Press Release: Clariant AG: Clariant intends to acquire Indian masterbatch producer

Clariant AG / Clariant AG: Clariant intends to acquire Indian masterbatch producer . Processed and transmitted by Nasdaq OMX Corporate Solutions. The issuer is solely responsible for the content of this announcement.

-- Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited intends to acquire Plastichemix Industries

-- Synergies in product portfolio and customer base to boost masterbatch business

Muttenz, December 16, 2013 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, today announced the intention to acquire Plastichemix Industries, a masterbatch business in India, located in Vadodara with production facilities in Rania, Kalol and Nandesari in Gujarat (India). Plastichemix Industries is a leading supplier of black, white, filler and colour masterbatches, additive masterbatches, flushed pigments and mono-concentrates as well as engineering plastics compounds.

With this acquisition, Clariant Chemicals (India) Limited (CCIL) gains a leading position in the masterbatches business in India. The deal enables the company to offer a strong and extensive product portfolio with customized products and solutions and to expand its customer base significantly. As part of the future business approach an upgraded Technical Service Laboratory will be introduced to offer the market highly innovative and customized products.

"This acquisition is part of our global strategy to explore business opportunities in our Masterbatches business and to focus on emerging markets like India. The strong growth perspective of the plastics industry results in a bright future for the masterbatches business in India", says Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant.

Hans Bohnen, Head of Clariant's Business Unit (BU) Masterbatches, explains: "Clariant and Plastichemix Industries have a complementary product portfolio that will enable us to cater to a larger customer base. This synergy will help us to develop our business. We aspire to double our sales in the next five years. The global set-up of the BU Masterbatches will allow the exports of Plastichemix Industries to grow even stronger and to give products like highly loaded and very well dispersed single pigment concentrates a global platform."

Clariant's BU Masterbatches, with more than 50 manufacturing plants http://www.masterbatches.com/bu/mb/internet.nsf/023cfbb98594ad5bc12564e400555162/194cb781a6c4b554c12579aa00609a9d?OpenDocument around the world, is a recognized global leader in color http://www.masterbatches.com/bu/mb/internet.nsf/023cfbb98594ad5bc12564e400555162/b5c42548da4ab516c12579aa001db76d?OpenDocument and additive http://www.masterbatches.com/bu/mb/internet.nsf/023cfbb98594ad5bc12564e400555162/b6a3181666a1d88dc12579aa001e6363?OpenDocument concentrates and performance solutions for plastics.

Corporate Media Relations Investor Relations Kai Rolker Ulrich Steiner Phone +41 61 469 63 63 Phone +41 61 469 67 45 kai.rolker@clariant.com ulrich.steiner@clariant.com Stefanie Nehlsen Siegfried Schwirzer Phone +41 61 469 63 63 Phone +41 61 469 67 49 stefanie.nehlsen@clariant.com siegfried.schwirzer@clariant.com www.clariant.com Clariant is a globally leading specialty chemicals company, based in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland. On December 31, 2012 the company employed a total workforce of 21,202. In the financial year 2012, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 6.038 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in four business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis & Energy, Natural Resources, and Plastics & Coatings. Clariant's corporate strategy is based on four pillars: managing businesses for profitability, research & development and innovation, growth in emerging markets, and repositioning of the portfolio.

Press Release Deutsch: http://hugin.info/100166/R/1750204/589691.pdf Press Release English: http://hugin.info/100166/R/1750204/589692.pdf

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The issuer of this announcement warrants that they are solely responsible for the content, accuracy and originality of the information contained therein.

Source: Clariant AG via Globenewswire

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Clariant AG

Rothausstrasse 61 Muttenz 1 Switzerland

ISIN: CH0012142631;

http://www.clariant.com (END) Dow Jones Newswires

   December 16, 2013 12:01 ET (17:01 GMT)- - 12 01 PM EST 12-16-13