ALTANA Posts First-Half Growth Across All Four Divisions
ALTANA reported positive sales and earnings growth for the first half of 2026 despite what the specialty chemicals company described as a challenging market environment.
Sales reached €1.675 billion, 3% above the prior-year period. On an operating basis, adjusted primarily for negative currency effects, sales increased 8%. All four divisions and the company’s three key regions of the Americas, Europe and Asia contributed to operating growth.
EBITDA increased 14% to €332 million. The EBITDA margin improved to 19.8% from 17.9% a year earlier.
“In the first half of the year, there was increased demand for the particularly high-quality solutions in our product portfolio,” CEO Martin Babilas said. “In addition, many customers built up inventories beyond the usual levels due to the tense geopolitical situation. Our strong sales and earnings performance in the first six months also shows how important our innovative and sustainable solutions are for the competitiveness of our customers’ products across various industries and markets.”
ALTANA spent €109 million on research and development during the first six months, equivalent to nearly 7% of sales. About one in six employees works in R&D. The company employed 8,060 people as of June 30, approximately 290 fewer than one year earlier, largely because of divestitures of smaller business operations.
The Americas recorded a 5% nominal sales increase and 11% operating growth. U.S. sales increased 11% as reported and 19% on an operating basis, driven primarily by demand for electrical insulation and protective materials from ELANTAS as well as lubricants and granulates from ECKART.
Europe increased 2% nominally and 7% on an operating basis. Asia increased 2% nominally and 6% on an operating basis, with India posting operating growth of 17%.
All four divisions recorded operating sales gains. BYK reported sales of €727 million, up 5% nominally and 9% on an operating basis. ECKART sales increased 8% to €236 million and 11% operationally. ELANTAS posted 4% operating growth, although nominal sales declined 6% to €431 million because of divestitures and currency effects. ACTEGA sales rose 9% to €280 million and 10% on an operating basis.
ALTANA also reported that EcoVadis awarded the group a Gold Medal, placing it among the top 5% of companies evaluated. Its reported Scope 1 and Scope 2 carbon footprint declined 12.9% year over year to 53,655 metric tons of CO2 equivalent.
CFO Stefan Genten said ALTANA’s decentralized global production network reduces dependence on individual regions and helps limit supply-chain risks, including those associated with tariffs.
For full-year 2026, ALTANA continues to expect operating sales growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range, adjusted for exchange-rate and acquisition effects. The company expects EBITDA to be at least on par with the prior year, while warning that geopolitical uncertainty and armed conflicts could weigh on demand and raw-material costs during the second half.
Read the full ALTANA half-year results release.
ALTANA’s results provide a view into demand across additives, effect pigments, specialty coatings and other materials serving coatings manufacturers. Follow more PCI company news.
Looking for a reprint of this article?
From high-res PDFs to custom plaques, order your copy today!
