Element Solutions

Element Solutions Inc. is a publicly traded American specialty chemicals company whose products are used in manufacturing and industrial processes rather than primarily sold as finished consumer goods. The company develops, formulates, manufactures, and supplies chemical systems and material-process technologies for electronics, industrial finishing, packaging, water treatment, and offshore energy applications. Its customers and end uses include mobile phones, computers, communication infrastructure, automobiles, aerospace equipment, printed circuit boards, semiconductor packages, industrial machinery, consumer packaging, and offshore oil and gas production. The business was established in 2013 by Martin E. Franklin with financial backing from investor Bill Ackman. It initially operated as Platform Specialty Products, a specialty chemicals and agricultural-products holding company that expanded through acquisitions. A major early transaction was the October 2013 acquisition of MacDermid Incorporated, which provided a foundation in electronic chemicals, surface finishing, and related process technologies. Platform subsequently acquired the electronic chemicals and photomasks businesses of OM Group in 2015 and Alent plc later that year, broadening its electronics and engineered-materials capabilities. Platform Specialty Products later exited crop-protection chemicals. In July 2018, United Phosphorus Limited announced its acquisition of Arysta LifeScience, then the crop business of Platform Specialty Chemicals, for approximately $4.2 billion. Following that divestiture, the company renamed itself Element Solutions Inc. in 2019, reflecting its concentration on specialty chemicals and materials technologies. The company’s shares trade on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol ESI. Element Solutions organizes its operations into two principal segments: Electronics and Industrial & Specialty. The Electronics segment supplies wet chemistries, soldering materials, surface treatments, metallization systems, and other process technologies used in printed circuit board production, semiconductor packaging, electronic assembly, and related manufacturing. Its products are designed to support increasingly complex circuit designs, fine-pitch interconnections, advanced packaging, reliability, and miniaturization. Brands associated with this area include MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, Kester, Electrolube, and Compugraphics. The Industrial & Specialty segment develops chemistries that protect, decorate, and modify metal and plastic surfaces, as well as products used in industrial fluid control and water-treatment processes. Its portfolio includes surface-finishing systems, protective coatings, wastewater treatment and recycling solutions, chemical products for industrial manufacturing, and water-based hydraulic control fluids used in offshore energy production. Associated businesses include MacDermid Enthone, MacDermid Offshore Solutions, Fernox, Coventya, HSO Herbert Schmidt, and DMP Corporation. Element Solutions has expanded through a series of acquisitions. Important additions include Kester in 2019, DMP Corporation in 2020, HK Wentworth in 2021, Coventya in 2021, HSO Herbert Schmidt in 2022, and Kuprion in 2023. These transactions added soldering, electrochemical, surface-finishing, wastewater, and nano-copper technologies. In February 2025, the company sold MacDermid Graphics Solutions, its flexographic printing-plate business, for $323 million, further concentrating the portfolio on electronics and industrial specialty chemicals. The company operates a multinational manufacturing and research network. The reference material describes 63 manufacturing and research-and-development sites across 18 countries. In March 2025, Element Solutions was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Its competitive position rests on specialized formulation expertise, process know-how, customer qualification requirements, and long-standing r…

Element Solutions traces its corporate history to 2013, when Martin E. Franklin established the company with financial backing from Bill Ackman. The business initially operated under the Platform Specialty Products name and was structured as an acquisition-led specialty chemicals group. Its early strategy combined businesses with technically specialized products, customer qualification requirements, and exposure to industrial markets. The October 2013 acquisition of MacDermid Incorporated was a foundational transaction. MacDermid brought expertise in electronic chemicals, printed circuit board processes, surface finishing, and related industrial technologies. Platform expanded its electronics position in October 2015 by acquiring the electronic chemicals and photomasks businesses of OM Group. In December of the same year, it acquired Alent plc, adding further electronic and surface-engineering capabilities. Platform’s original portfolio also included crop-protection activities. In July 2018, United Phosphorus Limited announced the acquisition of Arysta LifeScience, Platform’s crop business, for approximately $4.2 billion. The transaction represented a major strategic change because Platform exited crop chemicals and became more concentrated in specialty chemicals for electronics, industrial manufacturing, surface treatment, and energy-related applications. In 2019, the company changed its name to Element Solutions Inc. and continued as a New York Stock Exchange-listed company under the ticker ESI. After the rebranding, Element Solutions continued to build its portfolio through targeted acquisitions. It acquired Kester in December 2019, adding a well-known provider of solder and related electronic-assembly products. In August 2020, it acquired DMP Corporation, which supplied turnkey wastewater treatment and recycling and reuse solutions. These additions broadened the company’s exposure beyond electronic production into environmental and industrial process systems. The company added several surface-finishing and electrochemical businesses in 2021 and 2022. HK Wentworth, acquired in May 2021, supplied electrochemical products for electronics, LED, automotive, and industrial manufacturing. Coventya, acquired in September 2021, strengthened the global surface-finishing portfolio. In January 2022, Element Solutions acquired HSO Herbert Schmidt, a German developer of surface-finishing technologies and chemistry. Together, these transactions expanded the company’s ability to serve metal and plastic finishing, protective treatments, and specialized industrial processes. In July 2023, Element Solutions acquired Kuprion, whose next-generation nano-copper technology addressed semiconductor, printed-circuit-board, and electronics-assembly markets. The transaction was consistent with the company’s effort to participate in advanced electronics and higher-performance packaging and interconnection applications. During a July 2024 Bloomberg TV interview, Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Gliklich said the company saw opportunities for incremental mergers and acquisitions in advanced electronics and expected future transactions to be funded through cash flow. Element Solutions also reshaped its portfolio through divestiture. On February 28, 2025, it sold MacDermid Graphics Solutions, its flexographic printing-plate business, for $323 million. The sale reduced exposure to that business and supported concentration on electronics and industrial specialty chemicals. In March 2025, Element Solutions was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index. Operationally, the company reports two broad segments. Electronics covers chemistry and process technologies for printed circuit boards, semiconductor packaging, solderable finishes, metallization, surface treatment, and electronic assembly. Industrial & Specialty covers surface protection and decoration for metal and plastic, industrial process chemistry, wastewater treatment, and hydraulic-control fluids used in offshore energy production. The reference material describes a global footprint of 63 manufacturing and research-and-development sites in 18 countries. Its businesses go to market through specialized names including MacDermid Enthone, MacDermid Offshore Solutions, MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions, Compugraphics, Fernox, Electrolube, and Kester.

1. 2025MacDermid Graphics Solutions sold

   The company sold its flexographic printing-plate business for $323 million.

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2. 2025Added to the S&P SmallCap 600

   Element Solutions joined the S&P SmallCap 600 Index in March 2025.

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3. 2023Kuprion acquired

   Kuprion’s nano-copper technology was added to the company’s advanced electronics portfolio.

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4. 2022HSO Herbert Schmidt acquired

   Element Solutions acquired the German surface-finishing technology developer.

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5. 2021HK Wentworth and Coventya acquired

   The two acquisitions expanded electrochemical manufacturing products and global surface-finishing chemistry.

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6. 2020DMP Corporation acquired

   DMP Corporation added wastewater treatment and water recycling and reuse systems.

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7. 2019Element Solutions name adopted

   Platform Specialty Products changed its corporate name to Element Solutions Inc.

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8. 2019Kester acquired

   Kester joined the group, adding solder and electronic-assembly products.

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9. 2018Crop business divested

   United Phosphorus Limited announced the acquisition of Arysta LifeScience, enabling Platform to exit the crop-chemicals business.

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10. 2015OM Group electronic businesses acquired

    Platform acquired OM Group’s electronic chemicals and photomasks businesses.

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11. 2015Alent acquired

    The acquisition of Alent expanded the company’s electronics and engineered-materials capabilities.

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12. 2013Company founded

    Martin E. Franklin founded the company with financial backing from Bill Ackman. It initially operated as Platform Specialty Products.

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13. 2013MacDermid acquired

    The acquisition of MacDermid established a major base in electronic chemicals, surface finishing, and related specialty technologies.

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A global specialty chemicals and materials-process technology provider focused on technically demanding electronics manufacturing and industrial applications. Element Solutions positions its businesses around application expertise, process reliability, surface engineering, advanced electronics, and customer-specific manufacturing performance rather than commodity-scale chemical production.

• MacDermid Alpha Electronics SolutionsElectronics manufacturing chemicals

  MacDermid Alpha Electronics Solutions represents a core electronics portfolio serving printed circuit board fabrication, semiconductor packaging, and electronics assembly. Its technologies include metallization chemistries, surface treatments, solderable finishes, soldering materials, and other process solutions used to create and protect electrical interconnections. The products are aimed at demanding manufacturing environments in communications, computing, automotive, aerospace, and consumer electronics.

• KesterSoldering and electronic assembly materials

  Kester supplies solder and related materials used in electronic assembly and joining operations. Its products support the attachment of components, formation of reliable electrical connections, and production processes across electronics manufacturing. Kester became part of Element Solutions in 2019 and complements the group’s broader portfolio of printed-circuit-board, semiconductor, and assembly chemistries.

• MacDermid EnthoneIndustrial surface finishing

  MacDermid Enthone provides specialty chemistries for treating, protecting, and decorating metal and plastic surfaces. Its technologies are used in industrial finishing and manufacturing processes where corrosion resistance, appearance, durability, conductivity, or controlled surface characteristics are important. The business forms part of Element Solutions’ Industrial & Specialty segment.

• MacDermid Offshore SolutionsOffshore energy chemicals

  MacDermid Offshore Solutions supplies water-based hydraulic-control fluids and related chemical systems for offshore energy production and drilling. These products are designed for industrial fluid-control environments where operational reliability and compatibility with offshore equipment are important.

• ElectrolubeElectronic protection chemicals

  Electrolube develops electrochemical and electronic-protection products for manufacturing and maintaining electronic equipment. Its portfolio is associated with applications such as protection, insulation, cleaning, and reliability improvement in electronic assemblies and industrial systems.

• CompugraphicsPhotomask and electronic materials

  Compugraphics is associated with photomask-related technologies used in electronic and semiconductor manufacturing. The business contributes specialized patterning and electronic-material capabilities to Element Solutions’ electronics activities.

• DMP Corporation solutionsWater and wastewater treatment

  DMP Corporation provides turnkey wastewater treatment, recycling, and water-reuse solutions for industrial customers. Its capabilities extend Element Solutions’ process-chemicals offering into systems that help manage industrial water streams and recover water for reuse.

• Kuprion nano-copper technologyAdvanced electronics materials

  Kuprion develops nano-copper technology for semiconductor, printed-circuit-board, and electronics-assembly markets. The technology supports Element Solutions’ focus on advanced electronics, next-generation interconnection, and materials for increasingly sophisticated electronic hardware.

• 2025Divestiture of MacDermid Graphics SolutionsStrategy

  Element Solutions continued to streamline its portfolio around electronics and industrial specialty chemicals.

  What changed. The company sold MacDermid Graphics Solutions, its flexographic printing-plate business.

  Aftermath. The sale further reduced exposure to the graphics business and supported concentration on the company’s core electronics and industrial activities.

  Sale proceeds. $323 million (February 28, 2025)

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• 2019Corporate rebrand to Element SolutionsStrategy

  Following the exit from crop protection, the company’s remaining activities centered on electronics, industrial surface finishing, specialty process chemistry, and related technologies.

  What changed. Platform Specialty Products changed its name to Element Solutions Inc.

  Aftermath. The new identity aligned the corporate brand with its more focused specialty-chemicals portfolio.

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• 2018Exit from crop chemicals through Arysta LifeScience saleM&A

  Platform Specialty Products still owned a major crop-protection operation while also building specialty chemical businesses in electronics and industrial markets.

  What changed. The company sold Arysta LifeScience, its crop business, to United Phosphorus Limited in a transaction announced at approximately $4.2 billion.

  Aftermath. The divestiture enabled the company to concentrate on specialty chemicals and led to the adoption of the Element Solutions name in 2019.

  Reported transaction value. $4.2 billion (2018)

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• 2025Element Solutions sells MacDermid Graphics Solutions

  Element Solutions sold its flexographic printing-plate business, MacDermid Graphics Solutions, for $323 million as part of a portfolio-concentration strategy.

  M&A
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• 2025Element Solutions joins the S&P SmallCap 600

  Element Solutions was added to the S&P SmallCap 600 Index in March 2025.

  Other
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• 2024Element Solutions discusses further electronics acquisitions

  In a Bloomberg TV interview, Chief Executive Officer Benjamin Gliklich described further acquisition opportunities in advanced electronics and said the company intended to use cash flow to fund potential transactions.

  M&A
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• 2023Element Solutions acquires Kuprion

  Element Solutions acquired Kuprion, a developer of nano-copper technology for semiconductor, circuit-board, and electronics-assembly applications.

  M&AProduct launch
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• 2022Element Solutions acquires HSO Herbert Schmidt

  The company acquired German surface-finishing technology and chemistry developer HSO Herbert Schmidt, adding further expertise in industrial finishing.

  M&A
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• 2021Element Solutions expands surface-finishing portfolio through Coventya acquisition

  The company acquired Coventya, a global surface-finishing specialty chemicals provider, strengthening its industrial finishing activities.

  M&A
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• 2021Element Solutions acquires HK Wentworth

  Element Solutions acquired United Kingdom-based HK Wentworth, whose electrochemical products serve electronics, LED, automotive, and industrial manufacturing.

  M&A
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• 2020Element Solutions acquires DMP Corporation

  Element Solutions acquired DMP Corporation, a provider of turnkey wastewater treatment and water recycling and reuse systems.

  M&A
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• 2019Platform Specialty Products changes its name to Element Solutions

  The company adopted the Element Solutions name after exiting its crop-protection business and concentrating on specialty chemicals and process technologies.

  Other
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• 2018Platform Specialty Products sells Arysta LifeScience crop business

  United Phosphorus Limited announced the acquisition of Arysta LifeScience, then Platform Specialty Products’ crop business, in a transaction reported at approximately $4.2 billion. The divestiture marked Platform’s exit from crop chemicals and supported its subsequent specialization in electronics and industrial specialty chemicals.

  M&A
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1. Element Solutions