l O o KING BACK WI th ... P H I L I P P E A U B R Y Managing director of ARD and its subsidiary Wheatoleo ARD is a partner of Genopole, a cutting-edge biotechnologies project incubator. This collaboration will entail the creation of biotechnological tools (microorganisms) and scaling them up all the way to full-scale production (industrial fermentation). Bpifrance, CEBB, B4C and the incubator Quest for Change are ARDs other partners in project Alpha, which aims to attract innovative, high-potential projects to the Grand Est region. HIG hl IG h T s ... ARD, GOLD sponsor at BIOKET REIMS 2024 Wheatoleo obtains EcoVadis Gold certification with a score of 78/100 Big ambitions for B IO Dm O With a doubling of the capacity of its industrial demonstrator in October 2023, ARD is now capable of meeting greater demand for projects ready for industrial scale-up while continuing to provide key services for cooperative farmers (bio-inputs) and the Groups subsidiaries (ingredients). BIOTECHNOLOGIES AND R&D How did you see the past year? Very promising... Our EBITDA is improving, even if it remains slightly under budget. Certain customers orders were delayed during the first few months of the financial year, but we saw a good recovery over the second half of the year. For Wheatoleo, our 100%-owned subsidiary specialising in the production of surfactants from plant-based raw materials, last years results give room for optimism thanks to new key accounts, investment in our facilities, and the development of our business in a context of growing interest in bio-sourced products. So you are confident then? The growth outlook on biotechnologies markets, especially as related to decarbonisation, does show potential. Wheatoleos product offering, based on the use of non-fossil carbon with proven effectiveness, is a key asset for the future. The cosmetics and detergents industries are the sectors where demand for surfactants is the highest. K E Y F I G U R E S 130 employees 23 % increase in revenue for Wheatoleo compared to the previous financial year 2 world firsts per year 30 ongoing projects Strategic PA rt NE r SHIPS 20