Albemarle Corporation (New York Stock Exchange: ALB): Corporate Profile & Financials

By Raveendran | Updated on: October 26, 2026

Source: Form 10-K Year Ended December 31, 2025

Quick Facts / Company Snapshot

Company Name Albemarle Corporation
Headquarters Charlotte, North Carolina
Country of Incorporation Virginia
Founded 1993
What the Company Does Transforms essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health
Exchange and ticker New York Stock Exchange: ALB
Business Segments Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen
Products & Services Lithium compounds, bromine, specialty chemicals, refining catalysts, performance catalyst solutions, and recycling services
Employees Approximately 7,800
Countries & Regions Served Approximately 70 countries
CEO & Board Chairperson J. Kent Masters
Annual Revenue $5,142,733,000 -4.4%
Net Income $(465,210,000) +59.0%
Total Assets $16,374,211,000 -1.4%
Total Liabilities $6,592,750,000 -2.4%

Company Overview

Albemarle Corporation is a world leader in transforming essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. The company’s stated purpose is to enable a more resilient world through partnerships that pioneer new ways to move, power, connect, and protect. Albemarle serves multiple end markets, including grid storage, automotive, aerospace, conventional energy, electronics, construction, agriculture and food, pharmaceuticals, and medical devices. The company and its joint ventures operate more than 25 production and research and development facilities alongside numerous administrative and sales offices around the world.

Albemarle manages its operations through three reportable segments: Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen. The company conducts a substantial portion of its business outside the United States, utilizing global supply sources for critical raw materials such as lithium and bromine. Through disciplined operational execution, research and development, and safety protocols, the company seeks to maintain a leading position in its targeted industries.

Business Segments

During 2025, Albemarle managed and reported its operations under three reportable segments organized based on similar markets, customers, economic characteristics, and production processes.

Energy Storage

The Energy Storage segment develops and manufactures a broad range of basic lithium compounds, including lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride. These compounds serve as key components in lithium batteries used in consumer electronics, electric vehicles, power grids, and solar panels, as well as in high-performance greases and specialty glass. The segment obtains lithium by purchasing lithium concentrate from its 49%-owned joint venture Windfield Holdings Pty. Ltd. and its 50%-owned unincorporated joint venture MARBL Lithium Joint Venture, and through solar evaporation ponds in Chile and Nevada.

Specialties

The Specialties business optimizes a portfolio of bromine and highly specialized lithium solutions serving energy, mobility, connectivity, and health industries. Specialty products include fire safety compounds for plastics and electronics, bromine fine chemicals, alkyl bromides, inorganic bromides, brominated powdered activated carbon, elemental bromine, butyllithium, and lithium aluminum hydride. Brine for bromine production is sourced from Arkansas and the Dead Sea, supported by active brine rights leasing and the company’s interest in the Jordan Bromine Company Limited joint venture.

Ketjen

The Ketjen segment provides clean fuels technologies including hydroprocessing catalysts together with isomerization and alkylation catalysts, fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts and additives, and performance catalyst solutions. These products assist in upgrading oil fractions to clean fuels, removing impurities, and manufacturing polyolefins and electronics. On October 25, 2025, Albemarle signed a definitive agreement to divest the controlling ownership interest of Ketjen’s Refining Solutions business while retaining the performance catalyst solutions business and a 49% interest in the newly formed limited partnership Holdco, alongside the January 23, 2026 sale of its 50% ownership interest in Eurecat S.A.

History and Evolution

Albemarle Corporation was incorporated in Virginia in 1993. Over subsequent decades, the company expanded its operations and portfolio through strategic acquisitions and joint ventures, notably acquiring Rockwood Holdings, Inc. in 2015. On October 18, 2023, Albemarle completed a restructuring of the MARBL joint venture with Mineral Resources Limited, acquiring full ownership of the Kemerton lithium hydroxide processing facility while adjusting its ownership interest in the Wodgina mine to 50%.

In response to changing end-market conditions and lithium price volatility, the company initiated comprehensive reviews of its cost and operating structure, placing select conversion facilities and production trains into care and maintenance. In late 2025, the company signed definitive agreements to divest the controlling interest in Ketjen’s Refining Solutions business and its ownership interest in Eurecat S.A., with the Eurecat transaction closing in January 2026 and the Refining Solutions transaction expected to close in the first quarter of 2026.

Products and Services

Albemarle’s product portfolio addresses specialized industrial, technological, and chemical needs across distinct operating categories:

  • Energy Storage Products: Lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, and lithium chloride for batteries, electric vehicles, grid storage, and industrial uses.
  • Specialties Products: Bromine, alkyl bromides, inorganic bromides, brominated powdered activated carbon, fire safety solutions, butyllithium, lithium aluminum hydride, cesium products, and zirconium, barium, and titanium products for pyrotechnical applications.
  • Ketjen Products: Hydroprocessing catalysts, isomerization and alkylation catalysts, fluidized catalytic cracking catalysts, additives, organometallics, and curatives.
  • Services: Handling and use technical services for reactive lithium products and recycling services for lithium-containing by-products.

Brand Portfolio

The company maintains product and business lines under recognized operational brand names, including Ketjen for its clean fuels and catalyst technologies. Brand equity is supported by intellectual property rights, proprietary process technologies, and registered trademarks across global markets.

Geographical Presence

Albemarle serves approximately 1,900 customers in approximately 70 countries. The company operates more than 25 production and research and development facilities worldwide, supported by administrative and sales offices. Principal operations and mineral assets are located in the United States, Australia, Chile, China, Jordan, Germany, Taiwan, Brazil, and the Netherlands. Net sales shipped to or within China represented 39% of total net sales in 2025.

Competitor Analysis

Albemarle operates in highly competitive global markets characterized by aggressive expansion from existing and new participants. Competition is based on product performance, quality, price, contract terms, reliability of supply, customer service, and climate-related performance.

In the global lithium market, major competitors include Sociedad Quimica y Minera de Chile S.A., Sichuan Tianqi Lithium, Jiangxi Ganfeng Lithium, Rio Tinto plc, Pilbara Minerals, Tesla, and numerous Chinese companies. In the Specialties segment, principal competitors include Lanxess AG, Israel Chemicals Ltd, Rio Tinto, and producers in India and China. In the Ketjen catalysts market, competitors include Shell Catalysts & Technologies, Advanced Refining Technologies, Haldor Topsoe, W.R. Grace & Co., BASF Corporation, Nouryon, and Arxada.

Operating Performance and Business Drivers

For the year ended December 31, 2025, Albemarle recorded net sales of $5,142.7 million, representing a 4% decrease compared to $5,377.5 million in 2024. The change in net sales was driven primarily by lower lithium carbonate and hydroxide market pricing in the Energy Storage segment, partially offset by a 9% year-over-year increase in Energy Storage sales volume and higher volumes across all businesses. Gross profit improved to $668.7 million, or 13.0% of net sales, compared to $62.5 million, or 1.2% of net sales, in 2024, benefiting from lower average input costs and increased sales volumes.

Net loss attributable to Albemarle Corporation for 2025 was $(510.6) million, compared to $(1,179.4) million in 2024. Results for 2025 included non-cash goodwill impairment charges of $181.1 million associated with the Refining Solutions reporting unit and long-lived asset impairment charges of $245.6 million to reduce the carrying value of the Refining Solutions business to its fair value less costs to sell. Cash provided by operating activities reached $1.3 billion in 2025, reflecting an 86% increase over the prior year, bolstered by customer prepayments and disciplined working capital management.

Board of Directors and Leadership Team

Executive leadership and oversight are provided by experienced officers and a board of directors:

  • J. Kent Masters – Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer
  • Neal R. Sheorey – Executive Vice President, Chief Financial Officer
  • Melissa H. Anderson – Executive Vice President, Chief Business Transformation Officer
  • Mark R. Mummert – Executive Vice President, Chief Operations Officer
  • Eric W. Norris – Executive Vice President, Chief Commercial Officer
  • Autumn M. Gagarinas – Senior Vice President, Chief People and Workplace Transformation Officer
  • Ander C. Krupa – Senior Vice President, General Counsel and Corporate Secretary
  • Cynthia R. Lima – Senior Vice President, Chief External Affairs and Communications Officer
  • Michael J. Simmons – President, Ketjen Global Business Unit
  • Donald J. LaBauve, Jr. – Vice President, Corporate Controller and Chief Accounting Officer

Board of Directors: M. Lauren Brlas, Ralf H. Cramer, Glenda J. Minor, James J. O’Brien, Diarmuid B. O’Connell, Gerald A. Steiner, Holly A. Van Deursen, and Alejandro D. Wolff.

Future Strategy and Business Priorities

Albemarle’s strategic focus centers on optimizing its cost structure, enhancing financial flexibility, deleveraging, and investing in high-priority growth businesses while maintaining disciplined capital allocation. The company has implemented a fully integrated functional operating model, reduced planned capital expenditures to between $550 million and $600 million for 2026, and executed restructuring initiatives to lower operating costs.

Strategic priorities include completing the announced divestitures in the first quarter of 2026, executing asset optimization actions such as placing Kemerton Train 1 into care and maintenance, and leveraging long-term customer supply agreements to capitalize on expected growth in electric vehicle adoption, energy storage systems, and specialty chemical markets.

Key Strengths

  • World-class mineral resource positions in lithium brine and hard rock, including interests in Greenbushes, Wodgina, Salar de Atacama, and Silver Peak.
  • Leading process chemistry and technological innovation across energy storage, bromine specialties, and catalysts.
  • Diverse global operating footprint spanning approximately 70 countries with established international customer relationships.
  • Strong liquidity position supported by disciplined working capital management, cash flow from operations, and proceeds from pending divestitures.
  • Commitment to sustainability standards, safety performance, and rigorous operational risk management.

Key Challenges and Risks

  • Volatility and cyclical fluctuations in lithium market prices and end-market demand.
  • Risks associated with international operations, including regulatory changes, geopolitical disputes, trade tariffs, and foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations.
  • Operating hazards common to chemical manufacturing and natural resource extraction, including environmental compliance, safety incidents, and brine extraction limits.
  • Uncertainties related to the execution and completion of planned divestitures and restructuring actions.
  • Complex credit agreement covenant compliance requirements tied to leverage and interest coverage ratios.

Conclusion and Strategic Outlook

Albemarle Corporation remains positioned as a key global participant in supplying critical materials for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health. While navigating pricing volatility and cyclical headwinds in the lithium market, the company continues to execute cost optimization, streamline its operational structure through targeted divestitures, and preserve capital flexibility. Through disciplined management of its resource assets and operational network, Albemarle aims to support long-term demand growth across electrification and industrial end markets.

Official Site

www.albemarle.com

Financial Statements

The consolidated financial statements are reported in U.S. Dollars (in thousands, except per share amounts) for the years ended December 31, 2025, 2024, and 2023.

Summary Consolidated Statements of Operations

Line Item 2025 2024 YoY Growth (%)
Net sales 5,142,733 5,377,526 -4.37%
Cost of goods sold 4,474,014 5,314,987 -15.82%
Gross profit 668,719 62,539 +969.28%
Selling, general and administrative expenses 550,036 618,048 -11.00%
Goodwill impairment charges 181,070 — –
Long-lived asset impairment charges 245,600 — –
Restructuring charges and asset write-offs 7,699 1,134,316 -99.32%
Research and development expenses 51,398 86,720 -40.73%
Operating (loss) profit (367,084) (1,776,545) -79.34%
Interest and financing expenses (207,651) (165,619) +25.38%
Other income, net 22,662 178,339 -87.29%
(Loss) income before income taxes and equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (552,073) (1,763,825) -68.70%
Income tax expense 156,881 87,085 +80.15%
Loss before equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (708,954) (1,850,910) -61.70%
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax) 243,744 715,433 -65.93%
Net (loss) income (465,210) (1,135,477) -59.03%
Net income attributable to noncontrolling interests (45,418) (43,972) +3.29%
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation (510,628) (1,179,449) -56.71%
Mandatory convertible preferred stock dividends (166,750) (136,647) +22.03%
Net (loss) income attributable to Albemarle Corporation common shareholders (677,378) (1,316,096) -48.53%
Basic (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (5.76) (11.20) -48.57%
Diluted (loss) earnings per share attributable to common shareholders (5.76) (11.20) -48.57%

Balance Sheet

Line Item December 31, 2025 December 31, 2024 YoY Growth (%)
Cash and cash equivalents 1,618,001 1,192,230 +35.71%
Trade accounts receivable, less allowance for credit losses 593,502 742,201 -20.03%
Other accounts receivable 105,110 238,384 -55.91%
Inventories 1,179,271 1,502,531 -21.51%
Other current assets 140,440 166,916 -15.86%
Current assets held for sale 371,815 — –
Total current assets 4,008,139 3,842,262 +4.32%
Property, plant and equipment, at cost 11,768,840 12,523,368 -6.02%
Less accumulated depreciation and amortization 3,156,429 3,191,898 -1.11%
Net property, plant and equipment 8,612,411 9,331,470 -7.71%
Investments 900,926 1,117,739 -19.40%
Other assets 647,185 504,711 +28.23%
Goodwill 1,499,657 1,582,714 -5.25%
Other intangibles, net of amortization 214,233 230,753 -7.16%
Noncurrent assets held for sale 491,660 — –
Total assets 16,374,211 16,609,649 -1.42%
Accounts payable to third parties 779,160 793,455 -1.80%
Accounts payable to related parties 134,369 150,432 -10.68%
Accrued expenses 521,831 467,997 +11.50%
Current portion of long-term debt 74,077 398,023 -81.39%
Dividends payable 61,387 61,282 +0.17%
Income taxes payable 35,467 95,275 -62.77%
Current liabilities held for sale 191,753 — –
Total current liabilities 1,798,044 1,966,464 -8.56%
Long-term debt 3,119,464 3,118,142 +0.04%
Postretirement benefits 44,744 31,930 +40.13%
Pension benefits 117,361 116,192 +1.01%
Other noncurrent liabilities 1,084,892 819,204 +32.43%
Deferred income taxes 368,275 358,029 +2.86%
Noncurrent liabilities held for sale 59,970 — –
Common stock 1,178 1,176 +0.17%
Mandatory convertible preferred stock 2,235,105 2,235,105 0.00%
Additional paid-in capital 3,018,213 2,985,606 +1.09%
Accumulated other comprehensive loss (334,807) (742,062) -54.88%
Retained earnings 4,613,676 5,481,692 -15.83%
Total Albemarle Corporation shareholders’ equity 9,533,365 9,961,517 -4.30%
Noncontrolling interests 248,096 238,171 +4.17%
Total equity 9,781,461 10,199,688 -4.10%
Total liabilities and equity 16,374,211 16,609,649 -1.42%

Cash Flow Statement

Line Item 2025 2024 YoY Growth (%)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year 1,192,230 889,900 +33.97%
Net (loss) income (465,210) (1,135,477) -59.03%
Depreciation and amortization 658,678 588,638 +11.90%
Non-cash goodwill impairment charges 181,070 — –
Non-cash long-lived asset impairment charges 245,600 — –
Non-cash restructuring and asset write-offs — 1,013,444 –
Stock-based compensation and other 40,271 32,141 +25.29%
Equity in net income of unconsolidated investments (net of tax) (243,744) (715,433) -65.93%
Dividends received from unconsolidated investments and nonmarketable securities 93,739 358,933 -73.88%
Pension and postretirement expense (benefit) 23,377 (5,274) N/M
Pension and postretirement contributions (20,441) (19,379) +5.48%
Realized loss on investments in marketable securities — 33,746 –
Unrealized (gain) loss on investments in marketable securities (14,088) 30,073 N/M
Loss on early extinguishment of debt 7,471 — –
Deferred income taxes 81,169 (230,406) N/M
Decrease (increase) in accounts receivable 47,315 555,218 -91.48%
Decrease (increase) in inventories 212,351 1,055,036 -79.87%
Decrease (increase) in other current assets 4,027 244,987 -98.36%
Increase (decrease) in accounts payable to third parties 144,208 (462,839) N/M
(Decrease) increase in accounts payable to related parties (16,063) (399,398) -95.98%
(Decrease) increase in accrued expenses and income taxes payable (36,753) (140,099) -73.77%
Noncurrent liability changes and other, net 339,290 (116,035) N/M
Net cash provided by operating activities 1,282,267 687,876 +86.41%
Capital expenditures (589,801) (1,680,529) -64.90%
Proceeds from sale of property and equipment 32,812 29,102 +12.75%
Proceeds from sale from investments 290,908 — –
Proceeds (payments) from settlement of foreign currency forward contracts, net 114,236 (15,595) N/M
Sales (purchases) of marketable securities, net 6,077 82,520 -92.64%
Investments in equity investments and nonmarketable securities (239) (270) -11.48%
Net cash used in investing activities (146,007) (1,584,772) -90.79%
Proceeds from issuance of mandatory convertible preferred stock, net of issuance costs — 2,236,750 –
Proceeds from borrowings of long-term debt and credit agreements 56,728 112,439 -49.55%
Repayments of long-term debt and credit agreements (505,736) (112,439) +349.79%
Other (repayments) borrowings, net (5,657) (631,834) -99.10%
Dividends paid to common shareholders (190,530) (188,530) +1.06%
Dividends paid to mandatory convertible preferred shareholders (166,750) (122,746) +35.85%
Dividends paid to noncontrolling interests (18,169) (37,194) -51.15%
Proceeds from exercise of stock options 3,240 374 +766.31%
Withholding taxes paid on stock-based compensation award distributions (7,258) (11,891) -38.96%
Other (55) (3,194) -98.28%
Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities (834,187) 1,241,735 N/M
Net effect of foreign exchange on cash and cash equivalents 123,698 (42,509) N/M
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 425,771 302,330 +40.83%
Cash and cash equivalents at end of year 1,618,001 1,192,230 +35.71%

Subsidiaries & Joint Ventures

Entity Name Country / Jurisdiction Relationship Ownership Interest
Windfield Holdings Pty. Ltd. Australia Unconsolidated Joint Venture 49%
Nippon Aluminum Alkyls Japan Unconsolidated Joint Venture (divested October 1, 2025) 0% (50% in 2024)
Nippon Ketjen Company Limited Japan Unconsolidated Joint Venture 50%
Eurecat S.A. France Unconsolidated Joint Venture (divested January 23, 2026) 50%
Fábrica Carioca de Catalisadores S.A. Brazil Unconsolidated Joint Venture 50%
Jordan Bromine Company Limited Jordan Consolidated Joint Venture 50%
MARBL Lithium Joint Venture Australia Unincorporated Joint Venture 50%

Other Investments & Holdings

Investee Nature of Interest Ownership Percentage Carrying Value / Amount Reporting Date
Public Equity Securities Marketable equity securities Not disclosed $64,312 thousand December 31, 2025
Nonmarketable Securities Nonmarketable investments Not disclosed $16,766 thousand December 31, 2025

Physical Properties

Location Facility Type / Principal Use Ownership / Lease Status
Chengdu, China Production of technical and battery-grade lithium hydroxide (placed into care and maintenance in 2025) Owned
Greenbushes, Australia Production of lithium spodumene minerals and lithium concentrate Owned by joint venture
Kemerton, Australia Production of technical and battery-grade lithium hydroxide (Train 1 and Train 2 in care and maintenance) Owned
Kings Mountain, NC, USA Production of technical/battery-grade lithium hydroxide, lithium salts and lithium metal products / Exploration Owned
La Negra, Chile Production of technical and battery-grade lithium carbonate Owned
Meishan, China Production of technical and battery-grade lithium hydroxide Owned
Qinzhou, China Production of lithium carbonate and technical/battery-grade lithium hydroxide Owned
Salar de Atacama, Chile Production of lithium brine and potash Owned (reverts to Chilean government upon contract exhaustion)
Silver Peak, NV, USA Production of lithium brine, technical-grade lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide Owned and leased (unpatented claims)
Wodgina, Australia Production of lithium spodumene minerals and lithium concentrate Owned and leased by joint venture
Xinyu, China Production of technical and battery-grade lithium hydroxide Owned
Baton Rouge, LA, USA R&D activities and production of fire safety solutions Leased
Langelsheim, Germany Production of butyllithium, lithium chloride, specialty products, lithium hydrides, cesium and special metals Owned
Magnolia, AR, USA Production of fire safety solutions, bromine, inorganic bromides, agricultural intermediates and tertiary amines Owned
New Johnsonville, TN, USA Production of butyllithium and specialty products Owned
Safi, Jordan Production of bromine and derivatives and fire safety solutions Owned and leased by joint venture
Taichung, Taiwan Production of butyllithium Owned
Amsterdam, the Netherlands Production of refinery catalysts, R&D activities Owned
Bayport, TX, USA Production of refinery catalysts, R&D activities Owned
Niihama, Japan Production of refinery catalysts Leased by joint venture
Pasadena, TX, USA Production of chemical products, including aluminum and magnesium alkyls Owned
Santa Cruz, Brazil Production of catalysts, R&D activities Owned by joint venture

Investments and Capital Expenditure

Category Reported Period / Basis Amount YoY Growth (%)
Capital Expenditures (2025) Year ended December 31, 2025 (Actual) $589,801 thousand –
Capital Expenditures (2024) Year ended December 31, 2024 (Actual) $1,680,529 thousand –
Capital Expenditures (2023) Year ended December 31, 2023 (Actual) $2,154,542 thousand –
Research and Development Expenses (2025) Year ended December 31, 2025 (Actual) $51,398 thousand –
Research and Development Expenses (2024) Year ended December 31, 2024 (Actual) $86,720 thousand –
Research and Development Expenses (2023) Year ended December 31, 2023 (Actual) $85,725 thousand –

Share Capital and Outstanding Shares

Share Class or Item Reported Amount / Number of Shares Reporting Date / Basis
Common Stock Authorized 275,000,000 shares Authorized per Charter
Common Stock Issued and Outstanding 117,716,375 shares (117,716 thousand) December 31, 2025
Common Stock Issued and Outstanding 117,559,774 shares (117,560 thousand) December 31, 2024
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Authorized 15,000 shares Series A Preferred Stock
Mandatory Convertible Preferred Stock Issued and Outstanding 2,300,000 shares (2,300 shares in thousands/units) December 31, 2025 and December 31, 2024
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic 117,664 thousand shares Year ended December 31, 2025
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted 117,664 thousand shares Year ended December 31, 2025
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—basic 117,516 thousand shares Year ended December 31, 2024
Weighted-average common shares outstanding—diluted 117,516 thousand shares Year ended December 31, 2024
Common stock holders of record 1,806 holders February 4, 2026
Common stock outstanding (exact) 117,847,220 shares February 4, 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Albemarle Corporation’s primary business?

Albemarle transforms essential resources into critical ingredients for mobility, energy, connectivity, and health, operating primarily through three business segments: Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen.

What are Albemarle’s primary reportable segments?

The company’s reportable segments are Energy Storage, Specialties, and Ketjen.

Where are Albemarle’s principal lithium extraction operations located?

Albemarle obtains lithium through its interests in hard rock mines in Western Australia (Greenbushes and Wodgina) and solar evaporation brine operations in Chile (Salar de Atacama) and the United States (Silver Peak, Nevada).

What actions has Albemarle taken regarding its Ketjen segment?

On October 25, 2025, Albemarle signed a definitive agreement to divest the controlling ownership interest in Ketjen’s Refining Solutions business while retaining its performance catalyst solutions business and a 49% interest in Holdco, alongside the January 23, 2026 sale of its 50% ownership interest in Eurecat S.A.

How does Albemarle manage its debt and liquidity?

The company relies on cash generated from operations, cash balances, available borrowing capacity under its $1.5 billion credit facility and commercial paper program, and proceeds from pending divestitures to service indebtedness, fund capital expenditures, and support general corporate purposes.