EBITDA’s group before exceptional items rose by 5% in Swiss francs and reached CHF 1.018 billion, compared to CHF 974 million in the previous year. The absolute profitability improvement was attributable to the positive contributions from Care Chemicals, Catalysis and Plastics & Coatings.

Business Area Plastics & Coatings. Sales in the Plastics & Coatings Business Area grew by 1% in local currency and in Swiss francs for the full year 2018 against a very strong comparison base.

In Masterbatches, the sales growth in local currency was underpinned by increased demand in Latin America and Asia. Sales increased mainly in Consumer Goods and Automotive. Moreover, Healthcare Packaging also reported an attractive sales development in 2018. Sales in Pigments remained flat, but still grew in Latin America and Asia, driven by China and Japan. On a Business Line level, Coatings and Plastic Application reported continued sales growth. Additives sales remained very strong, supported by all Business Lines and also by solid demand in almost all regions, North America, China and Europe in particular.

Clariant Insight. In addition, Healthcare Packaging offerings include desiccant canisters containing sorbent components that help maintain drug stability and prolong shelf life inside healthcare packaging containers.

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