Corporate Governance

Value-driven and transparent management is the foundation for a successful business. At Clariant, this is reflected in a responsible and efficiently structured organization, in its management, and in control processes.

Sustainable added value Clariant’s business policy is aimed at ongoing value enhancement. The focus is on the company’s long-term success and not on short-term opportunities. Priority is given to trust-based relationships with shareholders, customers and suppliers, to employee satisfaction and to a sound reputation with public and private institutions and among the general public. As proof of its commitment, fairness and responsibility as a business partner, Clariant has established an efficient and transparent division of tasks and responsibilities, effective control instruments and an open information policy. Constant improvement Clariant participated in the drafting of the “Swiss Code of Best Practice for Corporate Governance", initiated by economiesuisse, in order to benchmark its own organization against tried and proven rules and practices, and to optimize these where possible.
Full responsibility at market level Clariant has created a decentralized and lean management structure in order to streamline operational decisions, bringing them close to the market. The four operating divisions bear full responsibility as profit centers, within the budget framework set by the Board of Management and in line with the targets of the corporate strategy. Individuals with managerial responsibility are supported by specific guidelines and an array of corporate analysis and control instruments. Decentralized responsibility also plays a role in Clariant’s success-related remuneration program. Around 650 managers participate in the process of the value creation and benefit from the company's added value through a share programme based on the achievement of specific financial targets.
Professional management and control All members of the Board of Directors have a proven track record in terms of their professional and strategic competencies. To help them assess the company’s potential realistically, most of them also have many years of executive experience gained with other companies. Through its committees, the Board of Directors analyzes current and future market opportunities and risks in order to define Clariant’s corporate vision as well as its business, organizational and financial strategies. As the supreme control body, it monitors the Board of Management’s implementation of its targets. The entire report on corporate governance can be found here.