Merck Performance Materials reports strong start to the year

摘要

Merck has reported that higher demand for its Xirallic effect pigments, used mainly in automotive coatings, and functional materials for security printing applications drove organic growth in the first three months of 2013 helping to boost sales at Merck's Performance Materials division 9% year-on-year to ?421 million. EBITDA-earnings pre-exceptionals at the division soared by 27% to ?207 million, compared to ?163 million in the first quarter of 2012.