Arkema

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French multinational specialty materials and chemicals company.

Last updated November 4, 2026

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First read: Oct 29, 2026
Latest read: Nov 2, 2026

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Overview

Arkema S.A. is a French multinational manufacturer of specialty materials and chemical intermediates. The company is headquartered in the Paris region and operates internationally across Europe, North America, Asia and other markets. Its portfolio is organized around materials and technologies used in adhesives, advanced polymers, coatings, additives, fluorochemicals, organic peroxides, molecular sieves, hydrogen peroxide, thiochemicals and related industrial applications. Arkema sells primarily to business customers rather than consumers, supplying materials that are incorporated into construction products, transportation equipment, batteries, electronics, packaging, paints and coatings, healthcare products, sports equipment, water-treatment systems and industrial processes. The company was formed in 2004 when Total reorganized and separated selected assets from its Atofina chemicals business. Although Arkema itself is a comparatively recent corporate entity, its industrial heritage reaches back through predecessor organizations including Atochem, Elf Atochem, Atofina, ATO Chimie, Chloé Chimie and businesses acquired by Elf Aquitaine and Total. Arkema became an independent listed company on Euronext Paris on May 18, 2006. Thierry Le Hénaff has served as chairman and chief executive officer since the stock-market listing and has overseen the company's transition from a broader chemicals portfolio toward specialty materials. At formation, Arkema had substantial exposure to vinyl products, industrial chemicals and performance products. During the following years, management pursued a portfolio strategy combining acquisitions in specialty polymers, adhesives, acrylics and coating technologies with disposals of more commodity-oriented operations. The 2012 sale of the vinyl products business to the Klesch Group was a major repositioning event. It reduced Arkema's exposure to structurally difficult commodity activities and supported a new organization centered on High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties and Coating Solutions. The company later strengthened its specialty profile through acquisitions including Coatex, Total's coating-resins activities, Bostik, Den Braven, Ashland's Performance Adhesives business and Permoseal. Arkema's main specialty materials businesses are Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions. Adhesive Solutions is anchored by Bostik and covers construction, consumer, industrial and packaging adhesives, sealants and related bonding technologies. Advanced Materials includes specialty polyamides, fluoropolymers, high-performance polymers, performance additives, organic peroxides and molecular sieves. Coating Solutions includes acrylic monomers, coating resins, rheology additives, specialty acrylates and light- or radiation-curable materials sold through businesses and brands such as Coatex and Sartomer. Chemical intermediates and other primary-material activities remain part of the group's industrial base, although Arkema's strategic emphasis is on higher-value specialty materials. Arkema's branded technologies include Rilsan specialty polyamide 11, Kynar PVDF fluoropolymers, Luperox organic peroxides, Siliporite molecular sieves, Sartomer specialty acrylates and photopolymer resins, Coatex rheology additives, and Bostik adhesive systems. These products are generally sold through technical sales organizations and application-development teams. Research and development is central to the business model: Arkema operates research centers and employs scientists working on lightweight materials, bio-based chemistry, recyclable materials, energy efficiency, batteries, electronics, additive manufacturing and other applications associated with the energy and materials transitions. In 2024, Arkema reported sales of approximately €9.5 billion, 21,150 employees, 157 production sites and operations in 55 countries. Its 2024 sales mix was dominated by specialty materials, with Advanced Materials, Adhesive Solutions and Coating Solutions representing the principal businesses and Intermediates accounting for a smaller share. In 2025, the group continued to report a predominantly specialty-materials profile and announced a further organizational evolution in early 2026, including the creation of a Primary Materials segment alongside its specialty businesses. Arkema's corporate positioning is summarized by the phrase “Innovative materials for a sustainable world,” reflecting its focus on materials science, lower-carbon production, circularity, bio-based inputs and solutions for electrification and resource efficiency.

History

Arkema's corporate history begins with the restructuring of French petroleum and chemical activities during the second half of the twentieth century. In 1971, Elf and Total combined chemical operations in Aquitaine Total Organico, while Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhlmann was also created. The ATO organization was renamed ATO Chimie in 1973. In 1980, Elf Aquitaine, Total and Rhône-Poulenc formed Chloé Chimie to manage chlorochemical activities. After Total withdrew from the venture, French chemical production was consolidated around Atochem, an Elf Aquitaine subsidiary that incorporated activities from ATO Chimie, Chloé Chimie and much of PCUK. The North American heritage of the future Arkema group was reinforced in 1989 when Elf Aquitaine acquired Pennwalt Corporation. Pennwalt descended from the Pennsylvania Salt Manufacturing Company, founded in Philadelphia in 1850, and had developed a range of industrial chemical businesses through later mergers. The acquisition helped create a North American platform for Atochem and its successors. During the early 1990s, additional reorganizations moved petrochemicals, styrenics, fertilizers and acrylics into Atochem while some specialty resin and paint activities were placed within Total. Atochem was renamed Elf Atochem in 1992. Following TotalFina's acquisition of Elf in 1999, the chemical businesses were consolidated under Atofina. This structure brought together the chemical activities of Total and Elf Atochem while preserving a broad mixture of commodity and specialty businesses. In February 2004, Total announced a further reorganization. On October 1, 2004, it created Arkema and transferred selected Atofina assets into the new company. The original Arkema structure included vinyl products, industrial chemicals and performance products, covering chlorochemicals, PVC, acrylics, fluorochemicals, hydrogen peroxide, PMMA, thiochemicals, additives, organic peroxides, agrochemicals and resins. Arkema became independent through its listing on Euronext Paris on May 18, 2006. Thierry Le Hénaff became chairman and chief executive officer and has remained in that role. The listing gave Arkema access to public capital and established the strategic basis for a more focused specialty-chemicals company. In June 2011, its shares entered the CAC Next 20 index. The post-listing period was marked by active portfolio management. In 2007, Arkema sold its Cerexagri agrochemical business to United Phosphorus and its urea-formaldehyde activities to Hexion, while acquiring Coatex, a specialist in acrylic rheology additives. In 2010, it purchased acrylic assets from Dow in North America. In 2011, it acquired Total's Cray Valley and Sartomer coating-resins and photopolymer-resins activities. In 2012, Arkema acquired Hipro Polymers and Casda Biomaterials, expanding its access to bio-based polyamide and plant-derived raw-material technologies. The most consequential early strategic decision was the 2012 disposal of the vinyl products division to the Klesch Group. The transaction was structured for a symbolic purchase price, accompanied by financial support and debt assumptions intended to help restart the business. The sale followed profitability difficulties, employee protests and negotiations over employment protections. Arkema used the disposal to concentrate on specialty chemicals and reorganized around High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties and Coating Solutions. Over time, this structure evolved into the current emphasis on Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions, with selected intermediates and primary-material activities retained as supporting industrial businesses. In 2015, Arkema acquired Bostik from Total, transforming adhesives into one of the group's central growth platforms. It also partnered with CJ Group on L-methionine production in Malaysia. Subsequent moves continued the specialty-materials strategy. The Plexiglas business was sold to Trinseo in 2020, while Ashland's Performance Adhesives business was acquired in 2021 and Permoseal was acquired in 2022. Arkema also continued to develop Coatex, Sartomer, Den Braven, MLPC International, Casda and other specialized businesses. The company's technology base now spans specialty polyamides, fluoropolymers, high-performance polymers, performance additives, organic peroxides, molecular sieves, acrylic and coating technologies, specialty adhesives and chemical intermediates. Research and development has become a larger strategic differentiator, with programs focused on lightweighting, batteries, renewable energy, electronics, healthcare, water management, 3D printing, recyclable materials and bio-based chemistry. By 2024, Arkema reported sales of €9.5 billion, 21,150 employees, 157 production sites and a presence in 55 countries. In 2025, the group continued to present itself as a predominantly specialty-materials company. In early 2026, Arkema introduced a Primary Materials segment alongside its three specialty-materials segments, reflecting another organizational adjustment intended to distinguish mature industrial activities from higher-growth specialty businesses. The 2026 anniversary communications described the company as having transformed from a predominantly European chemicals business into a geographically balanced specialty-materials group, with a substantial proportion of sales generated in North America and Asia. As of 2026, Arkema remains publicly listed, led by Thierry Le Hénaff, with Laurent Tellier serving as chief operating officer.

2026
Primary Materials segment is introduced
[5]Arkema 2025 Annual and Sustainable Performance Reportarkema.com
Arkema adjusted its organizational model to distinguish Primary Materials from its three specialty-materials segments.
2024
Arkema reports €9.5 billion in sales
[3]Full-year 2024 resultsarkema.com
Arkema reported 2024 sales of approximately €9.5 billion, 21,150 employees and operations in 55 countries.
2022
Permoseal is acquired
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Arkema expanded its adhesive-solutions presence in South Africa through Permoseal.
2021
Ashland Performance Adhesives is acquired
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition expanded Arkema's industrial and construction adhesive activities through Bostik.
2020
Plexiglas business is sold
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Arkema sold the Plexiglas business to Trinseo as part of its portfolio refocusing.
2015
Bostik joins Arkema
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Arkema acquired Bostik from Total, creating a major adhesives platform within the group.
2012
Vinyl products business is divested
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Arkema sold the vinyl products division to the Klesch Group and refocused the portfolio on specialty chemicals.
2011
Arkema joins the CAC Next 20
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Arkema became a constituent of the CAC Next 20 index in June 2011.
2007
Coatex acquisition and portfolio disposals
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Arkema acquired Coatex and sold its Cerexagri agrochemical and urea-formaldehyde activities.
2006
Arkema lists on Euronext Paris
[2]Arkema share profilearkema.com
Arkema became an independent publicly traded company on May 18, 2006.
2004
Arkema is created
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Total created Arkema as a new company and transferred selected assets from Atofina into it.
1999
Chemical businesses consolidated into Atofina
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Following TotalFina's takeover of Elf, the relevant chemical businesses were brought together under Atofina.
1992
Atochem becomes Elf Atochem
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Atochem adopted the Elf Atochem name as part of the restructuring of Elf Aquitaine's chemical operations.
1989
Elf Aquitaine acquires Pennwalt
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
The acquisition strengthened the North American industrial heritage later incorporated into Arkema.
1983
Atochem consolidates French chemical production
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
French chemical production was reorganized around Atochem after Total transferred its interest in Chloé Chimie to Elf.
1980
Chloé Chimie is formed
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Elf Aquitaine, Total and Rhône-Poulenc created Chloé Chimie to manage chlorochemical activities.
1971
Elf and Total combine chemical operations
[1]Arkemaen.wikipedia.org
Elf and Total organized chemical operations through Aquitaine Total Organico, while Produits Chimiques Ugine Kuhlmann was also established.

Products and positioning

A global specialty materials company positioned around application-focused chemistry, advanced polymers, adhesives, coatings and sustainable-material solutions. Arkema primarily serves industrial customers and emphasizes innovation, technical collaboration, lightweighting, electrification, circular economy applications and lower-impact materials.

Adhesives and sealants · 2015
Bostik
Bostik is Arkema's principal adhesive-solutions business. It supplies construction adhesives, sealants, flooring systems, waterproofing products, insulation-related bonding systems, industrial adhesives and packaging technologies. The business serves professional contractors, manufacturers and consumers, combining formulation expertise with application-specific products for building, transportation, packaging, hygiene and general industry.
Specialty polyamides
Rilsan
Rilsan is a family of specialty polyamide materials, notably polyamide 11, used where lightweight construction, chemical resistance, durability and bio-based content are important. Applications include automotive components, sporting goods, electrical and electronic parts, industrial tubing, oil and gas equipment and additive-manufacturing materials.
Fluoropolymers
Kynar
Kynar is Arkema's brand for PVDF fluoropolymer materials. The portfolio is used in demanding chemical, electrical, architectural, water-treatment, battery and industrial applications because of PVDF's resistance to chemicals, weathering, heat and electrical environments. Kynar materials are supplied in forms suitable for coatings, membranes, components and processing applications.
Organic peroxides
Luperox
Luperox organic peroxides are initiators and curing agents used in polymerization, crosslinking and composite-manufacturing processes. They support the production and processing of polymers, resins, elastomers and composites. The products require controlled handling and temperature management because their chemical stability and decomposition characteristics are central to their industrial use.
Specialty acrylates and photocurable resins · 2011
Sartomer
Sartomer develops specialty acrylates, methacrylates, oligomers and resins for UV-, LED- and electron-beam-curable formulations. Its materials are used in graphic arts, electronics, optical fiber, 3D printing, adhesives, coatings and other applications requiring rapid photochemical or radiation curing. Sartomer also supports customers with formulation and application-development expertise.
Rheology additives · 2007
Coatex
Coatex produces specialty acrylic polymers and rheology additives for waterborne formulations. Its products help control viscosity, flow, suspension, dispersion and application properties in paints, coatings, construction materials, mineral slurries and other formulated products. Brands associated with the business include Rheocoat, Coadis, Rheocarb, Ecodis, Viscoatex and Coapur.
Molecular sieves
Siliporite
Siliporite molecular sieves are porous adsorbent materials used for filtration, drying, purification and separation. They support applications involving gases, liquids, insulating glass, refrigeration, industrial processing and other systems where selective adsorption of water or molecules is required.
Fluorochemicals and refrigerants
Forane
Forane is associated with Arkema's fluorochemical portfolio, including refrigerants and blowing agents used in cooling, air-conditioning and insulating-foam applications. The portfolio has evolved in response to changing environmental regulations and the industry's move toward lower-global-warming-potential alternatives.

Controversies

2017
Crosby plant fires and organic-peroxide ruptures
During Hurricane Harvey, flooding disabled refrigeration systems at Arkema's Crosby, Texas facility. Temperature-sensitive organic peroxides subsequently decomposed and ignited, producing fires and container ruptures and prompting an evacuation zone around the plant.
Source
2006
Legacy hydrogen-peroxide cartel case
The European Commission found that predecessor companies Atochem and Atofina participated in an illegal cartel involving hydrogen peroxide and sodium perborate between 1995 and 2000. Arkema was fined in connection with the predecessor conduct, and the related legal proceedings continued after the company's creation.
Source

2026Twenty years of transformation and innovation
Global
Arkema's twentieth-anniversary communications presented the company’s evolution from a predominantly European chemicals business into a global specialty-materials group and connected its growth strategy with innovation, sustainable materials and geographic expansion.
Outcome. The anniversary campaign reinforced Arkema's corporate identity and its positioning around specialty materials and sustainable innovation.
Source
Innovative materials for a sustainable world
Global
Arkema uses “Innovative materials for a sustainable world” as its corporate signature, linking its materials portfolio with lower-carbon production, bio-based chemistry, recycling, energy efficiency and applications supporting the energy transition.
Outcome. The signature remains part of Arkema's global corporate positioning and sustainability communications.
Source

Brand decisions

2026
Separate Primary Materials from Specialty MaterialsStrategy
Background
Arkema continued refining its operating model to distinguish higher-growth specialty activities from more mature industrial and primary-material operations.
Action taken
The group introduced a Primary Materials segment alongside Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions.
Aftermath
The new structure clarifies segment reporting and supports Arkema's continued emphasis on specialty-materials growth.
Source
2021
Acquire Ashland Performance AdhesivesM&A
Background
Arkema aimed to strengthen Bostik and expand its industrial adhesive technologies and geographic reach.
Action taken
Arkema acquired Ashland's Performance Adhesives business.
Aftermath
The acquisition expanded the scale and application coverage of Arkema's Adhesive Solutions business.
Purchase price. Approximately $1.65 billion (2021 transaction)
Source
2020
Sell the Plexiglas business to TrinseoM&A
Background
Arkema continued to manage its portfolio toward specialty materials and away from activities considered less central to its strategic profile.
Action taken
The Plexiglas business was sold to Trinseo.
Aftermath
The transaction provided further portfolio focus and simplified Arkema's materials platform.
Transaction value. Approximately $1.1 billion (2020 transaction)
Source
2015
Acquire Bostik from TotalM&A
Background
Arkema sought to build a larger specialty-materials portfolio and add a global adhesives platform.
Action taken
Arkema acquired Bostik from its former parent Total.
Aftermath
Adhesives became one of Arkema's core businesses and later formed the basis of the Adhesive Solutions segment.
Source
2012
Divest the vinyl products businessM&A
Background
The vinyl products division faced profitability problems and was less aligned with Arkema's objective of concentrating on specialty chemicals.
Action taken
Arkema transferred the business to the Klesch Group for a symbolic euro, while providing financial support and assuming specified obligations to facilitate the transaction.
Aftermath
Arkema reorganized around High Performance Materials, Industrial Specialties and Coating Solutions and used the divestment to accelerate its specialty-chemicals repositioning.
Transaction consideration and support. €1 symbolic purchase price; €100 million cash payment; approximately €470 million of debt assumed or supported (2012 transaction)
Source
2006
List Arkema on Euronext ParisStrategy
Background
Total's restructuring plan called for Arkema to become an independent publicly traded company.
Action taken
Arkema shares began trading on Euronext Paris on May 18, 2006.
Aftermath
The listing gave Arkema an independent capital structure and enabled a long-term specialty-materials portfolio strategy.
Source
2004
Create Arkema from selected Atofina assetsStrategy
Background
Total decided to reorganize its chemicals activities and separate selected assets from Atofina into a new company.
Action taken
Arkema was established on October 1, 2004 with vinyl products, industrial chemicals and performance products businesses.
Aftermath
The new company became the platform for Total's planned separation of a standalone chemicals group.
Source

Recent events

2022.02.22
Reported2022.02.22
Arkema announces plan to acquire PMP[12]阿科玛宣布计划收购上海智冠prnasia.com
Arkema announced plans to acquire Shanghai Zhiguan Polymer Materials Co., Ltd. (PMP), which specializes in reactive polyurethane hot-melt adhesives for consumer electronics. The project was planned for completion in the first quarter of 2022.
2021.08.31
Reported2021.08.31
Arkema agrees to acquire Ashland's Performance Adhesives business[13]Arkema 同意收购 Ashland Performance Adhesives 业务chemengonline.com
Arkema announced an agreement to acquire Ashland's Performance Adhesives business. The proposed transaction was subject to approval by antitrust authorities in the countries concerned.
2021.07.06
Reported2021.07.06
Arkema becomes Verkor’s technological partner[14]阿科玛成为Verkor的技术合作伙伴finanznachrichten.de
Arkema became a technological partner of French battery start-up Verkor and joined a project involving close technological collaboration.
2021.05.25
Reported2021.05.25
Arkema announced its planned acquisition of Agiplast[15]Arkema宣布计划收购Agiplasttextileworld.com
Arkema announced plans to acquire Agiplast, a company specializing in the regeneration of high-performance polymers. The deal was expected to close in June 2021.
Unconfirmed
Trinseo announces acquisition of Arkema's PMMA business[16]Trinseo宣布收购Arkema的PMMA业务plastemart.com
Trinseo announced the acquisition of Arkema’s polymethyl methacrylates (PMMA) business.
2021.05.17
Reported2021.05.17
Arkema announces planned acquisition of Edge Adhesives Texas[17]Arkema宣布计划收购Edge Adhesives Texaschemengonline.com
Arkema announced a planned acquisition of Edge Adhesives Texas through its Bostik business. The deal was expected to close in the second quarter of 2021.
2021.05.05
Reported2021.05.05
Trinseo completes acquisition of Arkema's PMMA and MMA businesses[18]Trinseo 完成收购 Arkema 的 PMMA 和 MMA 业务canplastics.com
Trinseo completed its acquisition of Arkema's polymethyl methacrylates (PMMA) and activated methyl methacrylates (MMA) businesses for US$1.36 billion.
2021.02.24
Reported2021.02.24
Arkema announces 35% PVDF capacity expansion at Changshu site[19]阿科玛宣布提升常熟基地PVDF产能prnasia.com
Arkema announced an investment to increase fluoropolymer capacity at its Changshu site, targeting a 35% increase in PVDF capacity by 2022. The additional capacity was expected to come on stream by the end of 2022.
2021.02.09
Reported2021.02.09
Bostik plans to acquire Poliplas[20]Bostik 计划收购 Poliplaschemengonline.com
Arkema announced a planned acquisition of Poliplas by Bostik, which would reinforce Bostik’s presence in Brazil’s construction adhesives market. The article reports the acquisition as a project, not a completed transaction.
2020.12.07
Reported2020.12.10
Arkema announces acquisition of Colorado Photopolymer Solutions[21]阿科玛宣布收购 Colorado Photopolymer Solutionscompositesworld.com
Arkema announced its acquisition of Colorado Photopolymer Solutions, a company specializing in photopolymer formulation for the 3D-printing market.

Sources31 sources

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