MUTTENZ, Switzerland – Specialty chemicals company Clariant announced first-quarter 2017 sales of CHF 1.602 billion compared to CHF 1.478 billion in the first quarter of 2016. This corresponds to an increase of 9% in local currency and 8% in Swiss francs. The sales growth was driven by higher volumes across all business areas and increased by 3% due to acquisitions.
In the first quarter, local currency sales growth was strong in Europe at 12%, Asia at 11% and the Middle East and Africa at 7%, while North America grew by 11%, driven by acquisitions. The growth in Asia was supported by China and Southeast Asia. In Latin America, demand declined by 5% in local currency against a strong comparable base and as a result of the weaker economic environment, mainly in Brazil.