expecting support from new EU regulations, which it believes should provide more clarity and less fraud in the biofuels market. The price of so-called GHG quotas, which are important for mineral oil companies, has already recovered, said Sauter.

Future markets in sight

Verbio is also focusing on growth abroad, for example in the USA and India, and is building up new business areas - including a new plant in Bitterfeld for the production of bio-based chemicals from biodiesel, which will produce around 60,000 tons of renewable products for the chemical industry every year from 2026.000 tons of renewable products for the chemical industry every year from 2026.

Last year was difficult for the company due to low prices and technical problems. Sauter is optimistic for the current year. However, there will be no distribution to shareholders this year. Sauter justified this with the "extraordinary market situation" and responsibility towards employees.