Clariant posted strong growth of 16 percent in local currencies in Latin America. Sales in Asia increased 3 percent in local currencies on the back of a 10 percent sales growth in the key China market. In North America, a recovery of industrial demand and favorable weather conditions led to 6 percent higher sales in local currencies. In Europe, a stable performance in Germany, double-digit growth in Eastern Europe and a slight recovery in the southern European countries resulted in 2 percent higher sales in local currencies. Sales in the Middle East & Africa region were 14 percent lower year-on-year in local currencies, mainly due to a softer Catalysts business and lower sales in the Water Treatment and Oil & Mining Services businesses.

In an overall challenging business climate, all business areas, with the exception of Catalysis & Energy, achieved sales growth in the low to high single-digit range. In Care Chemicals, both Consumer Care and Industrial Applications posted solid growth. The sales improvement in Natural Resources was chiefly based on strength in Oil Services and Refinery Services. Sales growth in the Plastics & Coatings Business Area was led by a mid single-digit increase in the Pigments business, while the other businesses, Additives and Masterbatches, grew at a more moderate pace. Catalysis & Energy was 2 percent lower due to a softer change-out cycle in the Petrochemicals industry and some project delays in Asia.