Arkema starts North America PVDF expansion, shares trade near recent highs

Arkema has successfully started up a 15% PVDF capacity expansion at its Calvert City, Kentucky site, backing demand from batteries and semiconductors while the Paris-listed shares hold close to their year-to-date gains.

By Anna Wagner, Analysts & Consensus desk. Reviewed prior to publication on 2026-06-23, 14:58.

Arkema (FR0010313833) today reported the successful start-up of its 15% PVDF capacity expansion in North America. The specialty chemicals group, listed on Euronext Paris, framed the investment as support for rising demand in energy storage and semiconductors according to its latest investor relations release.Arkema IR release on PVDF expansion

Details of the PVDF expansion

Arkema said the PVDF expansion at its Calvert City, Kentucky plant increases regional capacity by around 15%, a step it describes as strengthening its leadership in PVDF materials used in batteries and high-tech applications.Morningstar summary of the Arkema announcement The group puts the investment at roughly 20 million US dollars, indicating targeted capital allocation rather than a transformational project.Arkema IR release on PVDF expansion

The expansion is designed to serve growing demand from energy storage systems, including lithium-ion batteries used in electric vehicles and stationary storage, as well as semiconductor manufacturing and fast-growing data center infrastructure.Morningstar summary of the Arkema announcement Arkema’s PVDF products are part of its high-performance polymers segment, which management has repeatedly highlighted as a key driver of its long-term growth portfolio.

Analyst views and upcoming earnings

On the same day, Deutsche Bank reiterated its hold rating on Arkema and raised its price target from 52 euros to 55 euros, while laying out second-quarter forecasts with results scheduled for July 30.MarketScreener note on Deutsche Bank price target change The bank’s stance reflects a cautious but constructive view, with the target still below the current market price.

Earlier in June, Goldman Sachs downgraded Arkema to Neutral and lowered its price target, and Kepler Cheuvreux also moved the shares to Reduce, signaling a more muted near-term outlook from some global houses.MarketScreener compilation of Arkema analyst actions JP Morgan turned bearish on the name in May, according to French analyst roundups, underscoring a mixed consensus ahead of the late-July earnings report.MarketScreener analyst ratings France overview

The products behind Arkema’s PVDF push

Arkema’s PVDF portfolio includes its Kynar-branded fluoropolymer, widely used as a binder and protective coating in lithium-ion battery electrodes and as a high-performance material in chemical processing and semiconductor applications.Arkema product information on Kynar PVDF The Calvert City expansion increases supply of these materials for North American customers, linking the group more tightly to the growth trajectory of electric mobility and digital infrastructure.

Where the Arkema shares trade today

According to real-time data for Arkema on the Paris exchange, the shares trade around 57.35 euros with a year-to-date gain of close to 10% and a slight intraday decline of just under 1% as of 2026-06-23, 14:58.MarketScreener price and performance data for Arkema The Arkema shares (FR0010313833) trade on Euronext Paris at 57.35 euros on 2026-06-23, 14:58.

Arkema in brief

• Company: Arkema S.A.
• ISIN: FR0010313833
• WKN: A0ER5Y
• Ticker: AKE
• Trading venue: Euronext Paris
• Price (as of 2026-06-23, 14:58): 57.35 EUR
• Market cap: 5.0 billion EUR (as of 2026-06-23)
• Sector / industry: Specialty Chemicals / Advanced Materials
• Index membership: SBF 120
• Next earnings date: 2026-07-30

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute investment advice or a recommendation to buy or sell any security. All data are based on sources believed to be reliable at the time of publication, but accuracy and completeness cannot be guaranteed.