Chemical Industry News, Data & Insights

Specialties

Updates on the production and development of specialty chemicals in Europe: manufacturers, investors, new plants, expansions and more.

Recent developments

Portfolio realignment in coatings

Stahl completed the carve-out of its wet-end leather chemicals business, creating Muno under Wendel and refocusing on speciality coatings for flexible materials and packaging. Resources shift to performance and packaging coatings, signaling portfolio streamlining toward higher-growth applications, sustainability requirements, and faster customer-driven innovation.

Catalyst capabilities consolidation

Technip Energies closed the acquisition of the Advanced Materials & Catalysts (AM&C) business from Ecovyst, adding Advanced Silicas and the Zeolyst International JV with Shell. AM&C retains leadership and US/EU manufacturing; 330 employees transfer. The accretive deal deepens catalyst offerings for refining, petrochemicals, and low-carbon processes.

Leadership change and capacity

At Topsoe, Scaltritti to succeed Baan as CEO on June 1, 2026. Under Baan, the company scaled SOEC electrolyzers with Europe’s largest facility, opened a Bayport, Texas catalyst plant, and formed Zaffra with Sasol for sustainable aviation fuel. SBTi validated a 2040 net-zero target, supported by the issuance of green hybrid securities, indicating continuity in catalysts and decarbonization.

Latest trends, product updates, and discussions
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New construction vs expansion

Owners & Investors

Top 5 companies involved as owner and/or investor in current and planned Specialties projects:

BASF BASF, Arkema Arkema, WACKER WACKER, Evonik Evonik, Lanxess Lanxess, WeylChem WeylChem, Vulcan Energy Vulcan Energy, PowerCo PowerCo, Lyten Lyten, and Borealis Borealis.

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