• Strong sales performance within all businesses
• Plastics & Coatings with significant absolute EBITDA increase reflecting a better product mix, higher capacity utilization and the effect of differentiated business steering

Sales in the Plastics & Coatings Business Area increased by 4% in local currency and 3% in Swiss francs in 2016 versus the previous year. In Masterbatches, sales increased across all regions. Europe, North America, Latin America, Asia, and India contributed most to the growth. Across the segments, the areas of Packaging, Fibers, Engineered Polymers, Additives and Medical Specialties performed particularly well.

In Pigments, all regions had a good sales performance with particular strength in Asia, mainly driven by India and China. In addition, the growth in Plastic Applications as well as in Special Applications contributed to the good development year-on-year. Additives achieved sales growth across all regions, mainly driven by strong demand in Europe and Asia. The good sales development was supported by all business lines.

The EBITDA before exceptional items grew significantly by 17% in local currency to CHF 368 million year-on-year. This rise largely reflects a better product mix, a higher capacity utilization and the effect of the differentiated business steering implemented at the beginning of 2016.

Plastics & Coatings continues to develop customised solutions and products for the needs of its end markets. These offerings in combination with the focus on the differentiated business steering are expected to further enhance growth possibilities and overall performance in the businesses.