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Arkema Posts Strong Second Quarter Despite Middle East Challenges

Despite challenges related to the conflict in the Middle East, Arkema reported a solid second quarter of 2026, with EBITDA increasing 7.4% year over year to €391 million (approx. $445.5 million), up from €364 million (approx. $414.7 million) in the second quarter of 2025. EBITDA margin improved to 16.1%, compared with 15.2% in the prior-year period. According to the company, the improvement was driven primarily by strong performances in its Adhesive Solutions business, which benefited from growth in industrial applications, and Coating Solutions, which recovered from last year's performance.

Group sales increased 3.2% organically, supported by pricing and growth in Asia, although the company said overall global demand remained largely unchanged from previous quarters.

"Arkema delivered a solid second quarter in a challenging environment impacted by the crisis in the Middle East, rising raw material prices and widespread supply chain disruption," said Chairman and CEO Thierry Le Hénaff. He noted strong improvements in the company's Adhesive Solutions and Coating Solutions businesses, along with better performance in High Performance Polymers, highlighting Arkema's exposure to growth markets such as electric vehicles, advanced electronics, data centers, and bio-based consumer goods.

Looking ahead, Arkema expects market conditions to remain challenging due to ongoing macroeconomic and geopolitical uncertainty. The company said it will continue to focus on cost control, disciplined capital spending, and execution of major projects while maintaining its full-year 2026 guidance for EBITDA to be slightly higher than 2025 at constant exchange rates. Arkema also expects year-over-year growth in its Adhesive Solutions and Coating Solutions businesses during the second half of the year while continuing to invest in innovation and more sustainable, high-performance materials.

Learn more about Arkema at arkema.com.