Clariant's cross-business growth strategy to make North America its second largest market by 2021

• North America to become second largest market for Clariant with about $2bn billion turnover forecasted by 2021
• Clariant demonstrates commitment to region through CAPEX and talent investment
• Clariant highlighting growth plans for all stakeholders at events in New York, Houston, San Antonio, Indianapolis and Orlando

Charlotte, April 5, 2018 – Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, expects its cross-business growth strategy for North America to advance regional sales of about $2 billion by 2021. This would make North America the company's second largest global market and represent about 25% of its global chemical investment.

Key elements in this growth strategy, which holds tailor-made elements for the various business areas including catalysts, oil and mining services, additives, pigments and industrial and consumer specialties, include advancing its R&D competencies, a CAPEX investment of $250 million to further increase both its manufacturing footprint and technical capabilities, and the leveraging of shale gas opportunities.

"Clariant is proud of its achievements to date in North America and is excited about its plans for growth over the next 4 years," said Deepak Parikh, Clariant's Head of Region North America. "In addition to investing further in R&D and manufacturing, we will invest in critical talent acquisition and development to upskill our organizations. Our aim is to create a stronger growth mindset, and to enhance this by leveraging local insight and formulating those key partnerships so necessary for successful growth."

With 50+ sites, over 2,400 employees and a turnover of around $1.25 billion across the US and Canada, Clariant has already established itself as a significant specialty chemicals player in North America. The company's 3 R&D and 6 technical innovation centers based from California to North Carolina and from Texas to Illinois – along with its leading university partnerships - are the backbones of its innovation drive for the North American market.

Clariant North America looks forward to engage in further discussions on its regional growth strategy with key customers at the American Coatings Show (ACS) in Indianapolis from April 10-12 and the National Plastics Event (NPE) in Orlando from May 7-11. The focus on customer centricity as well as the meetings to further strengthen Clariant's presence and network among all levels of stakeholders were started at "The World of Clariant Catalysts" event in New York on March 19 and the Annual World Petrochemicals Conference (WPC) in Houston from March 19-23 as well as the International Petrochemical Conference in San Antonio from March 25-27.