Swiss specialty chemicals producer Clariant has reported improved sales for the first six months of 2007, with a 5% rise in local currency terms and 6% in Swiss Franc terms compared with the first half of 2006. Sales rose to CHF4.336 billion ($3.647 billion) from CHF4.081 billion, with continued strong demand across all divisions.

Profitability at the company’s Textile, Leather & Paper Chemicals Division was said to have been strongly impacted by raw material price increases and significantly weakened markets for the leather business.