Algol

What Algol does

Algol is a Finnish family-owned multi-industry group, founded in 1894 and headquartered in Espoo, Finland, that imports, markets, manufactures, and distributes products for industrial and healthcare customers. The group operates through five business units: Algol Chemicals (specialty and industrial chemical distribution with own production in Turku, Finland and Kvarntorp, Sweden), Algol Technics (material handling solutions and maintenance for industry and warehousing), Algol Trehab (assistive devices for public and private healthcare buyers), Algol Diagnostics/Histolab Products (equipment and chemicals for pathology and clinical laboratories), and Suomen Unipol (industrial raw materials, 75%-owned). Algol runs a sales-led go-to-market through its subsidiaries and direct sales forces, supplemented by local-warehouse distribution across nine countries (Finland, Sweden, the Nordics, Baltics, Germany, Ukraine, India).

The group's revenue model is product distribution and import complemented by value-added services such as tailored delivery, REACH-compliant supply, installation, maintenance, and training; in 2025, net sales were approximately EUR 198 million (around USD 215 million) with an operating profit near EUR 7 million. Recent strategic activity is concentrated on bolt-on M&A (Buratec Oy, Suomen Terveysmaailma, Roltex) and new distribution partnerships (THOR UK, UPM Biochemicals), alongside leadership transition in April 2025 when Joakim Flinck succeeded Alexander Bargum as Group CEO. Algol is unlisted, net debt free, reports a 51.3% equity ratio, and holds ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, and 27001 certifications across the group.

Name

Algol

Legal name

Algol Oy

Website

https://algol.fi

Company type

Private

Founded year

1894

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Algol is a Finnish family-owned multi-industry group (founded 1894) that imports, distributes, and manufactures industrial chemicals, material handling solutions, assistive devices, and laboratory diagnostics through five subsidiaries across nine countries, serving over 3,000 industrial and healthcare customers.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Distribution and Trading

NAICS

Drugs and Druggists' Sundries Merchant Wholesalers (42421), Commercial and Service Industry Machinery Manufacturing (333310), Analytical Laboratory Instrument Manufacturing (334516)

SIC

Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Wholesale-Industrial Machinery & Equipment (5084), Medicinal Chemicals & Botanical Products (2833)

akta.pro primary industry

OTC & Consumer Health Distributors (HLAIAJAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

OTC Medicines & Consumer Health Products Distribution (CRAOAHAB), Pharmacy Front-End & Sundries Distribution (Health & Wellness, Personal Care, Convenience) (CRAOAHAG)

Keywords

• Industrial chemical distribution
• Specialty chemicals trading
• Material handling solutions
• Healthcare diagnostics distribution
• Assistive devices supply

Headquarters

HQ city

Espoo

HQ country

Finland

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Product Import and Distribution: Algol Group companies import, sell, and manufacture products for industry and healthcare sectors. The group operates as a multi-branch trading company with five business units.
2. Value-Added Services: Algol Chemicals provides value-added services, tailored deliveries and expert product know-how alongside its product distribution. The company delivers globally sourced, REACH-compliant products directly from local warehouses.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Algol is a Finnish family-owned multi-branch group that imports, markets, and manufactures products for industrial and healthcare sectors through five operating subsidiaries. The group distributes specialty chemicals, industrial raw materials, material handling equipment, assistive devices, and laboratory/pathology diagnostics supplies, complemented by value-added services such as tailored delivery, installation, maintenance, and training. Operations span the Nordic and Baltic regions, Ukraine and India, serving over 3,000 industrial customers.

Product overview

Algol is a Finnish family-owned multi-industry group (established 1894) that operates as a distribution and trading company rather than a unified software product. The group comprises five main business units: Algol Chemicals (chemical distribution), Algol Technics (material handling solutions), Algol Trehab (assistive devices), Algol Diagnostics (healthcare diagnostics, now merged with Histolab Products), and Suomen Unipol (industrial raw materials). The business units import, market, and manufacture products for industry and healthcare sectors, offering related services such as design, tailored delivery solutions, and installation/maintenance services. Algol Chemicals distributes specialty chemical brands including THOR UK's Acticide biocides and Microcare personal care ingredients.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Algol Chemicals: Chemical distributor connecting manufacturers of industrial raw materials to industrial customers with REACH compliant products
• Algol Technics
• Algol Trehab
• Algol Diagnostics
• Histolab Products
• Suomen Unipol

Products and services

• Algol Chemicals Chemicals distribution company connecting manufacturers of industrial raw materials to industrial customers by offering value-added services, tailored deliveries and expert product know-how. Provides REACH-compliant products delivered from local warehouses in Nordic and Baltic regions, Ukraine and India. Own production plants in Turku, Finland and Kvarntorp, Sweden.
• Algol Technics Implements material handling solutions, maintenance services and project deliveries. Represents high-quality international brands for industry, warehousing and transportation, offering services from project deliveries to maintenance and after-sales services.
• Algol Trehab Expert in assistive devices, offering a wide selection of products from leading manufacturers designed to smooth everyday life. Serves customers in both public and private sectors as well as private customers with options to purchase or rent.
• Algol Diagnostics Healthcare diagnostic solutions bringing speed and accuracy to laboratory diagnostics and research. Now merged with Histolab Products.
• Histolab Products Nordic leader in customized total solutions for cell diagnostics research and clinical laboratories, supplying equipment and chemicals to pathology and immunohistology laboratories.
• Suomen Unipol Offers inorganic and organic chemicals, plastics and other industrial raw materials in Finland, Scandinavia, the Baltics, Germany and neighbouring markets. Algol holds 75% ownership.
• Acticide Biocides Biocide products that inhibit microbial growth in water-based paints and various slurries, improving product shelf life. Distributed by Algol Chemicals in Finland and Baltics on behalf of THOR UK.
• Microcare Personal Care Ingredients Comprehensive range of preservatives and preservative boosters, emollients, quats, amides and silicones for hygiene and cosmetics manufacturers. Distributed by Algol Chemicals in Finland and Baltics on behalf of THOR UK.

Named customers4 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• THOR UKcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 May 2026Algol Chemicals became the distributor of THOR UK's specialty chemicals in Finland and the Baltic countries. The distribution transferred from Stromberg-Baltica on May 1, 2026. Products include Acticide biocides and Microcare personal care ingredients. THOR UK is part of THOR Group, headquartered in Cheshire, England with operations in more than 15 countries worldwide.
• Buratec OycoreOthers · 3 October 2025Algol Chemicals acquired Buratec Oy in October 2025 to strengthen its position in Finnish and Baltic markets for plastic colourants, additives, compounds and raw materials. Buratec had operated in the market for 34 years. Three employees transferred to Algol Chemicals as part of the acquisition.
• UPM BiochemicalsminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 14 March 2023Algol Chemicals signed a distribution agreement with UPM Biochemicals for bio-based Renewable Functional Fillers. This partnership expands Algol's sustainable product portfolio with renewable materials.
• Technology Industries of FinlandminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlgol collaborated with Technology Industries of Finland to support Ukrainian startups' participation in Slush 2024 technology event.
• Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional CouncilminorGTM or Marketing PartnerAlgol collaborated with Helsinki-Uusimaa Regional Council in supporting Ukrainian startups' participation in Slush 2024.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Caldic: Global specialty chemicals and ingredient distributor serving personal care, food, and industrial markets. Comparable to Algol Chemicals in distribution of specialty ingredients to industrial manufacturers.
• AddLife: Nordic life science company distributing medical devices, lab equipment, and diagnostics products. Comparable to Histolab/Algol Diagnostics in Nordic clinical and research laboratory distribution.
• Bergman & Beving: Swedish-listed industrial trading group distributing industrial equipment, tools, and consumables across the Nordic region. Directly comparable to Algol Technics' material handling solutions and Nordic industrial distribution model.
• IMCD Group: European-headquartered specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with strong Nordic presence. Highly comparable to Algol Chemicals in distribution of specialty additives, coatings, and personal care ingredients to industrial customers.
• Azelis: Global specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with significant EMEA operations. Directly comparable to Algol Chemicals in distributing biocides, personal care ingredients, and specialty additives to industrial manufacturers.
• Biesterfeld: Family-owned European specialty chemicals distributor with a focus on industrial raw materials, personal care, and specialty additives. Highly comparable business model and family-ownership structure to Algol.

Regional players

• Nordmann, Rassmann: German-based European specialty chemicals distributor with Nordic and Baltic reach. Comparable to Algol Chemicals in specialty industrial chemicals distribution across the Nordics and Baltics.
• Oriola: Nordic healthcare distribution and pharmaceutical retailer based in Finland. Comparable to Algol Trehab's healthcare/assistive device distribution model in the same Nordic geography.

Broad incumbents

• Univar Solutions: Major North American and European chemical distribution business serving industrial customers. Comparable to Algol Chemicals in industrial chemical distribution with similar product categories and customer segments.
• Brenntag: Global market leader in chemical distribution serving industrial customers across pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial sectors. Comparable to Algol Chemicals' industrial raw materials distribution model, but at vastly greater scale (EUR ~16B revenue) and global footprint.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/algolgroup

Compliance4 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles9 records

Subsidiaries8 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 Algol