Aquasol
AquaSol Corporation, founded 1958 and headquartered in Rock Hill, SC, manufactures bio-based starch chemistry products for oil & gas drilling, HDD, paper and packaging, textiles, and personal care markets. The company's portfolio includes biodegradable drilling fluid additives and superabsorbent polymers.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1958
- HeadquartersRock Hill, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Aquasol does
AquaSol Corporation, founded in 1958 as Tillet Chemical in Pineville, North Carolina and now headquartered in a 2008-built Rock Hill, South Carolina manufacturing facility, is a U.S. specialty chemicals manufacturer built on a proprietary modified starch polymer platform. The company produces bio-based, biodegradable additives and polymers across five end-markets: oil & gas drilling fluids, horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and industrial water well drilling, paper and packaging, textile printing and finishing, and — most recently — superabsorbent polymers for personal care, medical, and cosmetic applications. The product portfolio spans more than 30 stock-keeping units organized into named franchises including AquaBloc (fluid-loss control), AquaVisc (viscosifiers/rheology modifiers), ClayBloc (cationic clay inhibitors), AquaTrol (dispersible additives), AquaSet (cementing additives), BrineVis (brine viscosifiers), OrganoSol (non-aqueous fluid additives), AquaPak (LV PAC replacements), and HydraLoq (bio-based superabsorbent polymers), with key technical differentiators in dispersible polymer technology that prevents gel blocking and thermal stability up to 300°F.
The business operates a B2B, relationship-driven commercial model. Direct enterprise field sales — characterized by chemists embedded with customers and on-site technical support (including the new "Mud School" training program) — targets oil & gas operators, HDD contractors, and industrial drilling firms, while a distributor network (exemplified by Pioneer One) extends reach into mid-market contractors. Pricing is quote-based and undisclosed; the company accepts credit card, ACH, and trade credit. Several products carry NSF/ANSI 60/CAN certification, which is a meaningful gate for water well and potable water applications and effectively segments the regulatory playing field. The company reports no publicly disclosed revenue, no funding history, and no parent or institutional investors, indicating it is privately held by management/insiders.
The company is led by a three-person executive team: Dan Bennett (President), Alicia Richards (VP – General Manager), and Erin Brayer (Director of Sales). Reported headcount sits in the 11–50 range, consistent with a focused, owner-operated specialty chemicals manufacturer. Operating geography is disclosed as North America, though the company claims global supply capability. Recent strategic activity has been concentrated in new product introductions — five product launches across late 2025 and 2026 — and a partnership-led customer education push, suggesting reinvestment of operating cash flow into R&D and go-to-market rather than inorganic moves.
Aquasol firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Aquasol
- Legal name
- AquaSol Corporation
- Website
- https://aquasolcorp.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1958
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- AquaSol Corporation, founded 1958 and headquartered in Rock Hill, SC, manufactures bio-based starch chemistry products for oil & gas drilling, HDD, paper and packaging, textiles, and personal care markets. The company's portfolio includes biodegradable drilling fluid additives and superabsorbent polymers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Aquasol industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemicals Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Wet Corn Milling and Starch Manufacturing (311221)
- SIC
- Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Starch-Based Biodegradable Materials (TPS compounds, blends) (IMAEAOAF)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives (IMAEABAL), Bio-Based & Biodegradable Compounds (PLA/PHA/Starch Blends) (IMANABAF)
Keywords
Where Aquasol is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rock Hill
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Aquasol business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Drilling Fluid Additives: Sale of bio-based starch polymer products for oil & gas drilling, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), industrial water well drilling, and construction applications. Products are sold directly to operators and through distributor networks. Revenue is generated through product volume purchases with pricing based on quantity and customer relationship.
- Superabsorbent Polymers: Sale of HydraLoq bio-based superabsorbent polymers for personal care, medical, industrial, and cosmetic applications. Products are sold to manufacturers and brands seeking sustainable absorbent materials. Revenue generated through product sales with potential for customization and technical collaboration.
- Specialty Chemicals for Textiles: Sale of starch-based textile additives including rheology modifiers, printing thickeners, and adhesives for textile printing and finishing operations. Products include Adhesive 32B, Kogum HS, Aquaprint A7, Aquajel 210XL, and Aquanese 150. Revenue through direct product sales to textile manufacturers.
- Paper and Packaging Additives: Sale of starch-based additives for paper, tissue, and packaging industries including AquaBloc (OGR treatments), AquaFix (water retention aids), and AquaFlocc (cationic starch solutions). Products enhance strength, printability, and sustainability for papermakers and converters.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Pay-as-you-go | Custom quotation-based pricing for drilling fluid additives and specialty chemicals |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels5 records
Aquasol product offering
Product offeringCore offering
AquaSol manufactures bio-based, biodegradable starch-derived chemistry products. Its core lines include drilling fluid additives for oil & gas, HDD, and water well drilling; HydraLoq superabsorbent polymers for personal care and medical uses; plus specialty chemicals for textiles and paper/packaging.
Product overview
AquaSol is a U.S.-based manufacturer of bio-based polymer and starch-based chemistry solutions with a diverse portfolio spanning multiple industry segments. The company's core offering consists of biodegradable drilling fluid additives for oil & gas, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), and industrial water well applications, complemented by superabsorbent polymer technology (HydraLoq) for personal care, medical, and cosmetic markets, as well as specialty chemicals for textile printing and finishing, and paper/packaging applications. Products are organized into distinct product lines including: AquaBloc (fluid loss control), AquaVisc (viscosifiers/rheology modifiers), ClayBloc (clay inhibitors), AquaTrol (dispersible additives), AquaSet (cementing additives), BrineVis (brine viscosifiers), OrganoSol (non-aqueous fluid additives), and HydraLoq (superabsorbent polymers) for industrial/medical/personal care uses. Textile offerings include Adhesive 32B, Kogum HS, Aquaprint A7, Aquaprint 400R, Aquajel 210XL, and Aquanese 150. Paper and packaging products include AquaBloc Series, AquaFix Series, and AquaFlocc Series. All products are manufactured in the USA with NSF/ANSI 60/CAN certification available for water-related applications.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- HydraLoq: Next-generation bio-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) technology for personal care, medical, industrial, and cosmetic applications.
- AquaBloc Series
- AquaPak
- AquaVisc
- AquaTrol
- ClayBloc
- AquaDril
- OrganoSol Series
- AquaSet Family
- BrineVis
- Aquabloc LC
- Aquadril LC
- AquaPak HDD
- AquaCarb-NA
- AquaLube
- AquaBore
- AquaFlo
- AquaSlic
- Adhesive 32B
- Kogum HS
- Aquaprint A7
- Aquaprint 400R
- Aquajel 210XL
- Aquanese 150
- AquaBloc Series (Paper)
- AquaFix Series
- AquaFlocc Series
Products and services
- Starch-Based Drilling Fluid Additives (Portfolio) Bio-based, biodegradable drilling fluid additives engineered for fluid-loss control, viscosity modification, and filtration stability across oil & gas, HDD, and industrial drilling applications.
- HydraLoq Next-generation bio-based superabsorbent polymer (SAP) derived from renewable starch chemistry, designed for personal care (diapers, feminine hygiene, adult incontinence), medical (wound care, surgical pads), industrial (spill control), and cosmetic applications.
- AquaTrol & AquaTrol LV Starch-based, NSF/ANSI 60/CAN-certified, fully dispersible drilling fluid additives engineered as direct replacements for traditional PAC HV and PAC LV, combining fluid loss control, low-shear rheology, and pH stability in a single one-bucket solution.
- BrineVis & BrineVis II Next-generation bio-based cationic viscosifiers designed for mono- and divalent brine systems, providing reliable rheology, fluid loss control, and system stability in high-salinity drilling environments.
- ClayBloc & ClayBloc Plus NSF/ANSI 60/CAN-certified cationic clay inhibitors designed to prevent bit balling, clay swelling, and adhesion issues in reactive clay formations, used across oil & gas, HDD, industrial drilling, and water well applications.
- AquaBloc Series Highly modified starch-based fluid loss control additives for water-based drilling fluids, stable in freshwater and brine systems up to 300°F, including ultra-low viscosity and high-temperature (HT) variants.
- AquaPak / AquaPak HDD Starch-based fluid loss control additive designed as a cost-effective replacement for LV PAC in water-based drilling fluids, with an NSF-certified HDD variant for horizontal directional drilling.
- AquaVisc Series Polysaccharide-based viscosifiers and rheology modifiers for water-based and HDD drilling fluids, offering bio-based alternatives to xanthan gum with enhanced hole cleaning efficiency.
- AquaDril High-performance starch-based fluid loss control additive with thermal stability, certified to pass the Microtox test for a non-toxic profile.
- OrganoSol Series Naturally based polymer engineered for high-temperature, high-pressure (HTHP) fluid loss control in non-aqueous fluid systems (NAFs), tested from 150°F to 350°F.
- AquaSet Family Bio-based cementing additive family (AquaSet LT, MT, HT) designed for suspension and fluid loss control in cement slurry systems.
- AquaBore Starch-derived biodegradable viscosifier engineered for clay-free horizontal directional drilling (HDD) and other trenchless applications, providing rapid hydration.
- AquaCarb-NA High-purity, NSF/ANSI 60/CAN-certified soda ash for water treatment and industrial applications including water softening and pH control.
- AquaLube High-performance liquid hammer lubricant for rock drilling applications to reduce downhole torque and drag, minimize rod wear, and extend bit life.
- AquaSlic NSF/ANSI 60/CAN-certified liquid lubricant engineered to reduce torque, drag, bit balling, clay accumulation, and sticking during drilling operations.
- AquaFlo Highly modified starch-based polymer blend engineered for industrial drilling applications in sand, gravel, and rock formations with rapid hydration.
- Textile Specialty Chemicals (Adhesive 32B, Kogum HS, Aquaprint A7, Aquaprint 400R, Aquajel 210XL, Aquanese 150) Starch-based and polymer textile additives including print table adhesives, dye printing thickeners, alkali-swellable thickening agents, and carrier starch polymers for textile printing and finishing operations.
- AquaBloc Series (Paper) Naturally based biodegradable polymer delivering oil and grease resistance (OGR) for paper and packaging while remaining repulpable and recyclable.
- AquaFix Series Next-generation bio-based water retention aid delivering superior water retention without viscosity penalty, enabling increased coating solids and improved film uniformity for paper and packaging.
- AquaFlocc Series 100% bio-based cationic starch with higher charge density for enhanced fiber bonding, fines retention, and surface strength in paper and packaging applications.
Quantifiable outcome
- Thermal stability up to 300°F for high-temperature drilling applications
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Aquasol
Customer profileSegments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Aquasol technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature4 records
Aquasol partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Wilcorp Construction & EnvironmentalcorePartnership for first official HDD Mud School hosted by AquaSol in Toccoa, Georgia. Training session brought AquaSol's technical team to the field to work alongside Wilcorp's crews, focusing on HDD mud fundamentals including fluid-loss control, rheology management, hole cleaning, and practical troubleshooting. Hands-on format allowed discussion around real-world drilling challenges and how starch-based drilling additives improve performance while supporting environmentally responsible operations.
- Pioneer OnecoreOne of AquaSol's trusted distributor partners whose sponsorship helped ensure productive and collaborative Mud School training experience. Strong distributor relationships play critical role in delivering technical value and responsive service to contractors in the field.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves7 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Aquasol competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Roquette: Global starch and starch-derivative producer with deep industrial starch chemistry expertise, including polymers for paper, packaging, and personal care applications. Comparable as a large, vertically integrated supplier of starch-based specialty ingredients.
- Ingredion: Global ingredient solutions company producing starches and starch-based ingredients for food, paper, and industrial applications. Highly comparable as a major supplier of modified starches into paper, textiles, and industrial markets where AquaSol competes.
- Tate & Lyle: Major producer of starch-based ingredients and food/industrial additives. Comparable to AquaSol in modified starch chemistry, with overlap in industrial-grade starch applications and specialty additives.
- Cargill: Global agribusiness and starch/ingredient producer supplying industrial starches, bio-based polymers, and specialty additives. Comparable to AquaSol's starch-derived chemistry across paper, personal care, and industrial segments.
- Clariant: Specialty chemicals company with oilfield services and industrial additives portfolios. Comparable through its specialty additives for drilling fluids, paper, and personal care chemistries.
- BASF: Global chemical major with superabsorbent polymer (HySorb) and specialty starch/polymer offerings for personal care and industrial markets. Comparable to AquaSol's HydraLoq SAP and broader bio-based specialty chemistry.
Direct peers
- Newpark Resources: Provider of drilling fluids and fluid systems for oil & gas, HDD, and industrial drilling markets. Direct competitor to AquaSol's drilling fluid additive portfolio, particularly for HDD and water well applications.
- Tetra Technologies: Specialty chemicals and fluids provider for oil & gas and industrial markets, including water-based drilling fluid additives and completion fluids. Direct peer in the drilling additives space.
- Solenis: Specialty chemicals manufacturer focused on paper and packaging water treatment/process chemistries. Direct competitor in AquaSol's AquaBloc OGR, AquaFix retention, and AquaFlocc cationic starch lines.
- Kemira: Specialty chemicals company supplying water-intensive industries including paper, oil & gas, and water treatment. Overlaps with AquaSol's paper additives and drilling/water-well chemistries.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Aquasol social profiles
Digital presenceAquasol compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
Aquasol financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Aquasol leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
Aquasol funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Aquasol M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Aquasol
What does Aquasol do?
AquaSol manufactures bio-based, biodegradable starch-derived chemistry products. Its core lines include drilling fluid additives for oil & gas, HDD, and water well drilling; HydraLoq superabsorbent polymers for personal care and medical uses; plus specialty chemicals for textiles and paper/packaging.
Is Aquasol a public or private company?
Aquasol is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Aquasol founded?
Aquasol was founded in 1958. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Aquasol based?
Aquasol is headquartered in Rock Hill, United States, in the North America region.
How does Aquasol make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Drilling Fluid Additives are the primary driver. The others are superabsorbent Polymers, specialty Chemicals for Textiles and paper and Packaging Additives.
Who are Aquasol's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Roquette, Ingredion, Tate & Lyle, Cargill, Clariant and BASF. Direct peers are Newpark Resources, Tetra Technologies, Solenis and Kemira.
Does Aquasol have an API?
No public API is recorded for Aquasol.
What industry is Aquasol in?
Aquasol's product category is Specialty Chemicals Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEAOAF, Starch-Based Biodegradable Materials (TPS compounds, blends), with a secondary code of IMAEABAL, Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives. Its NAICS code is 311221 and its SIC code is 2890.