During the financial press conference of March 25, Evonik announced its 2009 quite positive trend, despite the global economic crisis. In terms of operating results, following the fist difficult months, the second half of the year was characterized by a recovery thanks to strict costs cuts and a better production efficiency. In 2009 Evonik's new production complex for polymers, polymer preproducts and coating systems came on stream in Shanghai, with an investment costing 250 million euro. On the occasion of the press conference, the good start of 2010 has been highlighted, strengthening  the company's confidence about the full year. January and February sales and earnings indicators were actually above the year-back figures, although both output and sales were still lower than 2008. In the light of such optimism, the group is planning investments comparable to those of 2009.