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
18 May 2006
2 years after the Company's creation, the adventure continues with Arkema's listing on the Paris stock market.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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).
July 2012
Arkema spurs renewed momentum by refocusing on specialty chemicals and divests its vinyl business segment.
September 2012
The Group takes on a new visual identity and a new signature, Innovative Chemistry, which reflects its new positioning.
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.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 1.
The pair complete the legendary Coffee Race in 10 days 19 hrs 14 min and 19 s.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
March 2019
Arkema starts first PEKK production plant in U.S. (Mobile, Alabama).
This investment supports the strong demand for composites and advanced materials for 3D printing from demanding markets such as aeronautics, oil and gas, electronics and automotive.
May 2019
Arkema has chosen the location of Jurong Island in Singapore to build its new world-scale plant dedicated to the manufacturing of the amino 11 monomer and its flagship Rilsan® polyamide 11. This new plant will increase our global capacities of polyamide 11 by 50%.
May 2019
Arkema acquires ArrMaz, a US-based leader in specialty surfactants for crop nutrition, mining and infrastructure.
This acquisition will join two organizations that are complementary in terms of geography as well as commercial and technological capabilities, especially for Performance Additives.
July 2019
The Group acquires two companies:
- Prochimir, a French company specialized in high performance thermobonding adhesive films, which strengthens Bostik’s adhesive portfolio Bostik,
- and Lambson, that perfectly complements Sartomer’s resin range with its photoinitiators for curing.
December 2019
Arkema acquires the Danish company LIP, a leader in tile adhesives, waterproofing and floor preparation products in the Scandinavian market.
This project will enable Bostik to extend its range of high value-added solutions, while boosting its presence in Nordic countries.
June 2020
Arkema divests its Functional Polyolefins business.
This divestment is fully in line with the Group’s strategy to become a pure player in Specialty Materials by 2024, centered around the three complementary and highly innovative segments of Adhesive Solutions, Advanced Materials and Coating Solutions.
July 2020
Arkema acquires Fixatti, a company specialized in high-performance thermobonding adhesive powders.
This acquisition will enable Bostik to strengthen its global offering of hotmelt adhesive solutions for niche industrial applications in the construction, technical coating, battery, automotive, and textile printing markets.
September 2020
Arkema 4, Quentin Vlamynck's new Multi50, hit the water!
This brand new Multi50 is the result of close and intense technical collaboration between the Arkema Group and Lalou Multi, partners since 2013.
With recyclable resins, new adhesives, or clean energy, Arkema 4 is an innovative, versatile and sharp-looking boat.
December 2020
The divestment of its PMMA business to Trinseo is a new step in Arkema’s transformation, and fully in line with its ambition to become a pure Specialty Materials player by 2024.
December 2020
Arkema acquires Colorado Photopolymer Solution, a company developing and marketing a range of value-added, formulated photopolymer resin solutions for energy curing technology, especially for 3D printing markets.
This acquisition will enable Sartomer, an Arkema subsidiary, to further support its customers and partners.
February 2021
Arkema launches its program Start-up Connect, inviting start-ups specializing in advanced materials from around the world to join forces with Arkema to establish a privileged research collaboration.
Start-ups can benefit from the Group’s support and technological experience.
June 2021
Following the acquisition of Lambson — a global player specializing in the development and supply of photoinitiators — Arkema opens a Center of Excellence in Wetherby (UK).
Integrated into the photocurable specialties business of Sartomer — a pioneer in this market — this center is a key component of the growth and development strategy for photocuring, a solvent-free sustainable technology of the future.
August 2021
Arkema acquires Ashland’s Performance Adhesives business, US producer of pressure-sensitive adhesives, structural adhesives for construction and adhesives for flexible packaging.
This acquisition will enable Bostik to expand its offering and position itself as a major player in high performance industrial adhesives thanks to the excellent technological, geographic and commercial complementarities enabled by this operation.
September 2021
Arkema announces the proposed divestment of its epoxides business to Cargill, a leader in agricultural products and services.
With this project, Arkema is pursuing the repositioning of its portfolio on its core businesses.
September 2021
The Vigeo Eiris (V.E) rating agency places Arkema in first place out of the 42 companies assessed in the chemicals sector worldwide in Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR).
This rating is a recognition that values the commitments and progress made by Arkema in terms of CSR.
September 2021
One year to the day after its launch, the Ocean Fifty Arkema 4 was christened in Bordeaux, in the presence of its skipper Quentin Vlamynck, but also Arkema employees involved in the construction.
October 2021
Arkema announces the construction of a polyamide 11 powders plant on its Changshu platform in China, scheduled to come on stream in the first quarter of 2023.
This investment will further support the growing demand for advanced bio-circular materials in Asia.
November 2021
Arkema unveils a new positioning and visual identity with the ambition of leveraging its innovation and expertise in materials science to help build a sustainable world.
To achieve this ambition, Arkema aims to become a 100% Specialty Materials player by 2024.
November 2021
Arkema inaugurates a new Center of Excellence dedicated to batteries at its Pierre-Bénite Research Center.
On this occasion the Group announces a 50% increase in its Kynar® PVDF fluoropolymer production capacities at its Pierre-Bénite site in order to address the fast-growing demand for materials for lithium-ion batteries.
January 2022
Arkema and the French Académie des sciences are launching a "prize for innovation in chemistry for sustainable materials". It rewards scientific work that contributes to the development of innovative materials at the service of environmental protection and sustainability.
The 2022 prize has been awarded in October to Lydéric Bocquet, Director of Research at CNRS for his work linking the physical chemistry of materials, fluid dynamics and nanosciences.
January 2022
Arkema was officially certified Top Employer for the first time in France, China, the United States and Brazil.
This Top Employer certification is given in recognition of the excellence of our HR practices in these four countries, which account for two-thirds of our employees and recruitments worldwide.
April 2022
Arkema, partner of women’s football since 2019, has extended its naming contract with D1 Arkema, the French Division 1 women’s football league, for another three seasons.
April 2022
Arkema obtains SuCCESS™ certification for its advanced bio-based materials, the world’s first sustainable castor code.
July 2022
Arkema reinforces its commitment to the climate by setting itself an ambitious target, based on an SBT (Science Based Target) approach, to reduce its scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and its scope 3 emissions by 46% by 2030 relative to 2019.
September 2022
By publishing its Diversity and Inclusion Charter, Arkema reaffirms its desire to draw on the spectrum of this values for its recruitment and career management around the world.
October 2022
Arkema announces the proposed divestment of Febex, its phosphorus derivatives business, to Belgian group Prayon. Arkema thus continues its dynamic business portfolio management.
November 2022
Saling: an excellent second place for Quentin Vlamynck with Arkema in the Route du Rhum 2022.Quentin also won the Pro Sailing Tour 2022 earlier this year, a competition for Ocean Fifty class trimaran.
November 2022
Arkema announces a new range of mass balance acrylic materials. Arkema can offer certified bio-attributed specialty acrylic additives and resins for a wide range of applications.
It is a major step forward in its innovative sustainable offer.
March 2023
The European Patent Office (EPO) has unveiled the list of the 100 companies and organizations having filed or extended the largest number of patents in Europe in 2022, including Arkema.
Arkema is among the top 10 French companies in this ranking. More than 200 patents are filed worldwide each year, reflecting the hard work and innovation of our 1,800 active researchers in our 16 research and development centers.
April 2023
Arkema is deploying the climate fresk more widely among its employees to raise awareness of the issue.
The Climate fresk is a participatory workshop that provides an understanding of the causes and consequences of climate change, while suggesting ways to take action later on. All of our employees are expected to participate in the coming months.
May 2023
Arkema, which had already strengthened its climate plan in July 2022, is setting new, even more ambitious targets by 2030 across its whole value chain, approved by the organization Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi).
The Group now aims to reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 48.5% for Scopes 1+2 and by 54% for Scope 3 by 2030 versus 2019.
June 2023
Arkema broadens its range of high performance polymers with the acquisition of a controlling stake in PI Advanced Materials.
PIAM, based in South Korea, is the global leader of polyimide films for flexible printed circuit boards and graphite sheets used in the high growth and high margin markets of mobile devices and electric vehicles.
PIAM’s portfolio fits perfectly with the Advanced Materials segment, strengthening the high performance polymer range in attractive markets linked to megatrends.
July 2023
Namer of D1 Arkema since 2019, Arkema is now a partner of the French national Women's Football Team for the next two seasons, until 2025.
September 2023
Arkema is one of the "World's Best Companies of 2023", according to the TIME magazine ranking.
The ranking reflects the Group's excellent global economic performance, which has been growing steadily for almost two decades, its demanding strategy in terms of social and environmental responsibility, and an HR policy focused on employee well-being and commitment.
October 2023
Arkema has begun production of Sartomer® specialty UV/LED curing resins at its expanded facility in Nansha, China, where the Group invested to double the capacity.
This will support the development of more sustainable solutions for fast-growing applications in Asian markets, such as cutting-edge solutions in electronics, driven by 5G technology, and in renewable energies.
October 2023
The Group further decreased by 46% the carbon footprint of its bio-based Rilsan® polyamide 11 grades reaching less than 2 kg CO2e/kg(1), by using renewable or low carbon energy sources and by making several energy efficiency improvements in its production sites.
It represents an improvement of around 70% relative to traditional polyamide resins using fossil-based raw materials and conventional energy sources.