MUTTENZ, Switzerland – Specialty chemicals company Clariant announced first quarter 2018 sales of CHF 1.722 billion compared to CHF 1.602 billion in the first quarter of 2017. This corresponds to 7% growth in local currency as well as in Swiss francs. All business areas contributed to this sales growth, with particular strength in Catalysis and Care Chemicals. Organic sales rose by 5% in local currency driven by higher volumes and supported by a positive pricing effect.
All geographic regions contributed to the progress in the first quarter. Growth in local currency was most pronounced in Asia, at 15%, driven by a substantial expansion in China, while sales in Latin America rose by 11%, a result of the recovering macroeconomic environment. Sales in North America advanced by 5% and in the Middle East & Africa by 4% in local currency. Europe grew by a solid 2% despite a very strong comparable base.