Driven by higher volumes, specialty chemical supplier Clariant grew its sales by 5% in 2014, improving from CHF 6.076 billion in full-year 2013 to CHF 6.116 billion.
The regional sales performance in local currencies was mostly positive, the company said. “Sales in North America increased by 3% as a slower start at the beginning of the year was compensated by a recovery of industrial demand during the year,” Clariant said in a statement. “[The company] posted strong growth of 18% in local currencies in Latin America despite a slow-down in growth in Brazil. Sales in Asia increased 9% in local currencies driven by strong demand from Southeast Asia and India, the latter growing 24% in local currencies…and sales in Middle East and Africa increased by 7% in local currencies.”
On the downside, sales in Europe decreased by 2% given what the company called a “slow business environment and a reduction of exposure to lower margin products”.
Overall, plastics helped to bump up Clariant’s fortunes. The company’s Plastics & Coatings businesses recorded mid-single digit growth in 2014, with Pigments contributing most to year-on-year progression.
Looking ahead into 2015, Clariant expects moderate growth in the U.S., and overall low to mid-single digit sales growth in local currencies.
Clariant is headquartered in Muttenz, Switzerland.
