Clariant reports lower earnings and flat sales in 'demanding' 2012

摘要

Speciality chemicals firm Clariant reported an 8% increase in 2012 sales from continuing operations driven by its acquisition of Sud-Chemie, while organic growth was flat with 2% higher prices offsetting lower volumes dragged down by Europe. Sales from continuing businesses reached CHF 6.038 billion (?4.948bn/$6.480bn) compared to CHF 5.571 billion in 2011. However, earnings before interest and taxes for the year declined by 8% to CHF 396 million. Chief executive Hariolf Kottmann said the majority of businesses performed well "in a demanding year".