List of the 200 largest chemical companies Switzerland [2024]

List of the 3 largest chemical companies in Switzerland

Below we present the three largest Swiss chemical companies that are part of our concise database. This will help you get a feel for the major players in the industry.

1. F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd, Basel

Ranking first among the largest Swiss chemical companies, F. Hoffmann-La Roche Ltd is one of the largest pharmaceutical companies in the world. The company employs more than 100,000 people and is headquartered in Basel in northwestern Switzerland. In recent decades, the Roche Group has repeatedly strengthened its position with acquisitions and is active in numerous pharmaceutical segments.

Update 2024: Hoffmann-La Roche Holding recently expanded its portfolio and acquired California-based Carmot Therapeutics for USD 2.7 billion (upfront). Specifically, this involves a product of a modified GLP-1 antagonist that is about to enter clinical phase II. If approval is successfully completed, a further USD 400 million will be due.

2. Novartis AG, Basel

In second place among the top-selling chemical companies in Switzerland is Novartis AG. Novartis is also headquartered in Basel and manages its global pharmaceutical and biotech activities from here. Novartis is one of the most valuable listed companies in Switzerland and, like the Roche Group, also employs more than 100,000 people.

3. Syngenta AG, Basel

Syngenta, an international agricultural technology group, has its administrative headquarters in Switzerland. With its registered office in Shanghai, the company focuses on seeds and crop protection, where Syngenta is one of the global market leaders.

Update 2023: New genetic technologies in agriculture continue to be hotly debated. The aim is to ensure food security for millions of people, while at the same time not neglecting climate protection. To this end, the European Commission has also drawn up new proposals on the use of genetic engineering. This is also the starting point for Syngenta’s business. However, the challenging environment of climate change, geopolitical conflict and rising operating costs is putting increasing pressure on farms.

Swiss chemical industry: Included information in this list

• Company name & legal form
• Segmentation by sector & field of activity
• General contact data (address, e-mail address, telephone number, URL)
• Name of the management
• Serial letter suitable for addressing the management (e.g. “Dear Dr. Müller”)
• Sales figures for the years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015 (taken from the annual and consolidated financial statements or public directories)
• Employee figures for the years 2022, 2021, 2020, 2019, 2018 (taken from the annual and consolidated financial statements or public directories)

Note: If the sales and employee figures are not included in a company’s own financial statements but in the parent company’s consolidated financial statements, the data from the respective consolidated financial statements are provided.

Picture source: Alex Kondratiev (via Unsplash)