GEA Group Aktiengesellschaft reported significant financial and strategic progress for the 2025 fiscal year, exceeding several key targets while positioning itself for accelerated growth in 2026. The technology company achieved a 6.7 percent increase in order intake to EUR 5.9 billion, with organic growth reaching 9.1 percent, driven largely by 15 major contracts worth EUR 560.6 million. Revenue increased to EUR 5.5 billion, with organic growth of 3.7 percent at the upper end of the company's guidance range.
Profitability metrics showed substantial improvement, with EBITDA before restructuring expenses rising to EUR 907 million, representing a margin of 16.5 percent that exceeded upgraded guidance. Return on capital employed improved to 36.2 percent, while net working capital was reduced to 3.2 percent of revenue. The company's strong financial performance has led to a proposed dividend increase to EUR 1.30 per share, to be voted on at the Annual General Meeting on April 29, 2026.
Beyond financial results, GEA made significant progress on its sustainability strategy, reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions by 62 percent compared to 2019 levels—achieving this target a year ahead of schedule. The company also reduced Scope 3 emissions by 38 percent, keeping it on track for its net-zero emissions target by 2040. Sustainable technologies now account for over 45 percent of revenue, moving toward a 2030 target of 60 percent. More information about GEA's sustainability initiatives can be found at https://www.gea.com.
The company achieved several strategic milestones in 2025, including entry into Germany's premier DAX index in September and securing one of the largest contracts in its history—a EUR 140 to 170 million project to build the world's largest integrated milk powder production plant in Algeria. GEA also streamlined its organizational structure, reducing divisions to four and giving higher priority to growth markets like China and India, while CEO Stefan Klebert's contract was extended through 2028.
Progress was reported across all six strategic growth drivers outlined in GEA's Mission 30 plan. The service business expanded to 40 percent of total revenue, contributing EUR 2.2 billion toward a 2030 target of EUR 2.9 billion. Digital solutions generated approximately EUR 80 million in revenue, while the alternative proteins business under the New Food initiative reached around EUR 70 million. Order intake in innovative technologies with above-average growth surged by 30 percent.
For 2026, GEA forecasts organic revenue growth between 5.0 and 7.0 percent, with the EBITDA margin before restructuring expenses guided between 16.6 and 17.2 percent. CEO Stefan Klebert attributed the company's success to its sustainable systems and processes, strong order backlog, and more agile organization, stating that these factors position GEA for accelerated growth in the coming year. The company's social engagement through the GEA Foundation, which donated over EUR 4 million in 2025 to causes including STEM education and clean water access, reflects its integrated approach to sustainability and corporate responsibility.
