Adds company comment in paragraph 3, CEO quote in paragraph 4 and FY guidance confirmation in paragraph 5

May 7 (Reuters) - Lanxess LXSG.DE on Thursday reported a muted quarterly core profit that was broadly in line with market expectations, but said it had seen a slight positive turn in March as customers turned to European chemical makers to avoid supply risks.

The German speciality chemicals company said that a persistently weak economic environment, ongoing geopolitical uncertainties and last year's portfolio divestments characterized the first quarter of 2026.

"The start of the year was weak, but since March we have seen a slight positive momentum. Due to the conflict in the Middle East, the supply chains of many Asian competitors have been disrupted, causing customers to turn back to European suppliers such as Lanxess," CEO Matthias Zachert said in a statement.

Lanxess reported earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) pre-exceptionals of 94 million euros ($110 million) for the first quarter, slightly above analysts' forecast of 92 million euros in a poll provided on Lanxess' website.

The Cologne-based company confirmed its full-year guidance for 2026.

($1 = 0.8511 euros)