Catom Annual Report 2023 EN

generally available at the pump. Year on year, OK X-Drive is gaining increasing market share in the range of fuels available. We provide OK X-Drive Pure Diesel CO2 neutral to environmentally aware diesel drivers at OK service stations. We then offset the resulting emissions by investing in certified sustainable energy projects. At OK Retail, we are expanding the number of AdBlue sites at service stations and Catom is investing in distribution and production capabilities. AdBlue converts harmful nitrogen oxide into nitrogen and water vapour when combusted. AdBlue is biodegradable.

The Executive Board continues to aim for market leadership in all segments the company operates in. Considering the consolidation initiatives in the market, acquisitions are again quite possible in 2024 in order to realise this ambition. In this context, in 2024 we will take additional steps to further simplify and automate our operations. This will include projects in the areas of planning, IT and administration. We also invest in further developing the HR department, including further professionali sation of HR processes such as recruitment, regulations and sustainable employability. Catom expects turnover growth and an improved operating result / profit level in 2024. The Dutch government’s excise policy meant that price discrepancies with neigh bouring countries were again widened on 1 January 2024. This will have a material impact on OK-Retail fuel volume at border stations.

Outlook

Catom expects that the consolidation in the downstream segment of the oil industry will continue and accelerate in the coming years. Catom will unabatedly seek to take advan tage of the opportunities arising from this consolidation activity.

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