Kalcor Coatings Company

What Kalcor Coatings Company does

Kalcor Coatings Company is a privately held specialty industrial coatings manufacturer founded in 1961 and headquartered in Willoughby, Ohio. The company designs and produces custom-formulated coatings, rather than catalog products, for OEM customers across five primary verticals: automotive interior/exterior trim, brake and undercarriage components, building products and architectural surfaces, consumer electronics and teletronics, cosmetics and beauty packaging, and general industrial applications.

Underlying technology spans solventborne, waterborne, and UV-cure systems across substrates including metal, wood, paper, plastic, and composites. Kalcor is one of a small number of licensees of Arkema's Kynar Aquatec waterborne fluoropolymer resin technology and holds proprietary product families such as Kalgard (88+, 094, 870, anti-counterfeit), K2 low-bake epoxy, 073 high-temperature coatings rated to 650°F, Soft-Touch Plus 2K urethane systems, and PVD/metallization primer-topcoat systems. The firm is ISO-9001 certified, Sony Green Partner certified, and operates a fully equipped formulation and test laboratory plus an applications center for testing on customer parts.

The business model is direct enterprise sales of custom coatings, supplemented by toll manufacturing for other companies ranging from small specialty firms to Fortune 200 manufacturers. Go-to-market is field sales with technical staff providing line audits, process optimization, and field training; Kalcor has global reach through associates in Europe and Asia supporting international customers. Revenue is generated through one-off custom formulation contracts and ongoing supply agreements rather than disclosed licensing or subscription pricing, with no public pricing or revenue disclosed.

Name

Kalcor Coatings Company

Legal name

Kalcor Coatings Company

Website

https://kalcor.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1961

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Kalcor Coatings Company is a privately held, custom industrial coatings manufacturer serving OEM customers in automotive, building products, consumer electronics, cosmetics packaging, and general industrial markets from Willoughby, Ohio, with proprietary and licensed chemistry including Kynar Aquatec fluoropolymer systems.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Industrial Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Automotive & Transportation Coatings (IMAEAGAC), Metal Packaging Coatings & Linings (BPA-NI, Epoxy, Internal Coatings) (IMALADAK)

Keywords

• Industrial coatings manufacturing
• Custom coating formulations
• OEM coatings supplier
• Waterborne fluoropolymer coatings
• Automotive OEM coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Willoughby

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Coatings Formulation and Manufacturing: Kalcor designs and manufactures custom-formulated industrial coatings to meet specific customer needs. Products include architectural coatings, automotive coatings, electronics coatings, and cosmetics packaging coatings sold directly to OEM customers.
2. Toll Manufacturing: Kalcor produces coatings for other companies as a private-label supplier. Services range from small custom batches to large Fortune 200 firms. Technical staff helps optimize formulations for cost and processing.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Kalcor designs and manufactures custom-formulated industrial coatings for OEM customers across automotive, building products, consumer electronics, and cosmetics packaging markets. Products are sold directly to OEMs as engineered coating systems (Kalgard, K2, 073, Soft-Touch Plus, Kynar Aquatec-based) on metal, wood, paper, plastic, and composite substrates. The offering is complemented by custom formulation, color matching, toll manufacturing, and on-site line audit services.

Product overview

Kalcor Coatings Company is a custom formulations-focused industrial coatings manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialized coatings and services. The product portfolio includes: Kalgard® family of building product and architectural coatings (including Kalgard® 88+ brake coatings, Kalgard® 870 window/door coatings, and Kalgard® 094 rubber-to-metal coatings); K2® low-bake epoxy coatings for automotive applications; 073 high-temperature coatings rated up to 650°F; 870-Line waterborne urethane coatings; Kynar Aquatec® licensed fluoropolymer coatings; Soft-Touch Plus interior coatings; 2K two-component coating systems; UV curable coatings; and PVD/VM coating systems. These are complemented by service offerings including Custom Formulation, Color Matching, Toll Manufacturing, Line Audits, and Kalcor-U technical education resources. Markets served include automotive (interior/exterior trim, brake coatings, rubber-to-metal), electronics coatings (consumer electronics, teletronics), cosmetic and beauty packaging, building products (roof, siding, windows, doors, cement), and general industrial applications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Kalgard: Family of engineered coatings for architectural and building product markets, including roof coatings, siding coatings, window and door coatings, and cement/block coatings.
• Kalgard 88+
• K2
• 073 Line

Products and services

• Kalgard Building Product & Architectural Coatings Engineered architectural coatings for building products including Kynar Aquatec-based systems, 100% urethane and blended formulations designed for roofs, siding, cement block, windows and doors.
• Kalgard 88+ Brake Coatings High-heat, corrosion-resistant coatings for brake parts and under-hood, under-carriage components; spray-applied to pre-heated parts with thermal cycling and corrosion resistance meeting OEM specifications.
• Kalgard 870 Window & Door Coatings Urethane/acrylic coatings for PVC window frames, trim and lineal components with mixed metal oxide pigment technology for appearance and color stability.
• Kalgard 094 Line Rubber-to-Metal Coatings Waterborne coatings for rubber-to-metal applications with over 500 hours salt spray resistance; water-reducible polyolefin with low VOC (<0.5 lb/gal) for anti-noise, anti-vibration parts.
• K2 Low-Bake Epoxy Coatings Low-bake epoxy coatings for extreme corrosion protection with higher-gloss cosmetic appeal; spray-applied, air-dried or baked at 250°F for 20 minutes, providing scratch, mar and chemical resistance.
• 073 High-Temperature Coatings MIL-spec MIL-P-14105D coating providing heat and corrosion protection for parts up to 650°F and fade resistance to 1200°F; acrylic-modified silicone coating for high-temperature exhaust vents, manifolds, and engine components.
• 870-Line Waterborne Urethane Coatings Waterborne urethane coatings based on polyurethane dispersion resins designed for vacuum coating applications with defoaming properties, fast flow, leveling, and quick drying; satisfies AAMA 613-93 for vinyl window applications.
• Kynar Aquatec Based Coatings Waterborne fluoropolymer resin-based coatings delivering ultimate weatherability; licensed Kynar Aquatec technology for roofing, siding and building products with resistance to chalking, fading and extended product lifetimes.
• Soft-Touch Plus Interior Coatings Two-component urethane soft-touch coatings providing tactile sensations from silky smooth to rubber-like grip, with abrasion, scratch, mar and chemical resistance and expert color matching for automotive interiors.
• 2K Interior Plastic Trim Coatings Two-component coating system for automotive interior plastic components (ABS, Polycarbonate, ABS/PC blends, GTX, nylons) with 30-minute 180°F low-bake cure, UV resistance, and scratch, mar and chemical resistance.
• 3-Coat Exterior Automotive Trim System Primer-base-topcoat system for Class-A automotive exterior surfaces meeting demanding OEM paint specifications: solvent-based acrylic lacquer primer, acrylic color base-coat, and 2K urethane/acrylic top coat.
• Consumer Electronics Coatings High-performance coatings for plasma TVs, cell phones and smart phones with finishes ranging from high-gloss piano black bezels to soft-touch smartphone coatings with scratch/mar and chemical resistance.
• Teletronics Coatings Coatings for plasma/LCD TVs and home stereo systems including 1K acrylic monocoats with chemical and water resistance, plus UV clear or tinted coatings for molded-in-color plastic bezels and cabinets.
• One-Coat Cosmetic Packaging Process Single-pass coatings producing special effects from crystal clear to semi-transparent to frosted appearances, including shimmer, pearlescent, and fade effects with UV curable formulations for thin-wall PET containers.
• Base-Clear Cosmetic Packaging Process System of opaque acrylic lacquers and non-silicone top coats for multi-layer special effects and color depth; topcoats range from high-gloss to super-flat (<5 gloss) and are compatible with pad printing and hot stamp decoration.
• Kalgard Anti-Counterfeit Coatings Covert anti-counterfeit coating incorporating a unique additive visible under a low-cost handheld microscope; virtually impossible to replicate and can be added to clear and tinted top coats for brand protection on cosmetics packaging.
• Kalgard Anti-Fingerprint & Anti-Microbial Coatings Modified top coats providing fingerprint resistance and anti-bacterial action: oleo-phobic coatings repel body oils while antimicrobial coatings protect packaging from bacteria, used for cosmetics and beauty packaging.
• Soft-Touch Cosmetic Packaging Coatings Soft-touch top coats for cosmetics packaging providing tactile sensations from grippy rubber-like to silky soft, formulated in multiple colors and finishes to harmonize color and touch.
• UV Curable Coatings Fast-curing coatings cured with UV lamps for instant polymerization; ideal for heat-sensitive parts and offering clear or highly scratch-resistant finishes with reduced contamination risk. Available for plastics, package decorating, consumer electronics and automotive applications.
• Kynar Aquatec 2K Coatings Two-component weatherable fluoropolymer coating built on Kynar Aquatec technology, providing extreme weatherability with improved scratch and mar resistance for exterior building products such as windows, doors, decking, and railings.
• Custom Formulation Services Custom coating formulation services where Kalcor chemists combine resins, pigments, and additives to produce coatings engineered for ease of application and superior performance at optimal price for OEM customers.
• Color Matching Services Precise color matching services using reference-grade spectrophotometers and color management software capable of detecting fractions of delta-e difference, with expertise in pearlescent, color-shift and metallic pigments.
• Toll Manufacturing Contract manufacturing of coatings for other companies, ranging from small custom batches to large Fortune 200 firms, with technical staff helping optimize formulations and select processing equipment for varying batch sizes and technologies.
• Line Audits Cost-saving line audits where Kalcor's field staff identifies opportunities such as reducing paint purchases, improving transfer efficiency, controlling color/gloss, improving film-build uniformity, and upgrading quality systems.

Quantifiable outcome

• Kalgard 870 coatings provide 5+ years Florida exposure and 5,000 hours QUV resistance
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and strategic.

• Arkema Inc.coreTechnology or Integration · 1 February 2021Arkema is a major resin manufacturer providing Kalcor with Kynar and Kynar Aquatec fluoropolymer resin technology. Kalcor is one of only a few select Kynar Aquatec licensees. The partnership includes joint webinars, technical symposiums, and co-development of new 2K Kynar Aquatec technology for improved scratch and mar resistance.
• Cashew CompanycoreTechnology or IntegrationHighly respected Japanese coatings manufacturer. Joint business arrangement established in late 1980s encompassing ongoing exchanges of technology, products, and personnel. Cashew and Kalcor developed a novel mid-coat system for PVD/coating applications with unparalleled design flexibility.
• Greenkote USAstrategicStrategic or Co-development PartnerSupplier of high-performance metal surface treatment. Partnered with Kalcor to develop new rubber-to-metal bonding system combining Greenkote's thermal diffusion process with Kalcor Kalgard 94-Line waterborne coating. Achieved 1,500 hours corrosion-free salt spray exposure.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Red Spot Paint & Varnish Company: Indiana-based custom coatings manufacturer serving automotive interior plastics, electronics, and consumer goods OEMs - a closely comparable niche specialty formulator with similar customer profiles and technology breadth.
• Hentzen Coatings: Wisconsin-based custom industrial coatings manufacturer focused on aerospace, military, and general industrial OEM applications - comparable as a privately held, custom-formulation specialist serving demanding OEM specifications.
• Sheboygan Paint Company: Wisconsin-based custom industrial coatings manufacturer serving OEMs across diverse markets - highly comparable as a privately held niche player with similar custom formulation capabilities and direct OEM sales model.
• General Coatings Manufacturing Corp: California-based custom manufacturer of industrial and aerospace coatings for OEM customers - a similar privately held specialty formulator serving comparable end markets with comparable scale and customization depth.

Broad incumbents

• Axalta Coating Systems: Global coatings leader serving automotive OEM and refinish markets, plus industrial applications - overlaps with Kalcor in automotive interior/exterior trim and general industrial coatings but at vastly larger scale.
• PPG Industries: One of the world's largest coatings companies, serving automotive, industrial, architectural, and packaging markets globally - directly overlaps with all of Kalcor's key verticals as the dominant broad-line incumbent.
• Sherwin-Williams: Global coatings giant serving architectural, industrial, automotive, and packaging markets - comparable across Kalcor's full portfolio, particularly in industrial OEM coatings and packaging finishes.
• Akzo Nobel: Global paints and coatings leader with strong automotive and industrial OEM presence - overlaps with Kalcor's automotive, electronics, and packaging coatings businesses through its specialty and industrial divisions.
• RPM International: Holding company for numerous specialty coatings brands serving industrial, automotive, and consumer markets - comparable through subsidiaries serving similar OEM niches with corrosion-resistant and specialty coating technologies.

Regional players

• Nippon Paint Holdings: Asia's largest coatings company with strong automotive OEM presence - relevant as the parent of NPA (where Kalcor's Technical Director previously worked) and as a competitor in automotive coatings, particularly given Kalcor's Cashew Company partnership channeling into Asian markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/kalcor-coatings-company

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 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 Kalcor Coatings Company