DGAP-Adhoc: Balda AG reduces stake in touch screen producer TPK and secures short-term financing

30.09.2008

Balda AG / Key word(s): Disposal/Strategic Company Decision

30.09.2008 13:35

Dissemination of an Ad hoc announcement according to § 15 WpHG, transmitted

by DGAP – a company of EquityStory AG.

The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

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– Balda sells 12 per cent of its TPK holding to a company of its partner

Michael Chiang and generates liquidity.

– In return, Balda acquires a 5 per cent stake in Balda Investment

Singapore (BIS) from Michael Chiang and becomes sole shareholder in BIS

again.

– Banks supports new strategic alignment. Agreement on new financial

structure lasting until end of 2009 expected in November.

– Balda to focus on infocom core business.

– Via a stake in TPK and a cooperation Balda still to participate in

growing touch screen market.

– Telephone conferences today (see below).

Bad Oeynhausen, September 30, 2008 – The Supervisory and Management Board

of Balda AG, listed in the Prime Standard section of the German Stock

Exchange, have decided to sell 12 per cent of its stake in the touch screen

producing company TPK, Xiamen, China. Upon completion of the transaction,

Balda still holds 38 per cent of TPK and thus a substantial stake.

Balda will not participate in the upcoming TPK capital increase. This

capital increase leads to a dilution of the Balda stake in TPK from 38.0

per cent to 33.5 per cent. Due to the inflow of funds from the sale Balda

now is in no need of fresh money from the banks.

The involved parties have agreed to observe confidentiality with respect to

the purchase price. Besides the purchase price Balda will receive 5 per

cent of Michael Chiang’s stake in BIS. Balda thus again becomes sole

shareholder in BIS.

Balda will focus its activities on infocom plastic systems and components

as well as electronic products. By holding a stake in TPK Balda will also

in the future be able to participate in the dynamic growth of the

touchscreen technology.

The banks explicitly support the new strategic alignment of the group.

Completion of a final agreement with the banks for a refinancing of the

existing credit lines to last until year-end 2009 is expected in November.

Cornerstones of an agreement regarding credit terms and collateral are

currently being negotiated. Until completion the banks have extended the

existing standstill agreement.

TPK is a joint venture between Balda Asian subholding Balda Investment

Singapore (BIS) and the Taiwanese family of Michael Chiang. BIS is the

operating entity for the group’s companies in Asia, including production

facilities in China (Suzhou and Beijing) and Malaysia.

To be able to profit from increasing demand for touchscreen products, TPK

will have to invest further. Due to the currently strained financial

situation, Balda will not be able to participate in capital measures needed

for this purpose.

By selling a stake of TPK to Michael Chiang the Balda holding falls from 50

per cent to 38 per cent. As a consequence, TPK will not be consolidated on

a pro rata basis as of the fourth quarter 2008. With this deconsolidation

only TPK earnings or losses will be represented in the Balda accounts in

the future.

The plastics business is developing above plan so far. This trend will

probably weaken until year-end within the plan. Balda group is assuming a

positive operating income for 2008. Against the background of a weaker TPK

performance than expected in the second half-year and the influence of

expected extraordinary effects a net loss for the full year cannot be ruled

out.

Please note:

Today, Tuesday September 30, telephone conferences with CEO Joachim Gut and

CFO Dr. Dirk Eichelberger will be held at 2.30 p.m. CET (in German) for the

media and at 3.30 p.m. CET (in English) for analysts and investors.

2.30 p.m. CET: Participants from Germany please dial the toll free number

0800 90 70 136 to enter, no code necessary. From the UK please dial the

toll free number 0800 27 94 054. Callers from other countries please use

the chargeable number +49 (0) 211 73 75 00 56.

3.30 p.m. CET: Participants from Germany please dial the toll free number

0800 80 50 122, from the UK 0800 27 99 498, no codes necessary. Callers

from other countries please the use chargeable number +49 (0) 711 96 59 96

11.

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Information and Explaination of the Issuer to this News:

Company profile Balda AG

The internationally operating Balda Group develops and produces highly

integrated devices comprising plastic, metal and electronic components as

well as touch sensors. Among the customers of the Prime Standard listed

company are international brand-names from the mobile telephony industry,

medical technology and various related markets.

The integration of plastic and touch screen technologies creates completely

new customer benefits. Only Balda currently offers both technologies from

one source on a global scale. The group has a strong position in the

important growth markets China and India and owns four production

facilities in the region. Plants in Brazil and in Malaysia, as well as the

facility in Germany for Balda Medical, underline the global competitiveness

of the group of companies.

This ad hoc announcement includes ‘forward-looking statements’ which are

based on the current expectations of the management of Balda. They are

subject to risks and uncertainty because they relate to events and depend

on circumstances that will occur in the future, such as, for example,

developments in the mobile communications industry, changes in technology

and the ability to timely and successfully develop new products and various

other factors. Balda does not undertake any obligation to update publicly

or revise forward-looking statements except to the extent legally required.

This ad hoc announcement is not an offer of securities for sale or a

solicitation of an offer to purchase securities in the United States or

elsewhere. The shares in Balda AG (the ‘Shares’) may not be offered or sold

in the United States or to or for the account or benefit of U.S. persons

(as such term is defined in Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act of

1933, as amended (the ‘Securities Act’)) unless registered under the

Securities Act or pursuant to an exemption from such registration. The

Shares have not been and will not be registered under the Securities

Act.

If you have any questions please contact: Balda AG, Clas Röhl, Phone: +49

5734 922 2728, Fax: +49 69 710456450. Email: croehl@balda.de, Internet:

www.balda.de

30.09.2008 DGAP’s Distribution Services include Regulatory Announcements,

Financial/Corporate News and Press Releases.

Media archive at www.dgap-medientreff.de and www.dgap.de

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Language: English

Company: Balda AG

Bergkirchener Str. 228

32549 Bad Oeynhausen

Germany

Phone: +49 (0) 57 34 / 9 22-0

Fax: +49 (0) 57 34 / 9 22-2604

E-mail: info@Balda.de

Internet: www.balda.de

ISIN: DE0005215107

WKN: 521510

Listed: Regulierter Markt in Frankfurt (Prime Standard); Freiverkehr

in Berlin, Düsseldorf, Hamburg, Hannover, München, Stuttgart

End of Announcement DGAP News-Service

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