Clariant reports revival in Q2 sales
Sales rally following weak 2009 results
Clariant’s 2010 Q2 sales jumped 18% to CHF1.894bn, following a very weak second quarter in 2009. Q2 sales were up 20% in local currencies, while operating income rose from CHF69m in 2009 to CHF211m, driven primarily by higher sales volumes. Cash flow for the period also grew to CHF184m from CHF33m a year ago.
The speciality chemicals supplier expects a lower sales growth for the second half of the year however, although it anticipates demand will remain solid.
“In the first half of 2010 the economic tailwind leveraged the results of our restructuring programme,” commented ceo Hariolf Kottmann. “For the second half of the year we predict a softening in demand compared to the first half as a result of a weaker economy and the traditional seasonal effects of our business. All in all we expect a satisfactory year for our company.”
