24.02.2014 • News

Clariant CEO Forfeits a Third of Süd-Cheme Integration Bonus

Hariolf Kottmann, CEO of Swiss specialty chemicals maker Clariant, has made headlines by deciding to forgo half of a €3 million Swiss franc bonus he is due for the integration of Süd Chemie, the German company acquired in 2011.

"A CEO of a listed company must have the sensitivity to follow the wishes of shareholders," Kottmann said in an interview with a Basel newspaper. Major Clariant shareholders, he revealed, were unhappy with plans by the supervisory board to reward the CEO as well as a number of top managers with a special bonus.

The bonus paid to the Clariant CEO for reaching the company's targets in a certain year amounts to 100% of the executive's total salary, in Kottmann's case 6.2 million Swiss francs.

Interview

Leading Transformation
The Path to Sustainable Growth

Leading Transformation

As Executive Vice President of International Chemicals since early 2024, Antje Gerber has been steering Sasol through a pivotal reset—focused on resilience, innovation, and bold sustainability goals.

Innovation Pitch

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences
Discover Tomorrow’s Innovators

The Start-up Platform for Chemistry & Life Sciences

CHEManager Innovation Pitch supports innovation in the chemistry and life sciences start-up scene. The platform allows founders, young entrepreneurs, and start-ups to present their companies to the industry.

most read

Photo

VCI Welcomes US-EU Customs Deal

The German Chemical Industry Association (VCI) welcomes the fact that Ursula von der Leyen, President of the European Commission, and US President Donald Trump have averted the danger of a trade war for the time being.