North America Set to Become Second Largest Market for Clariant

Swiss speciality chemicals firm, Clariant, expects its cross-business growth strategy for North America to advance regional sales of about $2-bn 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 & consumer specialties (which caters to the home and personal care sectors), include advancing its R&D competencies, a capex investment of $250-mn 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 four years. In addition to investing further in R&D and manufacturing, we will invest in critical talent acquisition and development to upskill our organisation,” said Mr. Deepak Parikh, Clariant’s Head of Region North America.

With over 50 sites, around 2,400 employees and a turnover of around $1.25-bn across the US and Canada, Clariant has already established itself as a significant specialty chemicals player in North America.