Franfurt/Main-19th May 1998/ (News Aktuell/Asianet) - At its annual press conference in Frankfurt on May 19, 1998, DyStar - the dyestuff company of Bayer and Hoechst - reported an 11 percent rise in sales from USD 0.91 billion in 1996 to USD 1.01 billion in 1997, despite continued pressure on prices. Profits more than tripled compared with the previous year. All three Business Units - Reactive Dyes, Disperse Dyes and Special Dyes - made significant contributions to sales growth. Looking at the country breakdown, the USA, Turkey, Brazil, Mexico, China and Indonesia registered above-average sales rises. DyStar posted EBIT of USD 45.58 million in 1997, "Well above expectations for our second full fiscal year," according to the General Management. The company singled out higher volumes, favorable currency movements and efficient cost-management as the main reasons for this good performance. Investment remained at around USD 45.02 ,illion, the same level as in 1996, with a clear baas towards Germany, China and Indonesia. DyStar invests three to four percent of annual sales in R&D. Following a satisfactory start to 1998 and a year-on-year rise in sales in the first quarter, DyStar expects to maintain sales on a par with last year, despite the impact of the Asian crisis. DyStar sees growth prospects in the Americas, a number of European countries and - in the medium to long term - in Asia. Asia already accounts for nearly 50 percent of the global textile dyestuffs market. DyStar has its own production facilities in this region, giving it a competitive advantage that it intends to utilize systematically. Moreover, DyStar manufactures 95 percent of its product in-house , enabling it to ensure high standards of quality , safety and environmental protection worldwide. Contact: Corporate Communications Doris Sperzel - Cannon PO Box10-07-61D-60007 Frankfurt/MainPhone : ++49 69 2109-2271 Fax: ++ 49 69 2109-2005