What Aquachemie does

AquaChemie is a privately held, Dubai-headquartered chemical manufacturing, distribution, and terminal storage company serving the hydrocarbon and broader industrial value chain across the GCC. Founded on October 19, 2008 by V Anandkumar (formerly of GE Water and Process Technology) and Shobitha Anandkumar, the company has built a vertically integrated offering spanning bulk industrial chemicals, specialty additives, catalysts, molecular sieves, activated carbon, liquid vanadium and formulated MDEA, fertilizer additives, and the Enviro-Syn HCR acid system series. Its principal differentiator is a state-of-the-art 36,000 CBM petrochemical terminal at Jebel Ali Port in the UAE, comprising 30+ API-650 nitrogen-blanketed tanks, five drumming lines, and direct berth connectivity, which functions as a regional hub for petrochemical trade.

The company monetizes across three streams: one-time chemical product sales, recurring terminal storage and logistics services, and project-based technical services including CatSulf catalyst sulfiding, vendor-managed inventory, toll blending, and process monitoring. Go-to-market is enterprise-direct, with regional sales teams and wholly-owned or partner-represented entities in UAE (Dubai and Abu Dhabi), Bahrain, Qatar, Saudi Arabia (with a Dammam manufacturing facility), Iraq, Oman, and Kuwait, supplemented by China and Hong Kong sourcing/trading operations. Distribution leverage is reinforced through partnerships with global principals Kurita, Unicat, Ashapura Clay, Kurita Merox, and Enviro-Syn, which grant AquaChemie preferred access to proprietary specialty product lines for the GCC market.

AquaChemie serves an enterprise customer base of 250+ clients concentrated in Oil & Gas upstream, refinery and gas processing, and petrochemicals. Named customers include Saudi Aramco, ADNOC, SABIC, Shell, ExxonMobil, KOC, KNPC, PDO, Halliburton, Baker Hughes, and Satorp. The company holds ISO 9001, 14001, and 45001 certifications alongside CDI chemical distribution accreditation, supporting approved-vendor status with major energy customers. Operations are founder-controlled with no disclosed private equity or institutional capital, and growth has been financed internally through reinvestment in regional expansion, terminal infrastructure, and a layered service portfolio.

Name

Aquachemie

Legal name

AquaChemie DMCC (Primary UAE Entity)

Website

https://aquachemie.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2008

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

AquaChemie is a Dubai-based, privately held chemical manufacturer and distributor serving the GCC's oil & gas, petrochemical, and industrial sectors with bulk and specialty chemicals, catalyst services, and a 36,000 CBM Jebel Ali petrochemical terminal.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chemicals Distribution

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (32599), Petroleum Bulk Stations and Terminals (424710)

SIC

Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Oilfield & Refining Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAI)

Keywords

• Industrial chemicals distribution
• Oil and gas chemicals
• Petrochemical terminal storage
• Specialty chemical manufacturing
• Catalyst sulfiding services

Headquarters

HQ city

Dubai

HQ country

United Arab Emirates

HQ region

Middle East

Offices8 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical Products Sales: Sale of bulk industrial chemicals, specialty chemicals, catalysts, molecular sieves, activated carbon, vanadium solutions, and fertilizer additives to industrial customers.
2. Chemical Terminal Storage Services: Storage and handling services at the Jebel Ali petrochemical terminal including tank storage, drumming, and logistics support.
3. Technical Services: Catalyst sulfiding (CatSulf), vendor managed inventory, process monitoring, analytical services, waste disposal, and manufacturing/toll blending services.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

AquaChemie is a chemical manufacturing, sales, distribution, services, and terminal storage company that supplies industrial and specialty chemicals (catalysts, molecular sieves, activated carbon, Kurita specialty chemicals, fertilizer additives, liquid vanadium, formulated MDEA, and Enviro-Syn HCR Series acid systems) to the Oil & Gas, petrochemical, refinery, and fertilizer industries across the GCC region. The company complements its product portfolio with technical services including CatSulf catalyst sulfiding, vendor managed inventory, warehousing and logistics, project staffing, process monitoring and analytical services, waste disposal, manufacturing and toll blending, and repackaging, anchored by its 36,000 CBM petrochemical terminal at Jebel Ali Port.

Product overview

AquaChemie is a chemical manufacturing, sales, distribution, and terminal storage company that operates as a diversified portfolio of industrial chemical products and related services. The core product offering includes Bulk Industrial Chemicals, Oil & Gas Upstream products, Kurita Specialty Chemicals (partner brand), Catalysts, Molecular Sieves & Specialty Zeolite, Activated Carbon, Cleaning & Decontamination products, Liquid Vanadium & Formulated MDEA, Fertilizer Specialty Additives, and Enviro-Syn HCR Series Acid Systems. Complementing the product portfolio is a comprehensive suite of services including CatSulf (catalyst sulfiding), Vendor Managed Inventory, Warehousing & Logistics, Project Staffing, Process Monitoring & Analytical Services, Waste Disposal, Manufacturing and Toll Blending, and Repackaging services. The company also operates a strategic chemical storage terminal at Jebel Ali Port in UAE with significant storage capacity. The products and services work together to provide end-to-end chemical supply chain solutions primarily serving the oil & gas, petrochemical, fertilizer, and industrial sectors across the GCC region.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CatSulf: Catalyst Sulfiding and Activation services using specialized skids and teams for hydro processing catalyst preparation.
• Enviro-Syn HCR Series

Products and services

• Bulk Industrial Chemicals Wide range of bulk industrial chemicals spanning drilling, cementing, stimulation, and completion additives for the hydrocarbon industry.
• Oil & Gas Upstream Chemicals Specialized chemical products for upstream drilling operations, including products for upstream drilling and downstream refineries and petrochemicals.
• Kurita Specialty Chemicals Specialty chemicals for water and process applications supplied through partnership with Kurita, including cleaning and decontamination solutions for oil and gas and industrial customers.
• Catalysts Catalyst products including Unicat, Ashapura Clay, and Kurita Merox for various industrial processes.
• Molecular Sieves & Specialty Zeolite Crystalline alumino-silicate materials used as molecular sieve adsorbents with extensive network of pores and extremely high surface area.
• Activated Carbon Activated carbon products with extensive network of pores and extremely high surface area for adsorption applications.
• Cleaning & Decontamination Chemicals High-end cleaning and decontamination products for diverse process applications, including tailored programmes for cleaning and disinfection needs supplied through the Kurita partnership.
• Liquid Vanadium & Formulated MDEA Wide range of Liquid Vanadium and Formulated MDEA solutions for industrial needs, including Potassium Carbonate CO2 Removal systems (Vanadium Solution).
• Fertilizer Specialty Additives Performance chemicals for the fertilizer industry, collaborating with top producers for specialized fertilizer applications including anticaking agents and grinding aids.
• Enviro-Syn HCR Series Acid Systems Over 150 different acid blend formulations covering all applications in the oil and gas sector where HCl or other acid systems are used, including HCR-7000 and HFR-1000 products.
• CatSulf Catalyst Sulfiding and Activation Top-notch Catalyst Sulfiding and Activation services using highly specialized skids and teams for hydro processing catalysts.
• Vendor Managed Inventory State-of-the-art stocking and supply chain facilities to help clients save on inventory costs.
• Warehousing & Logistics End-to-end logistical solutions with real-time tracking and prompt support for all chemical logistics needs.
• Project Staffing Placement of experienced and verified process and industry personnel for short and long-term projects.
• Process Monitoring & Analytical Services Expert teams closely monitor every aspect of processes to ensure safety, quality, and timely delivery, including field, analytical, and monitoring services.
• Waste Disposal Waste disposal services working closely with approved waste disposal companies in each of the GCC countries.
• Manufacturing and Toll Blending Pre-mixing and blending chemical products that enhance production and boost output.
• Repackaging - Filling, Labeling, Palletizing Repackaging services to convert bulk freight into drums, IBCs, pails, and other containers for easier storage and warehousing.
• AquaChemie Terminal at Jebel Ali Port State-of-the-art petrochemical terminal at Jebel Ali Port in UAE with 20,000 Sqm plot area, 36,000 CBM storage capacity, over 30 tanks, API-650 nitrogen blanketed, connected to Berth #4 with five 6 inch SS Jetty Pipeline, offering tank storage, drumming, and truck loading for petrochemical customers across the GCC.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 250 globally-reputed clients served across the GCC region
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major client and local partner.

• KuritacoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKurita is a key partner for specialty chemicals used in water and process applications. AquaChemie distributes Kurita's specialty chemicals in the GCC region including water treatment, cleaning, decontamination, and process chemicals. The partnership covers Kurita's film-forming amine technology, H2S sensing solutions, and customized water treatment programs for the oil and gas industry.
• UnicatcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnicat is a catalyst supplier partner providing hydroprocessing catalysts and related products through AquaChemie's distribution network in the GCC region.
• Ashapura ClaycoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAshapura Clay provides catalyst and clay products that AquaChemie distributes in the GCC market as part of their catalyst portfolio.
• Kurita MeroxcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKurita Merox provides mercaptan oxidation catalysts and solutions that are distributed through AquaChemie in the GCC region.
• Enviro-SyncoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerEnviro-Syn provides HCR-Series acid systems - over 150 different acid blends for oil and gas applications including HCl and specialized acid systems. AquaChemie distributes these products in the GCC region.
• KOC (Kuwait Oil Company)major clientOthersMajor oil and gas company client in Kuwait receiving industrial chemicals and services from AquaChemie.
• Saudi Aramcomajor clientOthersSaudi Arabian Oil Company - major oil and gas client receiving chemicals and services.
• ADNOCmajor clientOthersAbu Dhabi National Oil Company - major energy company client receiving chemicals and services.
• SABICmajor clientOthersSaudi Basic Industries Corporation - major petrochemical company client receiving chemicals and services.
• Shellmajor clientOthersRoyal Dutch Shell - international energy company client receiving chemicals and services in the GCC region.
• PDO (Petroleum Development Oman)major clientOthersOman's national oil company receiving industrial chemicals and services.
• KNPC (Kuwait National Petroleum Company)major clientOthersKuwait National Petroleum Company - major refinery client receiving process chemicals.
• Exxon Mobilmajor clientOthersExxon Mobil Corporation - international energy company client receiving chemicals and services.
• Enroillocal partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner in Oman representing AquaChemie for chemical distribution and sales in the Omani market.
• Arabian Darb General Trading & Contracting Co.local partnerChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLocal partner in Kuwait - Arabian Darb General Trading & Contracting Co. represents AquaChemie in the Kuwaiti market.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Brenntag: Brenntag is the world's largest chemical distribution company with a meaningful presence in the Middle East and a portfolio spanning specialty chemicals, industrial chemicals, and life sciences. Like AquaChemie, it serves industrial customers with a mix of products and value-added services, though at much larger global scale.
• Univar Solutions: Univar Solutions is a major global chemical and ingredient distributor with specialty chemical offerings across industrial verticals. Comparable to AquaChemie in serving industrial customers with specialty additives and process chemicals, though with broader geographic diversification.
• IMCD: IMCD is a leading global specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with strong distribution agreements for principal products. Highly comparable to AquaChemie in its distribution-partnership model, especially in industrial segments and additives, and has been expanding in the Middle East.
• Azelis: Azelis is a global specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with a strong principal-relationship model, similar to AquaChemie's Kurita/Enviro-Syn partnerships. Both companies focus on specialty additives and serve industrial end-markets across multiple regions.

Regional players

• Al Maha Chemicals: Al Maha Chemicals is a UAE-based chemical distributor serving industrial customers across the Gulf. Strong regional direct peer to AquaChemie given similar geography, customer base in oil & gas and industrial sectors, and product portfolio overlap in industrial and specialty chemicals.
• National Chemical & Petroleum Industries: NCPI is a long-standing UAE-based chemical manufacturer and distributor with petrochemical and industrial chemicals serving regional customers. Overlaps with AquaChemie in petrochemical distribution, oil & gas chemicals, and GCC-focused B2B sales.
• Gulf Chemicals & Industrial Oils Co. Gulf Chemicals & Industrial Oils is a UAE-based industrial chemicals and lubricants distributor serving GCC markets. Comparable regional peer to AquaChemie given similar geographic focus, industrial customer base, and chemical distribution model.

Broad incumbents

• Vopak: Vopak is one of the world's largest independent tank storage operators, providing liquid bulk storage and terminal services at strategic ports globally. Comparable to AquaChemie's Jebel Ali terminal operation in the bulk liquid storage and petrochemical terminal business lines.
• Oiltanking (Advario): Oiltanking / Advario is a major independent tank storage provider operating liquid bulk terminals globally, including the Middle East. Relevant comparable for AquaChemie's terminal storage business at Jebel Ali Port, though operates at much larger scale and broader scope.
• Kurita: Kurita is a Japanese global leader in water and process chemicals for industrial use. While AquaChemie is a distribution partner, Kurita is itself a broad incumbent in the same specialty chemicals space and competes with AquaChemie in some end markets and geographies.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Subsidiaries5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A1 record

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Aquachemie