Clariant stays cautious on 2026 prospects amid market headwinds

The Swiss specialty chemical substances group Clariant is adopting a cautious stance towards 2026 amid uncertainty over U.S. tariffs, that are weighing on demand throughout the chemical sector. Regardless of the dearth of readability across the reimbursement course of, Clariant plans to hunt a refund of the tariffs, CEO Conrad Keijzer stated throughout a convention name following the discharge of the corporate’s annual outcomes.

The group is just not among the many firms most straight uncovered, because it operates 68 manufacturing websites worldwide, nearly all of which manufacture domestically for regional prospects. Nonetheless, sure parts nonetheless must be imported into america, which means the extra tariff prices have been handed on to its U.S. prospects. The overall quantity paid in 2025 is anticipated to succeed in roughly 17 million Swiss francs (round 18.6 million), Conrad Keijzer stated, including that Clariant intends to hunt reimbursement with a view to return the funds to its prospects.

Whereas the direct influence on Clariant is proscribed, the continuing adjustments concerning tariffs are fueling macroeconomic uncertainty, to the detriment of demand. Between their invalidation final week by the Supreme Courtroom and Donald Trump’s announcement of a brand new 10% tariff, there are numerous “components in flux,” with “an elevated degree of uncertainty,” famous Mr. Keijzer.

Stagnant gross sales

In 2025, this uncertainty weighed on demand, significantly for industrial purposes, the group indicated within the press launch detailing its outcomes. Excluding foreign money results, the group’s gross sales stagnated, on account of a mix of elevated demand for parts utilized in agricultural, mining, detergent, and hygiene merchandise, and decreased demand for catalytic merchandise.

Taking into consideration the unfavourable foreign money results of the robust Swiss franc, its annual income decreased by 6% in comparison with the earlier 12 months, to CHF 3.9 billion.

For fiscal 12 months 2025, the group incurred a web lack of CHF 41 million, in comparison with a web revenue of CHF 280 million in 2024, on account of an accounting impact associated to the December sale of its Venezuelan subsidiary to CMV Química. With this sale, Clariant needed to report CHF 230 million in gathered international alternate losses over a number of years.

Clariant is working in “a difficult market,” “however is managing the challenges effectively,” as evidenced by “its improved margins” because of cost-cutting measures, commented Sibylle Bischofberger, an analyst at Vontobel.

For 2026, Clariant expects gross sales to stagnate, on condition that “macroeconomic challenges, uncertainties, and dangers persist.” Nonetheless, the group reaffirmed its medium-term targets, focusing on gross sales development of 4% to six% excluding foreign money results, with a 2027 horizon.