LyondellBasell
LyondellBasell is a global B2B chemicals and polymers producer selling polyethylene, polypropylene, advanced polymer solutions, chemicals, and fuel ethers to industrial manufacturers across packaging, healthcare, transportation, construction, and consumer goods end-markets, with a growing circular-polymer platform built around CirculenRenew and the proprietary MoReTec chemical recycling technology.
- Company typePublic
- Founded2007
- HeadquartersLondon, United Kingdom
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What LyondellBasell does
LyondellBasell Industries N.V. (NYSE: LYB) is one of the world's largest plastics, chemicals, and refining companies, incorporated in the Netherlands with operational headquarters in Rotterdam and Houston. The company produces polyethylene, polypropylene, and other polyolefins; chemical building blocks and intermediates; and is the largest global producer of fuel ethers that improve air quality. It also offers a portfolio of advanced polymer solutions serving packaging, healthcare, transportation, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods end-markets, and is developing a circular-economy platform under the Circulen and CirculenRenew brands, anchored by the proprietary MoReTec chemical recycling process scaling toward a 50,000 metric-ton commercial plant in Wesseling, Germany in 2027.
The company operates as a B2B industrial chemicals producer, selling primarily through direct enterprise sales relationships and regional distributors to industrial manufacturers across North America, Europe, and Asia. Revenue is generated on a transaction/tonnage basis, with pricing tied to global market conditions for polymers and petrochemicals. Recent strategic emphasis is on shifting the mix toward differentiated, sustainability-certified polymers (bio-circular, mechanically and chemically recycled grades) and specialty healthcare polymers (Purell), while rationalizing commodity exposure through the 2026 sale of select European olefins and polyolefins assets to AEQUITA and the conversion of the Houston refinery into a petrochemical facility.
LYB is publicly traded, has 10,000+ employees (recently reduced by approximately 3,000), and reported roughly $7.2 billion in Q1 2026 revenue with $568 million of EBITDA. Full-year 2025 revenue declined approximately 6.3% versus the prior year amid a prolonged chemical-sector downturn, prompting a 50% dividend cut and aggressive cost actions alongside continued investment in circular and specialty growth platforms.
LyondellBasell firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- LyondellBasell
- Legal name
- LyondellBasell Industries N.V.
- Website
- https://lyondellbasell.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 2007
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- LyondellBasell is a global B2B chemicals and polymers producer selling polyethylene, polypropylene, advanced polymer solutions, chemicals, and fuel ethers to industrial manufacturers across packaging, healthcare, transportation, construction, and consumer goods end-markets, with a growing circular-polymer platform built around CirculenRenew and the proprietary MoReTec chemical recycling technology.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
LyondellBasell industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Petrochemicals & Polymers
- NAICS
- Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252), Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Plastics and Rubber Products Manufacturing (326)
- SIC
- Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Polyolefins (PE, PP) (IMAEADAD)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Polyolefins (PE, PP) (IMAEANAA), Bio-based & Biodegradable Polymer Resin Manufacturing (PLA, PHA, PBS, PBAT) (IMANANAA), Commodity Plastic Compounds (PE/PP/PS/PVC) (IMANABAA), Polyolefin Films (PE/PP: Cast, Blown, BOPP) (IMALABAA)
Keywords
Where LyondellBasell is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- London
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices8 records
Markets served
LyondellBasell business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Polymers: Sale of polyethylene, polypropylene and other polymer products to industrial customers across packaging, automotive, construction and consumer goods sectors. Core revenue stream from olefins and polyolefins segments.
- Chemicals: Production and sale of chemical building blocks and intermediates that serve as foundation for numerous products advancing modern living.
- Fuels: LyondellBasell is the largest global producer of fuel ethers that help improve air quality. The company operates refining assets though is transitioning the Houston refinery to petrochemical production.
- Advanced Polymer Solutions: Rich, diverse portfolio of materials and deep market knowledge serving customers across multiple industries including packaging, healthcare and transportation.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | Commodity polymer and chemical pricing based on global market conditions |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels5 records
LyondellBasell product offering
Product offeringCore offering
LyondellBasell manufactures and sells polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene and other polyolefins), chemical building blocks, fuel ethers, and advanced polymer solutions to industrial customers in packaging, healthcare, transportation, automotive, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods. The company also markets circular and recycled polymer sub-brands (Circulen, CirculenRenew) and medical-grade polymers (Purell), supported by proprietary polyolefin process technologies and the MoReTec chemical recycling platform.
Product overview
LyondellBasell operates as a global chemical company organized around multiple product categories and business segments. Its portfolio is structured as a unified platform-plus-segments model comprising: Advanced Polymer Solutions (diverse materials portfolio), Chemicals (building blocks for modern living), Fuels (largest global producer of fuel ethers), Polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene, and related polyolefins), and Technologies (polyolefin technologies and process IP developed since 1954). The company also maintains a distinct circular economy sub-brand — Circulen — encompassing recycled and renewable-based polymers (CirculenRenew, mechanically recycled, and chemically recycled variants) — as well as specialized medical-grade polymers under the Purell brand. Acquired brands include Mepol Group (recycled compounds, Italy/Poland). The company also leverages its proprietary MoReTec chemical recycling technology platform under development in Wesseling, Germany. The overall offering integrates commodity-scale production with sustainability-driven differentiated solutions for packaging, healthcare, transportation, agriculture, consumer goods, and infrastructure end markets.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Circulen: Brand of recycled and renewable-based polymers offering complementary, innovative and sustainable solutions for customers' sustainability goals
- CirculenRenew
- Purell
- Velogy
- MoReTec
Products and services
- Advanced Polymer Solutions Diverse portfolio of advanced polymer materials sold to industrial customers across packaging, automotive, construction, healthcare, and consumer goods applications.
- Polymers Polyethylene, polypropylene, and other polyolefin resins sold to industrial manufacturers producing packaging, automotive, construction, and consumer goods products.
- Chemicals Chemical building blocks and intermediates produced and sold as foundational inputs to numerous downstream industrial products.
- Fuels Fuel ethers and related refined fuel products produced for the global fuels market; LyondellBasell is the largest global producer of fuel ethers that improve air quality.
- Circulen recycled and renewable-based polymers Sub-brand of recycled and renewable-based polymers, including mechanically and chemically recycled grades, sold to industrial customers for sustainable packaging and product applications.
- CirculenRenew bio-circular polymers Bio-circular polymers sourced from bio-circular feedstock and certified under ISCC+ standards, offering up to 44% lower product carbon footprint versus fossil-based alternatives.
- Purell medical-grade polymers Medical-grade polymer portfolio sold to pharmaceutical and healthcare manufacturers for medical devices, pharmaceutical packaging, and healthcare equipment applications; expanded to North America in March 2026.
- MoReTec chemical recycling technology Proprietary chemical recycling platform that converts post-consumer plastics back into raw materials, being scaled at a commercial plant in Wesseling, Germany with 50,000 metric tons annual capacity expected to start up in 2027.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 44% lower product carbon footprint with CirculenRenew bio-circular polymers
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use LyondellBasell
Customer profileNamed customers4 records
Segments6 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
LyondellBasell technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
LyondellBasell partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered major, core and minor.
- AEQUITAmajorLyondellBasell completed the sale of select European olefins and polyolefins assets to AEQUITA as part of strategic portfolio refinement. Assets located in Berre (France), Münchsmünster (Germany), Carrington (UK), and Tarragona (Spain) now operate under the name Velogy. The transaction supports LyondellBasell's strategy to concentrate on assets with durable competitive advantages while enhancing financial flexibility.
- Armando Alvarez GroupcoreCollaboration at LYB's Wesseling site in Germany implementing bio-circular solutions in industrial packaging. Using Form-Fill-Seal bags with up to 96% attributed bio-circular content certified under ISCC+ standards. LYB supplies CirculenRenew polymers sourced from bio-circular feedstock, which AAG processes into packaging, offering up to 44% lower product carbon footprint compared to fossil-based alternatives.
- HenkelcorePartnership to create renewable-based transparent plastic cage for Henkel's WC Frisch/Bref solid toilet rim blocks. Made through injection molding, the cage contains 30% mechanically recycled plastics and 70% bio-circular raw materials from LYB CirculenRenew portfolio using a mass balance approach. Collaboration highlights both companies' commitment to sustainable packaging innovation.
- INEOSminorINEOS acquired LyondellBasell's ethylene oxide and derivatives business in December 2023 as part of portfolio optimization activities.
- Mepol GroupcoreLyondellBasell acquired Mepol Group, a recycled plastics manufacturer in Italy and Poland, to become part of its Advanced Polymer Solutions segment. The acquisition aims to accelerate growth in circular economy solutions and meet the company's goal of producing at least 2 million metric tons of polymers from recycled sources by 2030. Mepol Group was a manufacturer of recycled compounds serving customers across Europe.
Scale indicators10 records
Recent moves9 records
Expansion highlights7 records
LyondellBasell competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Dow Inc. Dow is one of the world's largest producers of polyethylene, polyolefins, and petrochemicals, directly competing with LyondellBasell across packaging, infrastructure, and consumer applications with a comparable global manufacturing footprint.
- ExxonMobil Chemical: ExxonMobil's Chemical segment is a leading global producer of polyethylene, polypropylene, and petrochemical building blocks, competing head-to-head with LyondellBasell in commodity polyolefins with integrated feedstock advantage.
- INEOS Group: INEOS is one of the largest private chemicals producers globally and a direct competitor in olefins and polyolefins; notably INEOS acquired LyondellBasell's ethylene oxide and derivatives business in 2023, deepening direct overlap.
- SABIC: SABIC is a leading global petrochemicals producer headquartered in Saudi Arabia, competing directly with LyondellBasell in polyethylene, polypropylene, and circular polymer solutions with strong Middle East feedstock economics.
- Borealis (OMV): Borealis, now part of OMV, is a leading European polyolefins producer with proprietary Borstar technology, competing directly with LyondellBasell in polyethylene/polypropylene and circular economy solutions like Borcycle.
- Braskem: Braskem is the largest petrochemical producer in the Americas and a leading global producer of polyolefins and biopolymers, directly competing with LyondellBasell in PE/PP and renewable polymer solutions.
- Formosa Plastics Corporation: Formosa Plastics is a major Asian producer of polyvinyl chloride, polyethylene, polypropylene, and other petrochemicals that competes globally with LyondellBasell in commodity polyolefins serving packaging and industrial markets.
- Westlake Corporation: Westlake is a leading North American producer of polyolefins, PVC, and petrochemicals with integrated feedstock assets, directly competing with LyondellBasell's US polymers and chemicals operations.
- Chevron Phillips Chemical: Chevron Phillips Chemical is a major US-based producer of polyethylene, polyolefins, and petrochemicals that competes directly with LyondellBasell in North American commodity polymer markets with comparable integrated feedstock positions.
Broad incumbents
- BASF: BASF is the world's largest chemical company, producing petrochemicals, polyolefins, and specialty plastics that overlap directly with LyondellBasell's polymers, chemicals, and advanced polymer solutions portfolios across the same end markets.
Market position
Strengths1 record
Weaknesses1 record
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
LyondellBasell social profiles
Digital presenceLyondellBasell financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
LyondellBasell leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles8 records
LyondellBasell subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries4 records
LyondellBasell funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
LyondellBasell M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A6 records
Investments6 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about LyondellBasell
What does LyondellBasell do?
LyondellBasell manufactures and sells polymers (polyethylene, polypropylene and other polyolefins), chemical building blocks, fuel ethers, and advanced polymer solutions to industrial customers in packaging, healthcare, transportation, automotive, construction, agriculture, and consumer goods. The company also markets circular and recycled polymer sub-brands (Circulen, CirculenRenew) and medical-grade polymers (Purell), supported by proprietary polyolefin process technologies and the MoReTec chemical recycling platform.
Is LyondellBasell a public or private company?
LyondellBasell is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was LyondellBasell founded?
LyondellBasell was founded in 2007. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is LyondellBasell based?
LyondellBasell is headquartered in London, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does LyondellBasell make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Polymers are the primary driver. The others are chemicals, fuels and advanced Polymer Solutions.
Who are LyondellBasell's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Dow Inc., ExxonMobil Chemical, INEOS Group, SABIC, Borealis (OMV), Braskem, Formosa Plastics Corporation, Westlake Corporation and Chevron Phillips Chemical. BASF is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does LyondellBasell have an API?
No public API is recorded for LyondellBasell.
What industry is LyondellBasell in?
LyondellBasell's product category is Petrochemicals & Polymers. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEADAD, Polyolefins (PE, PP), with a secondary code of IMAEANAA, Polyolefins (PE, PP). Its NAICS code is 32511 and its SIC code is 2821.