Specialty chemicals companies show improved profitability. (News: Europe).(Ciba Specialty Chemicals, Rhodia', ICI, DSM)

Chemical Market Reporter, November, 2002

FOUR OF Europe's leading specialty chemicals companies have reported improved pro-fitability during the third quarter despite declining or static sales in continued tough market conditions. Ciba Specialty Chemicals' sales fell by 4 percent to SFr 1.2 billion ($810 million), but its operating income went up by 12 percent to SFr 201 million.

The sales margin of earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortization (EBITDA) rose from 16.4 percent to 17 percent. Sales in four of the company's divisions went down, while plastic additives sales were flat. EBITDA at the water and paper treatment operation increased by two-thirds to SFr 52 million, almost doubling its EBITDA margin to 15 percent. "We continue to focus strongly on lowering our...

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