The Pulcra Chemicals

What The Pulcra Chemicals does

Pulcra Chemicals is a German specialty chemicals manufacturer that develops and sells process auxiliaries and chemical formulations for the fiber, textile, and leather industries. The company operates three core divisions — Textile Auxiliaries (spinning, sizing, pretreatment, dyeing, printing and finishing), Fiber Auxiliaries / Process Chemicals (lubricants, spin finishes and nonwoven preparations for polyamide, polyester, polypropylene, acrylic, glass and cellulose fibers, including the KATAX cationic glass-fiber lubricant line), and Leather Auxiliaries (beamhouse, tanning, retanning, fatliquoring and finishing chemistries) — across a portfolio of more than 5,000 products sold under long-established brands such as PULCRA, CORATYL, DRASIL, PELLAN, FORYL, SIRIAL, REPELLAN, STANTEX, BREVIOL, PULCRA Naturalis and (post-2021 acquisition) Devan's Purissimo NTL. The product range is anchored in proprietary technology platforms including polymer-based denim dyeing (BREVIOL), probiotic-encapsulated allergen control (Purissimo NTL), PFAS-free durable water repellents (PULCRA TEC NIO) and biobased leather chemistries with at least 80% renewable carbon content (Pulcra Naturalis).

The company traces its origins to 1876 as part of Henkel, was spun out as part of Cognis in 1986, divested to financial investors in 1999, and became independent as the Pulcra Group in 2007. It is registered in Germany as Fashion Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Geretsried, with approximately 1,000 employees worldwide including around 300 engineers and chemists and around 200 staff at the German headquarters. Pulcra sells directly to over 3,000 customers — textile mills, fiber and nonwovens manufacturers, leather tanneries, automotive leather processors and tier-1 brand suppliers (including INDITEX-compliant channels) — via 16 owned facilities in 16 countries complemented by agents and distributors. The go-to-market combines direct technical sales, on-site service engineers, multi-language web presence, and extensive trade fair participation (TECHTEXTIL, INDEX, Bharat Tex, Performance Days, IIFL, Exintex, PAKCHEM EXPO). Monctization is driven by direct B2B sale of formulated specialty chemicals at undisclosed prices to manufacturer customers; the company holds no disclosed revenue figures and operates on a privately-held basis with no external funding rounds recorded.

The company's strategic posture is defined by sustainability-led product rotation toward PFAS-free, fluorine-free and biobased chemistries, supported by a dense stack of third-party certifications and industry memberships (bluesign since 2013, ZDHC MRSL, OEKO-TEX, GOTS, INDITEX Clear To Wear, Leather Working Group, Leather Naturally, RSPO Supply Chain Certification through 2026, EcoVadis Silver Medal in 2025) and founding membership in the SCTI alliance alongside Archroma, CHT, Huntsman, KISCO, Rudolf and Tanatex. The 2021 acquisition of Devan International Chemicals extended the group into Belgium-anchored probiotic and biological textile technologies and added new product launches such as Purissimo NTL (2023) and Bio2Chem platforms.

Name

The Pulcra Chemicals

Legal name

Fashion Chemicals GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://pulcra-chemicals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1876

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Pulcra Chemicals is a German specialty chemicals manufacturer selling more than 5,000 process auxiliaries and formulations to over 3,000 fiber, textile and leather manufacturers across 16 countries from 16 owned facilities, with heritage dating to 1876 and a 2021-acquired Devan subsidiary adding biotech textile technologies.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Geretsried

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices16 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemicals Sales: Pulcra Chemicals generates revenue through the development, manufacturing, and sale of specialty chemicals to the fiber, textile, and leather industries. The company sells over 5,000 products across three main divisions: textile auxiliaries, fiber auxiliaries (man-made fibers), and leather auxiliaries. Revenue is generated through direct sales to over 3,000 customers globally, with technical support provided along the production chain.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels9 records

Core offering

Pulcra Chemicals develops, manufactures and sells specialty chemicals for the fiber, textile and leather industries. The company offers over 5,000 products across three divisions — Textile Auxiliaries, Fiber Auxiliaries (process chemicals for man-made fibers and nonwovens) and Leather Auxiliaries — covering the entire production chain from spinning, sizing, pretreatment, dyeing, printing and finishing through beamhouse, tanning, retanning, fatliquoring and leather finishing. Products are sold directly to manufacturers in more than 3,000 customer relationships worldwide, backed by technical on-site service from approximately 300 engineers and chemists.

Product overview

Pulcra Chemicals is a specialty chemicals manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of innovative chemical solutions for the fiber, textile, and leather industries. The company operates three main divisions: Textile Auxiliaries, Fiber Auxiliaries (Process Chemicals), and Leather Auxiliaries. Their product portfolio includes over 5,000 products organized under branded product lines such as PULCRA Naturalis® (bio-based leather processing with 80%+ renewable carbon), PULCRA TEC® (technical textile finishes including PFAS-free water repellents), STANTEX® and KATAX® (spinning lubricants for synthetic and glass fibers), and comprehensive leather processing ranges including tanning agents (CORATYL®, DRASIL®), fatliquors (PELLAN®, PELLASAN®, SIRIAL®), degreasing agents (FORYL®), and finishing products. Since July 2021, Devan Chemicals (headquartered in Belgium) is part of the Pulcra Chemicals group, adding probiotic-based allergen control technologies like Purissimo® NTL to their portfolio.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Pulcra Naturalis®: Bio-revolution initiative for leather processing focusing on products with at least 80% renewable carbon content. Signature products include Peramit ML-N, Grassan PA, Sirial TIS MF, and Drasil 608.
• Purissimo® NTL
• Devan Chemicals

Products and services

• PULCRA® TEC NIO A non-ionic, PFAS-free durable water repellent (DWR) chemical product designed for technical textiles, enabling manufacturers to meet environmental regulations while delivering durable water repellency performance.
• PULCRA TEC® NFS A building block chemical product for DWR finish applications, formulated to address formulation and performance challenges in technical textile finishing.
• STABIFIX® NBF A new-generation fixing agent designed for polyamide and polyamide-blend textile finishing applications.
• Locanit SLT A low-temperature aftersoaping process technology for cotton that reduces energy consumption, water usage, and overall processing time in textile dyehouses.
• Belsoft Care Lotion A composition of cosmetic waxes designed for use in diapers or pants (personal care nonwoven applications).
• REPELLAN® ZF A fluorine-free hydrophobing system for leather processing that delivers water repellency for sustainable leather production.
• Purissimo® NTL A biobased, readily biodegradable allergen control technology for textile finishing based on encapsulated probiotic spores that absorb humidity and consume allergens such as pet dander, pollen and house dust mites; wash durable up to 30 washes and OEKO-TEX compliant. Developed by Devan Chemicals (acquired by Pulcra Chemicals Group in July 2021).
• PULCRA Naturalis® A bio-revolution product portfolio for leather processing whose products contain at least 80% renewable carbon as determined by DIN EN 17035, including signature products Peramit ML-N, Grassan PA, Sirial TIS MF and Drasil 608 with more than 90% renewable carbon. Built on natural oils, sugars, amylose, cellulose and lignin components.
• BREVIOL® Denim Technology (BDT) A polymer-based technology for indigo and sulfur dyeing that reacts with both the dye and the fiber, reducing water needed to wash out unfixed dye to a minimum, while saving dye usage and reducing CO2 footprint, also yielding cost savings for denim mills.
• Beamhouse Product Line (CORATYL®, NETAZYM, PERDOL®, PELLUCIT®, RECTIL®) Leather auxiliaries product line for all process steps from soaking through pickling for hides and skins of all animal origins, including soaking agents, sulfide-free liming aids, deliming agents (ammonium-free ester-based) and specialty zeolites for wet white and high-exhaustion chrome leathers.
• Degreasing and Scouring Product Line (FORYL®, FLUIDOL®, PERAMIT®, PERBON) Efficiency-optimized degreasing and scouring agents for leather and fur production, based on vegetable raw materials with up to 95% biodegradability (OECD test).
• Tanning Agent Product Line (CORATYL®, DRASIL®, PELLUTAX®) Tanning agents and specialties for wet blue, chrome-free, metal-free and aldehyde-free tanning methods, including glutaraldehyde and chrome-free options.
• Fatliquor Product Line (GRASSAN, GLYCERMAX, LEDEROLINOR, PELLAN®, PELLASAN®, SEDAFLOR, SIRIAL®, TRIANOL) A wide range of fatliquors and lubricating specialties for fiber lubrication in leather and fur processing, including vegetable-based and automotive-leather-grade options, with optimized emissions and low odor profiles under the PULCRA Protected Fatliquor Concept.
• Finishing Products (AVERSIN, EMULLO, EPICOLOR, EPISAN, FONDOFILL, FONDOCRYL®, FONDOFLEX®, KEPECO, KEPOLAC, REPELLAN®, SOFTYMOLL®) A wide range of leather finishing products including binders, lacquers, pigments, glossing agents, waxes and pull-up oils used in the final finishing step of leather processing.
• KATAX® Cationic Lubricants Product Line Cationic lubricants for glass fiber processing (including KATAX 6760L and KATAX 6660A) and spinning preparations for polyacrylic fibers that control fuzzing and filament breakage at very low use levels and improve mechanical properties of glass fiber reinforced polymer composites.
• STANTEX® Spinning Lubricants Product Line Spinning lubricants for polyester, polypropylene, polyamide, glass fiber and other synthetic fibers, with formulations covering textile, technical, flooring and nonwoven applications.
• PellNatur A sustainable leather processing solution within the Pulcra Naturalis portfolio marketed as "Excellence in tanning, naturally!".

Quantifiable outcome

• BREVIOL Denim Technology reduces water used in washing out unfixed dye to a minimum
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 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

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core and minor.

• SCTI (Sustainable Chemistry for the Textile Industry)flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 August 2020SCTI is an alliance of seven leading chemical companies launched in August 2020, with Pulcra Chemicals as one of the founding members. The other founding members are Archroma, CHT Group, Huntsman, Kyung-In Synthetic Corporation (KISCO), Rudolf Group, and Tanatex Chemicals. SCTI aims to empower the textile and leather industries to apply sustainable, state-of-the-art chemistry solutions that protect factory workers, local communities, consumers, and the environment. Dr. Isabella Tonaco was appointed Executive Director in November 2022.
• RSPO (Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 12 December 2017RSPO is a global multi-stakeholder initiative for sustainable palm oil products. Fashion Chemicals GmbH & Co KG (holding company of Pulcra Chemicals Group) has been a member since December 12, 2017. The aim is to develop, formulate and market new products based on certified palm oil and palm kernel oil. Pulcra holds RSPO Supply Chain Certification valid through 2026, and has established a Grievance Procedure for palm oil policy compliance monitoring.
• BluesigncoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2013Pulcra Chemicals has been a bluesign system partner since 2013. The cooperation with bluesign is an important part of Pulcra's development and production of sustainable products for the textile, fiber and leather industry. All Pulcra bluesign certified products meet the criteria for homologation according to the bluesign system and are published in the bluefinder database.
• EcoVadiscoreOthersEcoVadis is the world's largest and most trusted provider of business sustainability ratings, creating a global network of more than 130,000+ rated companies. Pulcra Chemicals has been awarded the EcoVadis Silver Medal for the second time in June 2025. EcoVadis assessments cover Environment, Labor & Human Rights, Ethics, and Sustainable Procurement across 21 indicators.
• Leather Working Group (LWG)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Leather Working Group is a non-profit organization responsible for the world's leading environmental certification for the leather processing industry. Pulcra Chemicals has been a member since April 2017. LWG consists of member brands, tanneries, chemical suppliers, leather manufacturers, retailers and technical experts promoting improvements in the leather processing industry.
• Leather NaturallyminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerLeather Naturally promotes the use of globally produced, sustainable leather and aims to inspire and educate designers, manufacturers and consumers about its natural elegance, beauty, quality and versatility. Pulcra Chemicals has been a member since 2019.
• ZDHC (Zero Discharge of Hazardous Chemicals)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerZDHC is a joint roadmap to prevent hazardous chemicals in the apparel and footwear industry. Pulcra Chemicals is committed to ZDHC and meets key requirements to keep production safe and clean. Pulcra products comply with the ZDHC MRSL for textile and leather applications, covering restricted substances including alkylphenols, APEOs, chlorophenols, azo dyes, PFCs, phthalates, heavy metals, and VOCs.
• OEKO-TEXcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerOEKO-TEX consists of 17 independent institutes in Europe and Japan. Pulcra Chemicals' product portfolio includes a wide range of products that meet OEKO-TEX STANDARD 100 requirements for textile raw materials, semi-finished and finished products at all stages of processing.
• GOTS (Global Organic Textile Standard)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerGOTS is recognized as the world's leading standard for processing textiles made from organically produced natural fibers. Pulcra Chemicals' product portfolio includes a variety of products that meet GOTS requirements, with certificates issued for Shanghai, Germany, Italy, and USA facilities.
• Devan International Chemicals (acquired July 2021)flagshipStrategic or Co-development PartnerDevan Chemicals, headquartered in Ronse, Belgium, is officially part of the Pulcra Chemicals Group since July 2021. Devan is committed to developing unique and innovative solutions for textile markets worldwide, with Research & Development at the heart of the business. Devan brings probiotic encapsulation technology (Purissimo NTL), allergen control technology, and other textile finishing innovations to the Pulcra portfolio.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• CHT Group: CHT Group is a German specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on silicones, textile auxiliaries, and leather chemicals. It is a direct competitor to Pulcra across the same three end-market verticals (fiber, textile, leather) and a co-founding SCTI member, making it a near-perfect comparable.
• Lamberti Group: Lamberti is an Italian specialty chemicals manufacturer producing textile auxiliaries, leather chemicals, and cosmetic/personal care ingredients. It directly competes with Pulcra across leather and textile process chemistries, particularly in Southern Europe and emerging markets.
• TFL Ledertechnik: TFL is a Switzerland/Germany-headquartered global supplier of specialty chemicals to the leather industry (beamhouse to finishing), directly competing with Pulcra's leather auxiliaries division across automotive, footwear, and garment leather customers.
• Zschimmer & Schwarz: Zschimmer & Schwarz is a German specialty chemicals producer serving textile, leather, ceramic, and personal care markets with auxiliaries and process chemicals. It is a direct competitor to Pulcra in textile and leather auxiliaries, especially in DACH-region accounts.
• Tanatex Chemicals: Tanatex Chemicals (part of the Itacon Group / Elementis plc history) is a Netherlands-based specialty chemicals supplier to the textile and leather industries. It is a direct competitor to Pulcra in fiber, textile, and leather auxiliaries and an SCTI co-founder.
• Rudolf Group: Rudolf Group is a German specialty chemicals producer specializing in textile auxiliaries, finishing chemicals, and care products. A fellow SCTI co-founder, Rudolf competes head-on with Pulcra in textile mill and finishing chemistries, particularly in Europe.
• Archroma: Archroma is a Swiss-headquartered global specialty chemicals company serving the textile, paper, and coatings industries with process and functional chemicals. It is the closest direct peer to Pulcra — co-founding SCTI together and overlapping deeply across textile auxiliaries, fiber finishes, and sustainability-aligned chemistries; Archroma is owned by SK Capital.
• Huntsman Textile Effects: Huntsman Textile Effects is the textile chemicals division of Huntsman Corporation, supplying dyes and process chemicals to textile mills worldwide. It is a direct competitor to Pulcra in textile auxiliaries and finishing, and a fellow SCTI co-founder.
• Smit & Zoon: Smit & Zoon is a Netherlands-based specialty chemicals and wet-end leather chemicals supplier with a 190-year heritage. It directly overlaps with Pulcra's leather auxiliaries portfolio, particularly in beamhouse, tanning, and fatliquoring chemistries.
• KISCO (Kyung-In Synthetic Corporation): KISCO is a Korean specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on textile and leather auxiliaries, with strong APAC presence. A fellow SCTI co-founder, KISCO is a direct competitor to Pulcra particularly in Asia-Pacific and Korea/Japan markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

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Compliance15 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries14 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 The Pulcra Chemicals