Swiss heavyweights reveal healthy figures

A Sulzer Medica Worker carries out control checks Keystone

Two of the country's biggest companies have released solid figures for sales and orders for the first half of the year.

Clariant, one of the world’s biggest specialty chemicals firms, saw sales rise by 17 per cent to SFr5.295 billion.

In a statement, Clariant said it expected first half operating profits to be significantly higher than last year. These are due to be released on August 29. It also said sales should remain stable for the rest of the year.

Clariant said the markets for textiles, leather and paper chemicals had improved partly because of a recovery in the US denim business.

Meanwhile, Winterthur-based industrial and medical technology group, Sulzer, said its first half orders rose by five per cent to SFr2.9 billion.

“The positive development was particularly due to greater demand in the textile sector and a gradual recovery in most industrial divisions,” said a company statement.

Sulzer’s first half results will be released on August 24.

swissinfo with agencies