Specialty Chemicals
Case studies in specialty chemicals.
Albemarle: When to Commit at Richburg?
Albemarle had announced a plan to build a lithium hydroxide conversion facility in Chester County, South Carolina. The March 2023 announcement said construction was expected to begin in late 2024. Read case
Ecolab — Integrating CoolIT
On 2 July 2026, Ecolab completed its approximately $4.75 billion cash acquisition of CoolIT Systems, a supplier of coolant distribution units (CDUs), cold plates and direct-to-chip cooling systems for data centers. Ecolab said it planned to introduce a combined platform at SC26 in November: CoolIT hardware alongside Ecolab's 3D TRASAR digital optimization and cooling fluids. Read case
International Flavors & Fragrances: Where Should Shared Capabilities Live?
On August 4, 2026, International Flavors & Fragrances Inc. (IFF) reported its second-quarter results and described a company with a changing portfolio. The company had sold its Pharma Solutions and Nitrocellulose businesses in May 2025. It had completed the sale of Soy Crush, Concentrates & Lecithin (SCL) in March 2026. Read case
PPG Industries: What should the coatings business become?
In February 2024, PPG Industries announced a strategic review of its U.S. and Canada architectural coatings business. Eight months later, the company had reported third-quarter results, but its public disclosures still did not provide the business's standalone profit, cash flow, capital requirements, or separation economics. Read case
The Sherwin-Williams Company: Where Should the Next Store Go?
Sherwin-Williams built its Paint Stores Group (PSG) around company-operated specialty paint stores, sales representatives, knowledgeable employees, controlled distribution and digital tools. At the end of 2023 it operated 4,694 PSG stores. Management’s stated objective was to expand the store base by an approximate average of 2% annually, primarily through organic growth. Read case
Solstice Advanced Materials: When to Commit to More Uranium Conversion Capacity?
On 10 February 2026, Solstice Advanced Materials said it expected uranium hexafluoride (UF6) production at Metropolis Works to exceed 10,000 metric tonnes in 2026, about 20% above its planned 2024 output. The company attributed the increase to debottlenecking work already under way. Read case