Clariant delivers significantly improved operating cash flow and a higher profitability in the first half of 2016

Clariant AG / Clariant delivers significantly improved operating cash flow and a higher profitability in the first half of 2016 . Processed and transmitted by NASDAQ OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

                                                        

Sales increased by 3 % in local currency to CHF 2.899 billion EBITDA margin before exceptional items expanded to 15.3 % from 14.5 % Operating cash flow significantly improved to CHF 208 million compared to CHF 65 million in the first half of 2015 Net income was CHF 128 million 2016 outlook confirmed

"Clariant has considerably expanded operating cash flow and also significantly improved its profitability in the first half of the year," said CEO Hariolf Kottmann. "Our good business performance was primarily achieved by means of a continued shift to high margin specialities, the impact of the differentiated steering in Plastics & Coatings as well as good cost management. For 2016, we are on track to achieve our targets despite the continued challenging economic environment."

Key Financial Data

	Second quarter				First half year
in CHF million	2016	2015	% CHF	% LC	2016	2015	% CHF	% LC
Sales	1'421	1'406	1	2	2'899	2'871	1	3
EBITDA before exceptional items	215	211	2	2	444	417	6	9
- margin	15.1 %	15.0 %			15.3 %	14.5 %
EBIT before exceptional items					316	290	9	13
- margin					10.9 %	10.1 %
EBIT					267	272	-2	3
Net income					128	143
Operating cash flow					208	65
Number of employees					17 060	17 213*

* as of 31 December 2015