Croda International plc is a British speciality chemicals company listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) under the ticker symbol CRDA. The company is also a constituent of the FTSE 100 index, which tracks the performance of the 100 largest companies listed on the LSE. As of this post, Croda’s Share Price is at 7,076.00 GBX.
Croda International plc is a British speciality chemicals company founded in 1925 in Hull, England. The company’s name is derived from its founder, George Crowe, and his brother-in-law, the chemist Arthur D. Dalton, who developed a process for extracting oil from wool.
In the early years, Croda focused on producing lanolin and derivatives for use in the cosmetics industry. Over time, the company expanded its product range to include various speciality chemicals, including surfactants, lubricants, and polymer additives. It established a global presence with operations in Europe, Asia, and the Americas.
In 1964, Croda became a public limited company, and in 1998, it merged with Uniqema, a Dutch speciality chemicals company, to form a new entity, Croda Uniqema. The merger allowed Croda to expand its product portfolio and customer base, strengthening its position as a leading supplier of speciality chemicals.
In 2006, Croda Uniqema was rebranded as Croda International plc, reflecting the company’s commitment to innovation, sustainability, and customer focus. Today, Croda continues to be a leading player in the speciality chemicals industry, with a portfolio of high-performance products used in various applications, including personal care, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial markets.
Croda has a track record of delivering strong financial results, consistent revenue and profit growth. In 2020, the company reported revenue of £1.2 billion and an operating profit of £289 million, demonstrating its resilience in economic uncertainty.
Croda offers speciality chemicals in diverse industries, including personal care, healthcare, agriculture, and industrial markets. This diversification can help to mitigate risks associated with reliance on a single product or market.
Croda strongly focuses on innovation and sustainability, committed to developing new products and solutions that address customer needs while minimising environmental impact. In addition, the company has set ambitious sustainability targets, such as achieving net-zero carbon emissions by 2050, which can help to future-proof its business and attract socially responsible investors.
Croda is a global leader in the speciality chemicals industry, with a strong reputation for quality and customer service. The company has a broad customer base and established relationships with key industry players, which can provide a competitive advantage and support long-term growth.
Croda International plc operates in the speciality chemicals industry, which is highly competitive and fragmented. Some of the main competitors of Croda include:
- BASF SE
- Clariant AG
- Evonik Industries AG
- Solvay SA
- Huntsman Corporation
- Ashland Global Holdings Inc.
- Lubrizol Corporation
- Stepan Company
- Innospec Inc.
- Lonza Group AG
These companies offer a wide range of speciality chemicals that compete with Croda’s products in various industries, such as personal care, home care, pharmaceuticals, and industrial markets. In addition, some companies are larger and more diversified than Croda, while others focus on specific markets or product categories.
