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FERALCO GROUP

Continues to invest in
resilience and flexibility

The European chemical industry has faced significant challenges during 2025,
and the pace of change has surprised many industry participants. Despite

this, the Feralco Group has demonstrated strength through its adaptability and
remains committed to delivering its essential end product: clean water.

Profound changes have marked the past year for the Feralco - We are making several investments to renew our way of working,
Group – just as it has for the broader European chemical but this kind of transition takes time. You cannot build entirely new
industry. Production facilities have shut down at a faster pace infrastructure overnight. Our sector does not operate like most other
than expected, and Europe’s once-reliable local supply chains can industries, and that is something we must recognize, says Stephen
no longer be taken for granted. In this shifting landscape, the Feralco Childs.
Group’s co-CEOs, Stephen Childs and Ludovic Huitorel, have been
forced to navigate with both focus and pragmatism. They describe We are making several
the year as transformative—a period that demanded new ways of investments to renew our way
thinking while reinforcing their conviction about the company’s role
in society. of working, but this kind of
transition takes time
- We are local producers. This means that if we sell our product in
Sweden, we should produce in Sweden. What we are seeing now STEPHEN CHILDS
is that local supply chains across Europe, particularly within the
chemical industry, are changing. We, and many others, have had to UPDATED DIRECTIVE FOR WASTEWATER TREATMENT
accelerate our adaptation to this reality, says Ludovic Huitorel. One development Feralco Group views positively is the revised EU
Urban Wastewater Treatment Directive, which came into force in
January 2025. The directive aims to tighten the requirements for
wastewater treatment in the EU’s member states. It specifically
targets phosphorous, nitrogen, and micro-pollutants from pharma-
ceuticals and cosmetics—substances that previously have passed
through treatment plants untreated. For the Feralco Group, the
directive presents an opportunity to contribute to these new targets
by leveraging specialized expertise in water treatment chemicals to
support EU members in implementing the new requirements.

INVESTING FOR THE FUTURE SECURING A VITAL SUPPLY
Despite the headwinds, the Feralco Group has not slowed down. The Regardless of the turbulence in the world around them, the Feralco
group delivered solid results throughout 2025, despite the challeng- Group maintains one prioritized commitment: ensuring delivery of
ing circumstances. Several initiatives were also launched to strength- clean water across Europe. For Stephen Childs and Ludovic Huitorel,
en the supply chain and increase flexibility. One initiative is a new this is the core of their mission.
production facility in the Netherlands, set to open in 2026, dedicated
to iron and salt solutions, which are crucial components for wastewa- - We will continue to produce. Water is a fundamental resource, and
ter treatment across Europe. the need for water will not disappear. This is why it is essential that
we now do the work required—continuing to restructure, reorganize,
Both Stephen Childs and Ludovic Huitorel acknowledge that the and strengthen our supply chains, concludes Ludovic Huitorel.
transformation within the European water sector and the develop-
ment of new infrastructure will take time.

Water is a fundamental resource – STEPHEN CHILDS AND
there will always be a need for water LUDOVIC HUITOREL,
co-CEOs
LUDOVIC HUITOREL

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