ALTANA AG substantially increased sales and earnings in the first half of 2007 compared to the previous year. Sales increased by 7 percent, rising from €659 million to €705.7 million.      The growth in sales was particularly strong in Europe (10 percent) and Asia (8 percent). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 22 percent from €103.1 million to €125.2 million, based on double-digit earnings increases in all divisions. The EBITDA margin was 17.7 perc...