Clariant and bluesign® at ispo 2011 in Munich

 A responsible partnership – acting globally with a holistic approach
 More than 500 Clariant products approved by bluesign

Muttenz, 2 February 2011 – For the first time, the Swiss specialty chemicals company Clariant will take part in the “ispo” trade fair from February 6 to February 9, 2011 in Munich. Together with other bluesign® partners, the Clariant booth (Entry West, EW.01) will be present at the ispo bluesign summit.

Clariant has been supporting the bluesign standard since 2006 and is able to supply bluesign certified products for all textile production steps. Its close cooperation with bluesign already starts in the development process of new products; and more than 500 Clariant products have been approved to date by bluesign. This means that new product developments can support the strict ecological and economic requirements of society and end customers.

Clariant takes a leading position from the very beginning in this whole process. Thomas Winkler, Head of the Textile Business, Clariant International Ltd., says: “We strongly believe that the establishment of the bluesign standard with its holistic approach will lead the way and be most beneficial to our industrial partners, retailers and brand owners as well as the end consumer. That is why we became a bluesign system partner.”

The bluesign standard provides benefits to all participants in the textile value chain. Clariant contributes substantially and comprehensively to developing new standards, with its know-how of the full textile production chain, ranging from the raw material to the end consumer. For Clariant this is a unique platform to economically develop, source, manufacture and market products. Its strong focus on health, safety and resource consumption matches Clariant’s commitment to manufacture products which adhere to the most stringent international regulations while complying with bluesign criteria. bluesign covers nine of the significant textile standards under one main standard which helps bundle sustainability-related activities.

Bluesign sets a new standard in the industry; one for which Clariant can provide know-how and expertise for a successful and mutually stimulating partnership in which both partners depend on each other respectively.

Matthias Kuhnert, Clariant International Ltd., Marketing Segment Manager of Apparel & Interior, says: “Clariant is able to provide bluesign approved products and processes for various fibers in all production steps, while the performance remains on the same high level. In particular this package offering is what differentiates us from other chemical suppliers.” Kuhnert will present more detailed information at the trade fair in Munich on Monday, February 7, at 2 p.m. and Wednesday, February 9, at 2 p.m.