CRC Industries

What CRC Industries does

CRC Industries, founded in 1958 as Corrosion Reaction Consultants and headquartered in Horsham, Pennsylvania, is a privately held global specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) chemistries. The company operates 26 facilities worldwide, including 7 manufacturing sites and a regional headquarters in Zele, Belgium for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa, serving markets across North America, Europe, Asia, Australia, and Africa.

The product portfolio spans cleaners and degreasers, brake system chemicals (Brakleen, the #1-selling brake cleaner brand), rust removers (Evapo-Rust), bioremediating parts washing systems (SmartWasher), lubricants and gear oils (Sta-Lube, Power Lube), welding chemicals (Weld-Aid), emission system cleaners (Guaranteed to Pass), and NSF-registered food-grade products. Notable proprietary technologies include SmartWasher's microbe-based bioremediation process (producing only CO2 and water as by-products) and a patent-pending water-based Brakleen Foaming Brake Wash meeting 10% VOC requirements with 3X cleaning power. The company retains more than a dozen sub-brands including Ambersil, KF, Kontakt Chemie, and Q20 from international acquisitions.

Revenue is generated through one-time unit purchases sold via three primary channels: direct e-commerce on crcindustries.com, retail store partnerships (auto parts, hardware, and industrial suppliers), and distributor catalogs across multiple verticals. The customer base is highly distributed across automotive DIY and professional mechanics (primary), industrial manufacturing MRO, fleet maintenance, food and beverage processing, marine, and home DIY consumer segments. Go-to-market emphasizes SEMA and AAPEX trade show presence, motorsports sponsorships (Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge), influencer partnerships, and the Build for the Future custom vehicle auction program supporting TechForce Foundation scholarships. Pricing is per-unit without disclosed subscription or recurring components.

Name

CRC Industries

Legal name

CRC Industries, Inc.

Website

https://crcindustries.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1958

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

CRC Industries is a privately held specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 1958, producing maintenance, repair, and operations chemicals (cleaners, brake cleaners, rust removers, lubricants, welding chemicals) under brands including Brakleen, Evapo-Rust, SmartWasher, and Sta-Lube for automotive, industrial, fleet, food-grade, marine, and DIY customers globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemical MRO Products

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Fluids, Lubricants & Chemical Products Manufacturing (Oils/Coolants/Additives/Cleaners) (IMACANAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Hard Surface & Multi-Purpose Cleaners (All-purpose, Floor, Bathroom, Kitchen) (CRADAKAG)

Keywords

• Specialty chemicals manufacturing
• Automotive maintenance products
• Industrial MRO chemicals
• Brake cleaners lubricants
• Corrosion inhibitors degreasers

Headquarters

HQ city

Horsham

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemical Products: CRC Industries generates revenue through the sale of specialty chemical formulations for automotive and industrial maintenance, including brake cleaners, rust removers, lubricants, penetrants, degreasers, fuel additives, and cleaning products. Products are sold as one-time purchases through multiple distribution channels.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels10 records

Core offering

CRC Industries manufactures and sells specialty chemical maintenance, repair, and operations (MRO) products under the CRC brand and sub-brands including Brakleen, Evapo-Rust, SmartWasher, Sta-Lube, Weld-Aid, K&W, and Marykate. The portfolio spans brake cleaners, rust removers, lubricants, penetrants, degreasers, fuel additives, welding chemicals, and parts-washing systems for automotive, industrial, marine, fleet, and food-grade markets. Products are sold globally through retail, e-commerce, and industrial distribution channels.

Product overview

CRC Industries is a specialty chemical products company offering a diversified portfolio of maintenance and repair solutions for automotive, industrial, electrical, marine, and manufacturing markets. The company operates under its core CRC® brand alongside several sub-brands including Brakleen® (brake cleaners), Evapo-Rust® (rust removers), SmartWasher® (bioremediating parts washers), Sta-Lube® (lubricants and gear oils), Weld-Aid® (welding chemicals), K&W® (automotive treatments), and Marykate® (marine products). The product lineup includes targeted cleaners such as Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner, Throttle Body & Air-Intake Cleaner, and Guaranteed To Pass® Emissions System Cleaner, as well as multi-purpose lubricants like Power Lube® and Knock'er Loose®. CRC serves both DIY consumers and professional maintenance technicians through product categories spanning cleaners, degreasers, brake systems, corrosion inhibitors, fuel system treatments, greases, penetrants, precision cleaners, and welding chemicals.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CRC Brakleen: Brake cleaner products - #1 selling brake cleaner brand
• CRC Evapo-Rust
• CRC Guaranteed to Pass
• CRC SmartWasher
• CRC Mass Air Flow Cleaner
• CRC Throttle Body Cleaner
• CRC Power Lube
• CRC Weld-Aid
• CRC Sta-Lube
• CRC K&W
• CRC MaryKate
• Build for the Future
• CRC Food Grade

Products and services

• CRC Mass Air Flow Sensor Cleaner Cleaner specifically formulated to clean mass air flow (MAF) sensors, the first product designed for this application, for automotive technicians and DIY vehicle owners.
• CRC Throttle Body & Air-Intake Cleaner Removes carbon, varnish, and gum build-up from throttle bodies and throttle body bores; safe for throttle body, multi-port, and GDI fuel-injected gasoline engines.
• CRC Guaranteed To Pass Emissions System Cleaner Fuel system cleaner with advanced detergent formula that removes carbon deposits from fuel injectors, intake valves, combustion chambers, and catalytic converters; backed by a money-back guarantee if the vehicle fails an emissions test.
• Brakleen Brake Cleaner Number-one selling brake cleaner brand offering superior brake cleaning products for automotive applications; used by professionals and DIY consumers during brake pad and rotor replacement.
• Evapo-Rust Rust Remover Rust remover product line that removes rust to bare metal with no scrubbing, using a reusable formula available in gel and ready-to-use forms.
• SmartWasher Parts Washing System Self-contained, self-cleaning parts washing system using bioremediation that eliminates hazardous waste disposal costs; compliant with environmental laws in all 50 U.S. states.
• Sta-Lube Lubricants and Gear Oils Lubricant product line including synthetic gear oils, compressor oils, and friction modifiers for automotive and industrial applications.
• Weld-Aid Welding Chemicals Welding products including anti-spatter formulations, nozzle cleaners, and weld prep solutions that protect tools and ensure quality welds.
• K&W Automotive Treatments Automotive chemicals including transmission and gear treatments such as Trans-X Posi-Trac Limited Slip Gear Oil Additive.
• Marykate Marine Cleaning Products Marine-grade cleaning and maintenance products for boat care applications.
• Power Lube Multi-Purpose Lubricant Multi-purpose lubricant (reformulated from CRC 5-56 in 1995) that loosens rusted, seized, and frozen bolts while lubricating parts and preventing further rust.
• Knock'er Loose Penetrating Solvent Penetrating solvent that loosens rusted, seized, and frozen bolts and nuts, dissolves rust and corrosion while lubricating parts and preventing further rust.
• 2-26 Multi-Purpose Lubricant Plastic-safe multi-purpose lubricant used for general lubrication applications.
• 3-36 Multi-Purpose Lubricant Multi-purpose lubricant not safe for plastic parts, offering stronger cleaning capability for industrial applications.
• CRC Water Based Silicone Lubricant Water-based silicone lubricant, NSF H1 Registered for incidental food contact applications.
• Di-Electric Grease Insulating grease suitable for sealing and lubricating battery terminals and spark plugs.
• SP-400 Conductive Coating Conductive coating product used where electrical conductivity plus corrosion prevention is required; not to be diluted as physical properties and corrosion prevention protection would be altered.
• Wasp & Hornet Killer PLUS Insecticide Insecticide with dielectric strength of 47,600 volts, safe for use around energized electrical equipment.
• Bee Blast Insecticide Insecticide with residual formula that kills insects returning to the nest.
• CRC Brākleen Foaming Brake Wash Water-based, patent-pending foaming brake wash meeting 10% VOC requirements; non-flammable, non-chlorinated, and delivering 3X cleaning power versus other 50-state compliant products.
• CRC Evapo-Rust Spray Gel Trigger-spray rust remover gel that clings to vertical surfaces, is safe on iron, steel, aluminum and chrome, and requires no scrubbing.
• CRC Bio-Based Power Lube Vegetable oil-based, biodegradable, ceramic-fortified multi-purpose lubricant that stops squeaks, fights corrosion, cleans, and frees rusted parts; features PermaStraw nozzle.
• CRC Weld-Aid Nozzle-Kleen #3 Anti-Spatter Spray-on anti-spatter formulation that prevents spatter buildup, protects nozzles and torches, ensures smooth gas flow, and extends tool life.
• CRC Weld-Aid Non-Flammable Anti-Spatter Silicone-free, heat-resistant anti-spatter spray forming a barrier that prevents weld spatter from sticking to tools, nozzles, and workpieces; safe for use near open flames.
• CRC Weld-Aid Weld-Kleen HD2 Anti-Spatter Pro-grade, heat-resistant, silicone-free anti-spatter solution that protects workpieces, nozzles, and surfaces from weld spatter.

Quantifiable outcome

• 3X cleaning power with Brakleen Foaming Brake Wash compared to other 50-state compliant products
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers4 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Eleven partnerships are on record, tiered core, major and minor.

• Barrett-Jackson Auction CompanycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 21 January 2026Barrett-Jackson hosts the auction of Build for the Future vehicles, including the hydrogen-powered 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air that sold for $100,000. The partnership enables scholarship fundraising through high-profile vehicle auctions.
• Arrington PerformancemajorTechnology or Integration · 21 January 2026Engine builder that performed the hydrogen fuel conversion on the 5.7-liter Gen 3 HEMI V8 engine for the Build for the Future 1957 Chevrolet Bel Air, producing 500 horsepower on hydrogen fuel.
• TechForce FoundationcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025CRC Industries partners with TechForce Foundation on the Build for the Future scholarship initiative to address skilled trades employment shortage. The partnership funds scholarships for aspiring automotive and industrial/welding technicians through custom vehicle builds that are auctioned with proceeds supporting 10+ scholarships of $2,500-$8,000 each.
• Lutz Race Cars (Jeff and Jeffrey Lutz)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025Long-term collaboration with Jeff and Jeffrey Lutz on Build for the Future custom vehicle builds, including the 1977 Chevrolet C10 Pro-Street truck and previous builds. The Lutz team serves as pro-street consultant and guest builder.
• Clay Millican (NHRA Top Fuel World Champion)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 October 2025Partnership with NHRA Top Fuel world champion Clay Millican as guest builder for Build for the Future vehicles. Millican has collaborated on the 2006 Pontiac GTO and 1977 Chevrolet C10 builds, contributing racing expertise and brand ambassador activities.
• Willie B (Two Guys Garage)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCelebrity guest builder contributing to the 1977 Chevrolet C10 Build for the Future project.
• Emily and Aaron Reeves (Flying Sparks Garage)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerYouTube content creators who served as guest builders on the Build for the Future C10 project and appeared at SEMA 2025 booth.
• Shaun Umscheid (What No Way Guy)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInfluencer and brand ambassador for CRC Evapo-Rust products, served as guest builder on the 1977 C10 project and appeared at SEMA booth.
• Mike Cotten (Faster with Newbern and Cotten)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPro-street consultant for the 1977 C10 project, contributing technical expertise and appearing at SEMA booth.
• Grassroots MotorsportsminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSponsorship of the $2000 Challenge motorsports festival featuring low-budget race car competitions at Gainesville Raceway. CRC provides sponsorship support and promotional presence at the event.
• Tire RackminorGTM or Marketing PartnerPrimary sponsor of the Grassroots Motorsports $2000 Challenge event; CRC is listed as a co-sponsor alongside Knight's Automotive and BendPak.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• WD-40 Company: WD-40 is the most direct competitor to CRC, offering specialty maintenance chemicals (lubricants, cleaners, degreasers) sold in similar aerosol SKUs through the same auto parts, hardware, and mass-retail channels. Both companies compete head-to-head in DIY and professional maintenance segments with broadly overlapping product portfolios.
• Permatex: Permatex manufactures a broad range of automotive and industrial maintenance chemicals including threadlockers, gasket makers, cleaners, and specialty chemicals distributed through similar auto parts and industrial channels. Directly comparable specialty MRO chemical portfolio.
• Berryman Products: Berryman is a long-standing specialty chemical company producing fuel additives, cleaners, lubricants, and automotive maintenance chemicals sold through DIY and professional channels. Strong direct overlap with CRC's fuel-system, brake, and engine maintenance lines.
• Liqui Moly: Liqui Moly is a German specialty chemicals company focused on lubricants, additives, and automotive maintenance chemicals with global distribution. Highly comparable in product mix (lubricants, fuel additives, cleaners) and brand-led go-to-market strategy.
• BG Products: BG Products specializes in automotive and industrial fluid maintenance chemicals (fuel system cleaners, transmission treatments, power steering flushes), targeting professional service channels. Directly comparable in fuel-system and emissions product categories.

Broad incumbents

• 3M: 3M's Automotive Aftermarket division offers adhesives, lubricants, cleaners, and aerosol maintenance chemicals competing with several CRC sub-brands. As a diversified global conglomerate, 3M overlaps with CRC in select categories (cleaners, electrical chemicals) but does not specialize in CRC's core brake/rust/MRO niches.
• Henkel: Henkel's Loctite and broader Consumer Craftsmen / adhesives & sealants portfolio competes with CRC's Weld-Aid and sealant products. Henkel is a diversified multinational with a much larger portfolio but overlaps in industrial chemical maintenance categories.
• Illinois Tool Works: ITW's automotive and industrial segments (including chemical solutions) compete with CRC's MRO, parts washing, and welding chemical lines. ITW is a diversified industrial conglomerate with significant chemicals exposure relevant to several CRC categories.
• Valvoline: Valvoline's lubricants and chemical additives portfolio competes with CRC's Sta-Lube gear oils, K&W Trans-X, and specialty lubricant sub-brands. Valvoline's larger lubricants business makes it a broader incumbent rather than a pure specialty chemicals peer.

Emerging players

• Sprayon / Sherwin-Williams Industrial Brands: Sprayon (part of Sherwin-Williams' Industrial Brands division) produces specialty aerosol chemicals including cleaners, lubricants, and corrosion inhibitors targeting industrial MRO customers. Comparable aerosol-format, multi-SKU industrial maintenance portfolio.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/CRCAuto
• YouTubeyoutube.com/CRCAutoUS
• Facebookfacebook.com/crcauto
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/crc-industries
• Instagraminstagram.com/crcauto
• TikToktiktok.com/@crcindustries

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries11 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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

M&A1 record

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about CRC Industries