[7] Headquarters are officially in Muttenz, but most global functions are officed in a dedicated corporate center in nearby Pratteln, both near Basel, Switzerland.

[8] The company started in 1995, as a spinoff (IPO) of the chemical operations of Sandoz, which then merged its pharmaceutical business with that of Ciba-Geigy to form Novartis.

In 2014, Clariant divested its leather services to Stahl Holdings and its detergents & intermediates business to Weylchem of the International Chemical Investors Group.

In May 2017, Clariant and Huntsman Corporation announced that they would merge, as equals, forming HuntsmanClariant which would be the global leader in specialty chemical production - with the deal valued at $20 billion.

[16][17] In October 2017, the merger between Clariant and Huntsman Corporation was halted due to concerns that a two-thirds shareholder approval, required by Swiss law, could not be reached.

[18] On 25 January 2018, White Tale Holdings, which is a partnership between hedge fund Corvex Management LP and investment group 40 North, ended its hostility and sold 25% of its stake to SABIC despite previous assertions that it was a long term holder.

[22] In 2021, Clariant and India Glycols Limited (IGL) announced the successful creation of their 51-49% joint venture for renewable ethylene oxide (EO) derivatives after receiving all necessary regulatory approvals.

[4] On 23 November 2021, Clariant unveiled a new purpose-led strategy with four dimensions based on its purpose, »Greater chemistry – between people and planet«, accompanied by new financial and non-financial targets.

[29] Clariant is a constituent of the FTSE4Good Index and is a member of Together for Sustainability, EcoCircle, the Alliance to End Plastic Waste and the Renewable Carbon Initiative.

Additionally, the company publishes information on climate risks in line with the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD).