Cognis, Düsseldorf, Germany, reported generated earnings before interest, tax, depreciation, amortization and exceptional items of $395 million, a return on sales of 10.6%. Cognis executives said that in spite of the difficult macroeconomic environment in 2003, the supplier achieved $3.6 billion in sales. This is a 5.6% drop compared to 2002, but the company cited the weak U.S. dollar and a worldwide decline in sales prices as factors. Organic growth, sales after considering exchange fluctua...