1 Jul 2014

Clariant completes the sale of its Water Treatment Business to South African AECI

Muttenz, July 1, 2014 - Clariant, a world leader in specialty chemicals, today announced that it has closed the sale of its Water Treatment business in Africa to AECI, domiciled in South Africa, on June 30, 2014. The total value of the divestment amounts to CHF 34 million in cash at closing. The transaction was subject to certain precedent conditions, as well as regulatory approvals.

AECI is an explosives and specialty chemicals group domiciled in South Africa and its businesses are characterised by application know-how and service delivery in many African countries. It already has a footprint in the Industrial Water and Municipal and Waste Water markets in South Africa, supplying a Total Water Solution to its customers.

The former Clariant Water Treatment business provides chemicals, services and engineering solutions to a wide range of industries such as mining, automotive, food and beverage, metals and many others. It also serves municipalities to supply of drinking water in many African communities.

“The divestment of the Water Treatment business is the result of our continuous active portfolio management. We are pleased to have found in AECI an owner who is able to focus on this service driven activity”, says Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Clariant.

Reader enquiries

Clariant International Ltd
Rothausstrasse 61
4132 Muttenz 1
Switzerland

ClariantInternational

clariant_international

Notes for editors

www.clariant.com

Clariant is a globally leading specialty chemicals company, based in Muttenz near Basel/Switzerland. On December 31, 2013 the company employed a total workforce of 18,099. In the financial year 2013, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 6.076 billion for its continuing businesses. The company reports in four business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis & Energy, Natural Resources, and Plastics & Coatings. Clariant’s corporate strategy is based on four pillars: managing businesses for profitability, research & development and innovation, growth in emerging markets, and repositioning of the portfolio.

www.aeci.co.za

AECI is an explosives and specialty chemicals Group domiciled in South Africa. It is listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange, with a market capitalisation of ZA16,5 billion, and has a total employee complement count of 7 000. In 2014, AECI celebrates 90 years of its incorporation as a company. Group businesses service the mining and manufacturing sectors both locally and internationally. The focus for growth is on Africa, South East Asia and South America. AECI’s businesses are characterised by application know-how and service delivery. They often operate in niche markets and are supported by leading technologies which are developed in-house or are sourced from international partners. AECI’s vision is to be the supplier of choice for customers in its chosen markets. The Group aims to be Africa’s leading supplier of explosives and mining services and specialty chemicals, mainly to the mining and manufacturing sectors and in key emerging markets around the world.