Exhibitor Interview: SEQENS on long-term presence, pharma innovation and the value of industry collaboration  

As a European leader in fine chemicals and a global player in pharmaceutical solutions, SEQENS combines technical expertise, industrial scale and long-term partnerships to support customers across the value chain.

A longstanding exhibitor at Chemspec Europe and active EFCG member, the company continues to invest in visibility, collaboration and innovation across the pharma and speciality chemicals sectors.

At this year’s event, we spoke with Marie Legatte, Head of Marketing for Specialty Ingredients about how its presence has evolved, the trends shaping the market, and the value of consistent participation at Chemspec Europe.  

For those unfamiliar with SEQUENS, how would you describe your core offering and the markets you serve? 

Marie Legatte: SEQENS is a European fine chemicals group and a global player in pharmaceutical solutions and speciality ingredients. We support customers with scalable development and manufacturing of complex molecules for highly demanding industries.

Our network includes 15 manufacturing sites and five R&D centres worldwide, supported by more than 300 scientists. This allows us to operate across the entire value chain, from early development through to commercial production.

In pharma, our expertise spans active pharmaceutical ingredients (APIs) and intermediates, supported by a strong CDMO platform and leading positions in key value chains such as paracetamol and aspirin. Alongside this, we develop advanced and sustainable speciality ingredients for applications in personal care and other highperformance sectors, including electronics, coatings, batteries and speciality chemicals.

With a strong European footprint and a focus on innovation and industrial excellence, we help customers build more resilient, responsible and competitive supply chains.  

How long have you been exhibiting at Chemspec Europe?

Marie Legatte: SEQENS and its legacy companies have been part of Chemspec Europe for many years, with a continuous presence dating back to the Novacap era, well before the creation of the SEQENS brand in 2018.

Over time, we have become one of the event’s longstanding exhibitors, which reflects both our commitment to the industry and the value we place on maintaining a consistent presence within this community.  

SEQENS has been a longstanding exhibitor. How has your presence evolved over the years?

Marie Legatte: Our presence at Chemspec Europe has evolved in line with the transformation of the business itself. From our origins as Novacap to today’s global SEQENS organisation, we have significantly expanded both our capabilities and our international footprint.

Chemspec has been a constant throughout that journey. Its focused, highly technical audience has made it the ideal platform for us to showcase how our offer has developed over time. This evolution is reflected in how we present ourselves at the event. In earlier years, the focus was more on core chemical assets. Today, we highlight high-value pharmaceutical solutions, innovative personal care ingredients and our fully integrated custom chemistry capabilities.

Our participation is now strongly centred on innovation, sustainability and long-term partnerships, particularly in the pharmaceutical sector. Chemspec Europe continues to provide an environment to bring these conversations to life, with the depth and quality of dialogue that supports real, long-term collaboration.

What key trends are you currently seeing in the sector?

Marie Legatte: Several major trends are shaping the fine and speciality chemicals sector, particularly within pharma. There is a clear and growing demand for sustainable and bio-based ingredients, as customers increasingly prioritise responsible sourcing and lower-impact solutions. At the same time, regulatory expectations continue to tighten, reinforcing the need for robust quality systems, full traceability and strong compliance.

We are also seeing increased focus on reshoring and supply chain resilience, with many companies actively seeking reliable, integrated manufacturing partners in Europe. In parallel, demand for custom chemistry services continues to grow, as organisations look to outsource development, scale-up and complex synthesis to specialised partners.  

How do events like Chemspec Europe help SEQENS stay close to customers and partners?

Marie Legatte: Chemspec Europe is a key platform for us, particularly when it comes to having high-quality technical and sourcing discussions. It’s where we can strengthen long-term relationships, explore new R&D opportunities and engage directly with decision-makers across technical, procurement and R&D functions.

We also use the event to create more informal moments of connection. Last year, for example, we hosted a customer event on our stand, which encouraged open conversations and deeper engagement. The response was extremely positive, and we plan to build on that again this year.

As an international organisation, Chemspec also provides a valuable opportunity for our global teams to come together, share insights and strengthen internal collaboration – all of which ultimately benefits our customers.

How does consistent exhibiting with Chemspec Europe pay off in terms of brand recognition and partnerships?

Marie Legatte: A consistent presence at Chemspec Europe plays an important role in strengthening our visibility across the global fine and speciality chemicals market.

Over the years, it has helped to reinforce SEQENS’ position as a trusted and innovative partner. Particularly in the pharmaceutical sector, where long-term relationships and reliability are critical. It also supports the development of a strong pipeline of collaborations, rooted in our expertise in APIs, speciality ingredients and custom synthesis.

Because Chemspec attracts a highly international audience across multiple market segments, it is especially valuable for a group like SEQENS. Being present year after year ensures we remain visible, relevant and well positioned within this global ecosystem.

As a member of EFCG, what are the benefits of being involved for a company like SEQENS?

Marie Legatte: EFCG membership provides an important platform to represent the European fine chemicals industry and contribute to discussions that directly impact its future.

This includes collective advocacy on regulatory frameworks such as REACH, engagement on environmental commitments and sustainability goals, and ongoing dialogue around energy policy and its impact on industrial competitiveness. It also plays an increasingly important role in addressing supply chain resilience and access to key raw materials, both of which are critical in the current geopolitical and economic context.

EFCG also offers valuable opportunities to connect with other leading companies, share best practices and promote high standards in quality, safety and responsible innovation. For SEQENS, this aligns closely with our own commitments to sustainability, industrial excellence and the long-term strength of the European pharma and fine chemicals sector.

How does your EFCG membership complement your participation at Chemspec Europe?

Marie Legatte: EFCG membership strengthens our participation at Chemspec Europe by positioning SEQENS within a recognised and influential European industry network. It ensures that our presence at the event is aligned with broader, collective efforts to promote responsible, high-standard and competitive chemistry.

It also adds depth to the conversations we have at Chemspec. Whether we’re discussing sustainability, regulatory challenges or industrial competitiveness, those exchanges are informed by a shared, industry-level perspective shaped through EFCG.

Together, EFCG and Chemspec Europe create a powerful combination, enhancing our credibility, increasing our visibility and enabling meaningful engagement with partners across the global chemical community.

If you could describe the Chemspec Europe experience in three words, what would they be, and why?

Marie Legatte: Innovative, collaborative and strategic.

It’s innovative in the way it highlights new technologies and molecule development. It’s collaborative because it brings together suppliers, customers and partners with a shared technical focus. And it’s strategic, as it plays an important role in shaping partnerships and long-term project.