Specialty chemicals company LANXESS reported higher sales and earnings for the second quarter of 2026 despite continued weakness in the global economy and ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. Group sales increased 6.5% year-on-year to €1.561 billion, compared with €1.466 billion in the second quarter of 2025. EBITDA before exceptional items rose 1.3% to €152 million, compared with €150 million a year earlier. EBITDA margin before exceptional items stood at 9.7%, compared with 10.2% in the same quarter last year.
The improvement in earnings was supported by higher demand and increased sales volumes. LANXESS also used pricing measures to largely offset higher raw material and energy costs. Performance improved significantly compared with the first quarter of 2026. Sales increased 13.3% sequentially, while EBITDA before exceptional items rose 61.7%. Free cash flow also improved, moving from negative €29 million in Q1 to €56 million in Q2.
Matthias Zachert, CEO of LANXESS, said the second-quarter performance developed as expected, supported by higher demand and temporary effects linked to the conflict in the Middle East. He noted that the company achieved simultaneous increases in volumes and prices for the first time in a year.
Zachert said the economic environment remained challenging and that LANXESS does not expect a sustained recovery in its core markets or additional economic momentum by the end of 2026. At the same time, the company expects its cost-reduction programmes to make a larger contribution during the second half of the year.
LANXESS has maintained its full-year 2026 guidance and continues to expect EBITDA before exceptional items of €450 million to €550 million. In the Consumer Protection segment, second-quarter sales increased 5.3% to €515 million from €489 million. EBITDA before exceptional items was €81 million, down 6.9% from €87 million. The prior-year figure included an insurance reimbursement in the high single-digit million-euro range. The segment’s EBITDA margin was 15.7%.
The Specialty Additives segment recorded sales of €588 million, an 11.4% increase from €528 million. EBITDA before exceptional items climbed 32.8% to €77 million, supported by higher volumes across all business units and the recovery of increased raw material costs through pricing. The EBITDA margin improved to 13.1% from 11.0%.
In Advanced Intermediates, sales increased 2.2% to €456 million from €446 million. EBITDA before exceptional items declined 20.5% to €35 million. Higher selling prices offset raw material cost increases, but elevated energy costs and planned inventory reductions weighed on earnings. The segment’s EBITDA margin declined to 7.7% from 9.9%.
LANXESS is a global specialty chemicals company with sales of €5.7 billion in 2025. Headquartered in Germany, the company employs around 11,500 people across 32 countries. Its core business covers the development, manufacture and marketing of chemical intermediates, specialty additives and consumer protection products. LANXESS serves customers across a wide range of industries with products and solutions designed for industrial and consumer applications.
The company also places strong emphasis on sustainability and responsible business practices. LANXESS has received leading positions in sustainability assessments, including the Dow Jones Best-in-Class Index, MSCI ESG ratings and ISS ESG ratings, reflecting its continued focus on environmental, social and governance performance.
