CheMondis

CheMondis operates as a global B2B marketplace specifically tailored for the chemical industry. Originating from a digitalization initiative by specialty chemicals company LANXESS in 2017, the company was officially founded in mid-2018 and is headquartered in Cologne, Germany. Established as a wholly-owned subsidiary of LANXESS, CheMondis functions with its own distinct branding, workforce, and IT infrastructure, embodying a blend of deep industry knowledge and a startup mindset.

The platform was conceived and brought to fruition under the leadership of Sebastian Brenner, who served as Managing Director from May 2018. Brenner, who holds a degree in business administration and an MBA, brought extensive experience from the chemical sector, having held global marketing and business management roles at Syngenta AG and Bayer CropScience. His background was instrumental in shaping a digital marketplace designed to address the specific needs of the chemical trade. The current CEO is Mathias Wengeler, former CEO and co-founder of the knowledge marketplace Atheneum.

CheMondis provides a digital platform for buyers and suppliers to trade in chemical products. The business model primarily targets chemical manufacturers, distributors, and traders. Revenue is generated through a monthly membership fee paid by suppliers to participate on the platform, with the fee amount dependent on the supplier's size. The marketplace facilitates various transaction types, including direct purchases at fixed prices (Instant Deals) and individual negotiations through quote requests. It also supports long-term contractual agreements, allowing buyers to make recurring orders over a set period. To build trust and facilitate smoother transactions, the company has integrated secure payment and escrow services through a partnership, ensuring protection for both buying and selling parties.

The platform offers a comprehensive digital solution for a traditionally offline industry. For buyers, it features an advanced search function to filter products by technical specifications, packaging type, or delivery location. They can request and compare offers from multiple suppliers in a single step. For suppliers, CheMondis serves as a channel to expand their international reach, acquire new customers, and create their own digital brand shop within the marketplace. The platform is designed to handle industrial-scale transactions, with a reported average order value of €55,000. Just a few weeks after its beta launch in late 2018, over 200 companies had registered, and a year later, it had over 1,000 registered companies listing more than 13,000 products.

Keywords: B2B marketplace, chemical industry, chemical raw materials, digital trade, chemical procurement, online chemical sales, chemical suppliers, LANXESS venture, Sebastian Brenner, Mathias Wengeler, industrial chemicals, specialty chemicals, chemical distribution, Cologne startup, digital supply chain, chemicals trading platform, procurement platform, e-commerce chemicals, supplier discovery, chemical sourcing