HOW ARE YOU APPROACHING 2026? With caution, given the economic environment, but also with determination and energy. The start of the year has seen a continuation of the trends from the second half of 2025: sluggish demand, limited visibility, unfavorable exchange rates and, since late February, a geopolitical situation in the Middle East that further complicates the situation. Given these circumstances, our primary objective is clear: to demonstrate agility and optimize our operations in the short term. For our people, this means staying on top of things at all times, adjusting our pricing policy in line with raw material price movements, controlling our fixed costs and capital expenditure, and strictly managing working capital requirements. At the same time, we are continuing to shape the Group’s future. Our major projects in Specialty Materials will gain momentum and support growth, as will the synergies from our recent acquisitions. We are also pursuing our strategic roadmap, based on innovation and low-carbon solutions, while exploring new markets such as data centers and wellness, where opportunities are promising. 2026 IS ARKEMA’S 20TH ANNIVERSARY YEAR. WHAT DOES THIS MILESTONE MEAN TO YOU? This is a symbolic year and a source of pride. When we founded Arkema in 2006, the stakes were high: we wanted to become an independent player and build a company from scratch. It was bold and ambitious. Now, twenty years later, our trajectory speaks for itself. Over two decades of transformation, we have built solid foundations: a robust financial structure, a culture rooted in integrity, high standards, a focus on people, and an unwavering commitment to safety. Thanks to our strong culture of innovation, our expertise in Specialty Materials and our customer intimacy, we have become a truly global group, operating on every continent, with a significantly strengthened industrial footprint in North America and Asia. Beyond the economy, we have developed a strong role in society through tangible initiatives to support sports, diversity and the inclusion of young people and underserved communities. Twenty years is still young for a company: it is the age of enthusiasm, momentum and vision. Our story has only just begun. WHAT MESSAGE WOULD YOU LIKE TO GIVE TO YOUNGER GENERATIONS? I want to tell them this: industry needs you, and the chemical industry in particular. If you want to contribute to the green transition, be present—without being visible—in the daily lives of millions of people, and be part of something truly meaningful, then Arkema is a fantastic place to make a real impact. We will always need curious, positive, bold individuals who are ready to invent the solutions of tomorrow. Materials chemistry makes electromobility, renewable energy and new consumer habits possible as we move towards a low-carbon world. It is an industry that develops talent, passes on expertise and brings together highly specialized and diverse skills. Younger generations are coming in with energy and the desire to bring meaning to their work and act now, without waiting. They are a driving force for transformation. We need them, and they belong here at Arkema. 04 INTERVIEW
