In an overall challenging business climate, three out of four business areas achieved good sales growth in local currencies in a range of 6% to 8%. Care Chemicals recorded an underlying growth of 3%. Catalysis & Energy posted good growth fueled by all major businesses and a good change-out cycle in the Petrochemical business. The sales improvement in Natural Resources was largely based on strength in Oil Services and Mining Services. In Plastics & Coatings all businesses contributed with mid-single-digit growth, with Pigments contributing most to year-on-year progression.

Looking forward, Clariant expects an ongoing challenging environment characterized by an increased volatility in commodity prices and currencies. In emerging markets, the economic environment is expected to remain favorable but at a lower level and with increased volatility. Moderate growth should continue in the United States. However, growth in Europe is expected to remain weak. The combined effect of the appreciation of the Swiss franc with the weakening of the euro will impact Clariant’s sales and profitability in absolute terms but will be fairly neutral in terms of relative margins.

For 2015 Clariant expects low- to mid-single-digit sales growth in local currencies. In light of the volatile economic conditions, the company currently does not anticipate achieving its mid-term EBITDA margin target in 2015. However, the company will further increase its EBITDA margin before exceptional items above full-year 2014 and increase cash flow generation.