Haltermann Carless: Pioneering spirit, 2025 review & outlook for 2026

2025 was a year of conscious decisions and important changes for Haltermann Carless. We sharpened our brand, advanced future topics, and strategically realigned our company. The driving force behind this development is the people at Haltermann Carless – their courage, commitment, and shared determination to make a difference. That’s why we begin our annual review with the voices of our management team: they show what pioneering spirit means to them personally and to our company, and how it shapes our path forward.

Pioneering spirit has many faces: voices from the Haltermann Carless management team

Pioneering spirit has been a central guiding principle for Haltermann Carless since its founding in the 19th century. But what does this aspiration mean today for the people who lead and shape the company? And how would you describe what it takes to break new ground and actively drive change?

Our ongoing interview series shows:

Pioneering spirit is diverse, courageous, and always focused on people:

• Peter Friesenhahn, Chief Executive Officer (CEO):
  “For me, pioneering spirit means putting things in motion – and inspiring people to join me. It’s the only way to drive real change.”  -> read interview

• Florenz Treschau, Chief Operating Officer (COO):
  "Pioneers view the entire company as a system, not just individual touchpoints. You achieve real impact by questioning the status quo and creating long-term added value." -> read interview

• Dr Arne Hoppe, Chief Commercial Officer (CCO):
  “For me, pioneering spirit means going where it's difficult – because that's exactly where the opportunity lies to really make a difference.”

• Dr Eva Morsbach, Senior Vice President Corporate Development & Sustainability (SVP CD&S):
  “Pioneering spirit unfolds its power when responsibility meets confidence and performance becomes an attitude.”

• Fabian Werner, Chief Financial Officer (CFO):
  “For me, pioneering spirit means breaking new ground – but in a calculated manner.”

• Vinny Chauhan, Senior Vice President People & Culture (SVP P&C):
  “I am convinced that everyone in our company is a pioneer in their own way – and always has been.”

A year of new beginnings: new brand image, new management team, new energy

2025 was a year of renewal for Haltermann Carless – visible, tangible, and strategically significant.

With a new logo and brand identity, a new management team, and a clear direction, we have strengthened and modernised our pioneering history. The transformation was driven forward in key areas by the internal RACE programme:

• Focus on growth markets and core products

• Deliberate withdrawal from low-margin business areas

• Carving out the Electrical Oil Services (EOS) division – transformer oil recycling and services – into an independent legal entity

• Sharpening our profile as “Pioneers in Hydrocarbons”

• Further development of an efficient organisation along a clear vision

These steps were important – and they are bearing fruit. In this way, Haltermann Carless is creating the conditions to continue to act successfully and with a future-oriented approach – in close partnership with our customers and partners.

Sustainability as a driving force – Haltermann Carless products for Life Science, Industry, Mobility and Energy

This year, too, we have continued on our path towards a sustainable future. On our webpage “Driving sustainable solutions”, the video with Dr Eva Morsbach, Senior Vice President Corporate Development & Sustainability (SVP CD&S), makes clear what Haltermann Carless stands for: making sustainable solutions transparent, further developing technologies, and taking responsibility.

Transformation & green energies

• Firefly Green Fuels: Together with our partner, we are advancing the development of sustainable aviation fuels. The pilot plant at our production site in Harwich, UK, which will produce SAF from sewage sludge, remains an important future project.

• RWE Hydrogen: The planned hydrogen plant at the Harwich site stands for technological transformation and security of supply.

Sustainable fuels set standards

• A particular highlight: Vehicles in the British Touring Car Championship ran for a full season in 2025 on 100% sustainable fuel – powered by Haltermann Carless.

• We are delighted to support additional premium motorsport series worldwide with our ETS Racing Fuels brand and to show that performance and sustainability are not mutually exclusive.

• For our commitment, the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA) awarded Haltermann Carless the FIA Three-Star Environmental Accreditation – the highest environmental award from the association. This recognition underlines our pioneering role in the development of renewable fuels and our commitment to supporting the motorsport industry on its declared path towards greater sustainability.

• Brand new: Carless Classic Fuel – a fuel developed especially for classic cars. This sustainable fuel is already being used in rallies. Certainly, more to come in the months ahead.

Product portfolio stronger than ever: quality, purity and future viability

Our clear strategic direction is also reflected in our product portfolio. In 2025, the following areas were particularly in focus:

• Gas-to-liquid (GTL)-based products as drivers for demanding applications and sensitive processes.
  The innovative Halpasol^® G product range combines the highest purity and stability with environmental benefits and an attractive cost structure. The fields of application are diverse – from cosmetics, electronics, paints & coatings to glass and ceramics processing or metalworking.

• High-purity solvents for pharmaceuticals, electronics or process chemistry.
  With purities of up to 99.75%, you receive highest purity and consistent quality – also for your customised formulations. And all “made in Europe”.

• Pentanes are key products for energy savings and CO₂ reduction in insulation materials.
  As blowing agents in insulation materials such as PU foams, they increase the energy efficiency of buildings and refrigerators. As the global market leader for Cyclopentane and the only European manufacturer of all three Pentane isomers, we offer you unique blending flexibility and a high security of supply.

• Aromatic solvents with extra low naphthalene content for agrochemicals.
  The optimal combination of suitable active ingredients (AI) and solvents is crucial to increase product performance, cost efficiency and environmental compatibility, while also meeting strict regulatory requirements. With our aromatics with low or extra low naphthalene content – Caromax^® LN and Caromax^® XLN – we help to protect users and the environment as best as possible.

These product examples show how diverse our technological competencies are – and how closely innovation, sustainability and customer proximity are linked.

Milestone in technology: Speyer site expands raw material base – thanks to NEXSAT™ Technology

A particular highlight was the extended licence agreement between Haltermann Carless and Neste. This agreement enables us to fully utilise the NEXSAT™ hydrogenation technology at the Speyer site in Germany – and represents an important step for our further innovation and product orientation.

What does this mean?

• We can offer the market new products and grades because we are now able to process a broader variety of raw materials – including renewable and locally sourced feedstocks.

• The spectrum now covers the entire naphtha boiling range, from light to heavy fractions.

• This results in new high-purity hydrocarbon products that can be used in pharmaceutical ingredient synthesis, adhesive formulations, and process solvents.

• We are helping to reduce the climate impact through more sustainable raw material options.

These technological possibilities send a strong signal: Haltermann Carless is ready to produce sustainable and high-purity products that our customers might need now or in the future – flexible, innovative and responsible.

Haltermann Carless outlook 2026

In 2026, we will continue our interview series with the management team and continue to give a voice to the people at Haltermann Carless. At the same time, we will consistently pursue our path – with clear priorities:

• Expansion of innovative product solutions: We are focusing on the development of new, innovative products – including the further development of our GTL-based Halpasol^® G activities. In addition, we will consistently use the expanded raw material diversity for our hydrogenation unit.

• Special fuels for indispensable applications: Electrification is progressing, but in certain areas fuels remain essential. Thanks to our many years of expertise in sustainable special fuels, we want to make an important contribution here.

• Strengthening our European sites: Through targeted investments, we will further strengthen our production sites in Europe.

• Intensified customer partnerships: We will continue to focus on close cooperation with our customers in order to jointly drive sustainable developments and create solutions for the markets of tomorrow.

Conclusion

The year 2025 was characterised by pioneering spirit, strategic focus and sustainable transformation. We have renewed our brand, advanced important future projects and clearly aligned our organisation for sustainable growth. We will continue to build on this in 2026 – with a strong vision, a committed team and new impulses from our interview series.

We thank you, dear customers and partners, for your trust and support along this journey.

The entire Haltermann Carless team wishes you a joyful festive season, a peaceful Christmas and a great start to a healthy and successful 2026.

Yours truly, 

Sandra Sparenberg
Head of Corporate & Marketing Communications