We change while staying true to ourselves

The need to adapt to present and future challenges has rarely been as evident as it is today. We live in a so-called “VUCA world.” The term describes a volatile, uncertain, complex, and ambiguous environment. “That is precisely why the ‘keep’ in our agenda is so vital,” says ALTANA CEO Martin Babilas. “Our solid foundation is our guiding principles. They embody our values of openness, trust, empowerment to act, and appreciation. It also includes the cornerstones of our business model: our close customer relationships, our innovative and financial strength, and the agility of our largely decentralized organization. These fundamental success factors make the ALTANA Group resilient and must be preserved. Yet, continuous change is also embedded in our DNA.”

The top priority: people
In an increasingly complex world, it is especially important to establish clear and unambiguous priorities when implementing change. At ALTANA, these priorities revolve around the people who work here and sustainability in all its dimensions. “Our responsibility as a company and our future success are directly tied to these two focus areas. The other two priorities – growth and innovation, along with the pursuit of excellence – are built upon this foundation,” says Martin Babilas.

ALTANA’s agenda for the future is built around four focus areas, each encompassing multiple action fields. Under the “People” focus area, for instance, the goal is to mold ALTANA into a continuously learning and high-performance organization where everyone can reach their full potential. The “Sustainability” focus area comprises four key action fields, collectively ensuring the ALTANA Group’s sustainable orientation. Among these, the company’s products serve as the most significant driver of both sustainability and sustainable growth. For decades, ALTANA solutions have helped customers make their processes and the end products developed with these solutions increasingly sustainable.

The key driver: sustainable products
BYK additives, for example, facilitate the efficient production of batteries for electric vehicles. Insulation systems from ELANTAS ensure the long-lasting and safe operation of the world’s largest offshore wind turbines. ACTEGA’s innovative technologies help reduce material consumption in the packaging industry, while ECKART is among the first companies to offer products containing secondary aluminum, effectively lowering the carbon footprint across the supply chain.

On this basis, growth and innovation remain our most important drivers. And the pursuit of excellence remains a vital lever for achieving the objectives outlined in the Keep Changing Agenda. This includes fostering a forward-looking purchasing organization, leveraging intelligent digitalization, and efficiency in the process landscape.

All focus areas address a central question: How can we successfully shape the future and turn challenges into opportunities? The answers lie with the people at ALTANA, who contribute their expertise and creativity across many different fields.