- Sales reach 1,675 million euros driven by high demand
- All divisions achieve operating growth, with particularly strong performance in the Americas
- Research and development expenses remain at a high level
- Full-year outlook confirmed
Wesel, August 19, 2026 – ALTANA, the global specialty chemicals group, achieved positive sales and earnings growth in the first half of 2026 despite a challenging market environment. At 1,675 million euros, sales were 3 percent above the prior-year figure. On an operating basis, adjusted primarily for negative currency effects, sales grew by 8 percent. All divisions, as well as the three key regions of the Americas, Europe, and Asia, contributed to this growth.
Profitability also increased during the reporting period. ALTANA was able to increase earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortization (EBITDA) by 14 percent to 332 million euros in the first half-year. The EBITDA margin improved to 19.8 percent, up from 17.9 percent in the same period of the previous year.
“In the first half of the year, there was increased demand for the particularly high-quality solutions in our product portfolio,” explains Martin Babilas, CEO of ALTANA AG. “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.”
Competitive solutions through sustained R&D investment and reduced dependence on energy prices
For years, consistently high spending on research and development (R&D) has enabled ALTANA to respond quickly and flexibly to its customers’ changing requirements with competitive, innovative solutions. In the first six months of this year, ALTANA spent 109 million euros on R&D. Equivalent to nearly 7 percent of sales, this remains well above the industry average. About one in six ALTANA employees works in R&D. As of June 30, ALTANA employed a total of 8,060 people worldwide, approximately 290 fewer than a year earlier due to the divestiture of smaller business segments.
ALTANA also consumes significantly less energy than the industry average and is therefore less exposed to high oil, gas, and electricity prices. Nevertheless, ALTANA continues to work intensively on increasing energy efficiency and on making both its own products and thus those of its customers more resource-efficient and climate-friendly. Renowned external organizations regularly certify the effectiveness of these sustainability efforts. Most recently, the rating agency EcoVadis awarded the ALTANA Group the Gold Medal, ranking it among the top 5 percent of all companies evaluated worldwide.
ALTANA CFO Stefan Genten explains further factors contributing to the company’s resilience: “We have a global presence exactly where our customers and the most attractive growth markets are, and we are continuously strengthening our decentralized site network through targeted investments. This makes ALTANA less dependent on individual regions, accelerates innovation, and reduces risks across our supply chains, including those arising from tariffs.”
Growth in all divisions, with the Americas showing particularly strong growth
In the Americas region, sales rose by 5 percent in nominal terms and by 11 percent on an operating basis. The U.S., ALTANA’s largest single market, recorded nominal growth of 11 percent and an operating increase of 19 percent compared with the same period last year. The strong sales performance there was driven primarily by demand for electrical insulation and protective materials from ELANTAS, as well as lubricants and granulates from ECKART. Europe, ALTANA’s largest region by sales, grew by 2 percent in nominal terms and posted an operating increase of 7 percent. Sales in the home market of Germany also rose by 1 percent in nominal terms and by 6 percent on an operating basis. In Asia, sales rose by 2 percent. On an operating basis, it increased by 6 percent. Operating growth in India was particularly high at 17 percent.
All ALTANA’s divisions achieved operating growth. BYK, the largest division, increased its sales by 5 percent and its operating sales by 9 percent. The ECKART division reported a sales increase of 8 percent (operating: 11 percent). ELANTAS grew by 4 percent on an operating basis. Due to the divestiture of smaller business operations and negative exchange-rate effects, sales were 6 percent below the prior-year figure on a nominal basis. At ACTEGA, sales increased by 9 percent (in operating terms: 10 percent).
Full-year outlook confirmed
The extraordinary geopolitical uncertainties and various armed conflicts are expected to weigh significantly on demand and raw-material costs in the second half of the year. In this environment, ALTANA continues to expect sales growth for the full year 2026, adjusted for exchange-rate and acquisition effects, in the mid-single-digit percentage range and EBITDA at least on par with the strong prior-year figure.
Key figures at a glance
About ALTANA:
ALTANA is a global leader in true specialty chemicals. The Group offers innovative solutions for coating manufacturers, paint and plastics processors, the printing and packaging industries, the cosmetics sector, and the electrical and electronics industry. The product range includes additives, specialty coatings and adhesives, effect pigments, sealants and compounds, impregnating resins and varnishes, and testing and measuring instruments. ALTANA’s four divisions, BYK, ECKART, ELANTAS, and ACTEGA, all occupy a leading position in their target markets with respect to quality, product solution expertise, innovation, and service.
Headquartered in Wesel, Germany, the ALTANA Group has 58 production facilities and 67 service and research laboratories worldwide. Throughout the Group, more than 8,000 people work to ensure the worldwide success of ALTANA. In 2025, ALTANA achieved sales of more than 3 billion euros. About 7 percent of the total sales is invested in research and development each year. Its high earning power and high growth rate make ALTANA one of the world’s most innovative, fastest growing, and most profitable chemical companies.