Despite the slow start of the plastics and coatings industry, Clariant continues to increase sales

Sales in local currency increased 2% to SFr1,715 million
EBITDA after special projects was SFr236 million
EBITDA margin after special projects was 13.8%
the outlook reiterated that above-market growth, higher profitability and stronger cash generation
"In spite of the challenging macroeconomic environment, Clariant achieved sustained organic sales growth in the first three months of the year," said Ernesto Occhiello, chief executive of Clariant. "Our focus on customer experience and fast, reliable customer fulfillment is particularly evident in the development of care chemicals, catalysis and natural resources in the commercial sector. Although plastics and coatings are negatively impacted by the current economic and business environment, we are confident in our ability to progress throughout the year

. We will continue to identify and respond to our customers' next challenges and future needs to achieve higher growth, higher profitability and stronger cash generation than the market. "
Q1 2019 - Increased sales in local currency, increased profitability for Care Chemicals and Catalysis
Muttenz, April 30, 2019 - Clariant, a specialty chemicals company focused on innovation, today announced sales of CHF 1.715 billion in the first quarter of 2019, up from CHF 1.722 billion in the first quarter of 2018. This equates to an organic growth rate of 2 per cent locally. Currency, driven by higher pricing and a high comparison base driven by all business areas.
, sales growth in Latin America, Europe, the Middle East and Africa on a regional basis reflects an increase in the number of units in the local currency. Both North America and Asia reported slightly negative growth of 1 per cent. Continued weak demand in China had a negative impact on the Group's sales growth in the first quarter.
improved sales performance in the first quarter of 2019 due to the expansion of care chemicals, catalysis and natural resources in the business area. Sales of care chemicals increased by 2% in local currency, although the aviation business was adversely affected by the mild weather. With the exception of aviation, sales of care chemicals grew in the median in local currency terms. This growth is mainly due to excellent consumer health development. Catalyst sales rose 4% in local currency terms compared with record levels in the first quarter of last year. Sales of natural resources increased by 10 per cent in local currency terms, mainly due to good demand for oil and mining services and solid growth in functional minerals.
in plastics and coatings, sales in local currency fell 2 per cent, mainly due to weaker-than-expected car and plastics markets and a further slowdown in the economy, particularly in China. However, china's potential demand remains solid, and Clariant expects a gradual improvement for the rest of 2019.
new EBITDA after the special project was approved, reached CHF 236 million, with a corresponding profit margin of 13.8%. The 8% decrease in absolute EBITDA after special projects was due to reduced profitability of plastics and coatings and higher project costs associated with Clariant's higher value specialty announced in September 2018. The work of the projects is progressing well. Care chemicals and catalytic companies both achieved significant positive year-on-year growth, while natural resources companies also achieved good profitability improvements as expected.
2021 - Higher than market growth, higher profitability and stronger cash generation
Clariant is an innovative specialty chemicals company. Our goal is not just to provide customer-oriented products. By prioriting the right priorities, we strive to deliver the best customer experience and fast, reliable customer satisfaction to the industry.
our goal is to make our customers more successful. That's why we're always focused on timely and rewarding innovation, hard-to-emulate products, sustainability, agility, and ethical practices. We are only satisfied with the highest level of functions within the Group. Our success will be achieved through the implementation of our strategy.
we have confirmed our 2021 guidance to achieve higher growth, higher profitability and stronger cash generation than the market.