The specialty chemicals company LANXESS improved sales and earnings in the second quarter of 2026 compared with the prior year—despite a continued weak economic environment and ongoing geopolitical uncertainties. The EBITDA margin pre exceptionals for the second quarter was 9.7 percent, compared with 10.2 percent in the same quarter of the previous year. Strong development compared to the first quarter A comparison with the first quarter of 2026 highlights the development in the second quarter even more clearly. Free cash flow also improved significantly compared to the previous quarter: After a negative EUR 29 million in the first quarter of 2026, it stood at EUR 56 million in the second quarter. The Specialty Additives segment reported sales of EUR 588 million in the second quarter, up 11.4 percent from EUR 528 million recorded in the second quarter of 2025.