ALTANA AG substantially increased sales and earnings in the first six months of 2007 compared to the previous year. Sales increased by 7 percent, rising from €659.0 million to €705.7 million. Adjusted for negative exchange rate effects of 3 percent as well as slightly positive acquisition effects, the operating sales growth rate was 9 percent. The growth in sales was particularly strong in Europe (10 percent) and Asia (8 percent). Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortizatio...