What Zip Chem Products does

Zip-Chem Products is a specialty chemical manufacturer headquartered in Morgan Hill, California, operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the French aerospace materials group Addev Materials. The company designs, formulates, and produces a portfolio of aviation maintenance chemicals organized under four core sub-brands: Cor-Ban® corrosion inhibiting compounds, Calla® aircraft cleaners and disinfectants, Sur-Prep® surface preparation products, and Aero-Lube™ lubricants, supplemented by specialty lines including Accu-Cool® heat transfer fluids (qualified for the Airbus A-350 and Boeing 787), Noxit® water-displacing corrosion preventives, Zip-Strip™ CIC removers, and application hardware such as the Formit®-18 aerosol extension system. Its underlying technology is rooted in proprietary chemical formulations engineered to meet stringent aviation OEM and military specifications (Boeing QPL, Airbus AIMS, MIL-PRF, Cessna SPM), with quantifiable performance claims such as >1500 hours of salt spray protection on aluminum and up to two years of outdoor storage protection. Zip-Chem serves aviation MRO facilities, defense contractors, and commercial airlines, generating revenue through quote-based B2B sales of consumable chemical products used in routine and heavy maintenance operations, delivered via aerosols, bulk liquids, and wipes.

The company runs a sales-led, distribution-augmented go-to-market model: direct enterprise sales are supported by regional offices in North America (Morgan Hill manufacturing plus an Everett representative office), Europe (Portet-sur-Garonne, France), and Asia-Pacific (Singapore under Addev Materials Asia Pte. Ltd., plus China), alongside distributor networks located via a 'Find us' locator on zipchem.com. Pricing is not publicly disclosed; transactions appear to be quote-based with technical datasheets (TDS) and safety data sheets (SDS) provided on request. Marketing channels include the corporate website (available in English and Simplified Chinese), LinkedIn, YouTube, and an email newsletter, with regional sales offices handling bottom-of-funnel enterprise engagement. The business is privately held with no venture funding history, and its growth is supported by the corporate parent's global aerospace footprint rather than independent capital raises.

Name

Zip Chem Products

Legal name

Zip-Chem Products

Website

https://zipchem.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zip-Chem Products is a Morgan Hill, California-based specialty chemical manufacturer and Addev Materials subsidiary that formulates and sells aviation maintenance chemicals — corrosion inhibitors, cleaners, lubricants, and heat transfer fluids — to aviation MRO facilities, defense contractors, and commercial airlines globally.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Aviation Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561), Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing (325612)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning Chemicals (IMAEABAG)

Keywords

• Aviation specialty chemicals
• Aircraft corrosion inhibitors
• Surface preparation chemicals
• Aviation MRO chemicals
• Aircraft cleaning lubricants

Headquarters

HQ city

Morgan Hill

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemical Products Sales: Zip Chem Products generates revenue through the sale of specialty chemical formulations for aviation maintenance. Products are sold in various formats including aerosols, bulk containers (gallons, pails, drums), and wipes. The company operates through direct sales via their website and through distributor networks. Revenue is derived from repeat purchases of chemical products used in routine aircraft maintenance operations.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Zip Chem Products manufactures specialty chemical formulations for aviation maintenance, organized under four sub-brands: Cor-Ban® corrosion inhibiting compounds, Calla® aircraft cleaners and disinfectants, Sur-Prep® surface preparation products, and Aero-Lube™ lubricants. The company also produces heat transfer fluids, CIC removers, heat-resistant coatings, and aerosol accessories. Products are sold in aerosols, bulk containers, and wipes to aviation MRO facilities, defense contractors, and commercial airlines globally.

Product overview

Zip Chem Products is a specialty chemical manufacturer serving the aviation industry with a comprehensive portfolio of corrosion inhibitors, lubricants, surface preparation products, cleaners, and specialty formulations. The product portfolio is organized under four main sub-brands: Cor-Ban® (corrosion inhibiting compounds for structural components, avionics, cables, and long-term storage), Calla® (aircraft cleaners and disinfectants for interior and exterior applications), Sur-Prep® (surface preparation and avionics cleaners for critical surface areas prior to painting or bonding), and Aero-Lube™ (lubricants and lubricating compounds). Individual products include rust preventive coatings like ZC-082 (up to 2-year corrosion protection), self-healing corrosion shields like ZC-067, heat-resistant coatings like ZC-035, CIC removers like Sur-Prep® 3167 and Zip-Strip™ 125M, precision cleaners like ZC-640 and Sur-Prep® 3160, aircraft-specific heat transfer fluids like Accu-Cool® HTF-350 (Airbus A350) and Accu-Cool® 342 (Boeing 787), and specialty products like AP 280 heat sink compound and Formit®-18 extension tubes for difficult-to-reach applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Cor-Ban: Corrosion inhibiting compounds formulated for demanding aviation maintenance specifications
• Calla
• Sur-Prep
• Aero-Lube

Products and services

• ZC-082 Versatile rust preventive coating with a tough and transparent film that protects metal substrates from corrosion in severe salt spray environments. Prevents corrosion up to 2 years and can be stored outside.
• ZC-067 Self-healing corrosion shield for corrosion protection on ferrous or non-ferrous surfaces. Deposits an air-drying, light-colored, transparent film with storage protection up to 1 year.
• ZC-035 Heat resistant corrosion preventive for high temperature areas. Withstands continuous temperatures up to 350°F (177°C) and provides over 1,300 hours of protection on steel in salt fog environment.
• D-5067NS Aerosol form of self-healing corrosion protective coating for ferrous and non-ferrous surfaces. Covers approximately 60 ft² (5.5 m²) per can.
• Sur-Prep® 3167 CIC remover, degreaser, and cleaner for aviation soils and surfaces. Effectively removes Corrosion Inhibiting Compounds (CIC's), MoS2 grease, hydraulic fluid, wax, and carbon deposits.
• ZC-640 General-purpose precision cleaner. Alternative to CFC, chlorocarbons, alkalies, and petroleum solvents for precision metal cleaning. Biodegradable and contains no chlorine.
• Sur-Prep® 3160 Fast drying petroleum solvent cleaning compound that prepares critical surface areas prior to painting or bonding. Works on oil and oil-bonded contaminants.
• Zip-Strip™ 125M Fast acting neutral pH CIC remover that removes wet, waxy, and dry film Corrosion Inhibiting Compounds. Rinseable with water.
• Accu-Cool® HTF-350 Heat transfer fluid designed for Airbus A-350 aircraft and galley cooling supplemental cooling system. Clear, colorless liquid with 10-year shelf life in sealed containers.
• Accu-Cool® 342 Heat transfer fluid for Boeing 787 aircraft in Integrated Cooling System, Power Electronic Cooling System, and Forward Cargo Air Conditioning System. NSF HT1 registered.
• AP 280 Silicone heat sink compound kit with aluminum powder for heater elements. Service temperature range from -100°F to 550°F (-73°C to 288°C) in continuous service.
• Formit®-18 Aerosol extension tube kit for applying corrosion inhibiting products in areas difficult to access. Multiple versions available for various spray patterns including full fan, 180-degree, 360-degree, and fogging applications.
• Zip-Chem® Aerosol Trigger Sprayer Ergonomic trigger sprayer attachment for using any Zip-Chem aerosol can. Part number 010040.
• Wet Film Thickness Gauge Tool for measuring liquid coating thickness immediately after application. Measures in MILS and microns.

Quantifiable outcome

• Corrosion protection up to 2 years for outdoor storage (ZC-082)
• +3 more outcomes

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.

• Addev MaterialscoreOthersAddev Materials is the parent company of Zip Chem Products. The Addev Materials logo appears on the Zip Chem website footer indicating corporate ownership and affiliation. Addev Materials operates globally with aerospace and advanced materials operations.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• PPG Aerospace: PPG Aerospace (including the former DeSoto and PRC-DeSoto brands) manufactures aerospace coatings, sealants, and chemical management products for OEMs and MROs. It directly competes with Zip Chem's Cor-Ban corrosion inhibitors, Calla cleaners, and Sur-Prep surface preparation products on commercial and military aviation programs.
• Chemetall (BASF): Chemetall, a BASF surface treatment business, supplies aerospace cleaners, corrosion inhibitors, and surface preparation chemicals. It is a direct peer to Zip Chem's Calla and Sur-Prep lines, serving the same aviation MRO and OEM customer base with overlapping product categories.
• Socomore: Socomore manufactures surface preparation, cleaning, and protection chemicals specifically for aerospace, defense, and industrial customers. It is a direct peer to Zip Chem in aviation surface treatment, with comparable focus on qualified, specification-driven chemistries for MROs and OEMs.
• Callington Haven: Callington Haven produces specialty chemical products for the aviation industry including corrosion preventatives, cleaners, and disinfectants. It is a direct peer to Zip Chem, competing in similar product categories and serving commercial airlines, MROs, and defense customers globally.

Broad incumbents

• 3M Aerospace: 3M's aerospace division supplies a broad portfolio of adhesives, sealants, surface protection films, and maintenance chemicals to aviation OEMs and MROs. It is a broad incumbent that competes with Zip Chem across multiple product lines, leveraging far greater scale, R&D investment, and global account coverage.
• Henkel (Aerospace): Henkel's aerospace business offers Loctite and Bonderite brands covering adhesives, sealants, surface treatment, and cleaners for aircraft manufacturing and maintenance. It is a broad incumbent that overlaps with Zip Chem in cleaners and surface preparation, with substantially larger R&D and a global direct-sales footprint.
• AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings: AkzoNobel Aerospace Coatings supplies aerospace paints, primers, and protective coatings for commercial and military aircraft. It is a broad incumbent competing in protective coatings adjacent to Zip Chem's Cor-Ban corrosion inhibitors, with deeper OEM relationships and a global technical service network.
• Sherwin-Williams Aerospace Coatings: Sherwin-Williams' aerospace coatings division manufactures coatings, primers, and finishing products for commercial, military, and general aviation. It competes with Zip Chem on protective and corrosion-resistant coatings, and benefits from a much broader distribution network and brand recognition.
• Eastman Chemical (Aviation Fluids): Eastman manufactures specialty fluids including aviation heat transfer fluids and lubricants used in aircraft systems. It competes with Zip Chem's Accu-Cool heat transfer fluid line on aircraft such as the 787 and A350, and is a broad incumbent with much larger fluid manufacturing scale.
• Axalta Coating Systems (Aerospace): Axalta's aerospace coatings business supplies primers, topcoats, and specialty coatings for commercial and military aircraft. It is a broad incumbent in the protective coatings category adjacent to Zip Chem's corrosion inhibiting compounds, with established relationships across major aerospace OEMs.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCqTcVeVLwZDLfQo2E5g5Bcg/videos?app=desktop
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/addevmaterials-aerospace

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 Zip Chem Products