Huntsman

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Global specialty chemicals company

Last updated October 17, 2026

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Overview

Huntsman Corporation is a United States-based multinational chemical manufacturer and marketer serving industrial and consumer customers. Its portfolio is centered on differentiated and specialty chemical products used in insulation, construction, transportation, aerospace, automotive, electrical systems, coatings, adhesives, detergents, personal care, agriculture, energy, and other industrial applications. The company’s principal activities are organized around Advanced Materials, Polyurethanes, and Performance Products. The business began in 1970 as Huntsman Container Corporation, established by brothers Alonzo Blaine Huntsman Jr. and Jon Huntsman Sr. It subsequently moved beyond containers and packaging through a long series of acquisitions, integrations, and divestitures. A major early expansion occurred in 1994, when Huntsman acquired Texaco Chemical. In 1999, it acquired major global businesses from Imperial Chemical Industries, including polyurethanes, titanium dioxide, aromatics, and related petrochemical operations. These transactions significantly broadened Huntsman’s geographic reach and product base. Huntsman became a publicly traded company on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2005. Its later development combined organic operations with portfolio reshaping. The company acquired the Advanced Materials business associated with Vantico in 2003, strengthening its epoxy and formulated polymer capabilities. In 2014, it purchased Rockwood Holdings’ Performance Additives and Titanium Dioxide businesses. The pigments and additives operations were subsequently separated from Huntsman through the 2017 initial public offering of Venator Materials. The Polyurethanes division supplies methylene diphenyl diisocyanate-based precursors and systems. These materials are used in rigid and flexible insulation, appliances, construction products, transportation components, furniture, footwear, and other applications. Advanced Materials supplies formulated epoxy, acrylic, and polyurethane systems, structural adhesives, composites, coatings, and other polymer technologies. Its products are used where customers seek lighter weight, durability, thermal performance, chemical resistance, or bonding strength to replace traditional materials. Performance Products supplies amines, carbonates, surfactants, and maleic anhydride for applications including agrochemicals, oil and gas, detergents, personal care, adhesives, coatings, mining, and polymer curing. Huntsman also operates consumer- and building-related businesses. Its epoxy adhesive products are sold under the Araldite brand in India, Brazil, and parts of Europe. In 2020, the company created Huntsman Building Solutions by combining its spray polyurethane foam insulation business with Demilec (acquired in 2018) and Icynene-Lapolla (acquired in 2020). This expanded its presence in building-envelope insulation and energy-efficiency applications. The company also supplies textile and performance chemicals. Corporate transactions have also shaped the company’s history. A proposed 2007 acquisition by Access Industries was replaced by an agreement involving Apollo Global Management and Hexion Specialty Chemicals. That transaction was terminated in 2008, leading to litigation and a later settlement. In 2017, Huntsman and Clariant announced a proposed merger of equals, but the agreement was terminated later that year. Huntsman remains an independent, publicly traded chemical company with manufacturing, research and development, and operating facilities in more than 25 countries, and a global customer base that includes major companies in automotive, consumer products, energy, and industrial manufacturing.

History

Huntsman Corporation originated in 1970 as Huntsman Container Corporation, founded by brothers Alonzo Blaine Huntsman Jr. and Jon Huntsman Sr. Although the company’s initial identity was associated with containers, its long-term development came from moving into large-scale chemical manufacturing and acquiring established chemical assets. The Huntsman name eventually became associated with a broad portfolio of polyurethane, performance, pigment, adhesive, and advanced-material technologies. A decisive expansion took place in April 1994, when Huntsman acquired Texaco Chemical. The transaction brought additional petrochemical capabilities and helped establish the company as a more substantial integrated chemical producer. Huntsman later acquired Texaco’s remaining petrochemicals plant in 1999. That same year, the company purchased a collection of global businesses from Imperial Chemical Industries, including polyurethanes, titanium dioxide, aromatics, and petrochemical operations. The transaction made Huntsman one of the largest petrochemical businesses in the United States at the time and greatly increased its international footprint. Huntsman strengthened its specialty-materials capabilities in 2003 by acquiring the Advanced Materials business from Vantico. The resulting portfolio included epoxy, acrylic, and polyurethane-based systems used in composites, adhesives, coatings, electrical equipment, transportation, and other demanding applications. The company went public on the New York Stock Exchange in February 2005, giving Huntsman access to public capital while it continued to manage a portfolio assembled through acquisitions. The company’s corporate history includes a major failed takeover process. In 2007, Huntsman agreed to be acquired by Access Industries’ chemical unit, Basell, but that agreement was replaced by a transaction involving Apollo Global Management and Hexion Specialty Chemicals. The Hexion transaction was terminated in 2008. Huntsman alleged that Apollo had interfered with or never intended to complete the transaction, while Hexion attributed the termination to Huntsman’s deteriorating financial position. The dispute led to litigation in Texas and was resolved in December 2008 through an agreement that included cash payments and an investment in Huntsman in return for the company abandoning its claims. Huntsman continued to adjust its portfolio through acquisitions and divestitures. On October 1, 2014, it acquired Rockwood Holdings’ Performance Additives and Titanium Dioxide businesses. The deal expanded Huntsman’s pigments and additives operations and made the combined business a major global producer of color and white pigments. In 2017, Huntsman and Clariant announced plans to merge as equals in a proposed specialty-chemicals combination. The agreement was terminated on October 27 of that year. Huntsman also separated its Pigments and Additives division through the August 2017 initial public offering of Venator Materials. In building materials, Huntsman acquired Demilec in 2018 and Icynene-Lapolla in February 2020. It combined these activities with its existing spray polyurethane foam operations and introduced Huntsman Building Solutions in May 2020. The move positioned the company more clearly in insulation and building-envelope products, particularly those designed to improve energy efficiency. In 2021, activist investor Starboard Value disclosed a significant Huntsman stake and sought board seats, but did not obtain representation and subsequently exited the investment. In 2022, Huntsman faced criticism over its continued Russian operations following Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Peter Huntsman publicly condemned the invasion and defended the company’s compliance position. In 2023, Venator Materials, the former Huntsman pigments and additives company, entered Chapter 11 proceedings. Huntsman itself continues as an independent, publicly traded chemical manufacturer with three principal business divisions and operations spanning more than 25 countries.

2023
Venator enters Chapter 11
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Venator Materials, formerly Huntsman’s pigments and additives business, files for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection.
2021
Starboard discloses an activist stake
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Starboard Value discloses a significant stake and seeks board representation, but later leaves the investment without securing board seats.
2020
Huntsman Building Solutions is created
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman combines its spray foam business with Demilec and Icynene-Lapolla activities under the Huntsman Building Solutions name.
2018
Demilec acquisition
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman acquires Demilec, expanding its spray polyurethane foam insulation business.
2017
Venator is spun off
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman separates its Pigments and Additives division through the initial public offering of Venator Materials.
2017
Proposed Clariant merger is terminated
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
A proposed merger of equals between Huntsman and Clariant ends without completion.
2014
Rockwood pigments and additives acquisition
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman acquires Rockwood Holdings’ Performance Additives and Titanium Dioxide businesses, broadening its pigments and additives portfolio.
2005
Huntsman goes public
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman Corporation begins trading on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol HUN.
2003
Vantico Advanced Materials acquisition
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman acquires the Advanced Materials business associated with Vantico, strengthening its formulated polymers, epoxy, and adhesive activities.
1999
Acquisition of major ICI chemical businesses
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman acquires ICI’s global polyurethanes, titanium dioxide, aromatics, and petrochemical businesses for approximately $2.8 billion.
1994
Acquisition of Texaco Chemical
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Huntsman acquires Texaco Chemical for approximately $1.1 billion, substantially expanding its chemical and petrochemical operations.
1970
Huntsman Container Corporation is founded
[1]Huntsman Corporationen.wikipedia.org
Alonzo Blaine Huntsman Jr. and Jon Huntsman Sr. establish the company that later becomes Huntsman Corporation.

Products and positioning

A global supplier of differentiated and specialty chemical technologies that improve insulation, bonding, durability, lightweighting, energy efficiency, and performance across industrial and consumer applications.

Polyurethane chemicals and systems
Polyurethanes
Huntsman’s Polyurethanes business supplies MDI-based polyurethane precursors, formulations, and systems. These materials support rigid and flexible insulation, construction products, appliances, automotive and transportation components, furniture, footwear, and other applications. The business serves customers that use polyurethane to obtain thermal insulation, cushioning, structural strength, lightweighting, durability, or process advantages.
Formulated polymers and composites · 2003
Advanced Materials
Advanced Materials provides synthetic and formulated polymer systems based on epoxy, acrylic, and polyurethane chemistries. Its products include structural adhesives, composite matrices, coatings, encapsulants, and other engineered formulations used in aircraft, automobiles, electrical power transmission, electronics, and industrial equipment. The offering is positioned around high performance, bonding, corrosion resistance, durability, and the replacement of heavier or less capable traditional materials.
Performance chemicals
Performance Products
The Performance Products division supplies amines, carbonates, surfactants, maleic anhydride, and related chemical intermediates. End uses include agrochemicals, oil and gas, alternative energy, household detergents, personal care, adhesives, coatings, mining, and curing systems for polyurethane and epoxy products. These ingredients are generally sold as enabling chemicals used to provide formulation, reaction, cleaning, wetting, or performance characteristics.
Epoxy adhesives
Araldite
Araldite is Huntsman’s epoxy adhesive brand in selected consumer and professional markets. The range includes adhesive products intended for bonding, repair, assembly, and industrial use. The business has particular market presence in India, Brazil, and parts of Europe and is connected to Huntsman’s broader Advanced Materials epoxy technology platform.
Building insulation · 2020
Huntsman Building Solutions
Huntsman Building Solutions is the company’s building-envelope and spray polyurethane foam insulation platform. It was formed by bringing together Huntsman’s existing spray foam operations with Demilec and Icynene-Lapolla. Its products are designed for residential, commercial, and industrial insulation applications, where air sealing, moisture management, thermal performance, and energy efficiency are important.
Textile chemicals
Textile and performance chemicals
Huntsman supplies textile and performance chemicals as part of its specialty chemical portfolio, serving textile processing and related industrial applications.

Controversies

2022
Continued Russian operations after the invasion of Ukraine
Huntsman was criticized by a Yale-linked company tracker for continuing operations in Russia after the 2022 invasion of Ukraine. Peter Huntsman condemned the invasion and stated that the company was complying with applicable United States and European Union laws, that its products had no military applications, and that employees in Russia and Ukraine depended on the business.
Source

2021
Response to Starboard Value activismStrategy
Background
Starboard Value disclosed a stake of more than 8% and sought board representation at Huntsman.
Action taken
Huntsman faced the activist campaign without Starboard obtaining board seats.
Aftermath
Starboard subsequently exited its position in Huntsman.
Source
2020
Creation of Huntsman Building SolutionsStrategy
Background
Huntsman sought to consolidate its spray polyurethane foam and building-insulation activities.
Action taken
The company combined its existing spray foam business with the Demilec and Icynene-Lapolla operations under the Huntsman Building Solutions name.
Aftermath
The combined platform expanded Huntsman’s position in insulation and energy-efficiency products for buildings.
Source
2017
Proposed merger with ClariantM&A
Background
Huntsman and Clariant sought to combine their specialty-chemicals operations in a merger of equals.
Action taken
The companies announced a proposed combination, but terminated the merger agreement on October 27, 2017.
Aftermath
Huntsman remained an independent public company and continued with its own portfolio strategy.
Proposed transaction value. Approximately $20 billion (2017 proposed merger)
Source
2017
Spin-off of Pigments and AdditivesStrategy
Background
Huntsman reviewed its portfolio and separated its pigments and additives activities from the remaining chemical businesses.
Action taken
The division was spun off through the initial public offering of Venator Materials.
Aftermath
Venator became a separate company focused on titanium dioxide and performance additives.
Source
2014
Acquisition of Rockwood Performance Additives and Titanium DioxideM&A
Background
Huntsman sought to expand its pigments, additives, and specialty-materials portfolio.
Action taken
The company acquired Rockwood Holdings’ Performance Additives and Titanium Dioxide businesses.
Aftermath
The transaction made Huntsman a major global producer of color and white pigments before the businesses were later separated into Venator Materials.
Cash consideration. Approximately $1 billion (2014 transaction)
Source
2007
Pursuit of a sale to Access Industries and Apollo-backed HexionM&A
Background
Huntsman became the subject of competing acquisition activity involving Access Industries’ chemical unit and Apollo Global Management-backed Hexion Specialty Chemicals.
Action taken
The Access transaction was replaced by an agreement for Hexion to acquire Huntsman. The Hexion transaction was later terminated.
Aftermath
Huntsman sued Apollo and related parties, alleging improper conduct surrounding the failed transaction. The dispute was settled in 2008.
Source

Recent events

2022.01.11
Reported2022.01.11
Huntsman announces Wayne Reaud’s planned board retirement[2]Huntsman宣布Wayne Reaud计划退休离任prnewswire.com
Huntsman announced that Wayne Reaud intends to retire from its Board at the 2022 Annual Meeting of Stockholders.
2022.01.01
Reported2022.01.02
Huntsman appoints directors and changes board leadership roles[3]Huntsman任命董事并调整董事会领导职务prnewswire.com
Huntsman appointed Curtis E. Espeland and José Muñoz to its Board, appointed Cynthia L. Egan to new board leadership roles, and added Sonia Dulá to the Compensation Committee. The appointments were effective January 1, 2022.
2021.02.16
Reported2021.02.19
Huntsman appoints Jeanne McGovern to its board[4]Huntsman任命Jeanne McGovern为董事会成员prnewswire.com
Huntsman Corporation appointed Jeanne McGovern to its Board of Directors effective February 16, 2021. She will serve on the Audit Committee.
2021.01.15
Reported2021.01.15
Huntsman completes acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products[5]Huntsman 完成对 Gabriel Performance Products 的收购prnewswire.com
Huntsman Corporation announced that it completed its acquisition of Gabriel Performance Products, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer, from Audax Private Equity. Huntsman paid $250 million, subject to customary closing adjustments, in an all-cash transaction.
2020.12.07
Reported2020.12.07
Huntsman announces agreement to acquire Gabriel Performance Products[6]Huntsman宣布协议收购Gabriel Performance Productsprnewswire.com
Huntsman announced an agreement to acquire Gabriel Performance Products, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer, from funds owned by Audax Private Equity. The transaction was expected to close in the first quarter of 2021 after regulatory approvals.
2020.10.28
Reported2020.10.29
Huntsman agrees to sell its India consumer adhesives business to Pidilite[7]Huntsman 同意将其印度消费级粘合剂业务出售给 Pidilitepowderbulksolids.com
Huntsman announced an agreement to sell its India-based DIY Consumer Adhesives business to Pidilite Industries for $285 million. The transaction was expected to close the following week.
2020.07.24
Reported2020.07.24
Huntsman expands Americas distribution partnership with Azelis[8]Huntsman扩大与Azelis在美洲的分销合作prnewswire.com
Huntsman announced an expansion of its relationship with Azelis, under which Azelis will lead distribution of Huntsman's Advanced Materials CASE business in the United States and Canada. Huntsman said it expected to complete formal agreements in the coming weeks.
2020.06.16
Reported2020.06.16
Huntsman appoints two directors to its board[9]Huntsman任命两名董事加入董事会prnewswire.com
Huntsman Corporation announced the appointment of Cynthia L. Egan and Sonia Dulá to its Board of Directors, effective immediately.
2020.05.18
Reported2020.05.18
Huntsman completes acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties[10]Huntsman完成对CVC Thermoset Specialties的收购prnewswire.com
Huntsman Corporation completed its approximately $300 million acquisition of CVC Thermoset Specialties from Emerald Performance Materials LLC, subject to customary closing adjustments.
2020.03.16
Reported2020.03.16
Huntsman announces agreement to acquire CVC Thermoset Specialties[11]亨斯迈宣布协议收购CVC Thermoset Specialtiesprnewswire.com
Huntsman announced an agreement to acquire CVC Thermoset Specialties, a North American specialty chemical manufacturer, for $300 million in an all-cash transaction. The deal was expected to close around midyear 2020.

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