International.
Specialty chemicals company Clariant announced sales for the first nine months of 2016 at 4.299 billion Swiss francs (CHF/US$4 billion) compared to CHF 4.281 billion in 2015. This corresponds to the 2% growth in local currency, driven by higher volumes.
The strongest growth was in Latin America, where sales grew by 7% in local currency. In the Middle East and Africa, year-on-year sales rose 3%. North America recorded a decline of 3%, due to lower demand in Catalysis and Natural Resources, while Asia grew 4%, supported by a rebound in China. Europe recorded a stable growth rate of 1%, driven by volume increases.
The best business performance in the first nine months came primarily from higher growth in Care Chemicals and Plastics & Coatings. In the third quarter of 2016, sales grew by 2% in local currency to CHF 1.4 billion. Volumes were up 3% compared to the same period last year.
