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Introduction & Market Context
Clariant AG (SIX:CLN) presented its first quarter 2025 financial results on April 29, showing improved profitability despite flat sales in a challenging market environment. The Swiss specialty chemicals company reported a slight increase in EBITDA margins before exceptional items, demonstrating effective cost management and continued progress on its strategic transformation toward higher-margin consumer markets.
The company’s stock has shown positive momentum recently, with shares rising 4.24% following its previous earnings report, closing at CHF 18.91. Clariant’s Q1 results suggest the company is successfully navigating global economic uncertainties while implementing its long-term strategic initiatives.
Quarterly Performance Highlights
Clariant reported Q1 2025 sales of CHF 1,013 million, virtually unchanged from CHF 1,014 million in Q1 2024. However, in local currency terms, sales grew by 1%, with price increases (+1%) and acquisition effects (+2%) offsetting volume declines (-2%). Currency effects had a negative 1% impact on reported sales.
Despite flat sales, the company improved its profitability metrics, with EBITDA before exceptional items increasing to CHF 190 million (18.8% margin) compared to CHF 184 million (18.1% margin) in the same period last year. Reported EBITDA came in at CHF 152 million (15.0% margin) after accounting for CHF 38 million in restructuring charges.
As shown in the following chart detailing the sales analysis for Q1 2025:
The EBITDA performance demonstrates Clariant’s ability to improve margins despite volume challenges, particularly in the Catalysts division:
Business Segment Analysis
Clariant’s largest division, Care Chemicals, delivered sales of CHF 599 million in Q1 2025, up from CHF 581 million in Q1 2024. The division’s EBITDA margin before exceptional items improved slightly to 21.7% from 21.5%. This growth was driven by continued recovery in Crop Solutions and a good aviation season, along with the positive impact from the Lucas Meyer Cosmetics acquisition.
As illustrated in the following breakdown of Care Chemicals performance:
The Catalysts division faced more significant challenges, with sales declining to CHF 162 million from CHF 187 million in Q1 2024, primarily due to a 13% volume decrease. Despite this, the division managed to improve its EBITDA margin before exceptional items to 16.0% from 12.8%, demonstrating effective cost management.
Adsorbents & Additives showed modest growth, with sales increasing to CHF 252 million from CHF 246 million in Q1 2024. The division maintained a stable EBITDA margin before exceptional items at 18.7%.
From a geographic perspective, Clariant saw strong performance in EMEA with 6% growth, while the Americas (-1%) and Asia-Pacific (-3%) regions experienced slight declines:
Strategic Initiatives & Cost Savings
Clariant continues to execute on its strategic transformation, with a notable shift toward consumer markets. Consumer-focused sales now represent 44% of total revenue, up from 36% in 2021, highlighting the company’s successful pivot toward higher-margin segments.
The following chart illustrates this strategic shift:
The company has completed its CHF 175 million performance program and is now implementing a new savings program announced at its Investor Day 2024, which aims to deliver CHF 80 million in additional savings by 2027. By Q1 2025, Clariant had already achieved CHF 173 million in total savings.
Clariant also highlighted its strong ESG performance, with a 46.9% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 greenhouse gas emissions and a 27.5% reduction in Scope 3.1 emissions, positioning the company well in terms of sustainability:
This commitment to sustainability is reflected in Clariant’s leading ratings from major ESG rating agencies:
Outlook & Guidance
Clariant confirmed its outlook for 2025, expecting modest top-line growth and further margin improvement. The company projects sales growth of 3-5% in local currency and an EBITDA margin of 17-18% before exceptional items.
The outlook takes into account both external factors, such as geopolitical uncertainties and potential tariff impacts, and internal factors, including the company’s cost-saving initiatives and strategic focus on high-growth segments.
As shown in the following outlook slide:
Regarding potential tariff impacts, Clariant emphasized that its global footprint and local-for-local strategy position it well to manage these challenges:
In summary, Clariant’s Q1 2025 results demonstrate the company’s resilience and strategic focus on improving profitability despite challenging market conditions. The continued shift toward consumer markets, coupled with effective cost management and strong ESG performance, positions Clariant well for sustainable growth in the coming years.
Full presentation:
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