Specialty chemicals company records EUR 1.561 billion in sales and confirms 2026 EBITDA guidance of EUR 450–550 million
Specialty chemicals company LANXESS recorded higher sales and earnings in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the same period last year, despite a weak economic environment and continued geopolitical uncertainties.
The Group generated sales of EUR 1.561 billion, up 6.5 percent from EUR 1.466 billion in the second quarter of the previous year. EBITDA pre exceptionals reached EUR 152 million, an increase of 1.3 percent compared with EUR 150 million a year earlier.
The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals stood at 9.7 percent, compared with 10.2 percent in the same quarter of the previous year.
The improvement in earnings was supported by stronger demand and higher sales volumes. LANXESS also largely offset higher raw material and energy costs through price increases.
Strong Improvement Compared with Q1 2026
The company’s second-quarter performance also showed significant improvement compared with the first quarter of 2026.
Sales increased by 13.3 percent, while EBITDA pre exceptionals rose 61.7 percent compared with the previous quarter.
Free cash flow also improved substantially, increasing from negative EUR 29 million in Q1 2026 to EUR 56 million in Q2 2026.
“In the second quarter, the expected development was confirmed, and we were able to benefit from increased demand, including temporary effects resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. For the first time in a year, we were once again able to achieve simultaneous increases in volumes and prices,” said Matthias Zachert, CEO of LANXESS. “However, there is no sign of a sustained upturn in demand in our core markets, and market conditions remain challenging. We do not expect any further economic momentum by the end of the year. In return, we expect our cost-reduction programs to deliver greater contributions than in the first half of the year.”
LANXESS has confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance and continues to expect EBITDA pre exceptionals of EUR 450–550 million.
Consumer Protection
The Consumer Protection segment generated sales of EUR 515 million in Q2 2026, an increase of 5.3 percent compared with EUR 489 million in the same quarter of 2025.
EBITDA pre exceptionals was EUR 81 million, down 6.9 percent from EUR 87 million in the previous year. The prior-year result included an insurance reimbursement in the high single-digit million-euro range.
The segment’s EBITDA margin pre exceptionals was 15.7 percent, compared with 17.8 percent in the same quarter of the previous year.
Specialty Additives
The Specialty Additives segment reported sales of EUR 588 million, representing an 11.4 percent increase from EUR 528 million in Q2 2025.
EBITDA pre exceptionals increased to EUR 77 million, up 32.8 percent from EUR 58 million in the same quarter of the previous year.
Higher demand resulted in increased sales volumes and improved earnings across all business units within the segment. LANXESS passed higher raw material costs on to customers through increased selling prices.
The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals rose to 13.1 percent, compared with 11.0 percent in the previous year.
Advanced Intermediates
The Advanced Intermediates segment recorded sales of EUR 456 million in Q2 2026, up 2.2 percent from EUR 446 million in the same quarter of 2025.
However, EBITDA pre exceptionals declined to EUR 35 million, down 20.5 percent from EUR 44 million in the previous year.
Although higher selling prices offset increased raw material costs, high energy costs and the targeted reduction of inventories affected earnings.
The segment’s EBITDA margin pre exceptionals decreased to 7.7 percent, compared with 9.9 percent in the previous year.