What F2 Chemicals does

F2 Chemicals Ltd is a UK-based specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 1992, headquartered and operating from a single integrated manufacturing site in Preston. The company specializes in elemental fluorine generation and the production of high-purity perfluorocarbon fluids marketed under the Flutec trade name, which it acquired from Rhône-Poulenc in 1993. Its core capability is on-demand elemental fluorine manufacture combined with selective direct fluorination technology, enabling production of fully fluorinated compounds (containing only carbon and fluorine atoms) used across multiple industrial applications. The product portfolio spans 18 named perfluorocarbons, Octafluoropropane for semiconductor CVD chamber cleaning, Perfluorobutane for ultrasound contrast imaging, Perfluorodecalin and Perfluoro-n-octane for vitreoretinal surgery, Flutec TG Tracers detectable at parts-per-quadrillion levels for oil/gas reservoir mapping and leak detection, Flutec LE coating solutions, and the recently introduced Fluotherm D and Fluotherm T low-GWP heat transfer fluids positioned as 3M fluid replacements.

The business operates a B2B direct sales model with quote-based pricing, 30-day payment terms, and no public list prices, supplemented by contract R&D and custom selective direct fluorination services for pharmaceutical intermediates (SF5 compounds and fluorinated ketoesters). End markets served include semiconductors, medical devices and pharmaceuticals, electronics and thermal management, oil & gas tracing, and industrial instrumentation. Revenue is generated through one-time product sales, custom synthesis contracts, and technical service fees. The company is regulatory-intensive: ISO 9001:2015 certified, FDA cGMP compliant for pharmaceutical-grade Perfluorobutane, REACh lead registrant in the EU/UK for multiple perfluorocarbons, UK COMAH Lower Tier site, and approved under several US MIL standards for testing fluids.

Ownership recently changed hands from Resonac Corporation (Japan, owner since 2008) to Rcapital Partners LLP, a UK private equity firm specializing in industrial and manufacturing businesses, with the deal concluding on September 4, 2025. The company has 11–50 employees and serves global customers via direct export from its single UK site, with no disclosed distributor network or regional offices.

Name

F2 Chemicals

Legal name

F2 Chemicals Limited

Website

https://f2chemicals.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1992

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

F2 Chemicals Ltd is a UK-based specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 1992 that produces high-purity perfluorocarbon fluids under the Flutec brand, serving semiconductor, medical, pharmaceutical, electronics, and oil and gas customers via direct B2B sales from its Preston facility.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Fluorochemicals (Perfluorocarbons)

NAICS

Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (3259), Industrial Gas Manufacturing (32512)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Electronics & Semiconductor High-Purity Gases (IMAEACAG)

akta.pro secondary industry

Specialty & Calibration Gas Mixtures (IMAEACAE)

Keywords

• Perfluorocarbon fluids
• Specialty fluorochemicals
• Heat transfer fluids
• Semiconductor etching gases
• Pharmaceutical fluorination

Headquarters

HQ city

Preston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Perfluorocarbon Fluids: F2 Chemicals manufactures and sells a wide range of perfluorocarbon fluids under the Flutec trade name. Products include electronic fluids, tracers, and defined density fluids sold to industrial customers in semiconductor, pharmaceutical, electronics cooling, medical, and oil & gas sectors. Revenue is generated through direct product sales with pricing based on quantity and specifications.
2. Heat Transfer Fluids: Sale of Fluotherm D (HFP Dimer) and Fluotherm T (HFP Trimer) - alternative heat transfer agents with low GWP values (<150) for electronics cooling and similar applications.
3. Pharmaceutical Intermediates: SF5 compounds and fluorinated ketoesters manufactured to order for pharmaceutical applications, utilizing selective direct fluorination technology.
4. Coating Solutions: Flutec LE12 and LE15 oligomer coating solutions sold for protecting electronics, fibers, and industrial applications. Available in 5 kg containers with larger sizes on request.
5. Contract R&D Services: Research and development assistance for customers requiring fluorination expertise, handling of elemental fluorine, and formulation capabilities.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

F2 Chemicals Ltd manufactures elemental fluorine on demand and converts it into a range of high-purity perfluorinated fluids sold under the Flutec trade name, plus Fluotherm D and Fluotherm T heat transfer fluids as low-GWP alternatives. The company also performs selective direct fluorination of organic compounds for pharmaceutical intermediates (SF5 compounds and fluorinated ketoesters) and offers contract R&D support for customers needing fluorination expertise. All products are manufactured at the company's Preston, UK facility.

Product overview

F2 Chemicals Ltd is a UK-based chemical manufacturer specializing in perfluorocarbon fluids and fluorinated compounds, operating under the Flutec™ trade name. The core product portfolio centers on Flutec Fluids—fully saturated perfluorocarbons used for cooling, dielectric, and heat transfer applications—complemented by Fluotherm D and Fluotherm T (low-GWP HFP-based alternatives to 3M fluids). The company also manufactures Octafluoropropane for semiconductor etching and CVD chamber cleaning, Perfluorobutane for medical ultrasound contrast agents, Perfluorodecalin and Perfluoro-n-octane for vitreoretinal surgery, and Flutec LE12/LE15 coating solutions for electronics protection. An extensive range of 18 named perfluorocarbon compounds covers boiling points from -36.7°C to 215°C for various industrial applications. Additionally, Flutec TG Tracers provide ultra-sensitive tracing and tagging capabilities (detectable at parts per quadrillion) for oil/gas reservoir mapping, atmospheric studies, and leak detection. The company offers selective direct fluorination services and R&D support leveraging elemental fluorine expertise, with recent ownership change to Rcapital Partners (September 2025).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Flutec Perfluorocarbon Fluids Range of fully saturated perfluorocarbon fluids containing only carbon and fluorine atoms, manufactured under the Flutec trade name. Used as performance fluids for cooling, dielectric, heat transfer, tracing, and medical applications across industries including semiconductor, medical, electronics, oil and gas, and pharmaceuticals.
• Octafluoropropane (Flutec PP30) Perfluoropropane (R218) with molecular weight 188, boiling point -36.7°C, used in semiconductor etching processes and CVD chamber cleaning to remove dielectric film build-up. Provides comparable cleaning effect to C2F6 with up to 50% lower gas usage.
• Perfluorobutane Perfluorobutane (molecular weight 238, boiling point -1.6°C) manufactured under cGMP for use in ultrasound contrast imaging agents and various electronic applications.
• Perfluorodecalin Perfluorodecalin supplied as a validated base fluid for vitreoretinal surgery, used as a heavy tamponade for repair of giant retinal tears, diabetic retinopathy, and dislocated intraocular lenses.
• Perfluoro-n-octane Perfluoro-n-octane provided as a validated fluid for vitreoretinal surgery, used as a heavy intraoperative tool for retinal repair and foreign body removal.
• Fluotherm D (HFP Dimer) Hexafluoropropene dimer, an unsaturated perfluorocarbon heat transfer fluid with low GWP (<150), offered as an alternative to perfluorocarbons and certain 3M fluids in electronics cooling and similar applications.
• Fluotherm T (HFP Trimer) Hexafluoropropene trimer, an unsaturated perfluorocarbon heat transfer agent with negligible GWP (<150), serving as a replacement for certain 3M fluids in heat transfer applications.
• Flutec LE12 and LE15 Coating Solutions Solutions of low molecular weight perfluorocarbon oligomer in volatile perfluorocarbon liquid, providing hydrophobic and oleophobic coatings for protecting electronics assemblies, impregnating fibers, coating applicator nozzles, and releasing resin moldings. Available in 5 kg containers with larger sizes on request.
• Flutec TG Tracers Perfluorocarbon tracers detectable at parts per quadrillion levels, used for gas and petroleum reservoir mapping, injection gas tracing, atmospheric tagging, emergency simulation, building ventilation studies, and cable and storage tank leak detection.
• Defined Density Fluids (Dyed Blue, Green, Yellow) Colored Flutec fluids with specific gravities (e.g., 1.88 g/ml for Dyed Blue) used as pressure transmitting liquids for gauges, alternatives to mercury in manometers, thermometers, and orifice plate flowmeters.
• Full Range of Perfluorocarbons (18 named compounds) Complete portfolio of 18 named perfluorocarbon compounds spanning boiling points from -36.7°C to 215°C, including Octafluoropropane, Perfluorobutane, Perfluoromethylcyclopentane, Perfluoro-2-methylpentane, Perfluoromethylcyclohexane, Perfluoroethylcyclohexane, various dimethylcyclohexanes, Perfluoro-n-octane, Perfluoroperhydroindane, Perfluoro-2,4-dimethylheptane, Perfluoro-1,3,5-trimethylcyclohexane, Perfluoro-n-propylcyclohexane, Perfluoro-iso-propylcyclohexane, Perfluorodecalin, Perfluoromethyldecalin, and Perfluoroperhydrophenanthrene.
• Selective Direct Fluorination Services Custom fluorination service utilizing elemental fluorine and organic compounds to manufacture SF5 compounds and fluorinated ketoesters to order for pharmaceutical intermediates and other specialty products.
• Research and Development Support Contract R&D assistance for customers needing expertise in handling and formulation with elemental fluorine, leveraging F2 Chemicals' specialized fluorination capabilities.

Quantifiable outcome

• Octafluoropropane cleaning effect comparable to C2F6 with significantly lower gas usage (up to 50%)
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles5 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Resonac CorporationminorOthersFormer parent company of F2 Chemicals. Acquired F2 Chemicals in 2008 when it was called Showa Denko KK. On January 1, 2023, Showa Denko KK and Showa Denko Materials Co., Ltd. merged to form Resonac Holdings Corporation and Resonac Corporation. Sold to Rcapital in September 2025.
• YordascoreImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerYordas serves as F2 Chemicals' Only Representative (OR) for REACh compliance in the EU. Yordas is lead registrant on behalf of F2 Chemicals for perfluorocarbons in the EU market (until 2025, Chementors was the OR).
• ChementorsminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerPrevious Only Representative (OR) for F2 Chemicals for REACh compliance in the EU until 2025. Replaced by Yordas.
• BNFL (British Nuclear Fuels plc)minorOthersOriginal parent company when F2 Chemicals was established in 1992 as BNFL Fluorochemicals Ltd. BNFL sold the company in 2000 to a consortium of Asahi Glass Company Ltd and Mitsubishi Corporation.
• Asahi Glass Company Ltd and Mitsubishi CorporationminorOthersConsortium that acquired F2 Chemicals from BNFL in 2000. The company was subsequently acquired by Resonac (then Showa Denko) in 2008.
• University of Durham and University of LeicesterminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerR&D collaboration started in 1992 with universities of Durham and Leicester to develop selective direct fluorination technology for utilizing fluorine as a fluorinating agent for production of organic compounds.
• Rhône-PoulencminorOthersOriginal owner of the Flutec perfluorocarbon fluids business that F2 Chemicals acquired in 1993, along with construction of the production plant in Preston.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Air Liquide: French multinational industrial gas supplier with extensive electronics, healthcare, and specialty gas offerings. Broad incumbent across most of F2 Chemicals' end markets, particularly semiconductor process gases and medical gas applications.
• Honeywell International: Major industrial conglomerate with significant electronics chemicals and refrigerants business including the Novec fluorinated fluid line. Broad incumbent across specialty chemicals and electronics materials, serving overlapping semiconductor, data center cooling, and aerospace customers.
• Linde plc: Global industrial gas giant producing electronics and specialty gases for semiconductor fabrication, healthcare, and industrial customers. Broad incumbent serving most of F2 Chemicals' end markets with vastly greater scale and multi-region capacity.
• Daikin Industries: Japanese global leader in fluorochemicals, including refrigerants, fluoropolymers, and specialty chemicals. Broad incumbent with deep fluorocarbon R&D and manufacturing scale, and a major competitor for low-GWP fluid applications including electronics cooling.
• DuPont de Nemours: American chemical conglomerate with long heritage in fluoropolymers (Teflon/PTFE/Kapton) and specialty chemicals. Broad incumbent in fluorinated materials with potential overlap in semiconductor process chemistries and specialty industrial applications.

Direct peers

• Resonac Corporation: Former parent company of F2 Chemicals from 2008 to September 2025 (renamed from Showa Denko). Produces perfluorocarbons, electronic materials, and specialty chemicals globally. Direct competitor via former operational integration and overlapping semiconductor and industrial fluorocarbon product portfolios.
• The Chemours Company: DuPont spin-off (2015) and one of the largest global fluorinated specialty chemicals producers with refrigerants (Opteon), fluoropolymers, and industrial fluorinated products. Direct competitor across multiple fluorinated product categories, though facing PFAS-related liabilities that constrain its strategic moves.
• AGC Inc. Former owner of F2 Chemicals from 2000 to 2008; major Japanese chemical group with extensive fluorochemicals business including fluoropolymers, electronic materials, specialty gases, and fluoroelastomers. Direct peer for fluorinated specialty chemicals with significant global manufacturing scale.
• Halocarbon Products Corporation: US-based specialty fluorochemical manufacturer producing fluorinated oils, perfluorocarbons, refrigerants, and pharmaceutical intermediates. The most direct competitor to F2 Chemicals in the niche specialty perfluorocarbons market, with overlapping product lines across medical, electronics, and industrial applications.
• Solvay SA: Belgian specialty chemical company with a fluorinated specialty chemicals business including SF6, fluorinated intermediates, and specialty gases for semiconductor and electronics. Direct peer in specialty fluorinated compounds with overlapping semiconductor and electronics customer base.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/watch?v=plant_video

Compliance3 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 F2 Chemicals