Arkema is celebrating two decades since its creation on May 18, 2006, when it was listed on the Paris Stock Exchange with a clear mission: to become an independent leader in specialty materials.
What began as a European-focused chemical player has since evolved into a global industrial heavyweight, reshaping its portfolio, footprint, and strategy through rapid transformation and aggressive innovation.
Reflecting on that journey, Chairman and CEO Thierry Le Hénaff credited the company’s evolution to bold strategic choices and collective effort.
“The initial disruptive strategy gave birth to a new player in the chemical industry that few expected to reach such a level. This journey has been made possible by the commitment of our teams, the breadth of our portfolio of technologies, as well as the trust and demanding yet supportive expectations of our customers, partners and stakeholders.
"These twenty years have demonstrated Arkema’s ability to reinvent itself through bold choices and continuously carry out a deep transformation of its organizational structures and business portfolio, to better serve its customers and address the challenges of modern society” said Hénaff.
He added: “Today, Arkema confidently opens a new chapter in its history: 20 years is the age of energy, determination and limitless possibilities. The Group approaches the future with confidence and reaffirms its conviction that today’s challenges are also opportunities for companies that know how to seize them”.
Over the past 20 years, Arkema has nearly doubled in size and repositioned itself decisively toward high-value Specialty Materials, which now represent 85% of sales, up from 36% at its founding.
The shift has been driven by major acquisitions including Bostik, Coatex, Sartomer, Den Braven, and Ashland’s adhesives business, alongside sustained investment in R&D and global expansion into key industrial hubs across North America and Asia.
The transformation has also delivered strong financial performance, with the company highlighting robust shareholder returns and a total shareholder return of around 270% over the period. Employees now hold nearly 10% of the company’s capital, underscoring the group’s shared ownership culture.
Innovation has been central to Arkema’s strategy, with annual R&D investment exceeding 3% of sales in 2025. The company has positioned itself across fast-growing markets such as clean mobility, renewable energy, electronics, healthcare, and 3D printing, building technologies in polymers, resins, and adhesives designed for the energy transition.
Sustainability has also become a defining pillar of its strategy. Arkema reports a 67% reduction in Scopes 1+2 emissions since 2013 and has committed to a science-based emissions pathway validated by the SBTi. Safety and diversity metrics have also improved sharply, including a TRIR of 0.8 in 2025 versus 11.3 in 2005, and women now representing 31% of senior leadership compared with 18% in 2015.
As it enters its next chapter, the company is framing its 20-year milestone not as a conclusion but a launchpad. "This anniversary marks a moment of collective pride, yet it is far from being an end point.”
With a global footprint, expanding technologies, and continued focus on sustainable innovation, Arkema says it is positioning itself for the next phase of growth in an increasingly complex industrial landscape.
