Worlee

What Worlee does

Worlee is a Hamburg-headquartered, privately held family-owned manufacturer of specialty raw materials founded in 1851 and now in its fifth generation of family stewardship under Reinhold von Eben-Worlee. The company operates through three business divisions: Worlee-Chemie (binders, additives, water-based and solvent-based acrylate and alkyd resins, polyesters, epoxy esters, and additives for coatings, printing inks, construction chemicals, adhesives, and powder coatings), Worlee NaturProdukte (dried fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, tea, and pet food ingredients from conventional and organic cultivation), and Worlee Cosmetic (polymer chemical raw materials, plant extracts, pigment dispersions, and natural exfoliating particles). Production is concentrated in Hamburg, Lauenburg, and Luebeck, with international wholly-owned sales subsidiaries in the Netherlands, UK, France, Italy, Switzerland, India, China, Canada, USA, South America, and Malaysia, complemented by a network of exclusive distributors serving customers in more than 80 countries.

Core technology capabilities center on water-based alkyd resins, bio-based raw materials (some binder systems exceed 95% renewable content), polymer chemistry, and gentle food refinement processes. The company operates in-house application laboratories supporting customer-specific formulation and custom product development, and is recognized as a pioneer in replacing mineral solvents with water-based alternatives in industrial coatings. A dedicated R&D investment is channeled through the B4 bio-based aromatics consortium (with TNO, VITO, and Westlake Epoxy) targeting the substitution of fossil-based aromatic components in construction-industry coating applications.

The business model is B2B raw materials supply with revenue generated from product sales across all three divisions plus technical support and application services. Go-to-market combines direct sales from the Hamburg headquarters and German production sites, regional sales offices within Germany and across Europe, and a global network of exclusive distributors and sales agents. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is negotiated on a per-customer, per-product basis. Certifications stack is unusually deep for the segment, including EcoVadis Platinum, FSSC 22000, ISO 22000, BRC Agents and Brokers, GMP+ B1, HACCP, COSMOS/Ecocert, ISO 50001, and organic/fair-trade certifications (EU Organic, Naturland, NOP, BioSuisse, Fairtrade, FairWild, Rainforest Alliance). Worlee-Chemie has also been awarded multiple regional and national Responsible Care prizes, the SEPAWA Innovation Award 2023 for WorleeSuspens Eco, and was recognized as Best Sales Partner EMEA by principal partner Synthomer in 2026.

Name

Worlee

Legal name

Worlee-Chemie GmbH

Website

https://worlee.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1851

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Worlee is a Hamburg-based, fifth-generation family-owned manufacturer of specialty raw materials — chemical binders and additives for coatings, natural food ingredients, and cosmetic raw materials — serving industrial customers in over 80 countries since 1851.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemical Raw Materials

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Chemical Manufacturing (325), Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing (325211)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Food And Kindred Products (2000)

akta.pro primary industry

Coating & Adhesive Raw Materials (Resins, Additives, Solvents) (IMAEAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Textile, Leather & Paper Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAM)

Keywords

• Chemical raw materials
• Binders and additives
• Cosmetic raw materials
• Natural food ingredients
• Coatings industry suppliers

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical raw materials sales: Sale of chemical raw materials including binders, additives, water-based and solvent-based acrylate and alkyd resins, polyesters, epoxy esters, and additives for coatings, printing inks, construction chemicals, adhesives, and powder coatings. Revenue is generated through direct sales and distribution partnerships globally.
2. Natural raw materials sales: Sale of natural food raw materials including dried fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, tea, and pet food ingredients, from both conventional and organic cultivation. Products are refined using state-of-the-art production facilities.
3. Cosmetic raw materials sales: Sale of cosmetic raw materials including polymer chemical raw materials, plant extracts, visual active substance carriers, pigment dispersions, and natural exfoliating particles for decorative cosmetics, skincare, hair care, and sun care applications.
4. Technical support and application services: Technical customer support and tailored product development services provided through in-house application laboratories, supporting customer-specific product development and unique characteristics.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

Worlee manufactures and supplies industrial raw materials through three business divisions: chemical raw materials (binders, additives, water-based and solvent-based acrylate and alkyd resins, polyesters, epoxy esters for the coatings industry), natural food raw materials (dried fruits, vegetables, spices, herbs, tea, and pet food ingredients from conventional and organic cultivation), and cosmetic raw materials (polymer chemicals, plant extracts, pigment dispersions, and natural exfoliating particles). Products are produced at German facilities in Hamburg, Lauenburg, and Luebeck and distributed to industrial customers in over 80 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• WorleeSuspens Eco: Award-winning cosmetic raw material product
• WorleeColor Eco
• WorleeColor Eco

Products and services

• Chemical Raw Materials for Coatings (Binders and Additives) Manufactured binders, additives, water-based and solvent-based acrylate and alkyd resins, aqueous alkyd emulsions, polyesters, epoxy esters, and specialty additives supplied to manufacturers of paints, lacquers, industrial coatings, wood coatings, printing inks, construction chemicals, adhesives, powder coatings, and special applications.
• Natural Food Raw Materials High-quality raw materials for food, beverages, and animal feed including whole and cut spices, dried fruits and vegetables, finest mixtures, medicinal and culinary herbs, tea ingredients, and pet food ingredients, with both conventional and organic cultivation options certified across EU Organic, Naturland, NOP, BioSuisse, Fairtrade, FairWild, and Rainforest Alliance.
• Cosmetic Raw Materials Cosmetic raw materials for decorative and skincare products including polymer chemical raw materials, plant extracts, visual active substance carriers, pigment dispersions, and natural exfoliating particles based on modern particle technology, supplied to manufacturers of skincare, hair care, sun care, body care, and decorative cosmetics.
• WorléeColor Eco Aqueous pigment dispersions for cosmetic applications, COSMOS/Ecocert certified, part of the cosmetic raw materials portfolio for color cosmetics formulations.
• WorléeSuspens Eco Award-winning cosmetic raw material for the cosmetics industry, recognized with the SEPAWA Innovation Award 2023.
• NOAHH Climate-Friendly Logistics Services Integrated climate-friendly logistics services operated from the Hamburg-Billbrook Porgesring 13 logistics center, providing supply chain management from origin to customer for the entire Worlee Group and third-party customers.
• Chemical Distribution Services Distribution of chemical raw materials from international trading partners, complementing Worlee's own manufactured range, including the long-standing exclusive partnership with Synthomer for polymer products in the EMEA region.

Quantifiable outcome

• Energy efficiency improved by over 20% at Worlee-Chemie, with ISO 50001 certified energy management since 2013.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• SynthomercoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 28 May 2026Long-standing distribution partnership where Worlee serves as an exclusive sales partner for Synthomer's polymer products in EMEA regions. Worlee was awarded 'Best Sales Partner EMEA' by Synthomer in 2026 and has maintained this partnership across multiple years, with Stanislav Onopriyenko Onoprienko serving as the new contact replacing Stefan Klötzer.
• Nik Aaron WillimminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 April 2026Worlee Chemie renewed its sailing sponsorship partnership with Nik Aaron Willim, a talent competing in the ILCA 7 class with international achievements. This sponsorship supports brand visibility and marketing.
• European Coatings (Publication)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 15 July 2025Dr Toine Biemans from Worlee Chemie provided an expert interview to European Coatings magazine on bio-based ingredients and carbon footprint, contributing to thought leadership and industry visibility.
• TNO (Netherlands Organisation for Applied Scientific Research)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024Worlee participates in the B4 (Better Biobased Building Blocks) project led by TNO, involving 11 partners in West-North Brabant. The project aims to develop bio-based aromatic building blocks to replace fossil-based aromatics in construction industry applications including coatings, composites, acrylic and epoxy resins. The project has a total budget of EUR 4.4 million co-financed by the European Union under the Just Transition Fund.
• Westlake EpoxyminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024Partner in the B4 (Better Biobased Building Blocks) project for bio-based building blocks in the construction industry. Westlake Epoxy brings epoxy technology expertise to the consortium.
• Relement, Impershield, Baril Coatings, Bodewes, Progression-IndustryminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024SME partners in the B4 project contributing entrepreneurship, knowledge and expertise alongside larger companies (Westlake Epoxy and Worlee) and research institutions (TNO, VITO, Avans University of Applied Sciences) to develop bio-based aromatics for construction industry applications.
• VITO (Flemish Institute for Technological Research)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024Research partner in the B4 project contributing technological development and knowledge alongside TNO, Worlee, and industry partners. VITO is part of the Shared Research Center Biorizon working on bio-aromatics.
• Avans University of Applied SciencesminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 May 2024Academic partner in the B4 project contributing knowledge and expertise to the development of biobased building blocks for the construction industry.
• HOBUM Oleochemicals GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 May 2022Worlee-Chemie took over the exclusive distribution of HOBUM's entire product portfolio in France, Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg, and Nordic countries. HOBUM specializes in oleochemical products used in the coatings and related industries.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Broad incumbents

• Arkema: French specialty materials group with strong positions in coating solutions (resins, additives) and adhesive solutions; directly comparable in product mix to Worlee's chemicals division with a comparable European manufacturing footprint.
• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals incumbent with significant additives and binders exposure for coatings, adhesives, and cosmetics; competes with Worlee across multiple divisions including cosmetic ingredients (e.g., silica-based particles).
• Wacker Chemie: German specialty chemical manufacturer with silicone and polymer binders, binders for coatings/construction, and cosmetic-grade silicones — a comparable German Mittelstand-plus peer in chemistry and downstream applications.
• Covestro: Major German polymer and coatings-raw-materials producer with broad portfolios in polyurethanes, polycarbonates, and coating resins; significantly larger than Worlee but a key supplier in the same end markets.
• BASF Coatings: World's largest chemical company with a dedicated coatings division supplying resins, pigments, and additives to industrial and automotive coatings customers; overpowers Worlee in scale but is a competitor in the same procurement processes.

Direct peers

• Allnex: Global leader in coating resins (alkyd, acrylic, polyester, epoxy) and additives; directly competes with Worlee-Chemie's binder and additive portfolio serving the same industrial coatings, paint, and construction-chemicals customers.
• Symrise: Global leader in flavors, fragrances, and cosmetic ingredients; directly comparable to Worlee's cosmetic raw materials division and to selected specialty natural-ingredient lines within the food division.
• Synthomer: UK-listed specialty polymer and emulsion producer; Worlee is Synthomer's "Best Sales Partner EMEA" distributor and the two companies compete in polymer dispersions, water-based binders, and coatings/construction-chemicals applications.
• Döhler: German family-owned supplier of natural ingredients, flavors, and food/feed raw materials — the closest comparable Mittelstand peer to Worlee NaturProdukte in product range, customer base, and family-owned governance profile.
• Alberdingk Boley: German specialty manufacturer of water-based alkyd emulsions, polyurethane dispersions, and acrylate resins — an exceptionally close match to Worlee's aqueous and solvent-based resin portfolio, serving overlapping coatings and printing-ink customers.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/ehworlee

Compliance19 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries14 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Worlee