Lanxess Finalizes Second‑Largest Acquisition: Emerald Kalama Chemical

Lanxess has completed its second‑largest acquisition to date by taking over Emerald Kalama Chemical, a Vancouver‑based specialty chemical manufacturer that was majority‑owned by affiliates of private equity firm American Securities LLC.

Emerald Kalama’s product portfolio spans high‑growth industrial segments—primarily plastics, paints & coatings, and adhesives—accounting for roughly 25% of the business’s sales. These additives, which include non‑phthalate PVC plasticizers and polyolefin modifiers such as antioxidants and nucleating agents, will be fully integrated into Lanxess’s Polymer Additives unit.

Meanwhile, about 75% of sales derive from specialty products for the consumer‑care market. The acquisition positions Lanxess as a leading supplier of flavors and fragrances, a category expected to deliver sustained, strong growth. These substances are used in personal care products, cosmetics, exclusive fragrances, and food & beverage applications. The newly acquired business will feed into Lanxess’s newly established Flavors & Fragrances unit, part of the Consumer Protection segment.

With the deal closed, Lanxess adds roughly 470 employees and three production sites—Kalama, Washington (USA); Rotterdam, Netherlands; and Widnes, Great Britain—strengthening its presence in the preservatives market and expanding offerings for food & beverage, detergents, fabric softeners, cosmetics, and personal‑care products.