International. Clariant announced nine months of continuing operations sales of CHF 3.272 billion (about $3.3 billion) compared to CHF 3.278 billion (about $3308 million) in the first nine months of 2018. This corresponds to organic growth of 3% in local currency and stable development in Swiss francs. Both higher volumes and prices contributed to this expansion.
During the first nine months, most regions contributed to local currency sales growth. Sales in Latin America and the Middle East and Africa grew by 11%. In Asia, sales growth was a good 4% despite a 9% decline in China. Sales in Europe grew by 2%, while North America reported a contraction of 4%.
The best sales performance in the first nine months of 2019 was the result of growth in the catalysis of commercial areas and natural resources. Catalysis sales increased by 10% in local currency as a result of positive contributions from Petrochemicals and Syngas. Sales of natural resources increased by 4% in local currency with a notable expansion in oil and mining services and a slight progression in functional minerals. Additive sales weakened in the context of a lower electrical and electronics sector.
Care Chemicals sales were down 1% in local currency. Good mid-digit sales expansion in Consumer Care could not compensate for the softness in Industrial Applications given a weaker economic environment and some capacity outages at the beginning of the year.
During the first nine months, as well as in the third quarter of 2019, sales in discontinued operations (Masterbatches and Pigments) decreased by 2% in local currency, negatively impacted by the weakened economic environment.
