Clariant sales soar 16% in 2011
Boosted by 21% growth in Q4
Speciality chemicals supplier Clariant International Ltd today announced full year 2011 sales of CHF7.37bn, compared to CHF7.12bn in 2010. This equated to a 16% increase in local currencies and 4% in Swiss francs, the lower growth in Swiss francs being the result of the significant appreciation of the Swiss franc against most major currencies on a year to year basis. EBITDA before exceptional items increased to CHF975m and operating profit (EBIT) totalled CHF717m.
The company also enjoyed strong fourth quarter results with sales rising 21% in local currencies and 13% in Swiss francs to reach nearly CHF1.92bn.
Due in part to Clariant’s acquisition of Süd-Chemie, sales were higher in the second half of 2011 than in the first six months, despite a significant slowdown in some businesses towards the end of the year.
“In 2011, we started to transform Clariant into a highly profitable speciality chemicals company based on a strong technology base and a solid financial position. The acquisition of Süd-Chemie marked a milestone in this process,” commented Hariolf Kottmann, Clariant ceo. “In addition, Clariant continued to invest in its growth businesses and supported the mature businesses in improving their profitability.”