Stahl completes leather wet-end carve-out, sharpens focus on specialty coatings and packaging markets

GERMANY – Stahl has officially completed the carve-out of its wet-end leather chemicals division, which now operates as an independent company named Muno from 1 January 2026.

Majority-owned by Wendel, Muno will focus exclusively on wet-end leather chemistry, while Stahl transitions into a pure-play specialty coatings business—marking the culmination of a multi-year strategic transformation.

The divestiture enables Stahl to concentrate its resources on high-growth sectors including performance coatings, mobility applications, and increasingly, packaging coatings.

The company says the strategic pivot reflects both market demand and its long-term ambition to lead in advanced coatings for flexible materials, especially as global manufacturers accelerate sustainability and lightweighting initiatives.

Stahl CEO Maarten Heijbroek said the shift aligns the organization for “clarity of purpose and long-term value creation.”

He added, “Establishing two independent companies will enable each to focus on its strengths and accelerate innovation in its field.

“Stahl will continue to drive progress in speciality coatings for a wide range of flexible materials, while Muno embarks on its own path in wet-end leather chemicals.”

Heijbroek noted that the company enters 2026 “with focus, momentum and confidence,” positioning Stahl to respond more quickly to fast-evolving customer needs in sectors such as packaging, textiles, automotive interiors, and consumer goods.

The news follows Stahl’s recent expansion in Turkey through the integration of Weilburger Graphics’ packaging coatings business.

Now operating as Stahl Kimya, the unit combines global R&D capabilities with local manufacturing and technical support to serve converters and packaging producers in the Turkish and regional markets.

The acquisition strengthens Stahl’s presence in functional and decorative coatings used in folding cartons, labels, flexible packaging, and specialty print applications.

With consumer brands adopting higher-quality and more sustainable finishes, demand for advanced water-based and low-VOC coatings continues to grow.

Stahl’s restructuring mirrors a broader trend within the chemicals and coatings sector, where companies are sharpening their portfolios to focus on high-margin, technology-driven segments.

Rivals such as Archroma, Clariant, and Lanxess have also divested non-core units in recent years, redirecting investment toward performance materials and specialty chemistries.

For Stahl, becoming a dedicated specialty coatings formulator creates a clearer pathway for innovation and collaboration in emerging growth areas, including sustainable packaging, high-performance barrier coatings, and next-generation flexible substrates.

With Muno now independent, the realignment is expected to unlock new opportunities for both companies as they pursue targeted strategies in their respective markets.

Subscribe to our email newsletters that provide busy executives like you with the latest news insights and trends from Africa and the World. SUBSCRIBE HERE