What FlowTech does

FlowTech Co., Ltd. (FLOWTECH CO., LTD. / (주)플로우텍) is a privately held South Korean specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in June 2006 and headquartered in Cheonan-si, Chungcheongnam-do. The company develops, manufactures, and sells concrete admixtures based on polycarboxylate ether (PCE) chemistry, producing approximately 87 products under two proprietary brand lines: CHEMFLOW (high-range PCE-based water reducers and slump keepers) and FLOWCON (standard AE water reducers, high-performance AE water reducers, superplasticizers, plasticizers, shotcrete admixtures, anti-washout and anti-corrosion agents, surface treatments, waterproofing agents, and pumping aids). The company also produces PCE raw materials for supply to other admixture manufacturers, following vertical integration of raw material synthesis completed in 2016-2017 (FC-PC Project) and capacity expansion at the Cheonan plant in 2017.

The business operates a B2B sales-led model, selling directly to civil construction contractors, building companies, and concrete producers primarily in South Korea, with growing international export activity that reached $3 million in 2021 (a 763% year-over-year increase that earned the Export Tower presidential award). The company runs an automated production facility at the Cheonan headquarters, a government-recognized corporate research institute established in 2013, and a sales/business development office in Yongin-si (Suwon Office), Gyeonggi-do. Pricing is quote-based and undisclosed publicly; products are sold in industrial volumes with dosage guidance typically in the 0.1-4.0 wt.% range by cement weight. Quality credentials include KS F 2560 (2007) and ISO certification (2011).

In August 2024, FlowTech announced the acquisition of UK-based competitor Thorite, marking its first disclosed cross-border M&A and signaling a strategic shift toward inorganic international expansion, particularly in the UK market. The company is founder-led (CEO Kong DoeKyong / 공도경, founder since 2006) and has not raised disclosed external venture or private equity capital; ownership appears to remain with the founder and management.

Name

FlowTech

Legal name

FLOWTECH CO.,LTD.

Website

https://flowtech.kr

Company type

Private

Founded year

2006

Operating status

Operating

Short description

FlowTech is a privately held South Korean manufacturer of concrete admixtures based on polycarboxylate ether chemistry, producing 87 specialty products under the CHEMFLOW and FLOWCON brands for construction companies, concrete producers, and other admixture manufacturers in domestic and export markets.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Concrete Admixtures (Construction Chemicals)

NAICS

Other Concrete Product Manufacturing (327390)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Concrete Admixtures & Curing Compounds (IMADAAAL)

akta.pro secondary industry

Construction Chemicals (Additives, Admixtures & Grouts) (IMAEABAC)

Keywords

• Concrete admixtures
• Polycarboxylate ether
• Water reducers
• Superplasticizers
• Construction chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Cheonan

HQ country

South Korea

HQ region

Asia

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Concrete Admixture Product Sales: B2B sales of concrete admixtures including water reducers, superplasticizers, slump keepers, and specialty admixtures to construction companies, concrete manufacturers, and building projects. Revenue generated through direct product sales with pricing based on product type and volume.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

FlowTech manufactures and sells concrete admixture chemicals — water reducers, superplasticizers, slump keepers, pumping aids, shotcrete admixtures, anti-washout agents, anti-corrosion agents, waterproofing agents, and polycarboxylate ether (PCE) raw materials — under its CHEMFLOW and FLOWCON brands. Products are produced at the company's automated Cheonan plant and sold B2B to construction companies, ready-mix and precast concrete producers, civil and building contractors, and downstream admixture formulators for use in civil engineering, building, infrastructure, and specialty concrete applications.

Product overview

FlowTech is a concrete admixture manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of 87 specialty chemical products under two main brands: CHEMFLOW (high-performance polycarboxylate ether-based superplasticizers) and FLOWCON (standard and specialized concrete admixtures). The product lineup includes General Admixtures (AE water reducers in standard, retarding, and accelerating types), High Performance Admixtures (including PCE-based superplasticizers, slump keepers, and flow-type admixtures), PC Raw Materials (raw material PCE for admixture production), Plasticizers (flowing and high-strength superplasticizers for job-site use), and Special Admixtures (shotcrete accelerators, anti-corrosion agents, surface densifiers, waterproofing agents, pumping aids, and underwater concrete admixtures). The CHEMFLOW series focuses on premium polycarboxylate ether technology for high-range water reduction and slump retention, while the FLOWCON series provides comprehensive solutions for various concrete construction applications including civil infrastructure, building construction, and specialized concrete manufacturing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CHEMFLOW: Brand line of polycarboxylate ether-based concrete admixtures, including high-range water reducers, mid-range slump keepers, and super slump keepers (e.g., CHEMFLOW HD-100, CHEMFLOW FR-600).
• FLOWCON

Products and services

• CHEMFLOW HD-100 High-range water reducer (polycarboxylate ether) offering high water reducing ability, good compressive strength, and high workability. Suitable for concretes requiring high fluidity and high initial dispersion. Sold to construction and concrete manufacturing customers.
• CHEMFLOW HD-200 Mid-range water reducer and slump keeper (polycarboxylate ether) with good water reducing performance and extended workability for low to middle range strength concrete. For general purpose concrete applications.
• CHEMFLOW FS-300 High-range water reducer (polycarboxylate ether) with high water reducing ability, good compressive strength, and high workability. For concretes requiring high fluidity and high initial dispersion.
• CHEMFLOW FS-301 High-range water reducer (polycarboxylate ether) with high water reducing ability and better slump retention than CHEMFLOW FS-300. For high fluidity concretes.
• CHEMFLOW HR-100 Mid-range slump keeper / water reducer (polycarboxylate ether) with good slump retention and insensitivity to concrete material variation. Compatible with other CHEMFLOW series products.
• CHEMFLOW HR-150 High-range slump keeper (polycarboxylate ether) with good slump retention and insensitivity to material variation. For regular slump concrete types.
• CHEMFLOW FR-400 High-range slump keeper (polycarboxylate ether) extending casting time, retarding setting time, and providing good workability at extended times. Compatible with other CHEMFLOW products.
• CHEMFLOW FR-500 Super slump keeper (polycarboxylate ether) with excellent slump keeping in concrete, positioned between CHEMFLOW FR-400 and FR-600 in performance.
• CHEMFLOW FR-600 Super slump keeper (polycarboxylate ether) with excellent slump keeping, the strongest slump keeper in the FlowTech product line, compatible with other CHEMFLOW products.
• CHEMFLOW FR-250 Water reducer with slump retention (polycarboxylate ether) providing good water reducing ability and slump retention, insensitive to material variation.
• CHEMFLOW HDR-100 High-performance water reducer, slump retention type (polycarboxylate ether) providing high water reducing ability, excellent durability, superior slump retention, and long-term air content stability.
• FLOWCON-1000S AE water reducer (Standard Type) improving strength and durability of concrete, providing cost-effective production for normal weight concrete structures.
• FLOWCON-1000R AE water reducer (Set Retarding Type) controlling hydration heat by delaying hydration reaction time, providing crack resistance for drying shrinkage, and maintaining workability for long time.
• FLOWCON-1000H AE water reducer (Set Accelerating Type) delivering early high strength and rapid hardening concrete by set acceleration, suited to cold weather concrete.
• FLOWCON-2000S AE water reducer (Standard Type) with high range water reducing ability, good durability, and high strength for normal weight concrete.
• FLOWCON-2000R AE water reducer (Set Retarding Type) delaying setting time and retaining concrete slump during high temperature conditions in hot summer.
• FLOWCON-2000H AE water reducer (Set Accelerating Type) for improving early strength and freeze-thaw resistance of concrete structures.
• FLOWCON-3000S AE high-range water reducer (Standard Type) with excellent water reducing ability, reducing water to cement ratio, improving concrete strength, workability and durability.
• FLOWCON-3000R AE high-range water reducer (Set Retarding Type) for delaying cement hydration reaction, reducing slump loss at high temperature, and maintaining high flowing concrete for long time.
• FLOWCON-3000H Chloride-free AE water reducer (Set Accelerating Type) for salt-water resistant and anti-corrosion concrete structures; provides early time strength acceleration and is chloride-free.
• FLOWCON-AW Anti-Washout Agent (수중콘크리트용 혼화제) Anti-washout admixture with water washout resistance, anti-segregation and self-leveling performance for underwater concrete structures, seashore road, and bridge construction.
• FLOWCON-SHA Shotcrete Admixture (Aluminate type) Aluminate-type shotcrete admixture (set accelerating agent) improving concrete durability, reducing dust, and providing good adhesive bonding.
• FLOWCON-SHS Shotcrete Admixture (Silicate type) Silicate-type shotcrete admixture (set accelerating agent) for decreasing rebound and providing early ultra-high strength concrete.
• FLOWCON-ATR Concrete Anti-Corrosion Agent (Anti-Rust) Concrete anti-corrosion / anti-rust admixture providing an anti-corrosive hard coating on iron wire in concrete structures, improving durability.
• FLOWCON-SFR Concrete Surface Setting Retarder Surface setting retarder used for surface curing of concrete with exposed aggregate finish.
• FLOWCON-SFS Concrete Surface Densifier (Floor Hardener) Surface densifier / floor hardener increasing density and hardness of concrete surface, reducing dusting and wearing.
• FLOWCON-CBD Concrete Adhesive Bonding Agent Bonding agent for adhesive bonding of blended mixture material with cement mortar, suitable for indoor and outdoor tile construction.
• FLOWCON-CMD Water Proofing Admixture for Cement Mortar Waterproofing admixture for cement mortar based on polymer-cement composite for improved structural weakness correction.
• FLOWCON-PMP Concrete Pumping Aid (Pre-Treatment Lubricant) Concrete pumping aid / pre-treatment lubricant enabling easier pumping of fresh concrete by controlling viscosity and decreasing dynamic friction coefficient.
• FLOWCON-6100F High Flowing Superplasticizer High flowing superplasticizer preventing strength decrease at application stage, enhancing concrete slump and improving job-site workability.
• FLOWCON-6200F High Strength Superplasticizer High strength superplasticizer for early releasing of concrete mould, high water proofing and good durability; suited to centrifugal casting of PHC pile and Hume pipe.
• FLOWCON-6300F High Performance Superplasticizer (steam-curable) High performance superplasticizer for high strength concrete with high flowability, curable by steam at high temperature and high pressure; usable as post-addition superplasticizer.
• FLOWCON-6400F High Performance Superplasticizer High performance superplasticizer for high strength concrete with high flowability; suited for 2nd concrete products and shotcrete.
• FLOWCON-5100SF High Performance Superplasticizer (PCE Flow Type) PCE flow-type high performance superplasticizer for self-compacting concrete, reducing material bleeding, suited to high-strength and high-flowing concrete construction.
• FLOWCON-5500SF High Performance Superplasticizer (PCE Type) PCE-type high performance superplasticizer for self-compacting, ultra-high strength, and high-flowing concrete construction.
• FLOWCON-5000SS High Performance Superplasticizer (PCE Slump Type) PCE slump-type high performance superplasticizer with long-term slump retaining property, suited to high strength and good durability concrete.
• FLOWCON-4100S High Performance AE Water Reducer (Standard Type) High performance AE water reducer (Standard Type) improving workability and strength through low water-to-cement ratio and high dispersing ability for high quality concrete production.
• FLOWCON-4100R High Performance AE Water Reducer (Set Retarding) High performance AE water reducer (Set Retarding Type) for good workability at high temperature during summer, with easy application through retardation of slump loss.
• FLOWCON-4500N High Performance AE Water Reducer (Modified PCE Standard) Modified PCE high performance AE water reducer (Standard Type) minimizing slump loss compared with traditional water reducers.
• FLOWCON-4500NR High Performance AE Water Reducer (Modified PCE Set Retarding) Modified PCE high performance AE water reducer (Set Retarding Type) for good workability and easy application at high temperature by improving fluidity and minimizing slump loss.
• FLOWCON-4500S High Performance AE Water Reducer (Blended PCE Standard) Blended PCE high performance AE water reducer (Standard Type) compatible with large amounts of other admixture substitution while maintaining long-term workability.
• FLOWCON-4000S High Performance AE Water Reducer (Standard Type) High performance AE water reducer (Standard Type) for improving workability and durability, reducing water-to-cement ratio, and improving freeze-thaw resistance.
• FLOWCON-4000R High Performance AE Water Reducer (Set Retarding) High performance AE water reducer (Set Retarding Type) for good workability at high temperature during summer, with easy application through retardation of slump loss and improved workability.
• PC (Polycarboxylate Ether) Raw Materials In-house synthesized polycarboxylate ether raw materials supplied to downstream admixture manufacturers for finished concrete admixture formulation. Produced at FlowTech's Cheonan plant using the proprietary FC-PC synthesis process.

Quantifiable outcome

• 763% export revenue growth year-over-year in 2021, achieving $3 million in exports
• +1 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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.

• Hankyung University (한경대학교)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2012Industry-Academia-Research cooperation for the development of high-performance admixtures for eco-concrete manufacturing. Project supported by the Small and Medium Business Administration (SBA) from June 2012 to May 2014.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Sika AG: Swiss global leader in concrete admixtures, waterproofing, and specialty chemicals for construction. Directly comparable as a PCE-based admixture manufacturer serving construction companies and ready-mix producers worldwide.
• GCP Applied Technologies: Global specialty chemicals company focused on concrete admixtures, cement additives, and waterproofing. Directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to FlowTech.
• Mapei: Italian multinational producing concrete admixtures and complementary specialty products for the construction industry. Comparable as a globally active PCE-based admixture manufacturer.
• Chryso (Saint-Gobain): French admixture specialist now part of Saint-Gobain, producing concrete admixtures and cement additives. Directly comparable in product mix, including PCE superplasticizers and specialty admixtures.
• Fosroc: International manufacturer of concrete admixtures, sealants, and protective coatings serving construction markets globally. Comparable product portfolio and B2B go-to-market model.

Broad incumbents

• Master Builders Solutions (BASF): BASF's construction chemicals division, one of the largest global admixture portfolios. Comparable as a broad incumbent offering overlapping PCE superplasticizers and specialty admixtures with global reach.
• RPM International: US-based diversified specialty coatings and sealants company serving construction and industrial markets. Comparable as a broad incumbent with overlapping construction-chemical adjacencies.
• Bostik (Arkema): Global adhesives and sealants manufacturer, part of Arkema. Comparable to FlowTech's FLOWCON-CBD adhesive bonding agent and waterproofing admixture product lines.

Regional players

• KCC Corporation: Major South Korean chemicals and coatings manufacturer. Comparable as a domestic Korean specialty chemicals player that could compete with FlowTech in the local market.
• Takenaka Civil Engineering: Japanese construction and concrete admixture specialist. Comparable as a regional competitor operating in the East Asian construction chemicals market.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 FlowTech