The specialty chemicals company ALTANA AG substantially increased sales and earnings in the first nine months of 2007 compared to the prior year. In the period from January until September, sales rose by 7 percent from €985.3 million to €1,053.8 million. Adjusted for negative exchange rate as well as minor positive acquisition effects, operating growth was 9 percent. Earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) grew by 18 percent from €163.5 million to €192.1 million i...