Chemetall

What Chemetall does

Chemetall is a surface treatment business operating as a business unit of BASF Coatings (a division of BASF SE), headquartered in Frankfurt, Germany, and legally constituted as Chemetall GmbH. The company develops and manufactures chemical treatments for metal and material surfaces — including passivation, conversion coatings, and pre-treatment solutions — serving industrial manufacturers across more than 20 industries, with primary verticals in aerospace, battery/EV manufacturing, and general industrial manufacturing. It cites over 130 years of surface treatment experience, presence in 100+ countries, 40 subsidiaries, 17 production sites, and access to 2,500+ surface treatment experts.

The product portfolio centers on integrated, end-to-end surface treatment solutions spanning metal pretreatment, glass treatment, plastic recycling, and aerospace technologies. Its flagship recent innovation is Gardolene D, marketed as the first chromium-free and fluoride-free passivation technology for copper foils used in batteries for electric vehicles, consumer electronics, and energy storage systems; it enhances surface energy for improved anode adhesion and reduced electrical resistivity, extending battery lifespan by up to 6% after 1,000 cycles versus traditional chromium (VI) methods, while providing compliance with the EU Battery Regulation (EU 2023/1542). The company's largest global production facility is in Pinghu, China, with additional referenced sites in Langelsheim, Germany, and planned application-lab expansion in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

Chemetall operates a B2B model, generating revenue through the sale of surface treatment chemicals and related solutions to manufacturers, sold through direct channels and, increasingly, through a channel-partner distribution model anchored by Azelis. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and follows a quote-based B2B approach. The Azelis relationship provides customers 24/7 digital access to product documentation, ordering, safety information, and sample requests via digital customer portals, and has been progressively expanded across Southeast Asia, Canada, and broader North America.

Name

Chemetall

Legal name

Chemetall GmbH

Website

https://chemetallna.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

Chemetall, a BASF Coatings business unit, manufactures chemical surface treatments for metals and materials — including passivation, conversion coatings, and pre-treatment solutions — serving aerospace, battery/EV, and general industrial manufacturers across more than 20 industries and 100+ countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Surface Treatment Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives) (IMAEAKAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB), Industrial Protective Coatings (Steel/Concrete/Equipment) (IMAIAKAB)

Keywords

• Surface treatment chemicals
• Metal pretreatment solutions
• Passivation technology
• Conversion coatings
• Industrial cleaning chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Frankfurt

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Operations, Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Surface Treatment Products and Solutions: Chemetall generates revenue through the sale of surface treatment chemicals, passivation solutions, conversion coatings, and related industrial chemical products. Revenue comes from B2B sales to manufacturers across aerospace, automotive, electronics, and general industrial sectors, with products sold through direct channels and distribution partners like Azelis.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Chemetall develops, manufactures, and sells specialty chemical surface treatment solutions for metal substrates, including passivation technologies, conversion coatings, pretreatment chemicals, and cleaners used in industrial finishing lines. Its products serve aerospace, battery/EV, automotive, and general industrial manufacturers seeking corrosion protection, paint adhesion, and regulatory-compliant chemistries such as chromium-free and EU Battery Regulation 2023/1542-compliant formulations.

Product overview

Chemetall is a surface treatment business unit of BASF Coatings offering a comprehensive portfolio of surface treatment solutions. The company provides an integrated platform of technologies including surface treatment solutions, metal pretreatment processes, glass treatment solutions, plastic recycling solutions, and aerospace technologies. The product portfolio centers on Gardolene D, a chromium-free and fluoride-free passivation technology for copper foils, alongside broader surface treatment technologies serving more than 20 industries across 100+ countries. The company operates 17 production sites globally and maintains 40 subsidiaries with access to 2,500+ surface treatment experts.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Gardolene D

Quantifiable outcome

• Battery lifespan extended by up to 6% after 1,000 cycles compared to traditional chromium (VI) methods
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• AzeliscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 22 June 2026Chemetall and Azelis expanded their distribution partnership agreement across North America, covering the United States, Canada, and Mexico. Azelis provides digital customer portals enabling 24/7 access to Chemetall's surface treatment technologies, including technical and safety information downloads, ordering, and sample requests. The partnership combines Chemetall's surface treatment innovations with Azelis's market reach, digital capabilities, and local technical support for an integrated customer experience.
• Azelis CanadacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2026Azelis appointed as exclusive distributor for Chemetall's surface treatment products for general industrial applications across Canada, effective April 1, 2026. The collaboration leverages Azelis's digital platforms, regional market knowledge, and technical expertise to provide 24/7 access to Chemetall's technologies. Both companies characterize this as a strategic initiative to capture emerging market opportunities and support growth in Canada's surface treatment industry.
• AzeliscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 30 September 2025Azelis and Chemetall extended their distribution partnership to include Thailand and the Philippines, along with Vietnam, for surface treatment solutions across Southeast Asia. Azelis will distribute Chemetall's solutions and supply aerospace technologies in the Philippines. Chemetall plans to open a new application laboratory in Ho Chi Minh City to support the local market.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Atotech (Element Solutions Inc): Atotech is a global leader in specialty chemicals for surface finishing and electronics, directly competing in passivation, plating, and pre-treatment chemistries. Highly comparable to Chemetall's metal pretreatment and copper foil passivation portfolio serving automotive, electronics, and industrial customers.
• MacDermid Enthone (Element Solutions Inc): MacDermid Enthone Electronics Solutions provides metal finishing chemistries and surface treatment solutions for electronics, automotive, and industrial applications. Direct competitor in conversion coatings, passivation, and pre-treatment technologies overlapping with Chemetall's portfolio.
• Quaker Houghton: Quaker Houghton is a leading global supplier of industrial process fluids and surface treatment chemistries for metalworking and metal finishing. Directly comparable to Chemetall's metal pretreatment offerings to industrial manufacturers.
• SurTec (Nordson): SurTec, part of Nordson, supplies specialty chemicals for surface treatment including cleaning, activation, and passivation of metal substrates. Direct peer in metal pretreatment chemistries for automotive, electronics, and industrial customers.
• Aalberts Surface Treatment: Aalberts operates a Surface Treatment division providing metal finishing, coating, and heat treatment services and chemistries. Comparable business model combining surface treatment chemicals and treatment services for industrial customers.
• Coventya: Coventya is a global specialty chemical supplier focused on metal finishing, electroplating, and surface treatment chemistries. Directly comparable to Chemetall in passivation, pretreatment, and decorative/functional coatings for automotive and industrial markets.

Broad incumbents

• Henkel: Henkel operates a large Adhesive Technologies division with metal pretreatment and surface treatment offerings for automotive and industrial customers. Broad incumbent with overlapping chromate-free pretreatment chemistries competing for similar OEMs.
• PPG Industries: PPG is a global coatings and specialty materials supplier with industrial and aerospace pretreatment product lines. Comparable as a broad incumbent serving aerospace, automotive, and industrial surface treatment end markets.
• DuPont de Nemours: DuPont's Electronics & Industrial segment supplies specialty chemistries for semiconductor, circuit materials, and industrial finishing. Overlaps with Chemetall in electronics-grade surface treatment and industrial pre-treatment applications.
• Sherwin-Williams (Industrial Coatings): Sherwin-Williams' Performance Coatings Group supplies industrial and protective coatings including pretreatment products for metal substrates. Comparable as a broad incumbent in industrial surface finishing value chain.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ChemetallNA

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Chemetall