IMCD

Company Description

IMCD is the world's leading distributor of specialty chemicals and ingredients, serving as the essential link between chemical manufacturers and the companies that use these materials to make products. When a cosmetics company needs a specific emulsifier for a face cream or a pharmaceutical company needs an excipient for a tablet, IMCD provides both the product and the technical expertise to help formulate it. What makes IMCD different from a typical distributor is its technical know-how. The company employs scientists and formulation experts who work alongside customers to solve problems and develop new products. This 'value-added distribution' model means IMCD doesn't just ship chemicals—it provides application testing, formulation support, and market intelligence. This expertise allows the company to earn higher margins than traditional commodity distributors. IMCD was founded in 1995 through the merger of several European chemical distributors, with a vision of creating a global specialty chemicals distribution network. The company has grown rapidly through acquisitions, purchasing hundreds of smaller distributors to build a presence in more than 50 countries across six continents. The company celebrated its 30th anniversary in September 2025. Headquartered in Rotterdam with approximately 5,300 employees, IMCD operates an asset-light business model—it focuses on relationships and expertise rather than heavy infrastructure investments. The company serves diverse end markets including pharmaceuticals, personal care, food and nutrition, coatings, and industrial applications. Despite global economic uncertainty, IMCD delivered solid growth in early 2025, with double-digit organic growth in the Americas demonstrating the resilience of specialty chemical distribution.