Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant has posted a rise in sales for the full year 2006, with annual organic sales growth of 7% in Swiss francs and 5% in local currency terms. Sales reached CHF8.1 billion ($6.6 billion) compared with CHF7.728 billion in 2005. Net income fell to CHF131 million from CHF262 million.

Sales in the fourth quarter rose 3% to CHF2.01 billion from 1.958 billion a year earlier. Net income amounted to CHF23 million, up from CHF16 million in the 2005 quarter.

The Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals division posted organic growth of 3%. Textiles were stable despite continued challenging market environments in North America and Asia.

Masterbatches delivered the strongest growth with organic sales rising 8% in local currency terms. Pigments & Additives also experienced strong demand across most product lines and reported organic growth of 4% for the full year.

Asia led Clariant’s growth in 2006 with organic sales rising 7% to CHF1.87 billion. China remained a key growth market with sales increasing by 20%. India and Turkey also contributed double-digit growth rates. Year-on-year organic sales in Europe grew by 5% (6% in Swiss francs) to CHF3.94 billion. Sales in Germany, which generates a significant proportion of European sales for the company, grew above the regional average at 7%, totalling CHF1.17 billion and growth in Eastern Europe was also above average for the region. The Americas achieved solid organic sales growth of 4% to CHF2.29 billion, with a strong contribution from Latin America where sale rose 5%. The US market recorded growth of 3%, which was below the regional average, taking sales to CHF1.03 billion.