The first 2026 quarterly meeting of Esseco Industrial was held on April 27–28 at the Group’s headquarters in San Martino di Trecate (Novara), focusing on performance review and future development outlook.
The meeting took place in a particularly challenging environment for the European chemical sector, which has gone through one of its most difficult three-year periods in recent decades. Weak demand, high energy costs, and increasing global competitive pressure continue to weigh on industry performance.
The data clearly reflects this scenario: capacity utilization in the EU27 chemical sector remains structurally low, below both historical averages and the broader manufacturing sector. From a historical level of around 82%, it has dropped to 74%, with the sector currently operating approximately 10.2% below pre-crisis levels (2014–2019).
In this context, Esseco Industrial continues to strengthen its position, delivering first-quarter results above budget expectations. Performance was largely supported by the de-icing business, which saw increased demand in the early months of 2026 due to particularly harsh weather conditions.
At the same time, the Group continues to grow through targeted integration and development initiatives. Recent acquisitions will help strengthen production, improve efficiency, and consolidate the Group’s presence in European markets, enhancing competitiveness against major international players.
The development of new industrial partnerships is also ongoing, with a focus on water treatment solutions. In parallel, investments are underway in South America to strengthen the Group’s production capacity, alongside diversification into new products.
The quarterly meeting confirmed a clear direction: despite an uncertain environment, Esseco Industrial continues to grow by focusing on integration, diversification, and industrial strength.
