prodchem
Aug 28, 2026
Switzerland-based specialty chemicals company Clariant strengthened its finance leadership with the appointment of Oliver Rittgen as Chief Financial Officer, effective August 1, 2025. Rittgen joined Clariant from Bayer, where he spent nearly 25 years in senior management roles, most recently serving as CFO of the Crop Science division. His background spans corporate finance, accounting, controlling, M&A and risk management.
Rittgen brings experience from several international finance positions at Bayer, including leadership roles in Germany, Finland and Thailand. His previous responsibility for Bayer's Crop Science and Consumer Health businesses gives him experience managing large, complex operations across different markets. That cross-industry background is particularly relevant as Clariant continues to focus on portfolio optimization and operational efficiency.
The appointment comes as specialty chemical producers continue to face weak demand, competitive pressure and difficult market conditions. Clariant has been responding through cost-reduction and transformation initiatives, targeting approximately CHF 80 million in run-rate savings by the end of 2027. Strong financial management is therefore central to protecting margins and maintaining progress toward the company's medium-term targets.
Clariant's finance organization has an important role in supporting the company's wider transformation. Its medium-term targets include 4–6% annual sales growth, a 19–21% EBITDA margin and around 40% free-cash-flow conversion by 2027. The CFO is part of the Executive Steering Committee, which has overall strategic and financial responsibility for the company.
Clariant's CFO transition is more than a routine executive appointment. Bringing in a finance leader with decades of multinational experience gives the company additional expertise as it works through sector pressure, cost programs and portfolio transformation. Rittgen's performance will ultimately be measured by how effectively Clariant converts these initiatives into stronger profitability and cash generation.
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