Ceramic Industrial Coatings

What Ceramic Industrial Coatings does

Ceramic Industrial Coatings (legal entity Ceram-Traz Corporation) is a US specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1962 and headquartered in Osseo, Minnesota, with a second manufacturing site in Kansas City, Kansas. The company produces industrial wood coatings across three technology platforms: water-based, solvent-based, and UV-cured systems, with specialty sub-lines including antimicrobial finishes (ASEPTICA, Hygienica), self-healing ultra-matte coatings (S-MATT), high-performance acrylic polyurethanes (OAC363), and water-based topcoats (AO275, AOB510). It also operates a contract manufacturing business producing CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) products for third parties, with capabilities spanning custom color matching, automated dispensing via COROB NOVAFLOW systems, inert gas purge filling at scale (>10,000 bottles/day), and flexible batch sizes from one ounce to drums, all produced in ISO 9001:2015-certified facilities.

The business model is a hybrid of one-time product sales (proprietary wood coating lines and equipment like colorMATE) and recurring professional services (contract manufacturing, on-site technical service, line audits, color matching). GTM is sales-led via direct field representatives and technical service staff serving customers ranging from Fortune 100 industrial wood coaters to regional fabricators and consumers. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed. Distribution is anchored in two domestic manufacturing sites serving the Midwest and Southern US, with no disclosed international footprint.

Since May 2023, Ceramic Industrial Coatings has operated as a subsidiary of Canlak Coatings Inc., itself a portfolio company of SK Capital Partners (~$7.2B AUM). Under Canlak, the company functions as the US hub for a roll-up specialty wood coatings platform, with key technology partnerships intact (ICA for manufacturing and distribution of ASEPTICA/S-MATT/AO275/AOB510; COROB for dispensing; Universal Robots for material handling).

Name

Ceramic Industrial Coatings

Legal name

Ceram-Traz Corporation

Website

https://paints.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1962

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Ceramic Industrial Coatings is a 1962-founded US manufacturer of industrial wood coatings (water-based, solvent-based, UV-cured) plus contract manufacturing for CASE products. Based in Osseo, MN with a Kansas City, KS facility, it serves Fortune 100 to regional wood coaters via direct sales and technical service.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Wood Coatings

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Adhesives & Sealants (2891)

akta.pro primary industry

Wood Coatings & Finishes (IMAEAGAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty & Functional Coatings (Anti-microbial/Anti-slip/Insulating) (IMAIAKAM), Industrial & Protective Coatings (IMAEAGAB)

Keywords

• Industrial wood coatings
• Water-based coatings
• Solvent-based coatings
• Contract manufacturing
• Antimicrobial coatings

Headquarters

HQ city

Osseo

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Wood Coating Products: Sale of proprietary wood coating products including water-based, solvent-based, UV-cured, and specialty coatings for millwork, cabinetry, furniture, and architectural applications
2. Contract Manufacturing Services: Full-scale production capabilities for CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) products with custom color matching, filling, and packaging services
3. Technical Services: On-site technical support, line audits, new product trials, troubleshooting, work instruction development, and color matching services

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Ceramic Industrial Coatings is a manufacturer of industrial wood coatings, producing water-based and solvent-based formulations—including high-performance acrylic polyurethanes, antimicrobial finishes, ultra-matte self-healing coatings, stains, glazes, and sealers—for millwork, cabinetry, furniture, and architectural wood applications. It also offers full-scale contract manufacturing services for CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) products, including custom color matching, filling, and packaging.

Product overview

Ceramic Industrial Coatings operates as a manufacturer of industrial wood coatings and contract manufacturing services, acquired by Canlak Coatings in May 2023. The product portfolio centers on two core coating types: Water-Based Wood Coatings and Solvent-Based Wood Coatings, each encompassing sub-products such as clear sealers, topcoats, opaque finishes, stains, and glazes. Featured products include the colorMATE color matching system, OAC363 acrylic polyurethane, and AO275/AOB510 water-based topcoats. Specialized product lines include Hygienica antimicrobial finishes and ASEPTICA anti-microbial coatings (both manufactured by ICA), plus S-MATT ultra-matte coatings. Contract manufacturing services cover production, packaging, quality support, and supply chain management. The company operates facilities in Osseo, MN and Kansas City, KS.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Water-Based Wood Coatings High-performance sustainable wood coatings using water as solvent, including clear sealers, topcoats, opaque finishes, stains, and glazes with low VOC emissions (3-7%) for wood surfaces.
• Solvent-Based Wood Coatings Wide range of solvent-based formulations including lacquers, precats, conversion varnish, UV products, opaque finishes, stains and glazes for wood surfaces.
• AquaChrom Stain Base Fast drying water-based spray or wipe stain with extensive line of water-based stains and glazes for custom color matching.
• OAC363 High Performance Acrylic Polyurethane Premium acrylic polyurethane coating with GREENGUARD certification, anti-yellowing properties, extreme film hardness, and unmatched chemical resistance, ready-to-spray with unlimited gloss levels.
• AO275 High Performance Topcoat ICA water-based topcoat available in various opacities with VOCs around 3-7% compared to 55-75% for traditional solvent-based products; versatile general-purpose interior furniture topcoat.
• AOB510 Water-Based Top Coat ICA water-based range including transparent and pigmented coatings with properties comparable to solvent-based polyurethane, featuring high solids, fast dry, and extremely durable film.
• S-MATT Highly-Resistant Coatings ICA-manufactured ultra-matte water-based coatings for interior furnishings with self-healing properties, scratch resistance, anti-fingerprint, and anti-glare, with lower VOC than UV conventional coatings.
• Hygienica Antimicrobial Finishes New line of antimicrobial interior solvent-based finishes for millwork, kitchens, baths and furniture that reduces bacterial growth within 24 hours per ISO 22196 testing.
• ASEPTICA Anti-Microbial Coatings ICA-manufactured anti-microbial coatings for interior furnishings and wooden flooring, with active metals that boost durability and protect the coating film from bacterial attack; ISO 22196:2011 tested.
• colorMATE Matching and Tinting Equipment Color matching and tinting equipment for in-plant use to improve efficiency and accuracy; supports initial color matching, repeat orders, and QC color checks.
• Contract Manufacturing Services Comprehensive production capabilities for CASE (coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers) products including liquid batch making, custom colors, filling and packaging, quality support, and supply chain management.
• FDA Hand Sanitizer FDA registered hand sanitizer produced during COVID-19 pandemic response under the company's contract manufacturing capability.

Quantifiable outcome

• VOCs reduced from 55-75% to 3-7% using water-based products
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 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 flagship, core and minor.

• Canlak Coatings Inc.flagshipStrategic or Co-development Partner · 8 May 2023In May 2023, Canlak Coatings Inc., a portfolio company of SK Capital Partners, acquired Ceramic Industrial Coatings (Ceram-Traz Corporation d.b.a.). The acquisition strengthens Canlak's footprint in North American wood coatings and aligns with the company's vision to create a specialized wood coating systems business. Rob Laubscher continues as U.S. Managing Director overseeing Canlak's U.S. operations.
• Wexford LabscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 13 September 2020Partnership for distribution of hard surface disinfectants for use against COVID-19 virus. Wexford Labs develops safer disinfectants to protect caregivers, staff and patients. Products are EPA approved on List N for use against SARS-CoV-2.
• Sherwin-Williams Global Color and Design CenterminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 2 October 2019Partnership for Color Trends Open House event where Sherwin Williams GCDC team presented on future color and design trends for the wood industry. GCDC team works with designers and manufacturers to uncover trends and consumer preference shifts.
• SayerlacminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 22 August 2019Partnership for Water Base Wood Coatings Training and Open House event to bring customers innovative water base technologies. Collaboration to present next generation coatings for water base wood applications.
• AcromaProminorGTM or Marketing Partner · 17 July 2019Supply partner for AWFS Fair exhibition in Las Vegas. Ceramic Industrial Coatings supported AcromaPro with booth presence at the trade show.
• ICA (Industria Chimica Adesivi)coreTechnology or IntegrationPartnership with ICA for manufacturing and distribution of specialized coating products including ASEPTICA antimicrobial coatings, S-MATT highly-resistant coatings, and ICA A0275/AOB510 water-based topcoats. Products are manufactured by ICA and distributed through Ceramic Industrial Coatings.
• COROBcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner providing NOVAFLOW weight-based dispensing system for automated color and stain production. COROB is a global technology leader in high-tech dispensing and mixing solutions for paints and coatings, inks and chemicals.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Emerging players

• Renner Wood Coatings: Brazilian manufacturer of wood coatings with growing North American presence, specializing in water-based and low-VOC finishes. Comparable in product mix and sustainability positioning, though smaller in U.S. distribution than Ceramic.
• Envirolak: North American manufacturer specializing in water-based industrial wood coatings for cabinetry, furniture, and millwork. Closely comparable niche peer, competing in the same water-based/low-VOC segment Ceramic leads.

Direct peers

• ICA (Industria Chimica Adesivi): Italian manufacturer of wood coatings and adhesives whose products (ASEPTICA, S-MATT, AO275, AOB510) are distributed by Ceramic Industrial Coatings in North America. Closest direct peer in technology, water-based wood finishes, and OEM wood finishing segments.
• Diamond Vogel: U.S. regional manufacturer of architectural and industrial coatings with a dedicated wood finishes line serving cabinet, furniture, and millwork customers in the Midwest. Most directly comparable peer in size, geography, and OEM wood focus.
• Sayerlack (Sherwin-Williams brand): Italian wood coatings brand owned by Sherwin-Williams, focused on water-based and solvent-based finishes for furniture, kitchen, and joinery. Direct peer in water-based wood technology and OEM customer overlap with Ceramic.
• Canlak Coatings: Parent platform of Ceramic Industrial Coatings since May 2023, formed by SK Capital Partners to consolidate North American wood coatings manufacturers. Comparable in wood coatings portfolio, OEM focus, and toll manufacturing services.

Broad incumbents

• PPG Industries: Global coatings supplier with industrial wood and specialty coatings exposure. Competes with Ceramic in industrial finishing channels and has the scale to push into OEM wood segments.
• Sherwin-Williams (Industrial Wood Coatings): Large global coatings incumbent with a dedicated industrial wood coatings division serving cabinetry, furniture, and building products OEMs. Competes head-on with Ceramic in OEM wood finishes while offering a much broader portfolio and global footprint.
• RPM International (Wood Coatings brands): Holding company for specialty coatings brands including wood finishes and sealants. Comparable via its wood coatings subsidiaries and contract manufacturing model, though broader in scope than Ceramic's wood-centric focus.
• AkzoNobel (Wood Coatings): Global paints and coatings major with a wood finishes business serving joinery, furniture, and flooring OEMs worldwide. Overlaps directly with Ceramic's water-based and solvent-based wood coating lines but operates at significantly larger scale.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 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 Ceramic Industrial Coatings