Clariant significantly improves cash flow and for the 7th consecutive year increases margins

Clariant AG / Clariant significantly improves cash flow and for the 7th consecutive year increases margins . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

• Full-year 2015 sales rose by 3 % in local currencies to CHF 5.807 billion
• EBITDA margin before exceptional items rose 50 basis points to 14.7 %
• Operating cash flow improved significantly to CHF 502 million
• Net result from continuing operations was at CHF 227 million, comparable with previous year
• 2016 outlook: continued progression in  profitability and cash flow generation despite increasingly challenging economic environment

"Despite the challenging economic environment throughout the year, we continued to improve our performance again and have shown resilience," said CEO Hariolf Kottmann. "Clariant has significantly improved its cash flow and expanded its EBITDA margin on the back of a good performance of the Business Areas Care Chemicals, Catalysis and Natural Resources. With this positive development we have been able to offset the negative impact of the stronger Swiss franc and deliver a net result comparable to 2014. For 2016, in spite of the economic environment anticipated to become even more demanding, we want to further progress in profitability and cash flow generation by continuously launching new innovative solutions particularly in our higher margin Business Areas."

Key Financial Data

Continuing operations:	Fourth Quarter				Full Year
in CHF million	2015	2014	% CHF	% LC	2015	2014	% CHF	% LC
Sales	1'526	1'586	-4	4	5'807	6'116	-5	3
EBITDA before exceptional items	229	232	-1	7	853	867	-2	8
- margin	15.0%	14.6%			14.7%	14.2%
EBIT before exceptional items	163	159	3	10	596	585	2	13
- margin	10.7%	10.0%			10.3%	9.6%
EBIT	104	234	-56	-52	496	525	-6	4
Net result from continuing operations	24	133			227	235
Net income1	28	132			239	217
Operating cash flow1	306	321			502	334
Number of employees1					17'213	17 003
Discontinued operations
Sales	0	0			0	98
Net result from discontinued operations	4	-1			12	-18
1 Total Group including discontinued operations

Full-year 2015 - significant improvement in cash flow generation