Helm AG

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.

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

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

• Chemical distribution
• Crop protection solutions
• Lithium chemicals
• Pharmaceutical wholesale
• Bio-based chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Infrastructure, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D

Revenue model

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. 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

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core 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

Named customers6 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI)coreTechnology or Integration · 4 February 2026NESI 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 LithiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025LevertonHELM 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.
• BASFminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 20 September 2025HELM'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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 July 2025Qore 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., LTDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 June 2025HELM 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)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 16 April 2025LevertonHELM 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 VinythaiminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 March 2025HELM 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 LithiumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2024HELM 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 DeutschlandcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2024HELM 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.
• EnBWminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 June 2024EnBW and LevertonHELM cooperated for sustainable lithium production in Germany (Reines Lithium aus Deutschland project), supporting domestic pure lithium production.
• Mangrove LithiumminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024LevertonHELM signed an MoU with Mangrove Lithium for the development of a battery-grade lithium refinery in Europe, expanding processing capabilities.
• FREYRminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 May 2024LevertonHELM signed an MoU with FREYR for the supply of Lithium Carbonate and Hydroxide in the Nordics, supporting FREYR's battery production in Scandinavia.
• AgainminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 6 February 2024Carbon 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.
• AltiliumcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2024Altilium, 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 MalaysiaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 5 September 2023HELM AG entered a technology partnership with Malaysian governmental institutions for digital agri-technology, expanding its digital agriculture footprint in Southeast Asia.
• Viktor AxelsenminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 22 August 2023HELM AG partnered with badminton world champion Viktor Axelsen as part of its sports sponsorship strategy.
• Timo Boll / Borussia DüsseldorfminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 4 July 2023HELM AG became jersey sponsor for table tennis star Timo Boll and record champion Borussia Düsseldorf.
• ISCAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 August 2022Brenntag 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.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 May 2022HELM 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

Direct 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

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/about

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries10 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments2 records

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Helm AG