Natural Chemistry

What Natural Chemistry does

Natural Chemistry, operating under the corporate entity NC Brands L.P., is a specialty chemical company that develops and markets pool and spa water care products. The company pioneered the use of naturally-based enzyme technology in recreational water care since its 1989 founding, anchored by its proprietary SMARTZyme platform (thousands of enzymes that break down non-living organic waste such as body oils, cosmetics, and sunscreens) and its patented Phosfree lanthanum-based phosphate removal chemistry. Its product portfolio spans pool maintenance (Pool Perfect family, Pool First Aid, Pool Magic), phosphate removal (Phosfree, Phosfree Max, Phosfree Extra Strength), stain and scale treatments (Metalfree, Stainfree, Scalefree), problem solvers (Coverfree liquid solar blanket, Instant Pool Water Conditioner, Filter Perfect, Green to Clean, Yellow Out), opening/closing products, and a full spa line including sanitizers and balancers. The company sells through an established network of pool/spa dealers, retail "Where to Buy" locations, a dedicated PRO SERIES professional/commercial channel, and Natural Chemistry Canada, with proprietary manufacturing in Syracuse, NY and Campbellford, Ontario.

Revenue is generated principally through one-time unit sales across multiple SKUs (liquids in 16oz-3L sizes and powders in 1.75-4lb sizes) at consumer retail and professional commercial price points, distributed through the dealer and retail network. Natural Chemistry has historically grown via acquisition, absorbing SeaKlear (2016), Red Leopard (2015), Aqualus (2017), and Coral Seas (2017), and consolidated its US/Canada operations under the NC Brands umbrella in 2016. The company was acquired by KIK Custom Products Inc. (parent of Bio-Lab, Inc.) in January 2019, becoming a wholly-owned subsidiary within that conglomerate's broader recreational water care platform.

The company serves three primary customer segments: residential pool and spa owners (primary), pool service professionals, and commercial pool operators, addressing pain points including algae prevention, phosphate management, cloudy water, metal staining, scale buildup, chlorine UV loss, evaporation/heat loss, and filter maintenance. Manufacturing is anchored at vertically integrated facilities in Syracuse, NY and Campbellford, Ontario, with formulation and packaging capabilities supporting both owned and acquired brands.

Name

Natural Chemistry

Legal name

NC Brands L.P.

Website

https://naturalchemistry.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Acquired

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Natural Chemistry (NC Brands L.P.) develops and markets specialty pool and spa water care chemicals built on proprietary SMARTZyme enzyme technology and patented Phosfree phosphate removal, selling through North American dealers, retail channels, and a PRO SERIES professional line.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Pool and Spa Chemicals

NAICS

Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing (325611), Surface Active Agent Manufacturing (325613)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Pool & Spa Chemicals (Chlorination, pH Control, Algaecides) (CRAJAKAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Water Testing & Chemical Balancing (HSAIALAB), Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAN)

Keywords

• Pool and spa chemicals
• Specialty water care
• Enzyme-based treatments
• Phosphate removal products
• Professional pool maintenance

Headquarters

HQ city

Northland

HQ country

New Zealand

HQ region

Oceania

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Pool and Spa Chemical Products: Natural Chemistry generates revenue through the sale of specialty chemical products for recreational pool and spa water care. Products include enzyme-based maintenance treatments, phosphate removers, stain and scale removers, balancers, and sanitizers sold in various sizes to both consumer and commercial markets.
2. Branded Product Sales: Revenue from selling products under owned brands (Natural Chemistry, SeaKlear, PRO SERIES, Red Leopard) and acquired brands (Coral Seas products including Yellow Out and Green to Clean). Products sold through dealer network and retail locations.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Natural Chemistry manufactures and distributes specialty chemical products for recreational pool and spa water care, including enzyme-based maintenance treatments, patented phosphate removers, stain and scale preventers, problem solvers (algae treatments, clarifiers, liquid solar blankets), sanitizers, balancers, and pool opening/closing products. Products are sold under multiple brands — Natural Chemistry, SeaKlear, AquaPill, PRO SERIES, and Red Leopard — to residential pool/spa owners, pool service professionals, and commercial pool operators across North America.

Product overview

Natural Chemistry is a specialty chemical company that provides pool and spa water care products. The company pioneered the use of naturally based enzyme technology in pool and spa water care since the late 1980s. The product portfolio consists of multiple sub-brands under NC Brands (parent company): Natural Chemistry, SeaKlear, AquaPill, PRO SERIES, and Red Leopard. The core offerings include: Pool maintenance products (Pool Perfect family with enzyme technology including Pool Perfect®, Pool Perfect + Phosfree®, Pool Perfect Total™, and Pool Perfect Max™); Pool phosphate removal products (Phosfree®, Phosfree Max™, Phosfree Extra Strength®); Pool problem solvers (Pool First Aid™, Instant Pool Water Conditioner®, Coverfree®, Filter Perfect™); Pool stain & scale products (Metalfree™, Stainfree™, Stainfree Extra Strength™, Scalefree™); Pool opening/closing products (Pool Magic Spring & Fall, Pool Magic + Phosfree®); Algae treatment products (Green to Clean®, Yellow Out®, Green Aid); Spa maintenance products (Spa Perfect®, Spa Cleanse Weekly, Spa Metalfree™, Spa Stain & Scale™); Spa problem solvers (Spa Defoamer Plus™, Spa Purge™, Spa Clarify™, Spa Phosphate Remover™); Spa sanitizers (Spa Brominating Concentrate™, Spa Bromine Tabs™, Spa Chlorine Concentrate™, Spa Oxidizing Shock™); and Spa balancers (pH Increaser/Decreaser, Calcium Increaser, Alkalinity Increaser). The products utilize key technologies including SMARTZyme enzyme technology for breaking down non-living organic waste and patented Phosfree lanthanum-based phosphate removal technology.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• SeaKlear: Pool and spa specialty chemical brand acquired from HaloSource in 2016. Known for specialty pool water care products.
• AquaPill
• PRO SERIES
• Red Leopard
• Yellow Out
• Green to Clean

Products and services

• Pool Perfect Enzyme-based weekly maintenance product for residential pools that breaks down non-living organic waste, reduces waterline rings, and acts as a continuous filter cleaner.
• Pool Perfect + Phosfree Combined weekly maintenance product that pairs SMARTZyme enzyme treatment with phosphate removal for residential pool water care.
• Pool Perfect Total Concentrated three-in-one maintenance product combining naturally-based enzymes to break down waste, phosphate removal to control contamination, and advanced clarification to polish pool water.
• Pool Perfect Max Premier maintenance formulation that acts as a continuous filter cleaner, removes maintenance-level phosphates, reduces scrubbing of scum lines, and polishes water to sparkle.
• Phosfree Pool phosphate remover formulated from lanthanum (rare earth) compounds that works in the filter without clouding pool water and reduces phosphates to near zero.
• Phosfree Max High-intensity phosphate remover designed for both residential and commercial pool use, removes very high phosphate levels in 24 hours with simplified dosing.
• Phosfree Extra Strength Phosphate remover with a blend of technologies for handling high-range phosphate levels in pools.
• Pool First Aid Problem solver combining SMARTZyme technology with a clarifier to clean dead algae, pollen, oils, and other non-living organic contamination, clearing cloudy pools fast.
• Instant Pool Water Conditioner Liquid chlorine stabilizer (salt-based, not acidic) that protects chlorine from UV sunlight loss, dissolves instantly, and does not damage pool surfaces or equipment.
• Coverfree Liquid Solar Blanket Advanced mono-layer liquid solar blanket that forms an invisible barrier on the water surface to conserve water and heat by reducing evaporation.
• Metalfree Phosphate-free metal chelating agent that protects against staining and discoloration from trace metals such as iron and copper.
• Stainfree Citric-acid-based product that removes metal staining on pool liners and finishes, safe for all pool surfaces and compatible with all sanitizing systems.
• Stainfree Extra Strength Premium 100% ascorbic acid stain fighter that quickly removes stubborn metal stains without adding phosphates, safe for all pool surfaces.
• Scalefree Phosphate-free stain and scale prevention product that protects pools from calcium, iron, copper and other mineral scale buildup without harsh acids.
• Green to Clean Chemical breakthrough for green algae cleanup, used prior to shock treatment with an EPA-registered chlorinating compound.
• Yellow Out Chemical breakthrough for yellow (mustard) algae cleanup; works at higher pH levels (7.8+) and is not affected by high cyanuric acid levels.
• Filter Perfect Concentrated acid-free deep cleaning solution that removes buildup on pool filters caused by oils, grease, and non-living organics.
• Pool Magic Spring & Fall SMARTZyme-based product for cold-water application, designed to control non-living organic contamination during off-season and reduce pool opening workload.
• Pool Magic + Phosfree Combined enzyme and phosphate-removal product for fast and easy pool openings and closings, including with mesh covers.
• Spa Perfect SMARTZyme-based spa maintenance product that reduces body oils, cosmetics, suntan lotions, and hair products while acting as a continuous cartridge filter cleaner.
• Spa Cleanse Weekly Concentrated blend of naturally-based enzymes and phosphate remover that reduces non-living organic contaminants like body oils, cosmetics, and suntan lotions in spas.
• Spa Metalfree Phosphate-free metal chelating agent that protects spas against staining and discoloration from trace metals such as iron and copper.
• Spa Stain & Scale Spa stain and scale control product that protects against calcium, iron, copper, and other mineral scale buildup without phosphates or harsh acids.
• Spa Defoamer Plus Spa foam remover combining two technologies to clear cloudy or foamy spa water quickly.
• Spa Purge Spa plumbing purge that attacks non-living organic waste buildup in spa plumbing, circulation systems, and filters.
• Spa Clarify Chitosan-based spa clarifier that clears cloudy water and works with high sanitizer levels and during spa shocking.
• Spa Phosphate Remover Spa phosphate remover that quickly reduces existing high phosphate levels and protects spa equipment from calcium phosphate scale.
• Spa Sanitizer Line (Brominating Concentrate, Bromine Tabs, Chlorine Concentrate, Oxidizing Shock) Range of spa sanitizing products including brominating concentrate, bromine tabs, chlorine concentrate, and oxidizing shock for effective spa sanitation.
• Spa Balancers (pH Increaser, pH Decreaser, Calcium Increaser, Alkalinity Increaser) Full line of spa water balancing products including pH increaser, pH decreaser, calcium increaser, and alkalinity increaser for optimum water balance.
• SeaKlear Brand Portfolio (pool and spa specialty chemicals) Pool and spa specialty chemical brand acquired from HaloSource in 2016, covering additional specialty pool water care products marketed alongside the Natural Chemistry line.
• PRO SERIES Professional Line Products formatted for pool service professionals and commercial pool operators, distributed through a professional dealer channel under NC Brands.

Quantifiable outcome

• SMARTZyme enzymes reduce filter cleaning frequency and scrubbing of waterline/scum rings
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 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.

• KIK Custom Products Inc. / Bio-LabcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 28 January 2019KIK Custom Products Inc., parent company of Bio-Lab, acquired NC Brands L.P. (parent of Natural Chemistry) in January 2019. The acquisition combined NC Brands' specialty chemicals portfolio with Bio-Lab's scale and reach, bringing Natural Chemistry products to a wider pool and spa owner audience. Jon Viner, President of BioLab, noted NC Brands' exceptional market recognition in specialty chemicals and strong customer relationships as complementary to BioLab's existing portfolio.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves11 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Clorox (Clorox Pool & Spa): Clorox Pool & Spa is a major consumer-brand pool chemicals business (chlorine, algaecides, balancers) serving residential pool owners through mass retail. Highly comparable as a direct pool/spa specialty chemical competitor with broader distribution scale.
• Lonza (Arch Chemicals Pool & Spa): Lonza's Arch Chemicals business historically produced pool and spa sanitizers (e.g., Baquacil, SpaGuard) serving pool owners. Comparable as a larger specialty chemical player with overlapping sanitizer/algicide product lines in residential pool maintenance.

Direct peers

• Bio-Lab (KIK Custom Products): Bio-Lab is the sister brand and parent-distributed pool/spa chemicals business under KIK Custom Products. Closest comparable for product portfolio (sanitizers, balancers, algaecides) and now distribution overlap following the 2019 acquisition.
• SeaKlear: SeaKlear is now a sub-brand of NC Brands (acquired 2016) but historically operated as a standalone pool/spa specialty chemical brand since the 1980s. Directly comparable specialty chemical portfolio with overlapping dealer distribution.
• HaloSource: HaloSource was the former parent of the SeaKlear pool/spa chemicals line prior to NC Brands' 2016 acquisition. A specialty chemical company focused on water purification technologies; highly comparable in technology positioning and channel overlap.
• GLB Pool & Spa: GLB is an independent specialty manufacturer of pool and spa chemicals (algaecides, clarifiers, balancers) serving dealer networks. Comparable specialty chemical manufacturer targeting the same residential pool/spa owner customer with similar chemistries.
• Robelle: Robelle is a mid-sized specialty pool products manufacturer offering chemicals, algaecides, and maintenance items via dealer and retail channels. Closely comparable in product mix, channel strategy, and mid-sized competitor profile.
• SpaGuard: SpaGuard is a recognized spa and hot tub specialty chemical brand offering sanitizers, balancers, and clarifiers for spa owners. Highly comparable spa-specific chemical line with similar dealer distribution strategy.
• Applied Biochemists: Applied Biochemists is a specialty manufacturer of algaecides and pool water treatment chemicals including phosphate removers, serving professional and consumer channels. Closely comparable in algae and phosphate-removal chemistry overlap.

Emerging players

• Lo-Chlor Chemicals: Lo-Chlor is a specialty manufacturer of pool and spa treatment chemicals known for stain/scale and pool problem-solving products. Comparable in problem-solving specialty chemistry targeting both residential and commercial pool operators.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/user/NaturalChemistry
• Facebookfacebook.com/NaturalChemistryPoolSpa
• Pinterestpinterest.com/naturalchemistry
• Xx.com/NaturalChemPool
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/natural-chemistry-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Subsidiaries7 records

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 Natural Chemistry