International chemical company with its own product business in chemicals, crop solutions and lithium energy materials
HELM AG
Hamburg · Basingstoke (GB) · Mexico City (MX) · Copenhagen (DK)New on Amplifa
About HELM
HELM was founded in 1900 as an import/export business in Hamburg and today ranks among the largest independent chemical companies worldwide, with around 100 branches in over 30 countries. The Schnabel family leads the company in its third generation as a private stock corporation; in 2025 HELM achieved total revenue of 4.7 billion euros with 1,810 employees. The business is organized into three business units: Chemicals (including basic chemicals, solvents and intermediates), Crop Solutions (products and tools for the agricultural industry) and Energy Materials with a focus on lithium. In Basingstoke (England), HELM operates three lithium production facilities as well as research and development laboratories (Center of Excellence, LevertonHELM) and synthesizes a broad portfolio of lithium derivatives there, such as lithium carbonate and lithium hydroxide for batteries, glass & ceramics, construction and lubricants. In addition, HELM offers toll manufacturing, lithium recycling solutions, supply chain services as well as logistics, distribution and marketing.
- Site
- Hamburg
- Processes
- Development of tailored products, Logistics and distribution, Marketing, Lithium recycling solutions, Toll manufacturing, Supply chain services for lithium products, Venture Clienting (HELM Horizon)
- Materials
- Lithium Carbonate, Lithium Hydroxide, Lithium Chloride, Lithium Bromide, Lithium Sulfate, Lithium Acetate, Lithium Citrate, Lithium Iodide
- Founded
- 1900
- Employees
- 1810
- Industries
- Chemicals, Agriculture (Crop Solutions), Energy materials/Lithium (batteries, electromobility), Glass & Ceramics, Construction, Lubricants
- 01
Development of tailored products
- 02
Manufacturing/synthesis (including lithium derivatives)
- 03
Toll manufacturing
- 04
Logistics and distribution
- 05
Marketing
- 06
Recycling solutions
Products & Lithium Derivatives
Lithium Carbonate
Raw material for lithium-ion batteries (LFP) as well as for specialty glass, ceramics and rapid cement.
Lithium Hydroxide
For cathodes of high-performance lithium-ion batteries (NMC) and as an additive in high-performance lubricants.
Lithium Chloride
Used in dehumidification systems, as a raw material for lithium metal and electrolyte components.
Lithium Bromide
Absorption agent in industrial absorption refrigeration systems.
Lithium Sulfate
Electrolyte component for grid storage and catalyst in polymer reactions.
Lithium Acetate
Used, among other things, in the production and stabilization of PVC.
Lithium Citrate
For specialty applications ranging from construction to the pharmaceutical industry.
Lithium Iodide
Highly specialized chemical for niche applications.
Lithium Nitrate
Corrosion protection in absorption refrigeration systems, purified for lithium-ion batteries.
Acetic Acid
pH regulator, preservative, solvent and chemical intermediate for the food, pharmaceutical and textile industries.
Methanol
Basic chemicals product marketed through partnerships with production sites such as Oman and Trinidad.
Phthalic Anhydride
Intermediate for the chemical industry.
Locations
Hamburg
DEHead office/Headquarters
Basingstoke
GBLithium production (3 plants) as well as research and development laboratories (Center of Excellence, LevertonHELM)
- Materials
- Lithium carbonate, lithium hydroxide, lithium chloride, lithium bromide and other lithium derivatives
Mexico City
MXBranch, largest foreign location since 1966
Copenhagen
DKHELM Scandinavia branch, first foreign branch (1962)
Products & Applications
Inside the production
Industries
Additional services
Reference customers
History
- 1900
Karl Otto Helm founds an import/export business in Hamburg.
- 1950
Hermann Schnabel acquires HELM and shifts the focus to trading in chemical products.
- 1962
First foreign branch "HELM Scandinavia" opens in Copenhagen.
- 1966
Establishment of the first transatlantic branch in Mexico City.
- 1978
HELM is converted into a private stock corporation.
- 1981
Opening of the first Asia office in Beijing.
- 1984
Hermann Schnabel hands the company over to his son Dieter.
- 1986
Strategic partnership with the US company Proman for investments in Trinidad.
- 2004
Construction of the world's largest methanol plant in Oman.
- 2005
Seven new methanol plants commissioned in partnership with Proman.
- 2006
Revenue exceeds the 5 billion euro mark for the first time.
- 2010
1,300 employees celebrate 110 years of HELM.
- 2020
Stephan Schnabel takes over the global chairmanship on 01.04.; launch of the HELM2030 sustainability strategy.
- 2021
Founding of the joint venture Qore for bio-BDO production with Cargill.
- 2022
Entry into the lithium industry through a series of joint ventures.