The chemical industry faces major challenges—from sustainability to innovative solutions for global markets. Thomas Wackerbauer of Archroma explains how the company, with its tailored specialty chemicals, flexible contract manufacturing, and ambitious sustainability goals, not only sets industry standards but also delivers real added value to its customers.
Hello, Mr. Wackerbauer!
Archroma is a broadly positioned supplier of specialty chemicals. What principles guide the company, which industries does it serve, and what kind of contract manufacturing can Archroma offer as a result?
Archroma serves a wide range of industries, including textiles (dyes, textile finishing, functional treatments), packaging and paper (dyes, optical brighteners, barrier solutions), as well as coatings, adhesives, and construction chemicals.
We produce custom specialty chemicals based on individual customer formulations and can handle both small and large-scale production at our site. Our products are fully compliant with all legal requirements regarding documentation, analytics, quality control, and international standards.
Sustainability—known as “The Archroma Way”—is at the core of our operations as a chemical manufacturer. This includes developing eco-friendly and safe chemical solutions, reducing water, energy, and resource consumption, and promoting circular economy and responsible sourcing.
We focus on innovation and performance, offering high-performance chemicals with added functionality and tailored solutions for specific customer needs.
Above all, we prioritize customer orientation, working closely with industrial clients to develop custom formulations and system solutions.
You currently have unused capacity in your facilities. Which companies might find this interesting, and what opportunities does it present?
Unused production capacity can be strategically utilized for contract manufacturing, particularly for smaller specialty chemical companies, international firms without their own production facilities, or businesses with temporary capacity needs.
Thanks to our existing infrastructure and expertise, Archroma can offer a range of services:
Production of specialty chemicals according to customer specifications, from small to large batches, including scale-up and pilot production.
Ideal conditions for start-ups or internationally active companies looking to establish new operations. Office and laboratory spaces, high-bay warehouse storage, and land for expansion are all immediately available.
This creates a unique advantage: Customers can leverage Archroma’s existing infrastructure, quality standards, and industry expertise to implement flexible production solutions—either for their own clients or to scale up with us. Our location north of Augsburg, with excellent transport links via the B2, is a significant benefit for any company.
How do you respond to current market trends, such as the growing demand for sustainable chemicals and resource scarcity?
We address market trends by developing sustainable products, optimizing our own production processes, and collaborating closely with customers. This allows us to conserve resources, meet regulatory requirements, and unlock new market opportunities for Archroma and its customers.
How are these ambitious sustainability goals integrated into your manufacturing processes, and how do customers benefit?
Archroma embeds sustainability directly into its production processes through resource-efficient technologies, sustainable raw materials, and transparent standards. Customers benefit from more efficient processes, regulatory compliance, and products that support their own sustainability objectives.
Is there anything else you’d like to share with our readers?
In closing, I’d like to emphasize that the chemical industry plays a crucial role in addressing many global challenges—especially in sustainability, resource efficiency, and innovative materials.
Companies like Archroma demonstrate that economic success and responsible action are not mutually exclusive but can reinforce each other. Through close collaboration across the entire value chain—from raw material suppliers to manufacturers and end customers—we can develop solutions that are both ecologically and economically sustainable.
My wish for our readers is to remain open to new technologies and sustainable approaches. The transformation toward a more resource-efficient industry can only succeed together—through cooperation, innovation, and long-term thinking.
Thomas Wackerbauer
About Thomas Wackerbauer
Thomas Wackerbauer is the plant manager of the ARCHROMA International (Germany) GmbH production facility in Langweid near Augsburg. In this role, he is responsible for the operation of a modern specialty chemicals site within the ARCHROMA Group, overseeing production, laboratory, and scale-up capacities. His focus lies on the further development of the site, collaboration with industrial partners, and the promotion of innovation in the field of specialty chemicals.
About the Langweid Plant
The Langweid plant is integrated into the global network of the ARCHROMA Group. Its core competencies include modern production, global process development with a pilot plant, and a research department for textile chemicals. Out of the approximately 5,000 employees of the ARCHROMA Group, around 130 colleagues work at the Langweid plant.
