Updated:
Archroma
Archroma was formed in September 2013 when SK Capital acquired the Textile Chemicals, Paper Specialties, and Emulsions businesses from Clariant and...
Archroma
Archroma was formed in September 2013 when SK Capital acquired the Textile Chemicals, Paper Specialties, and Emulsions businesses from Clariant and combined them into an independent company. The firm traces its heritage to Kern & Sandoz, a Basel textile-dye producer founded in 1886, and draws on over 140 years of accumulated chemistry expertise (per the firm, 2013). The company's Textile Effects division supplies pretreatment, dyeing, printing, and finishing chemicals for apparel — from casual wear and denim to automotive interiors and nonwovens. Its Packaging Technologies unit offers coatings, adhesives, and performance chemicals for paper, board, flexible packaging, paints, and construction materials. Archroma also serves the coatings, adhesives, and sealants market. The firm operates a PLANET CONSCIOUS+ sustainability program and has set targets through 2030 for reducing Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, water intensity, and waste to landfill (per the firm, 2024). Archroma reports over 4,000 employees across 42 countries with more than 30 production sites. In October 2024, it established a dedicated Packaging Technologies business to accelerate growth in that segment. The company has grown through acquisitions — including the global textile-chemicals business of BASF (July 2015), M. Dohmen (2014–2018), BASF's stilbene-based OBA business (December 2019), and Huntsman Textile Effects (February 2023) (per the firm, 2023). Archroma operates as a wholly owned portfolio company of SK Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on specialty materials, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. This parent-company structure distinguishes Archroma from both family-owned chemical firms and publicly traded peers — SK Capital provides strategic oversight and capital for add-on acquisitions while Archroma maintains an independent operating management team.
General information
Firm type
other
Year founded
2013
AUM
Undisclosed
Location
Region
Europe
Country
Switzerland
City
Pratteln
Corporate office
Pratteln, Switzerland
Sector focus
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Archroma?
Archroma is a portfolio company of SK Capital Partners, a private investment firm focused on specialty materials, chemicals, and pharmaceuticals. SK Capital acquired the Textile Chemicals, Paper Specialties, and Emulsions businesses from Clariant in September 2013 and formed Archroma as an independent entity.
What markets does Archroma serve?
Archroma serves three main markets: branded and performance textiles (apparel, home textiles, automotive, nonwovens), packaging and paper (coatings, adhesives, functional barriers), and coatings, adhesives, and sealants. The firm operates in over 90 countries.
How does Archroma approach sustainability?
Archroma operates a PLANET CONSCIOUS+ sustainability program and has set emissions and resource targets through 2030, including reductions in Scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions, hazardous waste to landfill, water intensity, waste intensity, and energy intensity (per the firm, 2024). The company publishes an annual sustainability report and holds an EcoVadis Gold rating.
What recent acquisitions has Archroma completed?
Archroma acquired Huntsman Textile Effects in February 2023, combining two global leaders in textile chemicals. Prior acquisitions include the global textile chemicals business of BASF (July 2015), M. Dohmen (2014–2018), and BASF's stilbene-based OBA business (December 2019) (per the firm, 2023).
Does Archroma have a research and development operation?
Yes. Archroma maintains an R&D network with technical experts and product managers worldwide. The firm's heritage includes over 140 years of chemistry expertise, and it develops systems and solutions for pretreatment, dyeing, printing, and finishing of textiles as well as advanced chemistries for packaging and coatings applications.
How does Archroma's structure as an SK Capital portfolio company affect its operations?
Archroma operates as a wholly owned independent company with its own management team, while SK Capital provides strategic oversight and capital for acquisitions. This structure allows Archroma to pursue add-on acquisitions and long-term investments without the quarterly-reporting pressures of a public company.
What is Archroma's geographic footprint?
Archroma is headquartered in Pratteln, Switzerland, and operates in over 90 countries with more than 4,000 employees across 42 countries and over 30 production sites. The company has a global supply chain serving customers in Europe, North America, Asia, and other regions.
Profile maintained by Altss using OSINT (open-source intelligence), regulatory filings, licensed data partners, and verified direct submissions. Read the methodology. Last updated: . Continuous refresh with full update cycles at least every 30 days.
Need institutional-grade insight on family offices?
Altss delivers:
Prefer a guided tour?
We’ll walk you through: