LANXESS Reports Higher Sales and Earnings in Q2 2026, Maintains Full-Year Outlook

Specialty chemicals company posts 6.5% sales growth in the second quarter and confirms FY2026 EBITDA guidance of EUR 450–550 million

Specialty chemicals company LANXESS reported higher sales and earnings for the second quarter of 2026 despite what it described as a weak economic environment and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The company also confirmed its full-year 2026 earnings guidance.

Sales increased to EUR 1.561 billion in the second quarter, while EBITDA pre exceptionals rose to EUR 152 million. Compared with the first quarter of 2026, the company also recorded stronger earnings and a return to positive free cash flow.

Sales Rise 6.5% in Second Quarter

LANXESS reported:

• Sales: EUR 1.561 billion, up 6.5% from EUR 1.466 billion in Q2 2025.
• EBITDA pre exceptionals: EUR 152 million, up 1.3% from EUR 150 million a year earlier.
• EBITDA margin pre exceptionals: 9.7%, compared with 10.2% in Q2 2025.

According to the company, higher demand and increased sales volumes contributed to the improvement in earnings. LANXESS said price increases largely offset higher raw material and energy costs.

Sequential Performance Improves

Compared with the first quarter of 2026:

• Sales increased 13.3%.
• EBITDA pre exceptionals rose 61.7%.
• Free cash flow improved from negative EUR 29 million in Q1 2026 to EUR 56 million in Q2 2026.

CEO Statement

Commenting on the results, Matthias Zachert, CEO of LANXESS, said:

“In the second quarter, the expected development was confirmed, and we were able to benefit from increased demand, including temporary effects resulting from the conflict in the Middle East. For the first time in a year, we were once again able to achieve simultaneous increases in volumes and prices.

However, there is no sign of a sustained upturn in demand in our core markets, and market conditions remain challenging. We do not expect any further economic momentum by the end of the year. In return, we expect our cost-reduction programs to deliver greater contributions than in the first half of the year.”

Business Segment Performance

Consumer Protection

The Consumer Protection segment recorded:

• Sales: EUR 515 million, up 5.3% from EUR 489 million.
• EBITDA pre exceptionals: EUR 81 million, down 6.9% from EUR 87 million.

The company noted that the prior-year result included an insurance reimbursement in the high single-digit million-euro range.

• EBITDA margin pre exceptionals: 15.7%, compared with 17.8% in Q2 2025.

Specialty Additives

The Specialty Additives segment reported:

• Sales: EUR 588 million, up 11.4% from EUR 528 million.
• EBITDA pre exceptionals: EUR 77 million, up 32.8% from EUR 58 million.

LANXESS attributed the improvement to higher demand, increased sales volumes across all business units and higher selling prices that offset increased raw material costs.

• EBITDA margin pre exceptionals: 13.1%, compared with 11.0% a year earlier.

Advanced Intermediates

The Advanced Intermediates segment recorded:

• Sales: EUR 456 million, up 2.2% from EUR 446 million.
• EBITDA pre exceptionals: EUR 35 million, down 20.5% from EUR 44 million.

According to the company, higher selling prices offset increased raw material costs, while higher energy costs and a targeted inventory reduction affected earnings.

• EBITDA margin pre exceptionals: 7.7%, compared with 9.9% in Q2 2025.

Other Financial Metrics

* As of December 31, 2025.
** As of June 30, 2026.

Full-Year Guidance Maintained

LANXESS confirmed its guidance for the full year and continues to expect EBITDA pre exceptionals of between EUR 450 million and EUR 550 million in 2026.

The company reported sales of EUR 5.7 billion in 2025 and employs about 11,500 people across 32 countries. Its core business includes the development, manufacturing and marketing of chemical intermediates, additives and consumer protection products.