Solventis

What Solventis does

Solventis is a UK-headquartered chemical manufacturing and distribution company, established in 2002 by David Lubbock, operating production and warehousing facilities in Guildford and Scunthorpe (UK) and Antwerp (Belgium). The Antwerp site is a purpose-built blending, storage, packing, and distribution facility located in the port of Antwerp with on-site laboratory quality control; the Scunthorpe site is a 10-acre facility on the River Trent with quay access for seagoing vessels, blending plant, canning and drumming lines, and AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid) production under the Solvenox sub-brand. Through subsidiary Kilfrost Europe NV, the company produces aircraft de-icing fluids in Antwerp under an exclusive licensing agreement with Kilfrost Group PLC.

Solventis's product portfolio spans petrochemical solvents distributed in bulk, IBCs, and drums (acrylates, alcohols, ketones, esters, glycols and glycol ethers, chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons, propylene glycol ethers) and manufactured automotive and specialty fluids (coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids, screenwash, and marine coolants under the Solve-M sub-brand). The company is self-described as one of the largest producers of coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids, and aircraft de-icing fluids in Europe, with turnover of approximately €250m in 2023 (down from over €300m in 2022). Operations are ISO 9001:2015 and ISO 14001:2015 certified by SGS, and Solvenox produces AdBlue for the UK bulk and packed market.

The business operates as a B2B, sales-led enterprise with direct sales teams based in the UK and Belgium, plus a specialist export division delivering to Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, reflecting the commodity-and-specification nature of the customer relationships. The group comprises Solventis Ltd, Solventis Europe NV, Kilfrost Europe NV, Solventis Solutions Ltd, Antwerp Distillation Company, and Solvenox. In December 2023, Brenntag — the global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution — announced an agreement to acquire the Solventis Group, with closing expected in Q2 2024; post-closing, Solventis will operate within Brenntag Essentials.

Name

Solventis

Legal name

Solventis Ltd

Website

https://solventis.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

2002

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Solventis is a UK-headquartered chemical manufacturer and distributor producing coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids, aircraft de-icing fluids, and petrochemical solvents from facilities in Guildford, Scunthorpe, and Antwerp, serving industrial and automotive B2B customers across Europe, Africa, the Americas, the Middle East, and Asia.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chemicals

NAICS

Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Chemical Manufacturing (325), All Other Basic Organic Chemical Manufacturing (325199)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Bulk Industrial Solvents (IMAEAAAE)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plasticizers & Solvents (Phthalates/Alternatives, Commodity Solvents) (IMAEADAK), Industrial Alcohols & Glycols (Commodity Grade) (IMAEAAAK), Solvent Recovery & Recycling Services (BPALAHAC)

Keywords

• Chemical manufacturing
• Industrial solvents
• Automotive fluids
• Petrochemical distribution
• Glycol products

Headquarters

HQ city

Guildford

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical solvents distribution: Import and distribution of wide range of petrochemical solvents including alcohols, ketones, esters, glycols, glycol ethers, chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons and monomers from international suppliers
2. Automotive fluids manufacturing: Production and sale of coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids and screenwash through purpose-built facilities in Antwerp and Scunthorpe
3. Aircraft de-icing fluids: Production and sale of aircraft de-icing fluids through subsidiary Kilfrost Europe
4. Specialty chemical products: Sale of other chemicals including caustic soda pearls, Phenol, Styrene, AdBlue and other specialty products

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Solventis is a chemical manufacturing and distribution company that imports, blends, stores, packs, and distributes petrochemical solvents (alcohols, ketones, esters, glycols, glycol ethers, chlorinated solvents, hydrocarbons, acrylates) and produces automotive fluids (coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids, screenwash), AdBlue diesel exhaust fluid, and aircraft de-icing fluids from purpose-built facilities in Antwerp (Belgium) and Scunthorpe (UK), supplying industrial customers globally.

Product overview

Solventis is a major chemical solvent supplier and one of the largest producers of coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids, and aircraft de-icing fluids in Europe. The company operates from purpose-built facilities in the UK (a 10-acre site on the banks of the River Trent at Scunthorpe with quay for seagoing vessels, blending plant, and canning/drumming lines) and Belgium (state-of-the-art blending, storage, packing, and distribution facility in the port of Antwerp with on-site laboratory). The product portfolio includes: Acrylates (2-Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate, Butyl Acrylate, Ethyl Acrylate, Methyl Methacrylate), Alcohols (Ethanol, Iso Butanol, Iso Propanol, Methanol, N-Butanol, N-Propanol), Automotive Fluids (Antifreeze coolants C2053/C2054/C2230/C3053/C3054, DOT 3/4/5.1 Brake Fluids, Screenwash Concentrates), Chlorinated Solvents (Methylene Chloride, Perchloroethylene), Esters, Glycols (MEG, MPG, Diethylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol), Glycol Ethers, Hydrocarbons (Aromatic Solvents, Toluene, Xylene), Ketones, Propylene Glycol Ethers, and specialty products. Through subsidiary Solvenox, the company produces AdBlue (diesel exhaust fluid). Through subsidiary Kilfrost Europe, the company produces aircraft de-icing fluids. The Solventis Group comprises Solventis Ltd, Solventis Europe NV, Kilfrost Europe NV, Solventis Solutions Ltd, and Solvenox, with a turnover of approximately €250m in 2023.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Solve-M: Marine coolants brand for European market
• Solvenox

Products and services

• Alcohols Industrial alcohols including Ethanol, Iso Butanol, Iso Propanol, Methanol, N-Butanol and N-Propanol used as solvents, chemical intermediates and in various industrial processes, supplied to chemical manufacturers and industrial customers.
• Ketones Ketone solvents including Acetone, Cyclohexanone, Methyl Ethyl Ketone and Methyl Iso Butyl Ketone for industrial syntheses, cleaning and coating applications.
• Esters Ester compounds including Butyl Di Glycol Acetate, Ethyl Acetate, Butyl Acetate and related products used in flavor, fragrance and industrial coating applications.
• Glycols Glycols including Mono Ethylene Glycol (MEG), Mono Propylene Glycol (MPG), Di Propylene Glycol, Diethylene Glycol, Triethylene Glycol and Hexylene Glycol for antifreeze, plastic precursors and industrial solvent applications.
• Glycol Ethers Glycol ethers including Butyl Glycol, Butyl Di Glycol, Butyl Tri Glycol Ether, Ethyl Di Glycol, Methyl Glycol and related products used in water-based coatings, cleaning products and industrial applications.
• Propylene Glycol Ethers Propylene glycol ethers including Di Methoxy Propanol (DPM), Ethoxy Propanol, Methoxy Propanol (PM) and Methoxy Propyl Acetate (PMA) used as coupling agents in paints and industrial solvents.
• Chlorinated Solvents Chlorinated solvents including Methylene Chloride and Perchloroethylene for metalworking industries, degreasing and cleaning applications.
• Hydrocarbons Hydrocarbon solvents including Aromatic Solvents (C9, C10, C12), Toluene and Xylene for industrial coating and cleaning applications.
• Acrylates Acrylate monomers including 2-Ethyl Hexyl Acrylate, Butyl Acrylate, Ethyl Acrylate and Methyl Methacrylate used in polymer plastics, coatings, inks, adhesives, sealants, textiles, elastomers and plastics manufacturing.
• Specialty Chemicals (Others) Additional specialty chemicals including Cyclohexane, Di Iso Propyl Ether, Tetrahydrofuran and Vinyl Acetate Monomer, sold to industrial customers.
• Automotive Fluids Coolants, antifreeze, brake fluids and screenwash for automotive applications, formulated for modern high-performance vehicles and meeting international standards including ASTM D3306 and DOT 3/4/5.1. Supplied to vehicle manufacturers, automotive parts suppliers and fleet operators.
• Solvenox AdBlue Diesel exhaust fluid (AdBlue) produced at the Scunthorpe facility for the bulk and packed UK market, manufactured through the Solvenox subsidiary.
• Solve-M Marine Coolants Marine coolant products supplied across Europe under the Solve-M brand for marine vessel cooling systems.
• Kilfrost Europe Aircraft De-Icing Fluids Aircraft de-icing fluids produced in-house at the bespoke facility in Antwerp under exclusive licensing agreement with Kilfrost Group PLC, supplied through subsidiary Kilfrost Europe NV to airlines, airports and aviation operators.

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Kilfrost Group PLCcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerExclusive licensing agreement with Kilfrost Group PLC for production of aircraft de-icing fluids through subsidiary Kilfrost Europe NV at bespoke facility in Antwerp
• Kilfrost Europe NVcoreOthersSubsidiary of Solventis Group producing aircraft de-icing fluids
• Solventis Solutions LtdcoreOthersPart of Solventis Group entities
• Antwerp Distillation CompanyminorOthersPart of Solventis Group entities
• SolvenoxminorOthersPart of Solventis Group - produces diesel exhaust fluid AdBlue for bulk and packed UK market

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• IMCD: Global specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with strong European presence; comparable business model of distributing industrial chemicals (solvents, glycols, additives) to B2B customers.
• Caldic: European specialty chemicals distributor owned by Advent International; similar portfolio of industrial solvents and chemicals distributed to manufacturing customers across multiple regions.
• Univar Solutions: Major North American and European chemical and ingredient distributor serving industrial customers with solvents, glycols, and specialty chemicals; directly comparable in distribution model and product portfolio.
• Brenntag: Global market leader in chemicals and ingredients distribution and the acquirer of Solventis Group; overlaps directly with Solventis's glycols, solvents, and specialty chemical distribution business across the same industrial customer base.
• Barentz: European-headquartered specialty ingredients distributor serving industrial and life sciences markets; similar B2B distribution model with comparable customer segments.
• Azelis: Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with operations across EMEA, Americas and Asia-Pacific; overlaps with Solventis's geographic reach and industrial chemicals focus.

Direct peers

• Recochem: Canadian manufacturer of automotive fluids (antifreeze, coolant, windshield washer) and household chemicals; directly comparable product portfolio and customer base to Solventis's automotive fluids business.
• Old World Industries: US-based manufacturer of Peak antifreeze/coolants and other automotive fluids; directly competes with Solventis in antifreeze, coolant and automotive fluid production.
• Kilfrost Group PLC: The licensor of aircraft de-icing fluid technology to Solventis's Kilfrost Europe subsidiary; directly comparable in aviation de-icing fluids manufacturing and customer overlap.
• Houghton International: Global manufacturer of industrial fluids including metalworking fluids, cleaners, and specialty chemicals; comparable in industrial fluid manufacturing and solvents-based product offerings.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks7 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/SolventisUK
• Facebookfacebook.com/SolventisUK
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/solventis-ltd-

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries5 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 Solventis