Although net working capital levels continued to be negatively affected by the implementation of the new supply chain system, a stabilization occurred in the Third Quarter, creating an improvement in cash flow of CHF 88 million from the Half Year.
Nevertheless, the year-to-date operating cash flow was CHF 141 million, down from CHF 195 million in the same period a year earlier.
The Textile, Leather & Paper Division (TLP) benefited from relative strength in paper and leather chemicals. After a weak start early in the year, the Leather Business met satisfactory demand during the Third Quarter, particularly for wet-end chemicals.
Good growth for optical brighteners continued, while colorants and surface & coating paper chemicals were the subject of strong demand in the Americas and Asia, boosting sales and margins. Textiles suffered from the continued challenging market environments in North America and south-east Asia.
The company has appointed a new head of the TLP Division in North America, and will increasingly focus on improving underperforming areas such as carpet, automotive and technical textiles.
marketing@alchempro.com
