Chr Hansen, an international company focused in the production of natural ingredients for food, beverage, dietary supplements and agricultural industries, has reported a rise in its H1 2012 net profit by 19%.

Chr Hansen posts rise in H1 net profit

Chr Hansen, an international company focused in the production of natural ingredients for food, beverage, dietary supplements and agricultural industries, has reported a rise in its H1 2012 net profit by 19%.

The company’s net profit for the period increased to €56.8m, compared to €47.7m in the corresponding period of fiscal 2011.

The company attributed the rise in its net profit in the first half of fiscal 2012 to the improved operating profit.

Chr Hansen noted a 19% increase in its operating profit (EBIT) for the period to €83m, compared to €70m in the first half of the previous year.

The Danish company also noted a rise in its H1 2012 revenues by 9% to €333m, compared to the revenues of €304m in H1 2011.

The revenues of the company’s Cultures & Enzymes Division in the first half of fiscal 2012 amounted to €198m, up 8% compared to the same period last year, while the revenues of Health & Nutrition Division and Natural Colors Division increased by 18% and 8% respectively.

For the second quarter of fiscal 2012, the natural colours, enzymes and cultures specialist reported a net profit of €30.4m, an increase of 24% compared to €24.5m in the same quarter a year ago.

Its revenues for the quarter rose by 7% to €165m in Q2 of fiscal 2012, compared to €154.3m in the second quarter of fiscal 2011.

Chr Hansen CEO Lars Frederiksen said the solid sales and earnings growth continued during Q2 2012 and the company delivered 11% organic growth for the first half of the fiscal and a 19% increase in EBIT.

"Based on the solid performance in the first half we have narrowed our organic growth target from 7-10% to 8-10% (excluding carmine price effect)," Frederiksen added.