What Kost USA does

Kost USA, founded in 1985 and headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio, is one of the largest U.S. manufacturers, suppliers, and marketers of antifreeze/coolants and functional fluids, ranked as the third-largest U.S. antifreeze/coolant manufacturer as of its 2020 acquisition by Recochem Corporation. The company operates a 110,000 square-foot production facility with over 500,000 gallons per day blending capacity, multi-million gallon storage, rail-car access, and in-house DI/RO water production. Its product portfolio spans automotive antifreeze/coolants (DefendAL, STP, Engine Ice), heat transfer fluids (KOSTChill, BioChill), stationary engine coolants (ToughinAL), fire resistant hydraulic fluids (AchievAL), natural gas dehydration fluids (KOSTherm), diesel exhaust fluid (H2Blu), plumbing waterline antifreeze (WinterProof), and food & beverage heat transfer fluids (KOSTBrews). The company holds ISO 9001 certification and API certification for DEF, with proprietary technologies including the Bitter-Aid anti-consumption additive and OAT/nitrite-free HD ELC formulations.

The company operates a B2B direct sales model targeting blue-chip customers across automotive aftermarket, heavy-duty commercial vehicle, industrial thermal management, oil & gas, food & beverage, and pharmaceutical processing verticals across the U.S., Mexico, and Canada. Revenue is generated through branded product sales, private label/contract manufacturing for partners including Spectrum Brands (STP) and Shell (Rotella DEF), and the KOSTCare fluid analysis service program. Distribution is handled through direct enterprise sales, an aftermarket distribution network, and a logistics partnership with Osborne Logistics Group, with export sales managed by Dorian Drake International. The company is led by President and CEO Steve Overdeck and operates as a subsidiary of Recochem Corporation following the November 2020 acquisition, which provided access to Recochem's global manufacturing and distribution platform spanning North America, Europe, Australia, and Asia-Pacific.

In 2024, Kost USA launched three new products: KOSTChill Superlow EV for electric vehicle thermal management, KOSTChill PG XL for extended-life HVAC/process cooling, and AchievAL FRH 46 fire resistant hydraulic fluid, signaling expansion into EV fluids, data center cooling, and industrial safety applications. The company also co-developed the BioChill biobased heat transfer fluid line with ADM, replacing petroleum-derived PG with renewable feedstock. Strategic partnerships span Cummins (Partner of the Year, 2018), Spectrum Brands (STP licensing), Shell (Rotella DEF), ADM (BioChill co-development), Engine Ice/CycleLogic (contract manufacturing), Osborne Logistics (warehousing/transportation), Dorian Drake International (export sales), and PFX Group/Recochem (joint exhibition at AHR Expo 2026 for data center thermal management).

Name

Kost USA

Legal name

KOST USA, Inc.

Website

https://kostusa.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1985

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

Kost USA is a Cincinnati-based manufacturer of antifreeze/coolants and functional fluids serving automotive, heavy-duty, industrial, oil & gas, and food & beverage markets across North America. Founded in 1985, it operates a 500,000+ gallons/day blending facility and is a subsidiary of Recochem Corporation following its 2020 acquisition.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Fluids Manufacturing

NAICS

Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Aftermarket Fluids, Lubricants & Chemical Products Manufacturing (Oils/Coolants/Additives/Cleaners) (IMACANAK)

Keywords

• Antifreeze coolants manufacturing
• Heat transfer fluids
• Functional fluids production
• Glycol-based fluids
• Private label fluid manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Cincinnati

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Antifreeze/Coolant Manufacturing and Sales: Primary revenue stream from manufacturing and selling antifreeze and coolant products including light-duty automotive, heavy-duty commercial vehicle, and specialty formulations through private label and branded channels
2. Functional Fluids Portfolio: Sales of heat transfer fluids, fire resistant hydraulic fluids, stationary engine coolants, natural gas dehydration fluids, and diesel exhaust fluid for industrial applications
3. Private Label Manufacturing: Contract manufacturing services for branded and private label partners including STP, Shell, and other automotive aftermarket brands with premium quality products and customer service
4. KOSTCare Fluid Analysis Program: Paid testing and analysis services providing detailed fluid analysis reports and recommendations for maintenance optimization, with sample shipping kit fees

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kost USA manufactures and supplies antifreeze/coolants and functional fluids from its 110,000 sq ft Cincinnati, Ohio facility, producing over 500,000 gallons daily across glycol-based product lines including ethylene glycol and propylene glycol formulations. The portfolio spans automotive coolants (DefendAL), heat transfer fluids (KOSTChill, BioChill), fire resistant hydraulic fluids (AchievAL), stationary engine coolants (ToughinAL), natural gas dehydration fluids (KOSTherm), diesel exhaust fluid (H2Blu), and plumbing antifreeze (WinterProof). The company also offers private label contract manufacturing for brands such as STP and Shell Rotella, plus KOSTCare fluid analysis services.

Product overview

Kost USA is a manufacturer and supplier of antifreeze/coolants and functional fluids, operating as a multi-product chemical manufacturing company rather than a unified software platform. The portfolio consists of distinct physical product lines organized around fluid types: DefendAL® serves as the primary antifreeze/coolant brand for automotive applications; ToughinAL™ covers stationary engine coolants; AchievAL® provides fire resistant hydraulic fluids; KOSTChill™ and BioChill® offer heat transfer fluids for HVAC and industrial cooling; KOSTherm™ handles natural gas dehydration; H2Blu delivers diesel exhaust fluid; and WinterProof™ addresses plumbing waterline protection. Supporting services include KOSTCare™ fluid analysis program and private label manufacturing. The company also licenses STP® and Engine Ice™ brands. Products span both consumer automotive (light-duty/heavy-duty antifreeze) and industrial markets (stationary engines, hydraulic systems, oil & gas, food & beverage processing).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• DefendAL: Antifreeze/coolant product line for automotive applications including light-duty and heavy-duty vehicles
• KOSTChill
• BioChill
• KOSTherm
• AchievAL
• ToughinAL
• H2Blu
• KOSTBrews

Products and services

• DefendAL® Comprehensive line of antifreeze/coolants for automotive applications including light-duty (passenger cars, light trucks) and heavy-duty (commercial vehicles, construction equipment) engines. Features multiple technologies including OAT, conventional, and nitrite-free formulations, with the HD ELC variant offering up to 70% reduction in maintenance costs versus conventional coolants.
• STP® Antifreeze/Coolant Licensed STP branded antifreeze/coolant products manufactured by Kost USA under a license agreement with Spectrum Brands' Global Auto Care Division, including automotive and heavy-duty formulations.
• Engine Ice™ Hi-Performance Coolant Hi-Performance Coolant manufactured for CycleLogic Products Inc., providing superior heat transfer to maximize horsepower output in powersports vehicles including motorcycles, UTVs, and snowmobiles.
• WinterProof™ Plumbing Waterline Antifreeze Propylene glycol-based plumbing waterline antifreeze designed to winterize potable and seasonal water systems including RVs, pools, boats, trailers, and seasonal homes, providing burst protection safe for metal and plastic pipes.
• ToughinAL™ Stationary Engine Coolant Superior inhibited glycols designed for demanding requirements of stationary engines, fortified with corrosion inhibitors to protect wet sleeve liners, anti-scaling, defoamers, and anti-fouling compounds. Operating temperatures between -60°F and 275°F.
• AchievAL® Fire Resistant Hydraulic Fluid Complete line of fire resistant hydraulic fluids (FRH) delivering performance, durability, and fire protection for high-pressure and high-temperature hydraulic environments. Products include 5226 Concentrate, FRH 200, FRH 46, and Enviro HP. Meets U.S. Steel Requirements #171 and recommended for Eaton/Vickers, Parker/Denison, and Rexroth systems.
• KOSTChill™ Heat Transfer Fluids

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduced maintenance costs by approximately 70% compared to conventional technology heavy-duty coolant over 1 million miles
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers11 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered flagship, core, important and minor.

• Recochem CorporationflagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 30 November 2020Kost USA was acquired by Recochem Corporation of Montreal, Canada in November 2020. The strategic partnership allows Kost USA to continue providing excellent service while expanding product offerings and reach throughout North America. The combination strengthens Recochem's position as a leading supplier to the automotive and heavy-duty transportation fluids market across North America and around the world. Recochem operates a global platform with facilities in North America, Australia, Asia-Pacific, Europe, Africa, Middle East, India, and China.
• Cummins, Inc.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKost USA received Cummins Partner of the Year Award in 2018 for superior performance with commitment to deliver value. The partnership involves distribution of Cummins-approved coolant products and long-standing supply relationship. Cummins Filtration also produces coolant products that Kost USA supplies or partners with.
• Archer Daniels Midland Company (ADM)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerKost USA and ADM successfully developed the BioChill line of heat transfer fluids. ADM's biobased propylene glycol effectively replaces petroleum-derived PG traditionally used in heat transfer fluids. BioChill products allow customers to meet performance expectations while reducing environmental impact.
• The Osborne Logistics GroupimportantChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKost USA partnered with The Osborne Logistics Group for warehousing and transportation needs in May 2019. The partnership was chosen based on similar culture, dedication to customer service, and state-of-the-art product tracking. Osborne provides regional focus within 600 miles of Cincinnati, OH.
• Spectrum Brands - STPcoreOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerKost USA entered into a license agreement with Spectrum Brands' Global Auto Care Division in October 2015 to manufacture, market, and sell STP branded antifreeze/coolant in the United States. STP joins Kost USA's group of name-branded product offerings. Kost USA is the only U.S. manufacturer of STP Antifreeze.
• ShellimportantChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKost USA produces and distributes Shell Rotella branded diesel exhaust fluid products. The partnership involves manufacturing and marketing DEF products under the Shell Rotella brand.
• Engine Ice (CycleLogic Products, Inc.)importantOEM/ Whitelabel/ Licensing PartnerCycleLogic Products, Inc. relocated Engine Ice Hi-Performance Coolant production from Houston, Texas to Kost USA's Cincinnati facility in 2015. The new facility provides greater product quality, production quality control, and greater production output reducing lead times and shipping times.
• Dorian Drake International Inc.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKost USA appointed Dorian Drake International Inc. as export sales representative for AutoShield Antifreeze/Coolant in markets outside the United States in July 2017. The multi-cultural sales team manages sales to countries outside the U.S.
• PFX GroupimportantStrategic or Co-development PartnerKost USA, as part of Recochem under PFX Group, exhibited at the 2026 AHR Expo in Las Vegas showcasing SOLUTHERM portfolio of thermal management fluids for HVAC and data center cooling. The partnership highlights advanced thermal management solutions for high-density environments.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Prestone Products (Shell): Prestone is the largest U.S. antifreeze/coolant brand, owned by Shell, selling directly into automotive aftermarket and heavy-duty channels that overlap completely with Kost USA's DefendAL and licensed Shell Rotella DEF franchises.
• Old World Industries: Manufacturer of Peak and Zerex antifreeze/coolants and complementary functional fluids, making Old World a direct competitor in automotive and heavy-duty coolant formulations sold through the same aftermarket distribution channels.
• Recochem Corporation: Parent company of Kost USA and itself a manufacturer of antifreeze and functional fluids across Canada and globally; Recochem's home-market product lines (e.g., Recochem antifreeze) compete directly in overlapping North American channels.

Broad incumbents

• BASF (Glysantin / Engine Coolant): BASF's Glysantin line is the dominant OEM-spec heavy-duty and passenger-car coolant brand globally; a broad chemical incumbent with overlapping inhibitor technology and OEM approvals competitive with Kost USA's OAT and HD ELC products.
• Chevron (Delo / Coolants): Chevron markets Delo heavy-duty engine coolants alongside its lubricants portfolio, competing in the same heavy-duty fleet and OEM channels that anchor Kost USA's Cummins-affiliated business.
• Shell Rotella / Shell Lubricants: Shell is both a private label customer of Kost USA (Shell Rotella DEF) and a competitor via Prestone, making it a structurally important peer in the heavy-duty and consumer antifreeze categories.
• TotalEnergies (Coolelf): TotalEnergies' Coolelf is a globally distributed heavy-duty and passenger car coolant brand, making the company a broad incumbent competitor in the OEM-approved and aftermarket coolant segments where Kost USA operates.
• Castrol (BP): Castrol markets heavy-duty coolants and a broad functional fluids portfolio through automotive and industrial channels that overlap with Kost USA's KOSTChill heat transfer and DefendAL product lines.
• Valvoline: Valvoline distributes antifreeze/coolants and a broad functional fluids portfolio through its service centers and aftermarket channels, making it a broad incumbent overlap with Kost USA's automotive aftermarket and private label businesses.

Emerging players

• Arteco: Arteco specializes in automotive and industrial coolants, including EV thermal management fluids, making it an emerging specialty competitor at the intersection of traditional coolants and next-generation EV thermal management where Kost USA is investing via Superlow EV.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/kostusa
• Facebookfacebook.com/kost-usa-inc-192658295102
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kost-usa

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 Kost USA