HELM IBÉRICA S.A.

Name

HELM IBÉRICA S.A.

Legal name

HELM IBÉRICA S.A.

Website

https://helmiberica.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1900

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Distribution and Marketing

NAICS

Pesticide, Fertilizer, and Other Agricultural Chemical Manufacturing (3253), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710), Management of Companies and Enterprises (5511)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Commodity Surfactants & Detergent Base Chemicals (IMAEAAAI)

akta.pro secondary industry

Contract Warehousing, Blending & Distribution for Agrochemicals (bulk handling, IBC/drum management) (AFABAIAL)

Keywords

• Chemical distribution
• Industrial chemicals marketing
• Crop protection solutions
• Lithium battery materials
• Bio-based chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Hamburg

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Chemical Distribution: HELM acts globally as a link between chemical manufacturers and customers, handling large-volume commodity chemicals as well as regional distribution and niche products. The company moves approximately 8 million tonnes of chemicals annually for over 3,000 partners in over 30 countries.
2. Bio-based Products: Distribution of bio-based alternatives including QIRA bio-based 1,4-Butanediol and bio-based acetic acid from partners like Qore and Again.
3. Lithium Chemicals: Production and distribution of lithium chemicals including Lithium Chloride Solution, Lithium Carbonate, and Lithium Hydroxide for battery and industrial applications.
4. Crop Solutions: Agricultural chemical products including crop nutrition, digital solutions, and specialized portfolios like HELM Plant Advantage addressing soil health, crop development, and crop defense.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

HELM IBÉRICA S.A. is a Spanish subsidiary of HELM AG, a Hamburg-based family-owned chemical distribution and marketing company. It markets base chemicals, intermediates, inorganics/acids/lyes, lithium chemicals (via LevertonHELM), bio-based products (via Qore/QIRA), and crop solutions (via Unium Biosciences and Plantix), supported by logistics, supply chain, and financing services for industrial and agricultural customers across 30+ countries.

Product overview

HELM is a global chemicals marketing and distribution company operating across three main business segments: Chemicals (base chemicals, intermediates, inorganics/acids/lyes), Crop Solutions (plant protection, crop nutrition, digital solutions including Plantix app, and biologicals through Unium Biosciences), and Energy Materials (lithium chemicals through LevertonHELM subsidiary). The company offers chemical trading, logistics, supply chain solutions, and financing services alongside its product portfolio. Notable joint ventures include Qore (bio-based BDO with Cargill) and partnerships in sustainable chemicals like AGAIN (carbon-negative acetic acid).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• QIRA: Bio-based 1,4-Butanediol (BDO) produced from corn through Qore joint venture with Cargill, offering up to 93% less CO2 emissions compared to fossil-derived BDO
• Plantix
• HELM Plant Advantage
• LevertonHELM

Products and services

• Base Chemicals

Quantifiable outcome

• QIRA bio-based BDO reduces CO2 emissions by up to 93% compared to fossil-based alternatives
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

18 partnerships are on record, tiered core, flagship, strategic and minor.

• AGC VinythaicoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 27 March 2026HELM US Corporation is the exclusive distribution partner for AGC Vinythai's bio-based Epichlorohydrin in the United States. The collaboration began in 2017 and has expanded through new long-term agreements. Product is certified under RSPO and ISCC+ mass balance standards.
• Unium BiosciencesflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 9 February 2026HELM completed full acquisition of Unium, a UK-based biological crop technology company. HELM began acquisition in 2021 and completed 100% ownership by February 2026. Unium provides biologicals, biostimulants, specialty fertilizers and alternative crop protection products.
• NORAM Electrolysis Systems Inc. (NESI)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 4 February 2026NESI and HELM completed successful industrial-scale validation of multi-compartment electrolysis process for converting lithium from battery black mass into battery-grade lithium hydroxide. The technology eliminates chemical waste streams and reduces lifecycle CO2 emissions.
• Jedro LithiumstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 2 December 2025LevertonHELM and Jedro Lithium deepening cooperation for production of Lithium Hydroxide Monohydrate with emphasis on using recycled Lithium Carbonate and Lithium Sulphate as feedstock. LevertonHELM contributes commercial strength and R&D expertise while Jedro provides its lithium refinery in Croatia.
• CAC Nantong Chemical / ONE DistributioncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 June 2025HELM divested European plant protection assets to CAC Nantong, with CAC Chemical GmbH taking over registrations and rights. CAC serves the market via their Europe-based distribution partner ONE starting July 2025. HELM continues to supply products until end of June 2025.
• AgaincoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 21 May 2025HELM serves as distribution partner for Again's carbon-negative acetic acid produced from waste CO2. Again's facility in Texas City converts CO2 emissions into sustainable chemicals through bacterial fermentation. HELM provides global market access and sales expertise.
• AltiliumstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 January 2025Partnership to develop a sustainable domestic lithium supply chain in the UK. LevertonHELM will qualify technical grade lithium carbonate recovered from end-of-life EV batteries at Altilium's recycling facilities in Devon, leading to offtake agreements for recycled lithium.
• Ancom Nylex BerhadflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 23 September 2024HELM AG emerged as a long-term strategic partner and substantial shareholder in Ancom Nylex Berhad through a private placement of up to 10% of shares. Ancom Nylex is Southeast Asia's leading fully integrated chemical group with businesses in agricultural chemicals, industrial chemicals and chemical logistics.
• Cornish LithiumstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 17 September 2024Partnership to develop battery-grade lithium compounds from Cornish geothermal brines. LevertonHELM and Cornish Lithium will jointly work on production while Cornish Lithium sources reagents from HELM for its projects.
• Plantix (Majority Shareholding)strategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 July 2024HELM holds majority of shares in Plantix, a digital app for fast and easy pest recognition in crops. Founded in 2015, Plantix is the most downloaded free farming app covering 30 crops and detecting 680+ plant diseases.
• NN Running Team / Eliud KipchogeminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024Partnership with NN Running Team and marathon world star Eliud Kipchoge to promote Plantix app in Africa. Athletes will test the app and share insights from their farms via social media over four years.
• Plan International DeutschlandminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 July 2024HELM supports Plan International Deutschland in projects promoting equal opportunities and empowerment for girls and young women worldwide. Supporting women's rights is integral to HELM 2030 strategy.
• Hamburger SV (HSV)minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 24 June 2024HELM became new sleeve partner of HSV for three years, providing jersey sleeve presence to Plan International Deutschland. Partnership combines sports sponsorship with social responsibility for children's rights.
• ITEL - Deutsches LithiuminstitutstrategicStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024Partnership since 2024 to close the loop of the lithium value chain in Europe. Jointly hosting LithiumDays 2025 conference in Hamburg to foster cooperation between OEMs, battery manufacturers, recyclers and lithium refineries.
• SPCI HELMcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerSPCI HELM is a leading producer, processor and service provider of industrial chemicals, focusing on the sulphur value chain. From processing to production of sulphuric acid and aluminium sulphate, they serve industries such as oil and gas, glass and solar cells, and water treatment.
• Qore (Joint Venture with Cargill)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerQore is a joint venture between HELM and Cargill producing bio-based 1,4-Butanediol (QIRA) from renewable corn raw materials with up to 93% less CO2 emissions compared to fossil BDO. Production started in 2025 at Eddyville, Iowa facility with 66,000 metric tons annual capacity.
• ValenzcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerValenz is one of the global market leaders for methanol, offering customized solutions for transport and storage. The company combines expertise from the entire value chain with close customer proximity for flexible response to specific requirements.
• TrilliumstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerTrillium is developing an innovative process for production of bio-based acrylonitrile (ACN) for carbon fibres and water treatment. HELM has been financially involved since the development phase and will bring it to commercial realization with partners and market it globally.

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Biesterfeld AG: Hamburg-based family-owned chemical distributor (like HELM). Comparable in being a privately held German chemicals distributor with focus on specialty chemicals, life sciences, and industrial products.
• Univar Solutions: North American-focused chemical and ingredient distributor (now owned by Apollo). Comparable in serving industrial manufacturers with commodity and specialty chemicals, though more regionally concentrated than HELM.
• Barentz International: Dutch specialty ingredients distributor serving food, nutrition, personal care, and industrial markets. Comparable B2B distribution model with strong supplier relationships and application expertise.
• Brenntag SE: World's largest chemical distribution company with ~€16B revenue and global footprint. Directly comparable as a B2B chemicals marketer/distributor serving industrial manufacturers across base chemicals, intermediates, and specialty products.
• Azelis Group: Belgian specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with ~€3.5B revenue. Comparable B2B distribution model with similar focus on market expertise, application development, and long-term manufacturer partnerships.
• Nordmann, Rassmann (Nordmann): Hamburg-based chemical distribution company with similar German family-owned heritage. Comparable distribution of chemicals and specialty products with strong European footprint.
• IMCD N.V. Global specialty chemicals distributor with €4.4B+ revenue focused on specialty chemicals and ingredients. Comparable distribution model with emphasis on market expertise and formulation support across multiple industries.

Regional players

• Häffner & Co: Germany-based chemical distributor focused on specialty chemicals for industrial customers. Comparable distribution model but with stronger DACH regional focus rather than HELM's global 30+ country footprint.

Emerging players

• PetroChina Petrochemical / SINOPEC Distribution: Asia-based chemical distribution players with expanding global reach. Relevant as competitors in Asia-Pacific markets where HELM has significant exposure (China, Japan, Korea lithium demand).

Broad incumbents

• BASF SE: World's largest chemical producer with broad portfolio overlap with HELM's distributed products (methanol, acetic acid, intermediates). Not a direct distribution peer but a major supplier and competitor in adjacent value chain positions.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/helm-iberica

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles16 records

Subsidiaries13 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 HELM IBÉRICA S.A.