ZURICH, June 15 Reuters Clariant39;s firstquarter sales from continuing operations rose 30 in local currencies and 26 in Swiss francs to 1.26 billion Swiss francs 1.26 billion, with pricing contributing 16 to growth, the Swiss speciality chemicals group said on Wednesday.

Core profit from continuing operations rose 27 to a betterthanexpected 220 million francs, while its margin increased to 17.4 from 17.3 in the first quarter of 2021, the company said.

Analysts had expected firstquarter sales of 1.18 billion Swiss francs and EBITDA of 209 million francs before exceptional items, according to a consensus compiled by the company.

In the second quarter, Clariant expects to generate strong yearonyear sales growth in local currencies, but said sales would likely decline moderately versus the first quarter due to seasonal factors and demand normalization in Care Chemicals and Natural Resources.

Clariant expects to improve on its restated yearonyear margin levels in the second quarter of 2022, the company said.

Sequentially, the Group expects to be broadly in line with its first quarter 2022 margin level, especially via operating leverage from growth, continuing pricing actions, and cost discipline to counter continued inflation in raw materials, logistics, labour, and energy cost, it added.

Clariant reiterated its outlook from last month that it expected strong growth in local currency in 2022, particularly in the first half.

Clariant in April concluded its probe of…