LyondellBasell: Revenue and earnings rise sharply in second quarter

LyondellBasell significantly increased revenue and earnings in the second quarter of 2026. Revenue at the chemicals and plastics group rose by nearly 20 percent year on year, from USD 7.66 billion to USD 9.18 billion. Net income increased from USD 115 million to USD 559 million, almost five times the prior-year figure. EBITDA rose from USD 606 million to USD 1.25 billion.

Adjusted for special items, the improvement in earnings was even stronger. Adjusted net income reached USD 1.40 billion, compared with USD 202 million in the prior-year period. Adjusted EBITDA nearly tripled from USD 715 million to USD 2.13 billion. Special items included in particular a pre-tax loss of USD 734 million from the sale of European operations as well as impairment charges of USD 74 million.

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According to the company, business performance benefited from tighter global supply as a result of geopolitical and logistical disruptions. In the Olefins & Polyolefins Americas segment, results improved compared with the first quarter, mainly due to higher polymer margins and more favorable co-product pricing. North American plants operated at around 90 percent capacity utilization. The Olefins & Polyolefins Europe, Asia and International business also benefited from higher polymer margins and stronger contributions from joint ventures.

In the Intermediates & Derivatives segment, results improved due to higher margins for fuel components, methanol and propylene oxide derivatives. An unplanned outage at the PO/TBA plant in Bayport had a negative impact. The facility restarted in June and reached full production rates by the end of the quarter.

Operating cash flow amounted to USD 752 million in the second quarter. LyondellBasell invested USD 270 million and returned USD 224 million to shareholders through dividends. At the end of June, the group had USD 2.6 billion in cash and cash equivalents and total available liquidity of USD 7.1 billion.

During the reporting period, LyondellBasell also completed the sale of four European sites. Through this portfolio restructuring, the group aims to structurally reduce its cost base and increase the share of production assets with access to lower-cost feedstocks.

More information: www.lyondellbasell.com

LyondellBasell, Houston, Texas, USA

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