WIESBADEN (dpa-AFX) - Carbon fiber specialist SGL Carbon expects demand from the wind industry to remain weak in the current year. Accordingly, sales in 2024 are likely to stagnate at around the previous year's level of just under 1.1 billion euros, the SDax-listed company announced in Wiesbaden on Friday. How much SGL Carbon will earn in day-to-day business for the year as a whole depends on the planned sale of the carbon fiber division: If the segment remains in the Group, the Board of Management expects an adjusted operating profit (EBITDA) of 160 to 170 million euros. In the event of a separation, the result should rise to between 180 and 190 million euros.

SGL Carbon itself saw the past year as a year of stabilization and investment. In 2023, sales fell by 4.1 percent compared to the previous year to just under 1.1 billion euros. Due to persistently weak business with the wind industry, earnings before interest and taxes (EBITDA) adjusted for special items fell by 2.5 percent to 168.4 million euros. On balance, SGL Carbon earned 41 million euros after 126.9 million euros in the previous year.

The previous day, acting CEO Torsten Derr had informed the Supervisory Board that he did not wish to extend his contract. Derr will therefore manage the business until May 31, 2025 at the latest, and the Supervisory Board intends to begin the search for a successor./ngu/jha/