The widely publicised financial restructuring of the company led to a reluctance to buy its products in 2013 in its German home market, which couldn’t be fully compensated for by increased sales to European export markets, the US, Japan and South Africa.

As a result, revenue fell some 25% to €456m ($626m) in 2013.

Earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (Ebitda) narrowed to a loss of €147m from a loss of €203m in 2012.