Overview
Arkema S.A. is a major French specialty chemicals company founded in 2004 as part of Total’s restructuring of its chemicals business and listed on the Paris stock exchange in May 2006. Headquartered in La Défense, near Paris, Arkema operates across 55 countries with 21,150 employees and 157 production plants. The company is a global leader in specialty chemicals, innovative materials, and solutions, with particular focus on sustainable and bio-based products.
Arkema is strategically positioned at the intersection of chemical innovation and sustainability, developing advanced materials that support circular economy principles and address global environmental challenges across diverse industrial applications.
Primary Materials & Products
Bio-Based Polymers & Materials:
- Biostrength® Additives: Impact modifiers specifically designed to enhance mechanical properties of polylactic acid (PLA)
- Bio-based polyurethane systems
- Sustainable polymer precursors and intermediates
- Innovative bio-derived chemical compounds
Specialty Polymers:
- Advanced fluoropolymers (PVDF, FEP, ETFE)
- Polyamides and engineering plastics
- Specialty resins and binders
- High-performance polymer compounds
Specialty Chemicals:
- Functional additives for polymers
- Surfactants and specialty compounds
- Adhesives and bonding agents
- Industrial process chemicals
Renewable Materials:
- Plant-based chemical feedstocks
- Bio-derived specialty compounds
- Sustainable intermediate chemicals
- Green chemistry solutions
Market Segments
Arkema serves diverse global industries with specialty chemical and advanced material solutions:
- Packaging: Sustainable polymers and additives for food and industrial packaging
- Automotive: Advanced materials and additives for vehicle components
- Construction & Building: Durable materials for insulation and structural applications
- Healthcare & Medical: Specialized materials for medical devices and applications
- Industrial Applications: Specialty chemicals for manufacturing processes
- Consumer Goods: Materials and additives for household products
- Renewable Energy: Materials supporting clean energy applications
Bioplastics Research & Innovation
Biostrength® Technology: Arkema’s Biostrength additives represent a major innovation in PLA enhancement:
- Impact modifiers specifically developed for polylactic acid
- Significant improvement of mechanical properties
- Enhanced toughness and durability of PLA-based products
- Enables broader application range for bioplastics
- Supports commercialization of PLA in demanding applications
Research Initiatives: Arkema maintains significant research focus on:
- Bio-based polymer chemistry
- Sustainable additive development
- Plant-based material innovation
- Circular economy material solutions
Industrial Research Chair: Arkema has established an industrial research chair in bioplastics at Mines-ParisTech, demonstrating strong commitment to:
- Advanced bioplastics research and development
- Academic collaboration and innovation
- Development of next-generation bio-based materials
- Support for circular economy transition
Research & Development Infrastructure
Multiple Research Centers: Arkema operates 17 dedicated research centers globally, with particular emphasis on:
- Bio-based chemistry and materials science
- Advanced polymer development
- Sustainable manufacturing processes
- Application-specific material innovation
Strategic Focus Areas:
- Renewable resource utilization
- Circular chemistry principles
- Advanced material properties
- Sustainability integration
Global Operations & Manufacturing
Arkema operates extensive manufacturing infrastructure across:
- Europe: Primary operations hub with multiple facilities
- North America: Significant manufacturing presence
- Asia-Pacific: Growing operations for regional markets
- Strategic Locations: Global production network ensuring supply reliability
Manufacturing Excellence:
- 157 production plants worldwide
- Advanced manufacturing technologies
- Quality assurance and compliance systems
- Sustainable production practices
Sustainability Commitment
Environmental Leadership: Arkema is positioned as a sustainability leader through:
- Development of bio-based alternatives to conventional chemicals
- Investment in renewable resource utilization
- Support for circular economy principles
- Reduction of environmental footprint
Innovation for Sustainability: The company emphasizes:
- Bio-based material development
- Additive innovations for sustainable polymers
- Reduction of fossil fuel dependency
- Support for customers’ sustainability goals
Strategic Partnerships
Arkema collaborates with:
- Academic institutions (Mines-ParisTech research chair)
- Technology partners for bio-based material development
- Polymer manufacturers utilizing Biostrength additives
- Sustainability-focused industry partners
Industry Positioning
As a specialty chemicals leader with strong bioplastics focus, Arkema is strategically positioned to support the global transition toward sustainable materials. The company’s portfolio of bio-based additives, particularly Biostrength for PLA enhancement, addresses critical market needs for improving bioplastic performance and expanding application possibilities.
Future Outlook
Arkema continues to invest in bioplastics innovation and sustainable material development, with particular focus on:
- Expansion of Biostrength product line
- Development of novel bio-based additives
- Support for circular economy material solutions
- Collaboration with customers in sustainable transitions
Last updated: February 13, 2026