Arkema in a nutshell

The Arkema group was created in October 2004, following the reorganization of Total’s Chemicals branch. Thanks to innovation, targeted acquisitions and investments in emerging countries, it has become a recognized world player in the field of specialty chemicals.

Our history since 2006

2006

2007

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

2015

2016

2017

2018

18 MAY 2006

2 years after the Company’s creation, the adventure continues with Arkema’s listing on the Paris stock market.

Read the news brief

OCTOBER 2007

The Group begins its development with the acquisition of Coatex, a world producer of rheology additives used in paints and coatings, packaging and paper.

Find out more about Coatex

JANUARY 2010

Year after year, Arkema continues to expand. Following its acquisition of the acrylic monomers and emulsions business from Dow Chemical Company in North America, the Group bolsters its positions in the acrylics market (paints and coatings, automotive and transport).

Read the press release

JULY 2011

The Group acquires the Sartomer and Cray Valley specialty resins activities (paints and coatings) from the Total group. These acquisitions provide Arkema with new growth drivers in Asia.

Read the press release

OCTOBER 2011

Arkema boosts its presence in Asia and intensifies its R&D efforts in China.
Arkema lays the foundation stone of a new Research and Development center on its Changshu site near Shanghai.

Read the interview of the CRDC Manager

FEBRUARY 2012

New major development opportunity with the acquisition of Chinese companies Casda Biomaterials, the world’s leading producer of sebasic acid, and Hipro Polymers, producer of specialty polyamides 10 (plant-based chemistry).

Read the press release

JULY 2012

Arkema spurs renewed momentum by refocusing on specialty chemicals and divests its vinyl business segment.

Read the press release

SEPTEMBER 2012

The Group takes on a new visual identity and a new signature, Innovative Chemistry, which reflects its new positioning.

Discover the new identity

MAY 2013

Arkema launches into the development of cutting edge technologies for the nautical sector. A human and technological adventure begins with the sponsorship of the Arkema-Région Aquitaine Multi50 trimaran and Team Lalou Multi.

Discover the Multi50 trimaran

OCTOBER 2014

Arkema bolsters its positions in the Asian market with the creation of Sunke in partnership with Jurong Chemical, acrylic acid leader in China.

Read the press release

JANUARY 2015

Arkema reaffirms its expertise in thiochemicals (sulfur derivatives) technologies with the commissioning of the Kerteh plant in Malaysia. The site produces DMDS (dimethyl disulfide) and methyl mercaptan (used as a synthesis intermediate in animal feed).

Discover Arkema’s strategy in Asia

FEBRUARY 2015

The Group takes a new major step forward in its development with the acquisition of Bostik, the world’s n°3 in specialty adhesives.

Find out more about Bostik

JUNE 2015

To assist with its customers’ growth, CECA, an Arkema subsidiary, announces a project to double specialty molecular sieve capacity at its Honfleur site in France, i.e. some 60 million euro capital expenditure.

Read the press release

MAY 2016

Arkema celebrates its #10Years! Tenth years after being publicly listed, Arkema has become an innovative, agile, global chemical producer with a regionally balanced portfolio, providing specialty chemicals and advanced materials.

A transformative 10 years

DECEMBER 2016

Arkema acquires the Dutch company Den Braven, a leader in high performance sealants for insulation and construction in Europe. With this acquisition integrated into its subsidiary Bostik, the Group actively pursues the development of its High Performance Materials division.

Read the press release

JULY 2017

In order to bolster its position as a world player in sulfur derivatives, Arkema plans to double production capacity for methyl mercaptan, a sulfur intermediate that is key in the animal feed, refining and petrochemicals markets, at its Kerteh plant in Malaysia.

Read the press release

JULY 2017

Arkema announces a major investment of 300 million euros to build, in Asia, a plant dedicated to Rilsan® biosourced polyamide 11 for use as a substitute for metal in demanding and fast-growing applications in electronics, 3D printing and automotive. This plant will come on stream in 2021.

Read the press release

NOVEMBER 2017

Victory for Team Arkema Lalou Multi! Skippers Lalou Roucayrol and Alex Pella win the Transat Jacques Vabre 2017 race on board the trimaran Multi50 Arkema. The pair complete the legendary Coffee Race in 10 days 19 hrs 14 min and 19 s.

Watch the video of the victory

NOVEMBER 2017

Bostik (Arkema subsidiary) acquires XL Brands, a leading company for soft flooring adhesives in the United States. With this latest acquisition, the Group actively pursues its development strategy in specialties.

Find out more on the targeted acquisition strategy

MARCH 2018

Arkema and Hexcel join forces in thermoplastic composite solutions for aerospace. With the expertise of Hexcel in carbon fiber and that of Arkema in PEKK, the two companies will develop carbon fiber-reinforced thermoplastic tapes to produce lightweight parts for future generations of aircraft.

Read the press release

APRIL 2018

Arkema becomes National Supporter of the FIFA Women’s World Cup France 2019™! With this agreement, Arkema supports women’s engagement in football, and enhances the status of women both in sport and at work.

Read the press release

MAY 2018

Bostik steps up its development in adhesives in Japan. The Bostik-Nitta joint-venture announced the acquisition the industrial adhesives of Nitta-Gelatin Inc., and the construction of a new adhesives plant in Japan. Bostik will be able to supply its Japanese customers in the buoyant nonwoven markets for hygiene applications and in the packaging, labelling, transportation and electronics industrial markets.

Read the press release

JULY 2018

Arkema to launch a 3D Printing Center of Excellence, located at its Sartomer Exton facility (US). that will house most UV based technologies. and will develop cutting-edge 3D printing resins for applications such as dental, sports and electronics. Sartomer, a Business Line of Arkema, is a pioneer in designing engineered resins for UV-curable additive manufacturing.

Read the press release