Altair Chimica

What Altair Chimica does

Altair Chimica (legal entity: Altair Chemical S.r.l.) is an Italian chlor-alkali chemicals manufacturer, established in 2017 to consolidate the chlor-alkali division of Esseco Industrial (part of Esseco Group). The company produces potassium and sodium chloride electrolysis derivatives — including potassium hydroxide (KOH) in liquid and solid form, sodium hydroxide/caustic soda (including food-grade E524), chlorine and chlorinated paraffins, sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid, ferric chloride coagulants, potassium carbonate, and potassium formate de-icing fluids — at two Italian production sites (Saline di Volterra, 280,000 t/y; Pieve Vergonte, 160,000 t/y; combined 440,000 t/y) and commercializes via a wholly-owned Spanish subsidiary, Altair Chimica Iberica, in La Rioja. Core process technology is membrane-cell chlor-alkali electrolysis (first adopted in Europe at Saline in 2005/2008), complemented by a patented KOH dechlorination process achieving sub-5ppm chlorate levels for food and infant-food applications, a CO2 capture-and-reuse system for potassium carbonate production (8,000 t/y CO2), and a circular-economy ferric chloride process converting steelmaking slag into water-treatment coagulant.

The business operates a sales-led B2B industrial chemicals model, distributing through Esseco Industrial's commercial network and direct enterprise relationships across four primary use-cases: water and wastewater treatment (municipal/industrial coagulants), food and beverage (food-grade caustic soda and ultra-low chlorate KOH), airport and aviation infrastructure (potassium formate de-icers), and chemical processing (chlor-alkali intermediates). Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. The company is vertically integrated within Esseco Industrial for supply-chain security, holds multiple ISO and EMAS certifications alongside EcoVadis Gold Medal status, and has built out a real-time production optimization system (SODA-4.0) interfacing with DCS via the snap4city platform to optimize electrolytic cell operation against hourly energy prices. Customers are industrial and municipal buyers; no individual customer logos are publicly named. Recent strategic activity (2024–2026) emphasizes circular-economy product extensions, ESG-driven operational improvements, and the in-group acquisition of Perstorp's European runway de-icer business by sister company Addcon, which channels incremental KOH demand through Altair.

Name

Altair Chimica

Legal name

Altair Chemical S.r.l.

Website

https://altairchemical.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2017

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Altair Chimica is an Italian chlor-alkali manufacturer producing potassium hydroxide, caustic soda, chlorine derivatives, ferric chloride coagulants, and potassium formate de-icers. It serves water treatment, food and beverage, airport, and chemical processing customers from two Italian plants and a Spanish sales subsidiary, operating within Esseco Industrial.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chemicals

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810)

akta.pro primary industry

Alkaline Cleaners & Heavy-Duty Degreasers (Caustic/Soda Ash) (CRAJAKAE)

akta.pro secondary industry

Acids & Descalers (Muriatic, Phosphoric, Sulfamic) (CRAJAKAD)

Keywords

• Chlor-alkali chemicals
• Potassium hydroxide production
• Water treatment coagulants
• Industrial chemical manufacturing
• Food grade caustic soda

Headquarters

HQ city

Volterra

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical Product Sales: Production and commercialization of potassium and sodium chloride electrolysis derivatives (chloro-alkali products), hydrochloric acid, organic chlorine derivatives (chloroaromatics/CLAR), and water treatment chemicals including ferric chloride and coagulants.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Altair Chimica is an Italian manufacturer of chlor-alkali chemicals, producing potassium hydroxide, sodium hydroxide (caustic soda), chlorine derivatives, hydrochloric acid, ferric chloride coagulants, potassium carbonate, sodium hypochlorite, and potassium formate de-icers through membrane electrolysis at two Italian production facilities (Saline di Volterra and Pieve Vergonte) for B2B customers in water treatment, food processing, chemical processing, and airport de-icing sectors.

Product overview

Altair Chemical is an Italian chemical company specializing in organic and inorganic chemistry, focused on the production and commercialization of derivatives from potassium and sodium chloride electrolysis (chloro-alkali/chloro-potash), hydrochloric acid, and organic chlorine derivatives (chloroaromatics). The company operates a portfolio of industrial chemical products centered on potassium chemistry, with core offerings including potassium hydroxide (KOH) in liquid and solid forms with patented dechlorination technology meeting ultra-low chlorate specifications for food applications, sodium hydroxide/caustic soda including food grade E524, chlorine derivatives (chlorinated paraffins, sodium hypochlorite, hydrochloric acid), ferric chloride coagulants for water treatment produced via circular economy from steelmaking waste, potassium carbonate from CO₂ capture, and potassium formate de-icers for airports. Products are manufactured at two Italian production facilities (Pieve Vergonte and Saline di Volterra) and one Spanish commercial site (Altair Chimica Iberica), with a commercial products catalog available through the Esseco Industrial platform.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) Potassium hydroxide (caustic potash) produced via membrane electrolysis, available in liquid (50% aqueous solution) and solid (flake) forms. Patented dechlorination process removes potassium chlorate achieving levels below 5ppm, meeting EU Regulation 2005/396/EC for food applications including infant food.
• Sodium Hydroxide (NaOH) - Caustic Soda Sodium hydroxide (caustic soda) produced via chlor-alkali electrolysis, available in food grade (E524) for dairy sector applications as acidity corrector.
• Chlorine and Chloro-Alkali Derivatives Chlorine derivatives including chlorinated paraffins (eco-bio chlorinated paraffin produced with fourth reactor), sodium hypochlorite, and hydrochloric acid produced via membrane electrolysis technology at Italian facilities.
• Ferric Chloride (Water Treatment Coagulant) Ferric chloride and ferrous-ferric chloride coagulants for water treatment, produced via circular economy process converting steelmaking waste (slag) into coagulant. Identified as more sustainable than aluminum-based alternatives for phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment plants.
• Potassium Carbonate Potassium carbonate produced from CO2 capture, with system enabling use of up to 8,000 tonnes of CO2 per year (half captured from cogeneration), reducing methane use by 20% and reusing 30% of cogenerator CO2 emissions.
• Hydrochloric Acid Hydrochloric acid (HCl) produced as derivative of chlorine electrolysis, used in various industrial applications.
• Sodium Hypochlorite Sodium hypochlorite solution produced from chlorine for disinfection and water treatment applications.
• Potassium Formate De-icers

Quantifiable outcome

• 58% of electricity from renewable sources in 2024 (72% increase from 2022)
• +6 more outcomes

Named customers3 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

AI capability1 record

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, moderate and minor.

• Addcon (Esseco Industrial subsidiary)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 June 2026Addcon's acquisition of Perstorp's European runway de-icer business increases demand for KOH produced by Altair Chemical. Industrial agreement provides approximately 10,000 additional tonnes of liquid KOH demand for potassium formate de-icer production.
• Responsible Care (Federchimica)coreOthers · 1 January 2024Adherence to Responsible Care program - voluntary initiative promoting safer, more efficient and sustainable chemical industry in line with European and international environmental goals. Active in Italy since 1992 with approximately 170 member companies.
• Germani TrasporticoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing logistics partner operating first 100% electric ADR chemical transport in Italy. Uses MAN Truck & Bus electric truck powered by green hydroelectric energy from Megolo and Ceppo Morelli plants, recharged at Kempower stations.
• INCOPA (Inorganic COagulants Producers Association)coreOthersEuropean association of inorganic coagulant producers. Andrea Gialdrone, Head of Water Treatment Division at Altair Chemical, serves as Vice President. Association addresses supply security and sustainability in water treatment sector.
• ENEA (Agenzia Nazionale per le Nuove Tecnologie)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerItalian national agency for new technologies collaborating on industrial symbiosis sessions at Ecomondo 2025.
• SUN (Symbiosis Users Network)moderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerNetwork collaborating on industrial symbiosis projects. Altair Chemical presented 'SUN-P20: From Steelmaking Waste to Ferric Chloride' project at Ecomondo 2025.
• IVL Swedish Environmental Research InstitutemoderateStrategic or Co-development PartnerConducted LCA study on behalf of INCOPA comparing biological and chemical phosphorus removal in wastewater treatment plants, demonstrating lower climate footprint for chemical precipitation.
• Ambiente (publication)minorGTM or Marketing PartnerEnvironmental publication collaborating on sustainability events. Hosted 'Sustainability in Practice' event at BESTE HUB in Prato.
• Toyota Material Handling ItaliaminorGTM or Marketing PartnerCollaborated on 'Sustainability in Practice' event exploring sustainable business models and operational practices.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights7 records

Direct peers

• Kemira: Finnish-headquartered water treatment chemistry specialist producing ferric coagulants and other inorganic flocculants/coagulants — directly comparable to Altair's water treatment coagulant business and overlapping with INCOPA membership.
• Tessenderlo Group: Belgian specialty chemicals group whose PBX and Akiolis divisions include chlor-alkali, potassium-based chemistry, and water treatment coagulants — closely comparable to Altair's mix of KOH/NaOH and ferric chloride/ferrous coagulants.
• ERCO Worldwide: North American chlor-alkali and chlorate producer with European and global footprint, producing KOH and other potassium-based chemistry — comparable mid-sized chlor-alkali asset profile to Altair's 440,000 t/year capacity.
• INOVYN (INEOS Inovyn): INEOS's European chlor-alkali and vinyls business — the largest integrated chlor-alkali operator in Europe, producing KOH, NaOH, chlorine, and chlorinated derivatives across multiple EU sites with overlapping membrane-cell technology and food/pharma grade product lines.
• Nouryon: Global specialty chemicals producer with a leading chlor-alkali and derivatives portfolio (including caustic potash KOH, chlorate, and MCA), directly competing with Altair in food-grade and industrial-grade potassium chemistry across Europe.
• Vencorex: European specialty chemicals producer focused on chlor-alkali derivatives (isocyanates, hydrogen peroxide, hydrochloric acid) and chloroaromatics — closely overlapping with Altair's chloroaromatics (CLAR) and HCl portfolio.

Regional players

• CUF (Companhia União Fabril): Portuguese diversified chemicals and industrial group with chlor-alkali, aniline, and inorganic chemistry operations on the Iberian Peninsula — relevant as a chlor-alkali industry comparable operating on a similar Southern-European cost and regulatory context.

Broad incumbents

• Arkema: French-headquartered global specialty chemicals company with chlorine, caustic soda, hydrogen peroxide, and fluorochemicals operations that overlap with Altair's inorganic and chlorinated derivative product lines.
• Solvay: Belgian-headquartered global chemicals company with a Soda Ash & Derivatives business producing soda ash, sodium bicarbonate, and chlor-alkali products; competes with Altair in chlor-alkali and potassium-based chemistry across European and global markets.
• INEOS Group: Private global chemicals major producing chlor-alkali, epoxy, and a range of intermediates in Europe, competing broadly with Altair across commodity caustic/chlorine value chains and inorganic specialties.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/profile.php
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Compliance7 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries1 record

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 Altair Chimica