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Yorkshire Chemicals warned that trading conditions remained tough in all its markets. In particular, the company said, market conditions appeared to be flattening in Australia while price competition was especially severe in the US. In Europe the company reported turbulence in its dyestuffs markets as newly reorganised European chemicals majors fought for global market share.

Despite difficult trading conditions Yorkshire saw sales rise 7 per cent to pounds 67.7m during the first half of 1996, with profits up 16 per cent to pounds 6.9m; margins were boosted by lower raw material prices and favourable exchange rates. Thanks to lower labour costs, Yorkshire believes that the improvement in first half profits could be sustained into the second half. The interim dividend was increased by 5.5 per cent to 2.9p.