# Albemarle Corporation **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/albemarle-corporation **Vertical:** Manufacturing **Subcategory:** Enterprise **Tier:** Leader **Website:** albemarle.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Charlotte NC global lithium and specialty chemicals (NYSE: ALB) at $5.4B 2024 revenue; Q2 2025 recovery (+112% net income) with 90% of $350M cost reduction target at $1.3B quarterly sales competing with SQM and Ganfeng for EV battery lithium supply. ## Company Overview Albemarle Corporation is a Charlotte, North Carolina-headquartered global specialty chemicals company — publicly traded on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: ALB) as an S&P 500 company — operating as one of the world's largest lithium producers for electric vehicle battery supply chains, a global leader in bromine specialty chemicals, and a provider of refining catalysts. In 2024, Albemarle reported $5.4 billion in revenue with 7,400-8,300 employees across major production facilities in Chile (La Negra lithium conversion plant), China (Meishan lithium plant), and bromine production in the US, Europe, and Asia. In Q2 2025, Albemarle reported $1.3 billion in net sales (-7% year-over-year) with $23 million in net income (+112% improvement from Q2 2024 loss) — demonstrating operating recovery from the lithium price collapse despite revenue pressure, with 90% of the $350 million cost reduction target achieved. CEO J. Kent Masters has led the company since 2020 with contract extended through March 2027. Founded in 1887 in Richmond, Virginia. Albemarle's lithium business addresses the critical materials supply chain for the global energy transition to electric vehicles: EV battery cathode manufacturers (CATL, LG Energy Solution, Panasonic, Samsung SDI) require lithium compounds (lithium hydroxide for NMC/NCA cathode batteries, lithium carbonate for LFP batteries) at the scale of hundreds of thousands of tons annually — with supply chains traceable to ethical mining operations and with price stability that enables battery pack cost planning. Albemarle's vertically integrated position (mining lithium brine in Chile's Atacama Desert through the 44% stake in the Escondida-equivalent Talison Lithium joint venture with SQM, converting to lithium hydroxide and carbonate at the La Negra and Kings Mountain facilities) provides the full-chain supply security that long-term EV battery supply agreements require. The lithium price cycle (2023-2025 price collapse from $80,000/ton to $8,000-12,000/ton) has compressed Albemarle's margins, driving the $350 million cost reduction program. In 2025, Albemarle competes in the global lithium supply, battery materials, and specialty chemicals market with SQM (NYSE: SQM, Chilean lithium and specialty chemicals, $7B+ revenue), Ganfeng Lithium (SZSE: 002460, China's largest lithium company), and Rio Tinto (NYSE: RIO, diversified mining expanding into lithium with Jadar project) for electric vehicle battery manufacturer lithium hydroxide and carbonate supply contract awards and long-term lithium supply agreements. Albemarle's #4 lithium production ranking (behind Rio Tinto, SQM, and Ganfeng) reflects the competitive intensity in the lithium market as Chinese producers have expanded supply and suppressed prices. The 2025 strategy under CEO Masters focuses on executing the $350 million cost reduction to restore margins at current lithium prices, advancing the Kings Mountain, North Carolina lithium mining project (domestic US lithium supply for IRA compliance), and growing the bromine business (flame retardants, water treatment) which provides stable margins to buffer lithium price cyclicality. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What does Albemarle Corporation do? Albemarle Corporation is a global specialty chemicals company and one of the world's largest lithium producers. The company operates through three segments: Energy Storage (lithium compounds for batteries), Specialties (bromine and specialized lithium), and Ketjen (refining catalysts). Albemarle's products are essential for electric vehicle batteries, flame retardants, and petroleum refining. ### When was Albemarle Corporation founded? Albemarle was founded on February 11, 1887 as Albemarle Paper Manufacturing Company in Richmond, Virginia by five businessmen. The modern Albemarle Corporation was created in 1994 when Ethyl spun off its chemicals business as a publicly traded entity, after the company had transitioned from paper to chemicals in the 1960s-1970s. ### Where is Albemarle Corporation headquartered? Albemarle Corporation is headquartered in Charlotte, North Carolina, USA. The company moved to Charlotte in 2015 following the acquisition of Rockwood Holdings. Previously, headquarters were located in Richmond, Virginia (1887-2008) and Baton Rouge, Louisiana (2008-2015). ### Who is Albemarle's CEO? J. Kent Masters serves as Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer of Albemarle Corporation. He was appointed in April 2020 and had his employment agreement extended through March 30, 2027. Barron's named Masters to its Top 25 CEOs list in 2023. ### What is Albemarle's revenue? Albemarle reported revenue of $5.4 billion in 2024. However, the company has faced significant headwinds from lithium price declines, with Q2 2025 revenue of $1.3 billion down 7% from the prior year. The company is implementing aggressive cost reduction programs to maintain profitability. ### How much funding has Albemarle raised? Albemarle became a publicly traded company through a spin-off from Ethyl Corporation in 1994. The company has primarily grown through strategic acquisitions including Ethyl Corporation (1962, $200M), AkzoNobel catalysts (2004, €615.7M), and Rockwood Holdings (2015), rather than traditional equity fundraising. ### What makes Albemarle different from competitors? Albemarle differentiates through its integrated lithium operations from mine to battery-grade chemicals, diversified product portfolio across lithium, bromine and catalysts, and global production footprint. The company operates major lithium conversion plants achieving record production levels and has deep technical expertise in specialty chemical manufacturing. ### Who are Albemarle's main competitors? In lithium, Albemarle's main competitors include SQM (Sociedad Química y Minera), Ganfeng Lithium, Tianqi Lithium, Livent Corporation, Pilbara Minerals, and Mineral Resources. As of April 2025, Albemarle was the fourth-largest lithium producer globally with approximately 17% market share. ### How many employees does Albemarle have? Albemarle has between 7,400 and 8,300 total employees globally as of 2024. The company operates production facilities across the United States, Chile, China, Australia, and multiple European countries. ### What are Albemarle's recent developments? Recent developments include Q2 2025 results showing resilience amid lithium price pressures with $1.3B revenue and $336M adjusted EBITDA, reducing 2025 capital expenditures by 60% to $650-700M, achieving 90% of targeted $350M cost reduction goal, and record lithium production at La Negra and Meishan facilities despite market challenges. ### What is Albemarle's market position in lithium? Albemarle is one of the world's largest lithium producers with approximately 17% market share, ranking fourth globally as of April 2025 behind Rio Tinto, SQM, and Ganfeng Lithium. The company projects lithium demand to more than double between 2024 and 2030, growing at 15-20% CAGR, outpacing supply growth of 10-12%. ### How can I contact Albemarle Corporation? You can contact Albemarle through their website at www.albemarle.com or their headquarters in Charlotte, North Carolina. The company maintains global offices and production facilities across North America, South America, Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions. ## Tags b2b, manufacturing, energy, public, global, enterprise --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*