Corporate Governance
Corporate Governance comprises Clariant’s governance structure, ownership, and control, as well as internal rules, processes, and practices. It ensures fair competition and establishes the corporate culture.
Clariant’s governance principles aim to promote sustainable long-term success by providing stakeholderStakeholderStakeholders are people or groups whose interests are linked in various ways with those of a company. They include shareholders, business partners, employees, neighbors, and the community. value and transparency. The Group is committed to Swiss and international standards of corporate governance by following the respective statutory provisions and the rules issued by the SIX Swiss Exchange and by implementing the principles of the Swiss Code of Best Practices for Corporate Governance.
In 2022, the Group conducts its business through five business units:
- Additives
- Catalysts
- Functional Minerals
- Industrial & Consumer Specialties
- Oil and Mining Services
It reports its continuing operations in the following three business areas: Care Chemicals; Catalysis; and Natural Resources (i.e., Functional Minerals, Oil and Mining Services, and Additives). The Business Unit PigmentsPigmentsPigments are substances used for coloring; they are used in a technical manner, for example in the manufacture of dyes, varnishes, and plastics. In 2020, Clariant launched the divestment process of its Pigments business, which was completed on 3 January 2022. was divested on 3 January 2022.*
The Board of Directors provides Clariant’s strategic direction. Additionally, it is the supreme management body of the company and, simultaneously, the supreme supervisory body of the Group. The ultimate decision-making authority is the Board of Directors in all matters except those decisions reserved by law or the Articles of Association for the shareholders, while the Executive Steering CommitteeExecutive Steering CommitteeThe Executive Steering Committee (ESC) is authorized by the Board of Directors to steer the company. It has overall strategic and financial responsibility, including for our profit and loss statement. The ESC consists of the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), the Chief Financial Officer (CFO), and the three Business Presidents. is responsible for the financial and operational management.
Please consult the Corporate Governance Report for in-depth information on corporate governance.
* Note: As of 1 January 2023, the Group conducts and reports its business through three newly formed Business Units: The new Business Unit »Care Chemicals« (consisting of the two former Business Units Industrial & Consumer Specialties and Oil and Mining Services), the new Business Unit »Catalysts« (consisting of the former Business Unit Catalysts), and the new Business Unit »AdsorbentsAdsorbentsUsually solid substances which are able to selectively accumulate certain substances from adjacent gaseous or liquid phases. & Additives« (consisting of the two former Business Units Additives and Functional Minerals).