LANXESS Confirms 2026 Guidance Despite Lower Q1 Sales and EBITDA

Specialty chemicals company cites weak economic environment and geopolitical uncertainties, while reporting positive momentum since March

Mumbai, May 25, 2026 – Specialty chemicals company LANXESS reported lower sales and earnings for the first quarter of the 2026 financial year amid weak market conditions, geopolitical uncertainties and the impact of prior year portfolio divestments. Despite the subdued start to the year, the company confirmed its full-year 2026 guidance and indicated improved momentum since March.

LANXESS recorded sales of EUR 1.378 billion in the first quarter of 2026, marking a decline of 13.9 percent compared with EUR 1.601 billion in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. EBITDA pre exceptionals stood at EUR 94 million, down 29.3 percent from EUR 133 million recorded in the same period last year. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals declined to 6.8 percent from 8.3 percent a year earlier.

The company stated that lower raw material input prices and continued pricing pressure from Asian markets contributed to reduced selling prices in several businesses. Exchange rate effects and the portfolio impact from the sale of the Urethane Systems business effective April 1, 2025, also affected quarterly performance.

“The start of the year was weak, but since March we have seen a slight positive momentum. Due to the conflict in the Middle East, the supply chains of many Asian competitors have been disrupted, causing customers to turn back to European suppliers such as LANXESS. Supply capability is currently a significant competitive advantage. At the same time, we have raised prices for many of our products to pass on the increased costs of raw materials, energy and logistics,” said Matthias Zachert, CEO of LANXESS.

Guidance for 2026 Maintained

LANXESS said it expects current market conditions to continue over the coming months and projected EBITDA pre exceptionals for the second quarter of 2026 to range between EUR 130 million and EUR 150 million.

The company also confirmed its guidance issued in March for the full year 2026 and continues to expect EBITDA pre exceptionals between EUR 450 million and EUR 550 million.

Segment Performance

Consumer Protection

The Consumer Protection segment generated sales of EUR 458 million during the first quarter of 2026, representing a decline of 10.7 percent compared with EUR 513 million in the same period last year.

EBITDA pre exceptionals for the segment stood at EUR 62 million, down 15.1 percent from EUR 73 million in the corresponding quarter of the previous year. The decline was attributed to weaker demand, lower sales volumes and adverse exchange rate effects. The previous year’s earnings also included a high single-digit million-euro insurance reimbursement.

The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals for the segment was 13.5 percent, compared with 14.2 percent in the same quarter last year.

Specialty Additives

The Specialty Additives segment reported sales of EUR 521 million in the first quarter, down 4.4 percent from EUR 545 million in the same period of 2025.

EBITDA pre exceptionals reached EUR 44 million, a decline of 15.4 percent from EUR 52 million recorded in the previous year’s quarter. According to the company, adverse exchange rate effects and lower raw material purchase prices, which translated into reduced selling prices, contributed to the decline in earnings.

Higher demand for lubricants and bromine-based flame retardants partially offset the decrease. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals stood at 8.4 percent compared with 9.5 percent in the corresponding quarter last year.

Advanced Intermediates

In the Advanced Intermediates segment, sales declined 16.8 percent to EUR 396 million in the first quarter of 2026 from EUR 476 million in the same quarter of the previous year.

EBITDA pre exceptionals for the segment was EUR 27 million, down 32.5 percent from EUR 40 million recorded in the corresponding period last year.

LANXESS stated that weak demand, lower capacity utilisation and reduced sales volumes negatively impacted earnings and margins. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals fell to 6.8 percent from 8.4 percent a year earlier.