Hempel News

Effective 1 August 2026, Eric Alström is appointed Group President & CEO of Hempel A/S. He succeeds Michael Hansen, who resigned and left Hempel in June 2026, and joins the company following a period of interim leadership by Peter la Cour Gormsen, Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer and Emilie Barriau, Executive Vice President & Chief Technology Officer.Alström joins Hempel with more than 30 years of international executive leadership experience from Europe, the USA, Japan and China across industrial technology, automotive and manufacturing.

Hempel A/S delivers its best financial result to date with free cash flow of USD$301.4 million (EUR 259 million) and the strongest adjusted EBITDA margin in the company history, achieving 18.2%, and an adjusted EBITDA of USD$458.5 (EUR 394 million). Total revenue in 2025 amounted to USD$2,519 million (EUR 2,165 million). Organic growth for the year, in fixed currency and adjusted for divestments, was 3.4%. Sales in actual numbers were negatively affected by foreign exchange movements…

Officer Lee Tae Young, a first mate from the Republic of Korea, has been awarded the IMO Award for Exceptional Bravery at Sea, in recognition of his heroic actions that saved 12 fellow crew members from the Geum Seong No. 135 when it sunk in November 2024. He was honored during a special ceremony recognizing seafarers held in London on November 24, 2025, in the margins of the IMO Assembly taking place from November 24 to December 3, 2025. IMO Secretary-General Mr. Arsenio Dominguez applauded Mr.

Lloyd’s Register (LR) has collaborated with Italian ferry operator GNV to deliver the third edition of its training program dedicated to fleet energy efficiency and decarbonization. The three-day course, which took place November 10-12 at the MSC Training Centre in Sant’Agnello, Sorrento, involved approximately 50 members of the technical and operational staff from across the fleet, including Captains, Chief Engineers, Chief Pursers, First Engineers and Deck Officers. The aim was to strengthen skills in energy management…

Hempel A/S is happy to announce the appointment of Gosha Kolton as Executive Vice President & Head of Marine, effective January 1, 2026.Gosha brings international experience in strategic and operational leadership across both developed and emerging markets. Her experience in leading complex transformations and delivering customer value aligns with Hempel’s strategic priorities and ambitions for the Marine segment."I am excited to join Hempel and the Marine team, and I look forward to working together to deliver outstanding value for Hempel’s customers and drive sustainable growth…

Hempel announced expanding its market-leading Hempaguard range with the launch of Hempaguard NB, a high-performance silicone hull coating, designed specifically for newbuild vessels. For the first time, shipowners and shipyards can access Hempaguard’s trusted fuel savings and fouling protection during the construction phase, marking a step forward in hull coating innovation.Until now, applying advanced silicone coatings during the newbuilding process has posed logistical challenges for shipowners.

Maritime data solutions firm Danelec has reinforced its long-standing partnership with Aage Hempel by signing a new global agreement covering nine of Aage Hempel’s locations worldwide.The agreement is a significant step in further strengthening Danelec’s global service capabilities.Aage Hempel has been a valued and long-standing partner within the Danelec network for 20 years, continuously expanding its global footprint while maintaining a high level of service and technical excellence.The…

The performance of Hempel’s silicone-based hull coating solution, Hempaguard X7, and its ability to accelerate decarbonization efforts in the maritime industry are now third-party validated by DNV.According to Hempel, external validation by DNV allows it to better demonstrate the value of Hempaguard to its customers, including energy efficiency gains and carbon emissions reductions.“At Hempel, we’ve long known that Hempaguard stands out in the industry for its superior performance and environmental benefits, helping our customers save costs and improve their bottom line.

Hempel announced it has hired Emilie Barriau as Chief Technology Officer, a new position in the Executive Group Management, bringing a dedicated focus on innovation. The new Technology Executive Vice President area comprises R&D, Procurement and Sustainability to serve as mutually reinforcing powerhouses of innovation.Barriau is an internationally experienced senior innovation executive who spent 15 years with Henkel Adhesives Technologies, serving Transport, Metals and Electronics industries in various global roles.

Garry Noonan, Director, Innovation, Ardmore Shipping is candid in discussing emerging technologies and their impact on ship fuel and emissions reductions. With a fleet of product and chemical tankers under his guise, Noonan gives insights on technologies that he has seen work, as well as his thoughts on the fuel transition, which he believes won’t become mainstream until we’re well into the 2030s.While Cork, Ireland-based Ardmore Shipping, founded in 2010, is relatively new in shipping circles…

Denmark-based coatings manufacturer Hempel announced changes to its executive management team.The company appointed Peter la Cour Gormsen as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) and Executive Vice President of Finance, and René Overgaard Jensen has been named Chief Transformation & Information Officer (CTIO) and Executive Vice President of Digital, Strategy & Transformation.Peter la Cour Gormsenjoins Hempel on 1 June 2023 from the position of Group CFO at GN Store Nord A/S. Prior to joining GN, he worked for Novo Nordisk, Novozymes and Chr. Hansen.

Operating on Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) from day one in service, the MV George III, the first of Pasha Group’s two new ‘Ohana Class’, Jones Act-qualified containerships, features a state-of-the-art engine, an optimized hull form, and an underwater propulsion system with a high-efficiency rudder and propeller. George III is the first LNG-powered vessel to fuel on the West Coast and the first to serve Hawaii. The 774-ft. Jones Act vessel surpasses the International Maritime Organization (IMO) 2030 emission standards for ocean vessels.

Michael Hansen, Executive Vice President Energy & Infrastructure at Danish coatings manufacturer Hempel A/S, will succeed Lars Petersson as CEO of the company on October 15, 2022. Petersson leaves Hempel to take up the position of CEO of VELUX Group.Hansen joined Hempel in May 2017 as Chief Commercial Officer and has delivered remarkable results as a central driver of the global transformation in Hempel. Today, he is part of the Executive Group Management as Executive Vice President, Energy & Infrastructure.“Michael Hansen has extensive knowledge of Hempel, its markets and customers.

Hempel continued its growth trajectory in 2021, ending the year with 5.9 percent organic growth, following 10 consecutive quarters of organic growth. Total growth was 15.1 percent, despite supply chain challenges across the coatings industry. The 5.9 percent organic growth was the highest in more than 10 years, driven by strong performance in the Marine and Infrastructure segments, and stronger than expected in the face of unprecedented raw material cost increases and shortages.

With an aim of doubling its revenue to $3.4B by 2025, Hemple announced a reorganization in its executive ranks to fulfill the mission.“I’m thrilled to announce today’s changes,” said Lars Petersson, Group President & CEO. “My new leadership team will lead a new way of working at Hempel - we have organised our business in an even more customer-focused structure, which will unleash potential and energy from the organization to deliver on our Double Impact strategy.”Hempel’s commercial activities are now organised into key segments: Marine…

Hempel announced an ambitious strategy to double its revenue by 2025, with a focus on innovation, digitalization and sustainability. Michael Hansen, EVP & Chief Commercial Officer and Dorthe Scherling Nielsen, Head of Sustainability & Government Affairs discuss the path ahead.The year 2020 defined by COVID-19 presented historic challenges for many industries, and even companies such as Hempel – with a 105-year history – were not exempt. While the pandemic was (and continues to be for some) all consuming, it is far from the sole challenge for maritime companies today.

Coatings manufacturer Hempel has completed the acquisition of Wattyl Australia and New Zealand, increasing its footprint in Australia and New Zealand.On 18 February 2021, Hempel A/S signed an agreement to acquire leading paint and coatings manufacturer Wattyl Australia and New Zealand from The Sherwin-Williams Company, the world’s largest paint and coatings company and headquartered in the United States.Hempel received formal customary approval from the relevant authorities in Australia and New Zealand and the acquisition was closed on 31 March.

Hempel opened its new Campus, which includes a newly constructed office building and a state-of-the art R&D facility. Hempel Campus is unique in its architectural approach and is the international headquarters for the Hempel Group.“We are very excited to move into our Hempel Campus, which is a modern, international workplace and architecturally attractive. It is based on our vision of how we want to work together in teams and cross-functionally. Our new facilities reflect our culture and give us the perfect work environment enabling us to deliver on our ambitious strategy and growth targets…

Alexander Enström joins Hempel to lead its new global marine organization, effective February 1, 2021.With a strategic ambition to double revenue by 2025, Hempel is keen to build on its position in the marine segment, adjusting its marine organization to ensure it can better serve global marine customers with the full range of coatings and services.“At Hempel, we want to create long-term partnerships with our customers in order to support their needs and sustainability journeys," said Hempel CEO Lars Petersson. "Marine customers are becoming more global.

Pernille Fritz Vilhelmsen has been appointed Executive Vice President & Chief People & Culture Officer and member of the Executive Management Board in Hempel A/S. She succeeds Peter Kirkegaard, a 13-year veteran of Hempel who has accepted a new opportunity outside Hempel as Chief Human Resource Officer in Haldor Topsoe A/S.Pernille has been Talent Management Director at Hempel since she joined from Maersk Line in 2017, and she has delivered remarkable results in a few years.“Pernille is professional…

Hempel announced an ambitious strategy to double its revenue by 2025, with a strong focus on innovation and digitalization.Hempel has faced its fair number of challenges over its 105 year history, with COVID-19 and the year 2020 presenting historic challenges in the global supply of coatings. Hempel is taking the opportunity to devise and enact a new strategy on how to focus the company over the next five years, aiming to double revenue through refocused geographical priorities…

Hempel A/S has launched its new sustainability framework dubbed Futureproof, an initiative that lies at the heart of the companies strategy to double its revenue by 2025 while dramatically cutting its carbon footprint and that of its clients across industrial sectors.“We believe that placing sustainability at the heart of how we do business is essential for our ambition to double the company. Our customers expect more sustainable solutions and today's and tomorrow's employees want to work for companies that have a clear and progressive position on sustainability.

In a recent study that I-Tech conducted with U.K. independent marine coatings consultants, Safinah Group, we estimated that unacceptable levels of hard fouling, predominantly barnacles, across the global commercial could be responsible for at least 110 million tons of excess carbon emissions, with a significant proportion of the fleet suffering from a severe level of hard fouling.It’s a growing risk for owners; in the last few years biofouling has been thrust into the spotlight…