Kemira
Kemira Oyj is a Finnish specialty chemicals company founded in 1920 that produces water treatment chemicals, pulp and paper process chemicals, and digital services for municipal water utilities, pulp and paper producers, and industrial customers across 37 countries.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1920
- HeadquartersHelsinki, Finland
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Kemira does
Kemira Oyj is a Finnish specialty chemicals company founded in 1920 and listed on Nasdaq Helsinki (ticker: KEMIRA) that develops, produces, and sells water treatment chemistries, pulp and paper process chemicals, and fiber-based materials for water-intensive industries. The company serves three primary customer segments — municipal water utilities, pulp & paper producers, and industrial users in food and beverage, energy, metals and mining, and healthcare — and reports a workforce of approximately 4,900 employees across 37 countries and 58 production sites, with innovation centers in Espoo, Atlanta, and Shanghai. Its core technology portfolio spans coagulants, polymers, biocides, sizing agents (including AKD), and process chemicals for water and pulp/paper applications; the KemConnect digital services platform overlays these chemicals with process monitoring, optimization (e.g., KemConnect Harmonizer for paper), and chlorine-free disinfection (KemConnect DEX, EPA- and PMRA-registered).
Kemira generates revenue primarily through direct enterprise sales of specialty chemicals on a quote-based B2B model, complemented by recurring KemConnect digital services subscriptions and an expanding water treatment services business built through recent acquisitions. Water Solutions is the largest segment at roughly 45% of revenue, followed by Pulp & Paper and Industrial Solutions, with a strategic push into fiber-based packaging (Fennobio) and bio-based chemistries (Alpha Bio JV with IFF, EUR 130M total investment). Distribution combines field sales and technical application specialists for large accounts, inside sales for mid-market, and regional distributors for smaller customers, while marketing includes thought-leadership content (annual Kemira Water Index research), industry conferences, LinkedIn/YouTube presence, and investor communications. FY2025 revenue was EUR 2.8 billion with a 19.1% operative EBITDA margin, and the company continues an active inorganic growth strategy with four acquisitions completed or announced between October 2025 and June 2026.
Kemira firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Kemira
- Legal name
- Kemira Oyj
- Website
- http://www.kemira.com/
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1920
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Kemira Oyj is a Finnish specialty chemicals company founded in 1920 that produces water treatment chemicals, pulp and paper process chemicals, and digital services for municipal water utilities, pulp and paper producers, and industrial customers across 37 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Kemira industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemicals
- NAICS
- Chemical Manufacturing (325), Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259)
- SIC
- Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAN)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Municipal Wastewater & Sewage Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAB), Municipal Drinking Water Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAA), Industrial Wastewater Treatment Chemicals (IMAEAJAC), Biocides & Disinfection Chemicals (Non-Agricultural) (IMAEAJAL)
Keywords
Where Kemira is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Helsinki
- HQ country
- Finland
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices14 records
Markets served
Kemira business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Specialty Chemicals - Water Solutions: Sale of specialty chemicals including coagulants, polymers, biocides, and process chemicals for municipal and industrial water treatment. Represents approximately 45% of total company revenue.
- Specialty Chemicals - Pulp & Paper: Complete pulp chemistry portfolio including sizing agents (AKD), sodium chlorate, and process chemicals for pulp, paper, board, and tissue production.
- Digital Services: Digital services for process optimization including KemConnect platform offerings for water treatment and paper production monitoring and control.
- Water Treatment Services: Industrial water treatment services provided through acquisitions including Water Engineering, AquaBlue, and Clear Water Technologies. Expanding service offerings in North American industrial water treatment sector.
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels7 records
Kemira product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Kemira manufactures and supplies specialty chemicals for water treatment (coagulants, polymers, biocides, activated carbon), pulp and paper production chemistry (pulp, paper, board, tissue), and industrial process chemicals for water-intensive industries including food & beverage, energy, and metals & mining. The chemical portfolio is complemented by KemConnect digital services that deliver real-time monitoring and process optimization for water treatment and paper manufacturing operations.
Product overview
Kemira offers a unified portfolio of specialty chemicals and digital services for water-intensive industries. The core offering spans three business areas: Water Solutions (coagulants, polymers, biocides, activated carbon for municipal and industrial water treatment), Pulp & Paper (pulp chemistry, paper and board chemicals, tissue chemicals), and Industrial Solutions (process chemicals for food, energy, metals & mining). The KemConnect digital services platform overlays the chemical portfolio with real-time monitoring, process optimization, and automation capabilities. Key product lines include KemConnect DEX (chlorine-free disinfection), KemConnect Harmonizer (paper production optimization), and Fennobio (bio-based packaging). The company operates 58 production sites across 37 countries with three innovation centers in Shanghai, Atlanta, and Espoo.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- KemConnect DEX: Chlorine-free performic acid-based antibacterial technology for waste and process water treatment. EPA-registered and now also PMRA registered in Canada for wastewater treatment applications.
- Fennobio
- Alpha Bio
- Kemira Water Index
Products and services
- Water Treatment Chemicals Coagulants, polymers, process chemicals, and biocides used by municipal water utilities and industrial customers for raw water, drinking water, wastewater, and sludge treatment.
- Activated Carbon Activated carbon solutions for water treatment applications, with a new reactivation and production facility being developed in Helsingborg, Sweden (expected operational by H2 2027) to meet rising demand for sustainable water treatment.
- Pulp Chemistry
Quantifiable outcome
- 43.1% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions since 2018 baseline
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Kemira
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Kemira technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature6 records
Kemira partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- International Flavors & Fragrances (IFF)coreAlpha Bio joint venture to produce bio-based alpha-glucans using IFF's proprietary DEB technology platform. Total investment of approximately EUR 130 million. Manufacturing site relocated to Hanko, Finland with commercial production expected 2029. Kemira retains global exclusivity for Paper, Board, and Water Treatment markets.
Scale indicators14 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Kemira competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Solenis: Privately held US-based specialty chemicals producer serving pulp & paper and water-intensive industries with a comparable portfolio of process chemicals, functional additives, and water treatment chemistries. Direct competitor to Kemira in pulp/paper and industrial water markets globally.
- SNF Floerger: World's largest producer of polyacrylamide flocculants and coagulants used in municipal and industrial water treatment. Closely comparable to Kemira's polymer and coagulant portfolio and competes head-to-head in raw water and wastewater applications.
- Kurita Water Industries: Japanese specialty chemicals and services company focused on industrial water treatment, boiler/cooling water, and ultrapure water for semiconductor and pharmaceutical customers. Directly comparable to Kemira's Industrial Solutions and water treatment chemicals segments, especially in Asia-Pacific.
- Buckman: Privately held specialty chemicals supplier focused on pulp & paper, water treatment, and leather. Direct competitor in pulp chemistry, paper process chemicals, and industrial water treatment with similar customer overlap in North America and Europe.
Broad incumbents
- Ecolab: US-based global leader in water, hygiene, and infection prevention solutions serving industrial, food service, and healthcare customers. Overlaps with Kemira's water and pulp/paper chemistries as part of a much broader portfolio including cleaning, sanitization, and food safety.
- Veolia Environnement: French multinational providing water and wastewater management services, including chemical treatment and municipal utility operations. Comparable to Kemira's expansion into water treatment services via Clear Water Technologies and SIDRA Wasserchemie acquisitions.
- Suez (Suez Water Technologies & Solutions): French water services and technology provider offering water treatment chemicals, equipment, and operations to municipal and industrial customers. Comparable to Kemira's water treatment chemicals and growing services portfolio in Europe and globally.
- Solvay: Belgian specialty chemicals producer serving consumer goods, advanced materials, and industrial markets including soda ash used in pulp processing. Comparable as a broad European specialty chemicals peer with overlap in water and pulp/paper inputs.
Emerging players
- Xylem: US-based water technology company focused on pumps, filtration, and treatment equipment for municipal and industrial water applications. Comparable to Kemira's water solutions offering, particularly as both companies expand into integrated digital and services offerings.
- Pentair: US water solutions company offering residential, commercial, and industrial water treatment equipment and services. Comparable to Kemira's industrial water treatment footprint, though focused more on equipment and filtration than chemical dosing.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
Kemira social profiles
Digital presenceKemira financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Kemira leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
Kemira subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Kemira funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds3 records
Investors3 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Kemira M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A10 records
Investments1 record
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Kemira
What does Kemira do?
Kemira manufactures and supplies specialty chemicals for water treatment (coagulants, polymers, biocides, activated carbon), pulp and paper production chemistry (pulp, paper, board, tissue), and industrial process chemicals for water-intensive industries including food & beverage, energy, and metals & mining. The chemical portfolio is complemented by KemConnect digital services that deliver real-time monitoring and process optimization for water treatment and paper manufacturing operations.
Is Kemira a public or private company?
Kemira is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Kemira founded?
Kemira was founded in 1920. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Kemira based?
Kemira is headquartered in Helsinki, Finland, in the Europe region.
How does Kemira make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Specialty Chemicals - Water Solutions are the primary driver. The others are specialty Chemicals - Pulp & Paper, digital Services and water Treatment Services.
Who are Kemira's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Solenis, SNF Floerger, Kurita Water Industries and Buckman. Broad incumbents are Ecolab, Veolia Environnement, Suez (Suez Water Technologies & Solutions) and Solvay. Emerging players are Xylem and Pentair.
Does Kemira have an API?
No public API is recorded for Kemira.
What industry is Kemira in?
Kemira's product category is Specialty Chemicals. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEABAN, Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals, with a secondary code of IMAEAJAB, Municipal Wastewater & Sewage Treatment Chemicals. Its NAICS code is 325 and its SIC code is 2800.