GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft reported profitable growth across all divisions for fiscal year 2025 while achieving critical climate targets ahead of schedule, positioning the technology company for accelerated revenue growth in the current year. The company's performance demonstrates that industrial technology firms can successfully navigate challenging economic environments while advancing sustainability goals, with implications for investors, customers in food and pharmaceutical sectors, and global climate initiatives.
Order intake increased 6.7 percent to EUR 5.9 billion, with organic growth reaching 9.1 percent, driven largely by 15 major contracts worth EUR 560.6 million. Revenue grew 1.4 percent to EUR 5.5 billion, with organic revenue growth of 3.7 percent at the upper end of guidance. The company strengthened its financial position with EBITDA before restructuring expenses rising 8.4 percent to EUR 907.4 million and the corresponding margin improving to 16.5 percent from 15.4 percent. Return on capital employed reached 36.2 percent, while net working capital improved to 3.2 percent of revenue.
CEO Stefan Klebert stated that 2025 was "a very successful year for GEA" achieved "on our own strength" despite economic challenges. The company's entry into Germany's premier DAX index in September 2025 reflected its successful transformation and strong share price performance. At the upcoming Annual General Meeting on April 29, 2026, the Executive Board and Supervisory Board will propose a dividend increase to EUR 1.30 per share from EUR 1.15.
GEA made significant progress on all six strategic growth drivers outlined in its Mission 30 strategy. Sustainable technologies now account for over 45 percent of revenue, moving toward a 2030 target of 60 percent. The New Food business with alternative proteins generated approximately EUR 70 million in revenue, while digital solutions revenue increased to around EUR 80 million. The service business contributed EUR 2.2 billion to overall revenue, representing 40 percent of total revenue, with a target of reaching EUR 2.9 billion by 2030.
The company achieved key interim climate targets early, reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 62 percent compared to 2019 by the end of 2025, exceeding the 60 percent reduction initially planned for end of 2026. Scope 3 emissions decreased 38 percent from 2019 levels, keeping GEA on track for net-zero emissions by 2040. The company's integrated sustainability strategy includes donating one percent of net profit annually to charitable causes through the GEA Foundation, which donated over EUR 4 million in 2025 focusing on STEM education, clean water access, and combating child poverty.
Major milestones in 2025 included securing one of the largest single orders in corporate history for constructing the world's biggest integrated milk powder production plant in Algeria, valued at EUR 140 to 170 million. The company also opened a technology center for alternative proteins in the United States and streamlined its organizational structure to four divisions: Pure Flow Processing, Nutrition Plant Engineering, Pharma & Food Applications, and Farm Technologies. This restructuring aims to boost flexibility and accelerate decision-making, with growth markets like China and India receiving higher priority.
For fiscal year 2026, GEA expects organic revenue growth of between 5.0 and 7.0 percent, with the EBITDA margin before restructuring expenses guided between 16.6 and 17.2 percent. Return on capital employed is forecast between 34.0 and 38.0 percent. The company's performance and outlook suggest that industrial technology companies embracing sustainability and digital transformation can achieve both financial success and environmental progress, serving as a model for the broader manufacturing sector. More information about GEA's sustainability initiatives and financial performance can be found at https://www.gea.com.
