Sectors & Industries Basic MaterialsSpecialty Chemicals
Best Specialty Chemical Stocks to Buy Now (2026)
Top specialty chemical stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Industry: Specialty Chemicals

Overview Zen Rating Price Value Growth Financials

Momentum Sentiment Forecast Dividends Due Diligence

Specialty Chemicals is Zen Rated A and is the 14th ranked industry out of 145 stock market industries

Ticker	Company	Market Cap	ROE	ROA	ROCE	ROIC	D/E	Current Ratio	Gross Margin	Profit Margin	Operating Margin
SSL	SASOL LTD	$9.54B	7.70%	3.40%	9.11%	7.20%	1.19	1.79	49.30%	4.50%	9.45%
MATV	MATIV HOLDINGS INC	$686.56M	19.50%	4.40%	3.24%	2.50%	3.23	1.98	19.40%	4.50%	2.71%
ALTO	ALTO INGREDIENTS INC	$311.82M	20.80%	13.00%	17.52%	15.00%	0.53	3.19	6.80%	5.40%	6.44%
KRO	KRONOS WORLDWIDE INC	$973.72M	-14.30%	-6.00%	-2.70%	-1.90%	1.32	3.30	11.80%	-5.60%	-2.03%
IOSP	INNOSPEC INC	$2.30B	9.10%	6.70%	9.02%	17.10%	0.37	2.78	27.50%	6.60%	7.24%
AVNT	AVIENT CORP	$3.84B	7.10%	2.80%	6.13%	9.20%	1.46	1.90	31.70%	5.10%	9.56%
SQM	CHEMICAL & MINING CO OF CHILE INC	$21.55B	10.80%	4.50%	8.64%	8.50%	1.13	3.27	29.60%	12.90%	24.06%
ODC	OIL-DRI CORP OF AMERICA	$1.24B	20.50%	14.20%	19.81%	23.20%	0.43	3.28	27.80%	11.40%	14.11%
KOP	KOPPERS HOLDINGS INC	$871.07M	-16.90%	-4.70%	-2.47%	-1.70%	3.45	2.33	22.40%	-4.60%	-1.87%
NGVT	INGEVITY CORP	$2.34B	85.20%	3.20%	11.41%	6.00%	31.78	1.61	41.10%	4.70%	11.80%
NEU	NEWMARKET CORP	$7.93B	24.60%	12.50%	19.50%	20.20%	0.97	2.25	31.50%	15.80%	22.12%
EMN	EASTMAN CHEMICAL CO	$7.82B	7.40%	2.90%	5.96%	6.10%	1.52	1.50	19.90%	5.00%	8.46%
FUL	FULLER H B CO	$2.79B	9.20%	3.60%	8.34%	9.60%	1.56	1.80	32.00%	5.30%	10.81%
SCL	STEPAN CO	$1.40B	-0.20%	-0.10%	1.47%	1.10%	0.97	1.15	11.80%	-0.10%	0.93%
WTTR	SELECT WATER SOLUTIONS INC	$2.84B	3.50%	1.90%	3.66%	3.50%	0.62	1.58	16.10%	2.20%	3.87%
AXTA	AXALTA COATING SYSTEMS LTD	$7.37B	14.60%	4.60%	11.72%	11.60%	2.03	1.53	34.00%	6.80%	13.09%
AVTR	AVANTOR INC	$10.06B	-10.30%	-4.90%	-2.99%	-5.40%	1.06	1.78	31.80%	-8.80%	-4.66%
KWR	QUAKER CHEMICAL CORP	$2.67B	7.10%	3.50%	6.91%	9.40%	1.07	2.46	36.10%	4.90%	8.56%
LYB	LYONDELLBASELL INDUSTRIES NV	$20.84B	-3.40%	-1.00%	1.44%	1.10%	2.23	1.64	12.80%	-1.10%	1.26%
CBT	CABOT CORP	$4.10B	12.10%	4.90%	15.99%	12.50%	1.40	1.47	22.70%	5.20%	12.49%
ECVT	ECOVYST INC	$1.12B	-10.30%	-4.30%	-0.74%	-0.70%	1.42	1.70	21.30%	-7.10%	-1.08%
FF	FUTUREFUEL CORP	$235.55M	-19.70%	-15.50%	-16.20%	-23.80%	0.41	4.06	-11.10%	-19.90%	-19.71%
WDFC	WD 40 CO	$2.68B	33.00%	18.70%	30.71%	36.50%	0.79	2.65	55.80%	13.20%	17.53%
SXT	SENSIENT TECHNOLOGIES CORP	$5.66B	13.00%	6.90%	11.39%	10.50%	0.88	4.39	34.60%	9.30%	14.05%
PPG	PPG INDUSTRIES INC	$23.82B	19.50%	7.10%	13.19%	15.30%	1.65	1.58	40.90%	9.60%	13.90%
ALB	ALBEMARLE CORP	$14.86B	0.60%	0.40%	4.56%	4.70%	0.52	2.09	23.80%	1.00%	10.82%
MTX	MINERALS TECHNOLOGIES INC	$2.15B	-4.00%	-1.90%	-1.06%	-1.20%	1.24	1.43	24.50%	-3.10%	-1.32%
BCPC	BALCHEM CORP	$5.37B	12.80%	9.80%	14.34%	33.20%	0.30	2.67	36.30%	15.10%	20.36%
RPM	RPM INTERNATIONAL INC	$12.74B	20.90%	8.30%	15.61%	14.90%	1.52	1.68	41.40%	8.40%	12.47%
ASH	ASHLAND INC	$3.29B	2.80%	1.10%	2.89%	3.00%	1.45	3.05	31.50%	2.80%	6.51%
DD	DUPONT DE NEMOURS INC	$17.27B	0.30%	0.20%	1.67%	2.60%	0.52	2.43	29.40%	1.20%	6.76%
SOLS	SOLSTICE ADVANCED MATERIALS INC	$10.05B	10.90%	3.70%	13.80%	12.70%	2.73	1.46	30.60%	5.10%	14.02%
SHW	SHERWIN WILLIAMS CO	$77.84B	62.10%	10.20%	23.14%	19.90%	5.99	0.73	49.00%	11.00%	16.42%
CMT	CORE MOLDING TECHNOLOGIES INC	$209.63M	4.60%	3.20%	5.41%	6.00%	0.41	2.00	18.20%	2.90%	3.81%
APD	AIR PRODUCTS & CHEMICALS INC	$65.75B	-0.30%	-0.10%	0.24%	0.20%	1.72	1.09	32.10%	-0.40%	0.70%
ECL	ECOLAB INC	$76.31B	21.40%	8.20%	12.02%	18.00%	1.97	1.84	44.10%	12.60%	17.09%
OEC	ORION SA	$326.14M	-24.90%	-4.90%	-0.27%	-0.20%	4.23	1.03	18.40%	-5.30%	-0.19%
HWKN	HAWKINS INC	$2.62B	15.30%	8.20%	13.46%	17.40%	0.84	2.27	22.30%	7.30%	10.91%
WLK	WESTLAKE CORP	$9.17B	-13.90%	-6.30%	-6.61%	-6.20%	1.18	2.45	9.60%	-10.90%	-10.01%
PRM	PERIMETER SOLUTIONS INC	$5.11B	-30.40%	-11.60%	-12.96%	-31.80%	2.18	1.57	54.70%	-44.90%	-50.15%
CC	CHEMOURS CO	$2.26B	-170.30%	-4.10%	4.44%	2.60%	-146.90	1.66	15.30%	-5.20%	4.05%
LIN	LINDE PLC	$215.12B	18.80%	8.30%	13.27%	17.80%	1.22	0.88	48.30%	20.40%	27.03%
IFF	INTERNATIONAL FLAVORS & FRAGRANCES INC	$21.51B	2.10%	1.10%	2.67%	4.10%	0.80	2.06	37.50%	2.90%	5.54%
HDSN	HUDSON TECHNOLOGIES INC	$223.91M	3.60%	2.80%	5.26%	9.40%	0.32	3.23	23.30%	3.50%	5.22%
GEVO	GEVO INC	$388.16M	-51.40%	-33.40%	-42.41%	-35.50%	0.77	2.70	47.30%	-119.90%	-108.26%
STDN	STANDARD NUCLEAR INC	$2.04B	N/A	N/A	N/A	N/A	-0.12	12.93	N/A	N/A	N/A
FEAM	5E ADVANCED MATERIALS INC	$62.69M	-70.00%	-62.90%	-58.30%	-79.40%	0.07	6.50	N/A	N/A	N/A
LWLG	LIGHTWAVE LOGIC INC	$812.46M	-30.30%	-28.80%	-21.46%	-103.90%	0.04	62.84	98.90%	-9,134.40%	-9,134.42%
OLN	OLIN CORP	$1.99B	-10.90%	-2.60%	-1.55%	-1.20%	3.35	1.42	6.90%	-2.90%	-1.37%
SNES	SENESTECH INC	$4.69M	-80.70%	-58.40%	-81.96%	-97.50%	0.56	6.78	66.20%	-294.70%	-290.65%
YMAT	J-STAR HOLDING CO LTD	$9.10M	-648.50%	-128.00%	344.51%	-130.80%	-2.06	0.44	54.10%	-203.20%	-199.41%
FSI	FLEXIBLE SOLUTIONS INTERNATIONAL INC	$72.80M	-8.10%	-5.10%	-6.74%	-6.80%	0.49	2.82	19.10%	-8.80%	-9.22%
NTIC	NORTHERN TECHNOLOGIES INTERNATIONAL CORP	$72.08M	-1.60%	-1.10%	1.88%	2.00%	0.41	1.72	35.80%	-1.30%	1.63%
CNEY	CN ENERGY GROUP INC	$3.15M	-11.20%	-10.80%	-10.70%	-11.20%	0.05	13.90	1.80%	-31.30%	-30.85%
CITR	CITROTECH INC	$114.80M	-257.70%	-198.20%	-220.49%	-769.70%	0.11	8.77	1.90%	-1,788.40%	-1,570.59%
ESI	ELEMENT SOLUTIONS INC	$8.72B	6.60%	3.30%	6.61%	10.90%	1.05	2.91	38.40%	5.70%	11.04%
BGLC	BIONEXUS GENE LAB CORP	$4.25M	-32.90%	-29.70%	-32.33%	-38.10%	0.12	6.08	13.10%	-85.10%	-84.50%
LOOP	LOOP INDUSTRIES INC	$20.80M	N/A	-122.90%	-297.48%	-268.90%	-1.56	0.68	-27.00%	-2,774.80%	-2,384.58%

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

What are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy right now in Sep 2026?

According to Zen Ratings, our proprietary rating system that evaluates 115 factors proven to drive growth in stocks and assigns each stock in our system an overall letter grade as well as 7 individual Component Grades for Value, Growth, Momentum, Sentiment, Safety, Financials, and proprietary AI algorithms, the 3 best specialty chemical stocks to buy right now are:

1. Sasol (NYSE:SSL)

Sasol (NYSE:SSL) is the #1 top specialty chemical stock out of 58 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Sasol (NYSE:SSL) is: Value: B, Growth: B, Momentum: A, Sentiment: B, Safety: C, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Sasol (NYSE:SSL) has a Due Diligence Score of 29, which is -4 points lower than the specialty chemical industry average of 33. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates SSL as a "A".

SSL passed 11 out of 38 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Sasol has seen its stock return 111.61% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 110 percentage points.

Sasol stock has a consensus Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 2 analysts covering Sasol, 50% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 0% have issued a Buy, 50% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

2. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) is the #2 top specialty chemical stock out of 58 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: A, Safety: B, Financials: B, and AI: A.

Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV) has a Due Diligence Score of 26, which is -7 points lower than the specialty chemical industry average of 33. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates MATV as a "A".

MATV passed 9 out of 38 due diligence checks and has average fundamentals. Mativ Holdings has seen its stock return 1.55% over the past year.

3. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) is the #3 top specialty chemical stock out of 58 with a Zen Rating of A. Stocks with a rating of A have had an average return of +28.5% per year. Learn more.

The Component Grade breakdown for Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) is: Value: B, Growth: C, Momentum: C, Sentiment: C, Safety: C, Financials: B, and AI: C.

Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO) has a Due Diligence Score of 45, which is 12 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 33.

ALTO passed 14 out of 33 due diligence checks and has strong fundamentals. Alto Ingredients has seen its stock return 246.55% over the past year, overperforming other specialty chemical stocks by 245 percentage points.

Alto Ingredients has an average 1 year price target of $10.00, an upside of 148.76% from Alto Ingredients's current stock price of $4.02.

Alto Ingredients stock has a consensus Buy recommendation according to Wall Street analysts. Of the 1 analyst covering Alto Ingredients, 0% have issued a Strong Buy rating, 100% have issued a Buy, 0% have issued a hold, while 0% have issued a Sell rating, and 0% have issued a Strong Sell.

What are the specialty chemical stocks with highest dividends?

Out of 37 specialty chemical stocks that have issued dividends in the past year, the 3 specialty chemical stocks with the highest dividend yields are:

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB) has an annual dividend yield of 5.33%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 1.93%. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's dividend payout is not stable, having dropped more than 10% two times in the last 10 years. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's dividend payout ratio of -364.6% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

2. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN) has an annual dividend yield of 4.9%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 1.93%. Eastman Chemical Co's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Eastman Chemical Co's dividend has shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Eastman Chemical Co's dividend payout ratio of 86.6% indicates that its high dividend yield is sustainable for the long-term.

3. Olin (NYSE:OLN)

Olin (NYSE:OLN) has an annual dividend yield of 4.58%, which is 3 percentage points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 1.93%. Olin's dividend payout is stable, having never dropped by more than 10% in the last 10 years. Olin's dividend has not shown consistent growth over the last 10 years.

Olin's dividend payout ratio of -46.2% indicates that its high dividend yield might not be sustainable for the long-term.

Why are specialty chemical stocks down?

Specialty chemical stocks were down -1.29% in the last day, and down -3.79% over the last week.

We couldn't find a catalyst for why specialty chemical stocks are down.

What are the most undervalued specialty chemical stocks?

Based on the Valuation rating, one of the 7 components of a stocks overall Zen Ratings grade, which evaluates factors including estimated earnings yield, earnings before interest and taxes/enterprise value, cash flow yield, free cash flow to price, and price-to-earnings growth (PEG ratio), the 3 most undervalued specialty chemical stocks right now are:

1. Chemical & Mining Co Of Chile (NYSE:SQM)

Chemical & Mining Co Of Chile (NYSE:SQM) is the most undervalued specialty chemical stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Chemical & Mining Co Of Chile has a valuation score of 29, which is 2 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 27. It passed 2 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Chemical & Mining Co Of Chile's stock has gained 81.96% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by 81 percentage points.

2. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL) is the second most undervalued specialty chemical stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Fuller H B Co has a valuation score of 57, which is 30 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 27. It passed 4 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks.

Fuller H B Co's stock has dropped -15.25% in the past year. It has underperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by -17 percentage points.

3. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB) is the third most undervalued specialty chemical stock based on its Valuation Rating of B. Valuation is one of 7 Component Grades used to calculate the overall Zen Rating.

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv has a valuation score of 14, which is -13 points higher than the specialty chemical industry average of 27. It passed 1 out of 7 valuation due diligence checks. Although this number is below the industry average, our proven quant model rates LYB a Valuation Rating of "B".

Lyondellbasell Industries Nv's stock has gained 18.61% in the past year. It has overperformed other stocks in the specialty chemical industry by 17 percentage points.

Are specialty chemical stocks a good buy now?

46.51% of specialty chemical stocks rated by analysts are a buy right now. On average, analysts expect specialty chemical stocks to rise by 25.57% over the next year.

14.29% of specialty chemical stocks have a Zen Rating of A (Strong Buy), 26.53% of specialty chemical stocks are rated B (Buy), 46.94% are rated C (Hold), 8.16% are rated D (Sell), and 4.08% are rated F (Strong Sell).

What is the average p/e ratio of the specialty chemicals industry?

The average P/E ratio of the specialty chemicals industry is -92.09x.

WallStreetZen does not provide financial advice and does not issue recommendations or offers to buy stock or sell any security.

Information is provided 'as-is' and solely for informational purposes and is not advice. WallStreetZen does not bear any responsibility for any losses or damage that may occur as a result of reliance on this data.

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

1. Sasol (NYSE:SSL)

2. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

3. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

2. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

3. Olin (NYSE:OLN)

1. Chemical & Mining Co Of Chile (NYSE:SQM)

2. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

3. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

Company

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Sectors & IndustriesBasic MaterialsSpecialty ChemicalsBest Specialty Chemical Stocks to Buy Now (2026)Top specialty chemical stocks in 2026 ranked by overall Zen Rating. "A" Rated stocks have returned an average of +28.50% per year, and are the best specialty chemical stocks to buy now. Learn More.

Specialty Chemical Stocks FAQ

1. Sasol (NYSE:SSL)

2. Mativ Holdings (NYSE:MATV)

3. Alto Ingredients (NASDAQ:ALTO)

1. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

2. Eastman Chemical Co (NYSE:EMN)

3. Olin (NYSE:OLN)

1. Chemical & Mining Co Of Chile (NYSE:SQM)

2. Fuller H B Co (NYSE:FUL)

3. Lyondellbasell Industries Nv (NYSE:LYB)

Company

Stock Tools

Stock Ideas