Hexigone Inhibitors
Hexigone Inhibitors is a Wales-based specialty chemical company that develops Intelli-ion®, a patented smart ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor sold as an additive to coatings manufacturers. The firm serves 50+ clients globally through a 17-distributor network spanning Europe, the Americas, India, and the GCC.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2016
- HeadquartersWales, United Kingdom
- Headcount1–10
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Hexigone Inhibitors does
Hexigone Inhibitors is a Wales-based specialty chemical company founded in 2016 by Dr. Patrick Dodds during his engineering doctorate at Swansea University. The company develops and manufactures Intelli-ion® AX1, a patented smart ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor that uses micro-reservoir technology to deliver on-demand corrosion protection through three modes of electrochemical action — anodic, cathodic, and pH moderation. The product is positioned as a chromate-free, heavy-metal-free alternative to traditional inhibitors, effective at loadings as low as 0.5% compared to 25–30% for conventional zinc phosphate systems, and is compatible with both waterborne and solventborne primer and direct-to-metal coatings.
The company operates a B2B distributor-led go-to-market model, selling Intelli-ion® AX1 as a specialty additive to coatings manufacturers who incorporate it into primer formulations for industrial, marine, rail, oil and gas, wind energy, and infrastructure applications. Revenue is generated through unit sales of the additive with volume-based pricing, though specific transaction values are not publicly disclosed. Hexigone serves 50+ international coatings customers through a network of 17 distributors across the UK, Europe, the US, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, India, and the GCC — including Azelis (EU/Canada), Barentz (US), MCassab (Brazil), Ankush Enterprise (India), First Quality Chemicals (Mexico), and Alfaa Chem (GCC). Named validation customers include Teal & Mackrill/Teamac (marine), PRA/Paint Research Association, and Holyhead Railway Station.
The underlying technology is protected by granted patents in six jurisdictions (UK, US, Europe, China, Indonesia, Japan) and carries the Intelli-ion® trademark. The company has accumulated third-party recognitions including two consecutive EcoVadis Platinum ratings (top 1% globally, 2024 and 2025), Royal Society of Chemistry Emerging Technology Award (2019), Corrosion Innovation of the Year from AMPP/Materials Performance (2021), British Coatings Federation Sustainable Innovation award (2022), and ISO 9001 plus ISO 45001 certifications (May 2024). REACH compliance addresses the post-2019 EU chromate ban headwind. Cumulative disclosed funding totals approximately £3m+ across grant, seed, Crowdcube, and June 2026 rounds, with the team reported at 1–10 employees.
Hexigone Inhibitors firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Hexigone Inhibitors
- Legal name
- Hexigone Inhibitors Ltd
- Website
- https://hexigone.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2016
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 1–10 employees
- Short description
- Hexigone Inhibitors is a Wales-based specialty chemical company that develops Intelli-ion®, a patented smart ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor sold as an additive to coatings manufacturers. The firm serves 50+ clients globally through a 17-distributor network spanning Europe, the Americas, India, and the GCC.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Hexigone Inhibitors industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemical Additives
- NAICS
- Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (325180), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives) (IMAEAKAK)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)
Keywords
Where Hexigone Inhibitors is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Wales
- HQ country
- United Kingdom
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
Hexigone Inhibitors business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Marketing or Sales, Operations
Revenue model
- Intelli-ion® Corrosion Inhibitor Sales: Hexigone generates revenue through the sale of its Intelli-ion® AX1 corrosion inhibitor additive to coatings manufacturers. The product is sold as a specialty chemical ingredient that coatings companies incorporate into primer formulations. Revenue is derived from unit sales of the inhibitor product, with pricing based on loading levels required (0.5% to 5% depending on application).
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels6 records
Marketing channels5 records
Hexigone Inhibitors product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Hexigone Inhibitors develops and manufactures Intelli-ion® AX1, an advanced ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor additive for coatings manufacturers. The product uses proprietary micro-reservoir technology to deliver on-demand, three-mode (anodic, cathodic, pH moderation) electrochemical protection in primer coatings at loadings as low as 0.5%, replacing traditional chromate and high-loading zinc phosphate inhibitors.
Product overview
Hexigone Inhibitors offers a focused product portfolio centered on its Intelli-ion® technology platform, specifically the Intelli-ion® AX1 corrosion inhibitor. This patented, award-winning smart corrosion inhibitor replaces traditional inhibitors like zinc phosphate and chromates, using micro-reservoir technology to deliver 'on-demand' protection. The technology is designed for use in primer coatings and direct-to-metal (DTM) applications, compatible with both waterborne and solventborne systems. The product provides superior corrosion resistance at ultra-low loading levels (as low as 0.5%), enabling coatings manufacturers to achieve C5-level protection while reducing raw material costs and environmental impact.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Intelli-ion®: Advanced ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor technology developed by materials scientists to replace traditional inhibitors. Designed to activate 'on-demand' to extend asset protection while helping coatings manufacturers meet performance and regulatory requirements.
- Intelli-ion® AX1
Products and services
- Intelli-ion® AX1 Advanced ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor additive developed by materials scientists to replace traditional inhibitors such as chromates and zinc phosphate. Designed to activate 'on-demand,' extending asset protection and helping coatings manufacturers meet performance and regulatory requirements at ultra-low loading levels (as low as 0.5%).
- Intelli-ion® Technology Platform The proprietary smart corrosion inhibitor technology platform featuring chemically intelligent micro-reservoirs that provide on-demand protection through three modes of electrochemical protection (anodic, cathodic, and pH moderation), with hollow architecture delivering large surface area at low loadings.
Quantifiable outcome
- Up to 10x more effective corrosion protection than market-leading chrome-free alternatives in independent testing (1000 hours prohesion, salt spray, and humidity testing showing 1mm corrosion vs 10mm in control)
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Hexigone Inhibitors
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
Hexigone Inhibitors technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
Hexigone Inhibitors partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Alfaa ChemcoreStrategic partnership with Alfaa Chem, a leading chemical distributor in the Middle East founded in 2004 with strong presence across UAE, Saudi Arabia, and beyond. Delivers high-performance anticorrosion technologies to GCC region targeting construction, oil and gas, and infrastructure maintenance applications. Alfaa Chem serves adhesives, sealants, construction chemicals, paints, and coatings industries with international-quality raw materials.
- First Quality ChemicalscoreExclusive partnership with First Quality Chemicals, leader in distribution of most innovative and superior specialty chemicals in Mexico.
- Ankush EnterprisecorePartnership with Ankush Enterprise, one of the largest importers of specialty chemicals in India with 25 years experience, to promote technology throughout Indian Paint and Coatings Market. Ankush Enterprise has deep knowledge of Indian market with capabilities of selling high-value technical concepts.
- AzeliscorePartnership with Azelis as specialty chemical distributor in EU. Azelis is an innovation service provider in specialty chemicals and food ingredients. Their CASE (Coatings, Adhesives, Sealants, Elastomers) division distributes Intelli-ion technology with marketing manager Dan Mathias noting alignment with Azelis's 'Innovation through formulation' mission.
- BarentzcoreExclusive distribution agreement for US-patented anticorrosion technology with Barentz, a leading specialty chemicals distributor.
- Azelis CanadacoreExclusive distribution agreement with Azelis Canada, a leading innovation service provider in specialty chemicals and food ingredients industry.
- MCassabcorePartnership with leading specialty chemical distributor MCassab marking significant milestone in Hexigone's mission to expand global reach and provide cutting-edge solutions to Brazilian market.
- GlaxoSmithKlineminorPharmaceutical giant that donated 8,000 litres of isopropanol to support Hexigone's hand sanitiser production during COVID-19 pandemic response.
Scale indicators5 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Hexigone Inhibitors competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- BYK (ALTANA): Specialty additives supplier for the coatings industry, including wetting agents, dispersants, and corrosion inhibitors that coatings manufacturers incorporate into formulations. Directly comparable to Hexigone as a chemical additive sold to the same coatings manufacturer customer base.
- Elementis: Supplier of specialty performance chemicals and additives for paints and coatings, including rheology modifiers and corrosion-resistant additives. Comparable as a specialty coatings additive vendor with similar go-to-market through coatings manufacturers.
- ICL Group: Producer of specialty phosphate-based chemicals used in anti-corrosion coatings and industrial applications. Closely comparable as a phosphate-based corrosion inhibitor supplier serving the same coatings value chain.
- Troy Corporation: Manufacturer of specialty additives for paints and coatings, including biocides, performance additives, and corrosion inhibitors. Comparable specialty chemical supplier with overlapping customer base in industrial coatings manufacturers.
- Lubrizol: Specialty chemicals producer with a portfolio of coating additives including dispersants, surfactants, and performance additives for industrial coatings. Comparable specialty additive supplier targeting coatings manufacturers globally.
Broad incumbents
- Arkema: Large specialty chemical company with a coatings solutions segment including resins, additives, and adhesion promoters. Broader portfolio than Hexigone but competes in the same coatings additive space with greater resources and customer reach.
- BASF: Global chemical major with an extensive coatings additives portfolio including corrosion inhibitors, pigments, and performance chemicals. Incumbent competitor with significantly greater R&D resources and global sales coverage.
- Heubach: Producer of pigments and specialty chemicals for coatings, including anti-corrosive pigments and colorants. Broader incumbent serving the same industrial coatings market with overlapping additive categories.
- Solvay: Specialty chemical producer including silica and other performance additives for industrial coatings. Adjacent incumbent supplying similar specialty chemicals to coatings formulators.
Emerging players
- AnCatt: Early-stage company developing conductive polymer anti-corrosion coatings as a non-toxic alternative to chromate-based systems. Emerging competitor in the same chromate-replacement niche Hexigone targets, though focused on finished coatings rather than inhibitor additives.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Hexigone Inhibitors social profiles
Digital presenceHexigone Inhibitors compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
Hexigone Inhibitors financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Hexigone Inhibitors leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles9 records
Hexigone Inhibitors funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds4 records
Investors6 records
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Hexigone Inhibitors M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Hexigone Inhibitors
What does Hexigone Inhibitors do?
Hexigone Inhibitors develops and manufactures Intelli-ion® AX1, an advanced ion-exchange corrosion inhibitor additive for coatings manufacturers. The product uses proprietary micro-reservoir technology to deliver on-demand, three-mode (anodic, cathodic, pH moderation) electrochemical protection in primer coatings at loadings as low as 0.5%, replacing traditional chromate and high-loading zinc phosphate inhibitors.
Is Hexigone Inhibitors a public or private company?
Hexigone Inhibitors is a private company. It is classified as venture growth investor backed and is currently operating.
When was Hexigone Inhibitors founded?
Hexigone Inhibitors was founded in 2016. It employs 1 to 10 people.
Where is Hexigone Inhibitors based?
Hexigone Inhibitors is headquartered in Wales, United Kingdom, in the Europe region.
How does Hexigone Inhibitors make money?
One revenue line is on record: intelli-ion® Corrosion Inhibitor Sales.
Who are Hexigone Inhibitors's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are BYK (ALTANA), Elementis, ICL Group, Troy Corporation and Lubrizol. Broad incumbents are Arkema, BASF, Heubach and Solvay. AnCatt is listed as an emerging player.
Does Hexigone Inhibitors have an API?
No public API is recorded for Hexigone Inhibitors.
What industry is Hexigone Inhibitors in?
Hexigone Inhibitors's product category is Specialty Chemical Additives. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAKAK, Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives), with a secondary code of IMAEAGAB, Industrial & Protective Coatings. Its NAICS code is 325180 and its SIC code is 2890.