Clariant again grows sales, increases profitability and is well on track to meet 2017 outlook
Clariant announced nine months 2017 sales of CHF 4.698 billion, compared to CHF 4.299 billion in 2016. This corresponds to a 10 % growth in local currency driven by contributions from all Business Areas, with notable double-digit gains from Catalysis and Natural Resources. Organic sales rose by 6 % in local currency, as a result of higher volumes.
Growth was strongest in North America and in the Middle East & Africa, where sales in both regions rose by 16 % in local currency. In Asia, sales increased by 12 % supported by brisk growth in China and Southeast Asia. Sales in Europe increased by a solid 8 %. Latin America had a slight negative growth of 1 %, due to the still challenging macroeconomic environment which, however, shows signs of improvement.
Care Chemicals and Catalysis both reflected ongoing strong expansion. Sales in Care Chemicals rose by 9 % in local currency with strong Consumer Care and Industrial Applications businesses. Catalysis sales advanced by 19 %, with organic sales growth of 14 %.
Natural Resources sales climbed by 18 %, mainly influenced by the 2016 Kel-Tech and X-Chem acquisitions in North America. Organic sales in Natural Resources grew by 3 %, driven by growth in Functional Minerals. In Plastics & Coatings, sales advanced by 5 % with continuing expansion in all three Business Units particularly in China.
EBITDA before exceptional items climbed by 10 % in Swiss francs and reached CHF 717 million, compared to CHF 652 million in the previous year. The enhanced profitability was primarily attributable to the upswing in Catalysis and the continuing positive development in Plastics & Coatings.
As a result, the corresponding 15.3 % EBITDA margin before exceptional items further advanced compared to the previous year’s 15.2 %.
Third Quarter 2017 – Continued sales and absolute EBITDA momentum
In the third quarter of 2017, sales growth accelerated by 12 % in local currency to CHF 1.566 billion. Organic sales growth, excluding the impact of the acquisitions and the full consolidation of the Süd-Chemie India Pvt Ltd joint venture, was up 9 % in local currency. This sales advancement was driven by higher volumes.
From a regional perspective, sales in North America grew by 22 % in local currency. Excluding acquisitions, North American sales improved significantly by 8 %. Sales in Asia advanced by 15 % in local currency, in the Middle East & Africa by 25 % and in Europe by 6 % in local currency. Latin American sales increased by 3 % despite the continued challenging economic environment.
Care Chemicals delivered a sales growth of 10 % in local currency driven by higher volumes. Catalysis sales soared by 33 % with strong 27 % organic growth. Natural Resources sales rose by 16 % lifted by acquisitions while organic sales increased by 3 % despite the one-time negative impact from tropical storm Harvey. Plastics & Coatings improved by 7 % on the back of strong Additives and Masterbatches.
EBITDA before exceptional items rose by 13 % in Swiss francs to CHF 235 million driven by the upswing in Catalysis, the increase in Care Chemicals and the contribution from Plastics & Coatings. The EBITDA margin before exceptional items on a Group level increased accordingly to 15.0 % from 14.9 % in the previous year.
Outlook 2017 confirmed – Continued progression in profitability and operating cash flow generation
Clariant expects the uncertain environment, characterized by a high volatility in commodity prices, currencies as well as political uncertainties, to continue. In emerging markets, we anticipate the economic environment to remain unchanged; we expect growth in the United States and in Europe to continue.
For 2017, in spite of a continued challenging economic environment, Clariant is confident to be able to achieve growth in local currency, as well as progression in operating cash flow, absolute EBITDA and EBITDA margin before exceptional items.
Clariant confirms its mid-term target of reaching a position in the top tier of the specialty chemicals industry. This corresponds to an EBITDA margin before exceptional items in the range of 16 % to 19 % and a return on invested capital (ROIC) above the peer group average.
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