Recochem

What Recochem does

Recochem Inc. is a Montreal-headquartered, privately held specialty chemicals company founded in 1951 by Joseph Kuchar, currently owned by CapVest Partners following the 2023 buyout from H.I.G Capital. The company formulates, manufactures, contract packages, and wholesale distributes household and transportation fluids across six product categories: thermal management (automotive and heavy-duty coolants, heat transfer fluids), emission control (Diesel Exhaust Fluid under Air1, Shell Rotella, and H2Blu brands), safety (windshield washer fluids including Rain-X ClearView), appearance (car care under Adam's Polishes, Simoniz, POR-15, and Auto-Chem), household (solvents, cleaners, outdoor products under Solvable, Varsol, Diggers, WinterProof), and industrial solutions (alcohols, glycols, solvents, degreasers).

The company's underlying technology base centers on proprietary chemical formulations (including coolant technology acquired from Dow Chemical in 1997), vertically integrated blow moulding packaging (60 million custom bottles annually), one of only five ASTM-certified testing laboratories in North America, ISO 9001:2015 and TS16949 certifications across all global facilities, and six innovation centers supporting R&D. Daily production capacity of 500,000 gallons and 30 million kilograms annually at Brisbane underscore industrial scale. In May 2025 the corporate group was renamed Performance Fluid Experts Group (PFX Group) to unify acquired and legacy brands.

Recochem serves automotive, heavy-duty, retail, OEM, household, and industrial customers through a multi-channel go-to-market spanning retail chains, big box, gas/convenience, auto dealerships, grocery and pharmacy, OEM supply contracts (including John Deere and a major North American automaker), industrial distributors, and direct-to-consumer e-commerce. Manufacturing is conducted in 8 countries (Canada, USA, Belgium, Australia, China, India plus additional offices in UK, UAE, Morocco, Singapore, New Zealand, and Mexico), with private label and contract manufacturing services supplementing branded product sales. Pricing is quote-based and volume-negotiated for B2B and industrial customers and channel-dependent for consumer retail.

Name

Recochem

Legal name

Recochem Inc.

Website

http://www.recochem.com/

Company type

Private

Founded year

1951

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Recochem is a Montreal-based, PE-owned specialty chemicals manufacturer (now operating as PFX Group) that formulates and distributes coolants, antifreeze, DEF, car care, household, and industrial fluid products globally under brands including Prestone, Adam's Polishes, Holts, Diggers, and KOST USA.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals (Automotive & Household Fluids Manufacturing)

NAICS

Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (42469), Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Miscellaneous Plastics Products (3080)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Lubricants, Fluids & Chemical Products Distribution (Oils, Coolants, AdBlue/DEF, Cleaners) (TLAKAOAL), Extrusion Blow-Molded Containers (HDPE/PET Bottles & Jugs) (IMANAGAA)

Keywords

• Automotive coolant manufacturing
• Antifreeze formulation
• Heat transfer fluids
• Diesel exhaust fluid
• Car care chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Montréal

HQ country

Canada

HQ region

North America

Offices19 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, Others

Revenue model

1. Product Sales - Transportation Fluids: Sale of automotive and heavy-duty coolants, antifreeze, and transportation fluids to retail, wholesale, and OEM customers
2. Product Sales - Household Chemicals: Sale of household cleaning, maintenance, and specialty chemical products
3. Private Label Manufacturing: Custom formulation and manufacturing of products under customer brands for retail and distribution partners
4. Distribution Services: Warehouse and distribution services for chemical products across North America and global markets

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels8 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Recochem is a global specialty chemical manufacturer that formulates, produces, packages, and distributes household and transportation fluids, including automotive and heavy-duty coolants/antifreeze, Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF), windshield washer fluids, car care products, household solvents and cleaners, and industrial chemicals (alcohols, glycols, solvents, degreasers). The company also offers private label contract manufacturing, bulk fluid distribution services, and vertically integrated blow moulding packaging. Its portfolio spans over ten owned brands including Prestone, Adam's Polishes, Holts, Diggers, OEM, HD Expert, Engine Ice, POR-15, Solvable, and Solutherm.

Product overview

Recochem is a global leader in formulating, producing, contract packaging and wholesale distribution of household and transportation fluids with over 75 years of experience. The company operates as a multi-national, privately held organization unified under Performance Fluid Experts Group (PFX Group) in 2025, encompassing brands including Prestone, Adam's Polishes, HD Expert, Holts, Diggers, OEM, Engine Ice, POR-15, Solvable, and Solutherm. The product portfolio spans six core categories: Thermal Management Solutions (automotive coolants, heavy duty coolants, heat transfer fluids including Solutherm for data center cooling), Emission Control Solutions (Diesel Exhaust Fluid under Air1, Shell Rotella, and H2Blu brands), Safety Solutions (windshield washer fluids including Rain-X ClearView), Appearance Solutions (car care products under Adam's Polishes, AutoChem, Simoniz, and POR-15), Household Solutions (solvents, cleaners, adhesives, outdoor products under Solvable, Varsol, Diggers, and WinterProof brands), and Industrial Solutions (alcohols, glycols, solvents, degreasers, janitorial products). Recochem serves automotive, heavy duty, retail, gas/convenience, OEM, household, and industrial customers through global manufacturing and distribution facilities across North America, Europe, Australia, China, India, and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Prestone Automotive Coolant/Antifreeze Antifreeze, coolant, brake fluid, and power steering fluid for passenger vehicles sold in North America under the historic Prestone brand (founded 1927, acquired by Recochem in 2024). For automotive service centers, dealerships, and DIY consumers.
• OEM Antifreeze/Coolant Automotive fluids specifically formulated for OEM vehicles with a color-coded system and online EasyMatch tool for easy vehicle-to-fluid matching. Provides maximum protection, performance, and quality for OEM service-fill applications.
• HD Expert Heavy-Duty Coolant/Antifreeze Heavy-duty antifreeze and coolant solutions for every heavy-duty application, protecting engines through the toughest conditions. Complete lineup of six HD coolant formulations. For commercial trucks, buses, construction equipment, and agricultural machinery.
• Turbo Power EVX Electric Vehicle Coolants Electric vehicle thermal management product line including Turbo Power EVX Pink (EV battery thermal management coolant) and Turbo Power EVX Low Conductivity Fluid for applications requiring reduced electrical conductivity. For EV manufacturers and aftermarket EV service.
• Solutherm Heat Transfer Fluids Glycol-based heat transfer fluids for HVAC and data center cooling applications. For industrial thermal management and high-density cooling environments.
• Air1 Diesel Exhaust Fluid (DEF) Diesel exhaust fluid (DEF) for reducing nitrogen oxides (NOx) emissions from diesel-powered vehicles and equipment. Supplied to heavy-duty diesel market, fleet operators, and retail fuel channels under the Air1 brand.
• Blue Network DEF Distribution Service
• Rain-X ClearView Windshield Washer Fluid Powerful windshield washer fluid for intense cleaning and deicing to keep drivers confident in any weather. For consumer and commercial vehicle use.
• Adam's Polishes Car Care Products Specialty car care products including car shampoos, cleaners, protectors, polishes, and ceramic coatings for exterior and interior surfaces of cars, trucks, RVs, and boats. For automotive enthusiasts and detailing professionals.
• Holts Car Care Products Car care products brand solving car problems since 1919, keeping vehicles on the road. For UK and European automotive aftermarket consumers.
• Solvable Solvents and Cleaners Professional solvents for painting, refinishing, stripping, and cleaning solutions including water-based degreaser, all-purpose remover, TSP concentrate, and low odour paint thinner. For professional contractors and DIY consumers.
• Diggers Consumer Solvents (Australia) Australia's biggest selling consumer solvents brand with over 100 products in the range, serving hardware and paint channels. Includes citronella torch and lamp oil for outdoor use.
• WinterProof Plumbing/Water System Antifreeze
• Redex Fuel Additives
• POR-15 Rust Protection Coatings
• Private Label Manufacturing Services Contract manufacturing and private label filling services for thermal management fluids, emission control, safety, appearance, and household solutions. Includes custom formulation design or expert-recommended solutions. For retail chains, big box stores, and brand owners seeking private label products.
• Recochem Learning Lab (LMS Training)
• Blow Moulding and Packaging Services
• UltraClear Bulk Fluid Distribution
• Recosol Industrial Solvents
• Recochem Industrial Alcohols
• Engine ICE Powersports Coolant
• Simoniz Car Detailing Products

Quantifiable outcome

• One of five ASTM-certified testing laboratories in North America
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• Tianjin Changlu Salt Industry Co. LtdcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture partnership in China for local manufacturing and distribution of chemical products. Tianjin Changlu Salt Industry Co. Ltd is a Chinese state-owned enterprise specializing in salt and chemical production.

Scale indicators9 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Old World Industries: Privately held US manufacturer of PEAK antifreeze/coolant and other automotive chemicals. Direct competitor to Recochem/Prestone in North American antifreeze, with overlapping big box and OEM distribution.
• Prestone Products (historical): Prestone was an independent antifreeze/coolant brand founded 1927 before being acquired by Recochem in 2024. Now part of Recochem but historically a peer benchmark in North American antifreeze market share.
• Turtle Wax: US-based car care products manufacturer directly comparable to Recochem's Adam's Polishes, Auto-Chem, and Simoniz brands. Overlapping retail and automotive aftermarket channels with similar consumer positioning.
• Yara International: Global leader in DEF/AdBlue production and distribution for diesel emissions compliance. Directly competes with Recochem's Blue Network and Air1 DEF in heavy-duty trucking and agricultural diesel markets.

Emerging players

• Univar Solutions: North American chemical distributor handling industrial solvents, glycols, and specialty chemicals. Comparable to Recochem's industrial distribution channel for alcohols, glycols, and solvents to industrial customers.

Broad incumbents

• Shell (Shell Rotella / Pennzoil): Global energy major whose Shell Rotella DEF and lubricants overlap with Recochem's heavy-duty coolant, DEF, and fuel additive portfolio. Recochem already produces Shell Rotella-branded DEF under license, indicating close product and channel overlap.
• Valvoline: US-based lubricants and automotive chemicals company with overlapping coolant, DEF, and fuel additive products. Comparable channel mix through retail auto parts, quick lubes, and OEM relationships.
• BASF (Glysantin): Global chemical major and OEM supplier of Glysantin engine coolants to European automakers. Competes with Recochem in OEM factory-fill coolant specifications and in industrial heat transfer fluids through its functional fluids portfolio.
• Castrol (BP): BP-owned lubricants and automotive fluids brand with global distribution in coolants, brake fluids, and car care. Comparable to Recochem in automotive specialty fluids sold through retail, OEM, and industrial channels.
• 3M (Meguiar's): 3M owns Meguiar's, a leading car care brand. Competes with Adam's Polishes, Simoniz, and POR-15 in auto detailing, ceramic coatings, and appearance solutions through overlapping retail and professional channels.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/recochem
• Xx.com/RecochemInc

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries15 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds2 records

Investors2 records

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

M&A8 records

Investments

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

Frequently asked questions about Recochem