- Sales reach 3,081 million euros thanks to slight operating growth
- ELANTAS division particularly strong
- Research and development expenditure at record high
- EBITDA and margin above previous year's level
In 2025, ALTANA once again invested heavily in the future, increasing its already high research and development (R&D) expenditure by 1 percent to 216 million euros. This represents a new record and corresponds to 7 percent of sales, remaining more than twice as high as the industry average. At the same time, the company again invested significantly in its sites worldwide.
“2025 was an overall successful year for ALTANA. Despite continuing difficult market conditions, we were able to increase operating sales and earnings compared with the strong figures of the previous year and achieve growth in key areas,” said Martin Babilas, CEO of ALTANA AG. “At the same time, we managed to stay on course and continue investing in the future.”
Site expansion driven forward
In 2025, ALTANA continued to expand its international network of sites. At its headquarters in Wesel, construction began on a new innovation, laboratory, and seminar complex for the BYK division, representing an investment of 25 million euros. In Kings Mountain, North Carolina, the ACTEGA division opened a new state-of-the-art production site for printing inks and coatings. In total, ALTANA invested 172 million euros in site expansion and digitalization, corresponding to 5.6 percent of sales, which is within the company’s long-term target range.
Consistent focus on resource and climate conservation
ALTANA is consistently working to make its own products and thus those of its customers more resource-efficient and climate-friendly. Renowned external organizations confirmed the effectiveness of these efforts last year. The rating agency EcoVadis awarded the ALTANA Group the Platinum Medal, placing it among the top 1 percent of all companies evaluated worldwide. In addition, the European Investment Bank (EIB) approved a new credit line of up to 300 million euros at attractive terms to finance further sustainable research and development projects over the coming years.
Significant operating sales growth in the ELANTAS division
In 2025, sales in ALTANA’s four divisions developed unevenly. The largest division, BYK, reported an operating sales decrease of 1 percent. In nominal terms, sales fell by 4 percent to 1,289 million euros. The effect pigment specialist ECKART achieved operating sales of 423 million euros, unchanged from the previous year. Nominal sales came in 2 percent below the previous year's figure. ELANTAS, the supplier of electrical insulation materials, achieved a significant 5 percent increase in operating sales, while nominal sales declined by 2 percent to 861 million euros due to exchange-rate effects and the divestment of smaller business areas. ACTEGA recorded an operating sales decline of 1 percent adjusted for exchange-rate effects. Nominal sales edged down by 3 percent to 505 million euros.
Asia and America regions show operating growth
In 2025, the sales regions Asia and Americas recorded increases in sales adjusted for acquisition and exchange-rate effects. In Asia, operating sales rose by 4 percent. Nominal sales were slightly lower, down 1 percent to 1,045 million euros. In China, the ALTANA Group achieved operating sales growth of 5 percent (nominal 1 percent), while the growth market India recorded 7 percent operating growth (nominal minus 4 percent). In the Americas, operating sales grew by 2 percent. Nominal sales fell by 3 percent to 860 million euros. The U.S. market recorded operating growth of 3 percent (nominal minus 1 percent). In Europe, which remains the region with the highest sales, operating sales decreased by 2 percent and nominal sales by 4 percent to 1,124 million euros. Sales in Germany were down 2 percent in operating terms and by 5 percent nominally.
At the end of 2025, ALTANA employed 8,176 people worldwide, 206 fewer than on December 31, 2024. This reduction is solely attributable to the divestment of smaller business areas.
Outlook: Further growth
For 2026, ALTANA expects moderate growth in the global economy and anticipates a correspondingly positive development in demand for its products and services. In an environment that remains challenging due to tariff disputes and global conflicts, ALTANA forecasts operating sales growth in the mid-single-digit percentage range, adjusted for exchange-rate and acquisition effects. Growth is expected to be driven primarily by higher sales volumes. ALTANA expects EBITDA to remain roughly at the level of the previous year. However, the impact of the armed conflicts in the Middle East on demand and raw-material prices cannot currently be estimated.
Please find the presentation for the annual press conference and the 2025 corporate report for download at www.altana.com.
