Helm AG
Helm AG is a Hamburg-based, family-owned chemical distribution and marketing company serving industrial, agricultural, battery, and pharmaceutical customers across 30+ countries through four business units and ~100 subsidiaries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1900
- HeadquartersHamburg, Germany
- Headcount1,001–5,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What Helm AG does
Helm AG is a Hamburg-headquartered, third-generation family-owned chemical marketing and distribution company founded in 1900, operating four business units: Chemicals (industrial commodity and specialty chemical marketing, warehousing, and logistics), Crop Solutions (crop protection, biologicals, and digital farming tools), Energy Materials (battery-grade lithium chemicals via the LevertonHELM subsidiary), and Pharma (wholesaling, importing, and distribution of finished dosage forms and APIs in the EU and US). The group operates approximately 100 subsidiaries and participations in more than 30 countries, with direct enterprise sales teams organized by region (Europe, Americas, Asia), supplemented by toll manufacturing, joint ventures, and channel partnerships.
The company combines traditional chemical distribution with capital-intensive specialty production. Its proprietary technology stack includes battery-grade lithium hydroxide monohydrate and lithium chloride production at LevertonHELM's Basingstoke sites (45+ years of operating history), the AI-enabled Plantix crop-disease detection app (15+ million downloads, ~6 million Indian farmers), biological crop technology through Unium Biosciences, and bio-based 1,4-butanediol (QIRA) produced through the Qore joint venture with Cargill. Ancillary technology assets include Jedro Lithium's Croatian refinery (recycled-feedstock lithium) and a portfolio of UK and European lithium-supply-chain MoUs (Cornish Lithium, Altilium, Mangrove Lithium, EnBW, NESI, FREYR).
Helm generates revenue through transactional sales of distributed chemicals, agricultural products, lithium chemicals, and pharmaceuticals, priced under negotiated B2B contracts governed by published General Sales Conditions. Customers include industrial chemical processors (BASF, polyester manufacturers), battery and EV manufacturers (FREYR, European OEMs), smallholder farmers (via Plantix), and pharmaceutical wholesalers. Recent strategic emphasis has shifted toward higher-margin specialty verticals — battery-grade lithium, bio-based chemicals, digital and biological agriculture — alongside divestiture of lower-return European plant protection assets to CAC Nantong in 2025.
Helm AG firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Helm AG
- Legal name
- HELM AG
- Website
- https://helmag.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1900
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1,001–5,000 employees
- Short description
- Helm AG is a Hamburg-based, family-owned chemical distribution and marketing company serving industrial, agricultural, battery, and pharmaceutical customers across 30+ countries through four business units and ~100 subsidiaries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Helm AG industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Chemical Distribution
- NAICS
- Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (424210), Nitrogenous Fertilizer Manufacturing (325311)
- SIC
- Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Wholesale-Drugs, Proprietaries & Druggists' Sundries (5122), Wholesale-Farm Product Raw Materials (5150)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Contract Warehousing, Blending & Distribution for Agrochemicals (bulk handling, IBC/drum management) (AFABAIAL)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Crop Protection Formulations (EC, SC, WG, WP, SL) (AFABAIAA), Packaging, Filling & Repacking Services (bottling, bagging, relabeling) (AFABAIAG), Adjuvant & Tank-Mix Additive Manufacturing (surfactants, oils, drift control) (AFABAIAE)
Keywords
Where Helm AG is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Hamburg
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices11 records
Markets served
Helm AG business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Chemicals Trading and Distribution: HELM markets and distributes industrial and specialty chemicals globally through long-term supplier partnerships and key account relationships. Revenue is generated through the sale of chemical products sourced globally, including commodities like methanol, MEG, DEG, and specialty chemicals like adipic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, and titanium dioxide.
- Crop Solutions: Agricultural products including crop protection, biological crop technologies, and digital farming tools. Revenue from sale of crop solutions products and toll manufacturing arrangements.
- Energy Materials - Lithium Chemicals: Production and sale of battery-grade lithium chemicals through subsidiary LevertonHELM and partnerships. Revenue from sales of lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide monohydrate, and lithium chloride solution for battery and EV applications.
- Pharmaceutical Products: HELM Pharma operates as a wholesaler, importer, and releaser of medicinal products and APIs across EU and US markets, distributing generic and differentiated finished dosage forms in oncology, hematology, infectious diseases, and dermatology.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Transaction based/ take rate | Pay-as-you-go | B2B contract pricing for chemical products |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
Helm AG product offering
Product offeringCore offering
HELM AG is a multifunctional distribution and marketing company that trades and distributes industrial chemicals, crop protection products, energy materials (lithium chemicals), and pharmaceuticals globally. Through ~100 subsidiaries in 30+ countries, it markets commodities and specialty chemicals (methanol, MEG, adipic acid, TiO₂), sources lithium compounds for batteries, distributes crop protection solutions and digital farming tools (Plantix), and operates as a wholesaler/importer of pharmaceutical finished dosage forms and APIs.
Product overview
Helm AG is one of the largest independent chemical companies worldwide, operating through four primary business units: Chemicals (industrial chemical solutions and distribution), Crop Solutions (agricultural products and digital farming tools), Energy Materials (lithium processing for batteries), and Pharma (pharmaceutical products). The company was founded in 1900 as a family business headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, with approximately 100 subsidiaries and participations in over 30 countries. Notable subsidiaries and partnerships include LevertonHELM (lithium joint venture), Qore (corn processing joint venture with Cargill), and Plantix (digital plant disease detection app). The company operates across the full chemical value chain from production to distribution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Chemicals Business Unit Marketing, distribution, warehousing, and logistics for industrial and specialty chemicals (e.g., methanol, MEG, DEG, adipic acid, vinyl acetate monomer, titanium dioxide) sold to chemical manufacturers and industrial processors globally.
- Crop Solutions Business Unit Agricultural products including crop protection, biological crop technologies (via Unium Biosciences), and digital farming tools to strengthen farmers, supply chains, and agricultural ecosystems.
- Energy Materials Business Unit Production and sale of battery-grade lithium chemicals (lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide monohydrate, lithium chloride solution) through subsidiary LevertonHELM and partnerships for EV and clean-energy applications.
- HELM Pharma Wholesale, import, and release of generic and differentiated finished dosage forms and APIs in oncology, hematology, infectious diseases, and dermatology across EU and US markets.
- Plantix Digital Farming App AI-powered smartphone application that detects plant diseases and provides agricultural practice guidance to farmers, with over 15 million downloads serving nearly 6 million farmers in India.
- QIRA Bio-based BDO (1,4-butanediol) Bio-based 1,4-butanediol (BDO) produced from corn via the Qore JV with Cargill, enabling customers like BASF to expand portfolios with bio-based alternatives.
Quantifiable outcome
- Plantix app reaches nearly 6 million farmers in India with disease detection and agricultural guidance
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use Helm AG
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Helm AG technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Helm AG partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI)coreNESI and HELM AG announced successful industrial-scale validation of a novel multi-compartment electrochemical lithium recycling technology, marking a significant milestone in sustainable lithium processing.
- Jedro LithiumcoreLevertonHELM and Jedro Lithium deepened their strategic collaboration for production of Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate (LiOH·H₂O) with emphasis on recycled lithium carbonate and lithium sulphate as feedstock. Jedro brings its Croatian lithium refinery and experienced operating team; LevertonHELM contributes commercial strength, R&D and production expertise, and global logistics capabilities. Goal is to become Europe's preferred lithium partner to the battery and EV industry.
- BASFminorHELM's QIRA bio-based 1,4-butanediol helps BASF expand its portfolio with bio-based BDO derivatives. HELM provides long-term access to bio-based 1,4-butanediol through its Qore JV.
- Cargill (Qore JV)coreQore is a joint venture between Cargill (Minnesota, US) and HELM AG (Germany), officially launching production in Eddyville, Iowa in July 2025 for large-scale corn processing for bio-based solutions. Qore produces bio-based BDO (1,4-butanediol) marketed as QIRA.
- CAC Nantong Chemical Co., LTDminorHELM AG divested its European plant protection assets to CAC Nantong Chemical Co., LTD from July 1, 2025, expanding their global strategic partnership.
- Leverton Lithium (LevertonHELM)coreLevertonHELM is a joint venture between Leverton Lithium and HELM AG (founded January 2022). Leverton Lithium has been producing high-quality lithium chemicals for over 45 years. HELM completed full acquisition of LevertonHELM in August 2024. LevertonHELM now operates as a subsidiary of HELM AG with manufacturing sites in Basingstoke, UK.
- AGC VinythaiminorHELM US Corporation and AGC Vinythai Public Company Limited strengthened their strategic partnership for bio-based epichlorohydrin in the United States, expanding their collaboration beyond previous arrangements.
- Cornish LithiumcoreHELM AG through its subsidiary LevertonHELM Limited signed an MoU with Cornish Lithium for the development of UK lithium supply chain, supporting domestic production of battery-grade lithium.
- Plan International DeutschlandcoreHELM AG entered a 3-year partnership with HSV football club as sleeve partner, dedicating sleeve visibility to Plan International Deutschland (children's rights organization) across all league matches. HELM also supports Plan International Germany in girls' empowerment and women's rights projects through HELM 2030 strategy. HELM goes pink annually for World Girls' Day illuminating 60+ landmarks.
- EnBWminorEnBW and LevertonHELM cooperated for sustainable lithium production in Germany (Reines Lithium aus Deutschland project), supporting domestic pure lithium production.
- Mangrove LithiumminorLevertonHELM signed an MoU with Mangrove Lithium for the development of a battery-grade lithium refinery in Europe, expanding processing capabilities.
- FREYRminorLevertonHELM signed an MoU with FREYR for the supply of Lithium Carbonate and Hydroxide in the Nordics, supporting FREYR's battery production in Scandinavia.
- AgainminorCarbon negative chemical manufacturer Again partnered with HELM for sales of acetic acid. Again is a Danish/German scale-up. Groundbreaking ceremony for AGAIN acetic acid production site held in May 2025.
- AltiliumcoreAltilium, a UK-based clean technology group focused on net zero transition, signed a memorandum of understanding with HELM AG to strengthen the UK's lithium supply chain. Partnership supports domestic lithium recycling and sustainable battery supply chains.
- Government of MalaysiaminorHELM AG entered a technology partnership with Malaysian governmental institutions for digital agri-technology, expanding its digital agriculture footprint in Southeast Asia.
- Viktor AxelsenminorHELM AG partnered with badminton world champion Viktor Axelsen as part of its sports sponsorship strategy.
- Timo Boll / Borussia DüsseldorfminorHELM AG became jersey sponsor for table tennis star Timo Boll and record champion Borussia Düsseldorf.
- ISCAminorBrenntag AG extended its distribution deal with ISCA in August 2022. HELM is mentioned alongside Brenntag in market reports as a key chemical distribution company.
- Unium Bioscience Ltd.coreHELM AG formed a strategic alliance with Unium Bioscience Ltd. in May 2022. HELM completed full acquisition of Unium Biosciences Ltd. in February 2026. Unium is a UK-based biological crop technology company.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Helm AG competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Brenntag: World's largest chemical distributor with €15B+ revenue, Brenntag is HELM's most direct competitor across industrial and specialty chemical distribution globally. Both companies operate distribution models serving industrial customers with similar product portfolios including crop protection inputs.
- IMCD: Dutch specialty chemicals distributor (~€4B revenue) competing directly with HELM in specialty chemical distribution for industrial and consumer applications. Both serve similar B2B customers with formulation and value-added distribution services.
- Univar Solutions: North American-focused chemical distributor (~$5B revenue) operating a comparable B2B distribution model for specialty and industrial chemicals. Direct overlap with HELM in Americas chemicals distribution through HELM US Corporation.
- Azelis: Belgian specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with global operations competing with HELM in life sciences and specialty chemical distribution. Comparable customer mix of industrial and consumer goods manufacturers.
- Biesterfeld: Hamburg-headquartered family-owned chemical distributor, the closest direct competitor to HELM in German and European industrial chemicals distribution. Similar ownership structure (family-owned) and customer base.
- Livent (Arcadium Lithium): Lithium chemicals producer (now part of Arcadium Lithium/Rio Tinto) with direct overlap to LevertonHELM in battery-grade lithium hydroxide production. Both target the same EV and energy storage customer base.
Broad incumbents
- BASF: World's largest chemical company and HELM's customer for QIRA bio-based BDO. BASF competes with HELM indirectly as a principal supplier that may bypass distributors for direct customer relationships, while also relying on HELM for distribution reach in certain markets.
- UPL: Indian-headquartered global crop protection company with extensive distribution network. Overlaps with HELM's Crop Solutions division in agricultural inputs distribution and biological crop technologies.
- FMC Corporation: Global crop protection company presenting alongside HELM at the Global Pesticides JV & Toll Manufacturing Workshop 2026. Competes in crop protection product portfolio where HELM operates as distributor and toll manufacturer.
- PHOENIX Group: European pharmaceutical wholesale and distribution company comparable to HELM Pharma's pharmaceutical products and distribution business. Both operate pharmaceutical wholesale models serving pharmacies and healthcare providers in European markets.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Helm AG social profiles
Digital presenceHelm AG compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Helm AG financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Helm AG leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Helm AG subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries10 records
Helm AG funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Helm AG M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A1 record
Investments2 records
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Helm AG
What does Helm AG do?
HELM AG is a multifunctional distribution and marketing company that trades and distributes industrial chemicals, crop protection products, energy materials (lithium chemicals), and pharmaceuticals globally. Through ~100 subsidiaries in 30+ countries, it markets commodities and specialty chemicals (methanol, MEG, adipic acid, TiO₂), sources lithium compounds for batteries, distributes crop protection solutions and digital farming tools (Plantix), and operates as a wholesaler/importer of pharmaceutical finished dosage forms and APIs.
Is Helm AG a public or private company?
Helm AG is a private company. It is classified as family owned and is currently operating.
When was Helm AG founded?
Helm AG was founded in 1900. It employs 1,001 to 5,000 people.
Where is Helm AG based?
Helm AG is headquartered in Hamburg, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does Helm AG make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Chemicals Trading and Distribution is the primary driver. The others are crop Solutions, energy Materials - Lithium Chemicals and pharmaceutical Products.
Who are Helm AG's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Brenntag, IMCD, Univar Solutions, Azelis, Biesterfeld and Livent (Arcadium Lithium). Broad incumbents are BASF, UPL, FMC Corporation and PHOENIX Group.
Does Helm AG have an API?
No public API is recorded for Helm AG.
What industry is Helm AG in?
Helm AG's product category is Chemical Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is AFABAIAL, Contract Warehousing, Blending & Distribution for Agrochemicals (bulk handling, IBC/drum management), with a secondary code of AFABAIAA, Crop Protection Formulations (EC, SC, WG, WP, SL). Its NAICS code is 3253 and its SIC code is 2860.