Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH)

Clean Harbors, Inc. (CLH) is the premier provider of environmental, energy, and industrial services in North America, operating as the largest hazardous waste disposer in the region. Led by Co-CEOs Eric Gerstenberg and Mike Battles, Clean Harbors’ mission is to "Protect the environment through responsible waste management and emergency response." The company holds an insurmountable industry position; it owns the vast majority of the hazardous waste incinerator capacity in the U.S. and Canada. By late 2025, the company has become a critical partner for the "Re-Shoring" of American manufacturing, making CLH stock a primary play on the specialized waste needs of the semiconductor and EV battery industries. The company’s vision is to lead the "Circular Economy" through its specialized oil re-refining and solvent recycling programs.

The business operations of Clean Harbors are divided into two segments: Environmental Services and Safety-Kleen Sustainability Solutions (SKSS). The Environmental Services segment manages everything from emergency spill response to the permanent disposal of PFAS ("forever chemicals"). In 2025, CLH reported record revenue growth driven by its "PFAS Remediation" division, as new federal regulations forced municipalities and industries to treat contaminated water. The 2026 strategic roadmap focuses on "Incinerator Expansion," including the completion of its massive Nebraska incinerator to meet the 5-year backlog for hazardous waste destruction. By utilizing its "Disposal Moat"—the fact that building a new hazardous waste incinerator takes over a decade of permitting—Clean Harbors maintains exceptional pricing power. This "Scarcity of Assets" is a primary driver for the CLH stock price. The company’s SKSS segment, which collects and re-refines used motor oil into high-quality lubricants, has captured a significant share of the ESG-mandated corporate procurement market, providing a high-margin revenue stream that is decoupled from commodity oil prices.

Environmental services analysts and institutional investors monitor CLH stock for its "Incineration Utilization Rate" and "Base Oil Spread." Clean Harbors, Inc. stock is listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the ticker CLH. The CLH stock price is frequently influenced by EPA regulatory changes, industrial production levels, and major environmental disaster events requiring emergency response. Analysts highlight Clean Harbors’ "Regulatory Expertise Moat"—the specialized knowledge required to navigate thousands of state and federal environmental laws—as its greatest barrier to entry for competitors. By the end of 2025, the company has solidified its reputation as the only "Full-Lifecycle" waste manager in North America, positioning Clean Harbors, Inc. stock as a high-quality, high-growth industrial service asset. Those following the CLH stock price look for updates on their 2026 rollout of specialized "Lithium-Ion Battery Recycling" services.