Radco Industries

What Radco Industries does

Radco Industries, LLC is a privately-held specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 1970 and headquartered in Batavia, Illinois, operating with 11-50 employees. The company designs, formulates, and manufactures two branded product lines: XCELTHERM heat transfer fluids (synthetic thermal fluids, hot oil HTFs, dielectric fluids, silicone HTFs, marine Coast Guard-approved fluids, system cleaners, and asphalt-industry fluids) and RADCOLUBE military performance fluids (MIL-SPEC hydraulic fluids, jet engine oils, lubricating oils, dielectric cooling fluids, degreasing solvents, and corrosion inhibitors). The underlying technology centers on proprietary chemical formulations meeting stringent military performance specifications (MIL-PRF-87257, MIL-PRF-83282, MIL-PRF-5606, MIL-PRF-6081, MIL-PRF-6085, MIL-PRF-7870, among others), NSF HT1 food-contact ratings, and US Coast Guard marine approvals, all backed by an ISO 9001 quality management system recertified through 2027.

The company serves three primary verticals: military/defense (global armed forces using Mil-Spec lubricants across air, land, and sea applications), aerospace (commercial and private aviation including Textron Aviation, Embraer, Bombardier, GE Aircraft Engines, Pratt & Whitney, Bell Helicopter, Honeywell, and Rolls Royce), and industrial/energy (petroleum refineries, synthetic fiber plants, steel mills, asphalt, solar, marine transportation, and food-contact applications). Revenue is generated through unit-priced hardware sales of packaged fluids (ranging from $33.56 per quart to $1,448.92 per 5-gallon pail) distributed via the company's own e-commerce storefront and an approved distributor network, supported by technical resources, fluid analysis services, and direct sales engagement.

The business model is sales-led, relying on direct customer engagement through website quote requests, contact forms, distributor relationships, and technical support. Strategic direction in recent years emphasizes vertical expansion into renewable energy (West Biofuels partnership, solar HTFs), marine transportation (Coast Guard-approved fluids), and food-contact applications (NSF HT1), while maintaining the MIL-SPEC backbone that anchors its core military and aerospace revenue. The company holds no disclosed external funding, operates without a parent company or subsidiaries, and remains founder/management-owned.

Name

Radco Industries

Legal name

Radco Industries, LLC

Website

https://radcoind.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Radco Industries is a Batavia, Illinois-based specialty chemicals manufacturer (founded 1970) producing XCELTHERM heat transfer fluids and RADCOLUBE MIL-SPEC military and aerospace lubricants for global armed forces, aerospace primes, and industrial energy customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Industrial Chemicals

NAICS

Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Heavy-Duty Lubricants (IMAEAMAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Gear Oils & Transmission Fluids (IMAEAMAE), Greases & Specialty Lubricants (Greases, Pastes, Chain Oils, Silicone/Fluoro) (EUALAJAJ), Automotive Lubricants (PCMO, HDMO, ATF, Gear Oils, Coolants) (EUALAJAH), Marine Lubricants Supply & Services (Cylinder/System Oils) (TLAHAKAJ)

Keywords

• Heat transfer fluids
• Military lubricants
• MIL-SPEC fluids
• Aerospace hydraulic fluids
• Specialty thermal oils

Headquarters

HQ city

Batavia

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Revenue model

1. Specialty Fluids and Lubricants Sales: Radco Industries generates revenue through the manufacture and sale of specialty fluids and lubricants, including heat transfer fluids, military lubricants, and aerospace products. Products are sold directly through their website shop and through distributor relationships.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Radco Industries designs and manufactures specialty fluids and lubricants under two branded product lines: XCELTHERM (heat transfer fluids for industrial, solar, asphalt, and marine applications) and RADCOLUBE (military and aerospace performance fluids). The portfolio includes synthetic thermal fluids, MIL-SPEC hydraulic fluids, jet engine oils, dielectric fluids, hot oil transfer fluids, cleaners, and corrosion inhibitors sold in package sizes from quarts to 55-gallon drums.

Product overview

Radco Industries is a manufacturer of specialty fluids and lubricants with two primary branded product lines: XCELTHERM® heat transfer fluids and RADCOLUBE® military performance fluids. The XCELTHERM® line includes synthetic thermal fluids (MK1, LV1, SST, TPL, XT, 315, 500), hot oil heat transfer fluids (600, CA, 4000, HFF), dielectric fluids (DE), silicone heat transfer fluids (SX500, SX800), asphalt industry fluids (ASP), US Coast Guard approved marine fluids (Marine-S, 445FP), system cleaners and flushing fluids (LT, FF, CLX, TLX), and process fluids (Diphenyl Oxide). The RADCOLUBE® line covers military/aerospace hydraulic fluids (FR257, FR282, RHP5606, RHP6083), jet engine oils (6081, 6081N, 6085), general lubricating oils (7870, LTGO, 17331), dielectric/cooling fluids (500M, NLT), cleaners and degreasers (680 Type 2, 680 Type 4, C937-4), corrosion inhibitors (CPC-3), and petroleum-based hydraulic fluids (2075, 2110, 2135). All products are supported by Radco's ISO 9001 quality system and many carry MIL-SPEC or NATO code designations for military and aerospace applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• XCELTHERM: Heat transfer fluids product line including synthetic thermal fluids, hot oil fluids, dielectric fluids, and silicone heat transfer fluids for industrial applications.
• RADCOLUBE

Products and services

• XCELTHERM MK1 Synthetic heat transfer fluid for liquid or vapor phase operation up to 750°F (400°C); chemical equivalent to DOWTHERM A. Used in petroleum refineries, synthetic fiber plants, and other industrial heat transfer systems.
• XCELTHERM LV1 Heat transfer fluid for liquid or vapor phase up to 700°F (370°C); biphenyl-free, non-hazardous alternative to DOWTHERM A and THERMINOL VP-1 for industrial processes.
• XCELTHERM SST High operating temperature heat transfer fluid rated to 675°F (357°C) at low pressure for liquid phase application in industrial heat transfer systems.
• XCELTHERM TPL Direct replacement for Hydrogenated Terphenyl-based heat transfer fluids; chemically equivalent to DOWTHERM RP and THERMINOL 66; fouling-resistant synthetic for low pressure systems operating up to 650°F (345°C).
• XCELTHERM XT High efficiency heating/cooling fluid with -70°F to 650°F range (-57°C to 345°C); liquid or vapor phase, 527°F (275°C) initial boiling point for industrial heating and cooling systems.
• XCELTHERM 315 Economical synthetic thermal oil rated to 550°F (288°C) with very high resistance to oxidation and high resistance to sludge and fouling, used in industrial heat transfer systems.
• XCELTHERM 500 Heat transfer fluid with range from -80°F to 500°F (-60°C to 260°C); non-toxic, odorless and food contact rated (NSF HT1) for food processing and general industrial use.
• XCELTHERM 600 Premium thermal oil for use up to 600°F (315°C), longest life of any fluid of its type; non-toxic, odorless; food contact rated, NSF HT1 FDA for food processing and industrial applications.
• XCELTHERM CA Non-toxic, high purity, premium thermal fluid featuring superior economy for use up to 600°F (316°C) in industrial heat transfer applications.
• XCELTHERM 4000 Heating or cooling thermal fluid from -50°F to 640°F (-45°C to 338°C); non-toxic, odorless and food contact rated for industrial applications.
• XCELTHERM HFF High flash point petroleum-based heat transfer fluid with flash point greater than 410°F (210°C); non-toxic for use up to 600°F (315°C).
• XCELTHERM DE Dielectric/cooling fluid with maximum bulk operating temperature of 626°F (330°C), pour point below -85°F, and dielectric breakdown voltage of 70 kV using a benzyltoluene/diphenylethane formulation.
• XCELTHERM SX500 Polydimethylsiloxane-based silicone heat transfer fluid for laboratory/testing bath applications with operating temperatures from -40°C to 230°C in closed systems.
• XCELTHERM SX800 Silicone-based heat transfer fluid for high thermal stability and oxidative resistance at operating temperatures up to 750°F (400°C).
• XCELTHERM ASP Heat transfer fluid developed for the asphalt industry with superior resistance to heat stress, non-toxic and aromatic free.
• XCELTHERM Marine-S US Coast Guard approved synthetic heat transfer fluid for marine transportation industry with exceptionally high fire and flash points for fired thermal fluid heaters on barges.
• XCELTHERM 445FP High flash point heat transfer fluid of 445°F (229°C) that meets US Coast Guard Marine requirements for marine vessels and barge heating systems.
• XCELTHERM CLX Cleaner One-step non-hazardous cleaning agent for heat transfer systems with fouling and degradation issues; restores heat transfer and removes degradation material while running production.
• Diphenyl Oxide (DPO) Chemical intermediate used as heat transfer fluid and/or process fluid in industrial applications.
• RADCOLUBE FR257 Synthetic, fire-resistant hydraulic fluid consisting of synthetic hydrocarbon base oils and additives for military and aerospace applications; MIL-PRF-87257F specification.
• RADCOLUBE FR282 Synthetic, fire-resistant hydraulic fluid consisting of synthetic hydrocarbon base oils and additives for military and aerospace applications; MIL-PRF-83282D(1) specification.
• RADCOLUBE RHP5606 Petroleum-based, non-synthetic hydraulic fluid for hydraulic systems operating in the -54°C to 135°C temperature range; MIL-PRF-5606K specification for military and aerospace use.
• RADCOLUBE RHP6083 Rust-inhibited petroleum hydraulic fluid consisting of synthetic hydrocarbon base oils and additives for preservation and operational hydraulic systems; MIL-PRF-6083G specification.
• RADCOLUBE 6081 Petroleum-based jet engine lubricating oil, 1010 Grade for use in specific models of military jet engines; MIL-PRF-6081E GR 1010 specification.
• RADCOLUBE 6081N

Named customers15 records

Segments7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• West BiofuelsminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership for biofuel-related heat transfer fluid applications. Radco has partnered with West Biofuels to develop and supply heat transfer fluids for bioenergy applications.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Solutia (Eastman subsidiary): Now part of Eastman, this entity historically produced Therminol VP-1 and other specialty HTFs; the combined business is the closest peer in biphenyl/diphenyl-oxide chemistry that competes with XCELTHERM MK1 and DPO offerings.
• Quaker Houghton: Specialty industrial fluids and metalworking fluid manufacturer whose portfolio of heat transfer fluids, hydraulic fluids, and process fluids competes with Radco's XCELTHERM HTFs and RADCOLUBE industrial hydraulic offerings in the industrial end market.
• Dow Chemical Company: Producer of DOWTHERM A and DOWTHERM RP heat transfer fluids, which Radco's XCELTHERM MK1 and TPL products are explicitly positioned against as chemical equivalents. Direct competitor in synthetic aromatic and hydrogenated terphenyl HTF chemistries.
• Eastman Chemical Company: Manufactures the Therminol line of heat transfer fluids that compete head-to-head with XCELTHERM products such as LV1 (vs Therminol VP-1) and TPL (vs Therminol 66). Eastman is the most direct specialty HTF peer with overlapping temperature ratings and chemistry platforms.

Broad incumbents

• Shell Lubricants: Major lubricant producer with broad industrial and aerospace product lines (e.g., Tellus hydraulic fluids, AeroShell turbine oils) that overlap with Radco's RADCOLUBE hydraulic and lubricating oil offerings across both commercial and defense markets.
• Chevron Phillips Chemical: Produces specialty base oils and process fluids that can substitute into industrial heat transfer and lubricant applications; competes indirectly with Radco in industrial fluid and specialty chemical supply chains.
• Petro-Canada Lubricants: Refinery-integrated lubricants producer with PURITY and HYDREX lines overlapping with Radco's petroleum-based hydraulic, turbine, and gear oil products in industrial markets.
• Lubrizol (Berkshire Hathaway): Specialty chemical company producing lubricant additives and finished fluid formulations; while primarily additive-focused, it serves overlapping base-oil and additive chemistries for industrial and aerospace lubricant end markets.
• Castrol (BP): Global industrial and aviation lubricant brand (including Castrol Brayco hydraulic fluids) that competes with RADCOLUBE in aerospace hydraulic fluids and adjacent industrial lubricant categories.
• ExxonMobil Product Solutions: Global lubricants leader with Mobil DTE hydraulic and turbine oils and Mobil aviation product lines. Overlaps with Radco's industrial hydraulic and aerospace lubricant portfolio and competes on commercial aerospace approvals.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/radcoindustries

Compliance2 records

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 Radco Industries