H.B. Chemical
H.B. Chemical is a North American specialty chemical distributor serving rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturers with over 600 products distributed through 30+ warehouses. Founded in 1985 in Twinsburg, Ohio, the company has been a subsidiary of Ravago Holdings America since 2019.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1985
- HeadquartersTwinsburg, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What H.B. Chemical does
H.B. Chemical is a specialty chemical distributor serving the rubber, plastics, and coatings industries across North America. Founded in 1985 by Hill Browning in Twinsburg, Ohio, the company stocks more than 600 products across 24 categories including accelerators, antioxidants, carbon black, dispersions, fatty acids/amides, flame retardants, magnesium oxide, masterbatches, natural and synthetic rubbers, pigments, plasticizers, process aids/oils, resins, silica, slab dip/anti-tack, stearates, sulfur, waxes, and zinc products. The company holds exclusive North American distribution rights for Dow NORDEL EPDM (since 2023), H.B. Fuller CILBOND adhesives (since 2012), and Kumho Petrochemical KNB nitrile rubber (over 20 years), and maintains a roster of 20+ additional supplier relationships.
The company operates a sales-led, quote-based distribution model with a lean 50+ person team and a network of 30+ warehouses across North America (including facilities in Twinsburg, OH; Bremen, GA; Cuyahoga Falls, OH; and Toluca, Mexico). Revenue is generated through distribution margins on the sale of third-party chemicals to manufacturers in rubber, plastics, and coatings segments, with no public pricing or revenue disclosure. ISO 9001-2015 certification underpins quality management, and a dedicated Technical Director (Dr. Andy Kosal, hired 2021) supports compound formulation work alongside the sales team. Alchemy Trading in Shanghai provides source-level quality control at Chinese chemical plants and shipping logistics transparency.
H.B. Chemical has been a subsidiary of Ravago Holdings America, Inc. since March 2019, operating with retained operational control but leveraging Ravago's logistics, financial, and supplier resources. The company has expanded through acquisitions (J Drasner and Co., April 2022), warehousing capacity (second Twinsburg warehouse, August 2022), and the January 2023 realignment of Ravago's rubber business under HB Chemical, materially increasing its product portfolio and positioning it as the parent's North American rubber distribution platform.
H.B. Chemical firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- H.B. Chemical
- Legal name
- HB Chemical
- Website
- https://hbchemical.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1985
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- H.B. Chemical is a North American specialty chemical distributor serving rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturers with over 600 products distributed through 30+ warehouses. Founded in 1985 in Twinsburg, Ohio, the company has been a subsidiary of Ravago Holdings America since 2019.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
H.B. Chemical industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Chemical Distribution
- NAICS
- Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246), Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (424690), Plastics Materials and Basic Forms and Shapes Merchant Wholesalers (424610)
- SIC
- Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Chemical Drum, IBC & Packaged Chemical Warehousing (TLALAHAI)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Carbon Black & Coker Products Feedstocks (Petroleum Coke, Carbon Black oils) (EUALAHAI)
Keywords
Where H.B. Chemical is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Twinsburg
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices6 records
Markets served
H.B. Chemical business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Chemical Distribution: Revenue generated through distribution and sale of specialty chemicals including rubber chemicals, polymers, fillers, and processing aids to rubber, plastics, and coatings industries. The company acts as a distributor for multiple manufacturers, earning margin on product sales.
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels4 records
H.B. Chemical product offering
Product offeringCore offering
H.B. Chemical distributes specialty chemicals and raw materials — including elastomers, polymers, additives, fillers, pigments, and process aids — to rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturers. The company stocks 600+ products across 30+ North American warehouses and holds exclusive distribution rights for premium global brands such as Dow Nordel EPDM, H.B. Fuller CILBOND, Kumho KNB, Arlanxeo Vinoprene, and Rianlon.
Product overview
H.B. Chemical is a leading chemical distributor serving the rubber, plastics, and coatings industries, stocking over 600 products across 24 product categories. The company operates a large inventory network spanning over 30 warehouses throughout North America. The product portfolio includes accelerators, antioxidants, carbon black, dispersions, fatty acids/amides, flame retardants, magnesium oxide, masterbatches, natural/synthetic rubbers, pigments, plasticizers, process aids/oils, resins, silica, slab dip/anti-tack, stearates, sulfur, waxes, and zinc products. Key branded products include CILBOND adhesives from H.B. Fuller, Nordel EPDM from Dow (exclusive distributor since 2023), KNB nitrile rubber from Kumho Petrochemical (exclusive distributor for over 20 years), and Ravaflex masterbatches. The company also offers technical support through its Shanghai office (Alchemy Trading) for quality assurance and logistics transparency in China.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Accelerators Rubber accelerators — chemical additives used to speed up the vulcanization process in rubber manufacturing, sold to rubber compounders and tire and non-tire rubber manufacturers.
- Antioxidants and Inhibitors Antioxidants and inhibitors — chemical additives used to protect rubber and plastics from oxidation and degradation, sold to rubber and plastics manufacturers.
- Carbon Black Carbon black — a reinforcing filler used in rubber compounding, plastics, and coatings, sold to rubber and plastics manufacturers.
- CILBOND Adhesives (H.B. Fuller Brand) CILBOND adhesives — high-performance bonding agents from H.B. Fuller, distributed exclusively by H.B. Chemical, used to bond rubber to metal or other substrates in industrial rubber goods and tire manufacturing.
- Dispersions Chemical dispersions — pre-dispersed chemical additives for rubber and plastics, sold to manufacturers for easier processing and improved mixing.
- Fatty Acids Fatty acids — used as additives in rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturing, sold to compounders and formulators.
- Fatty Amides Fatty amides — used as slip and anti-block additives in plastics and rubber manufacturing, sold to plastics and rubber compounders.
- Flame Retardants Flame retardants — chemical additives used to reduce flammability in plastics and rubber, sold to plastics manufacturers and compounders.
- Low Melt Poly Bags and Film Low melt poly bags and film — packaging products used in rubber and plastics compounding, sold to rubber and plastics manufacturers.
- Magnesium Oxide Magnesium oxide — used as a vulcanizing agent and acid acceptor in rubber compounding, sold to rubber manufacturers.
- Masterbatch Masterbatch — concentrated mixtures of pigments or additives encapsulated in a carrier resin, used in plastics manufacturing, sold to plastics processors.
- Natural Rubbers Natural rubber — raw elastomer sold to rubber product manufacturers for tire, non-tire rubber goods, and general rubber compounding.
- Nordel EPDM (Dow Brand) Nordel EPDM — ethylene propylene diene monomer rubber from Dow, distributed exclusively by H.B. Chemical, used in automotive, construction, and industrial rubber applications.
- KNB Nitrile / NBR (Kumho Brand) KNB nitrile (NBR) — nitrile butadiene rubber from Kumho, distributed exclusively by H.B. Chemical, used in hoses, seals, gaskets, and oil-resistant rubber products.
- Vinoprene NBR/PVC (Arlanxeo Brand) Vinoprene NBR/PVC — nitrile rubber/PVC blends from Arlanxeo, distributed by H.B. Chemical, used in industrial rubber applications requiring enhanced chemical resistance and flame retardancy.
- Pigments Pigments — coloring agents used in plastics, coatings, and rubber manufacturing, sold to manufacturers for color formulation.
- Plasticizer Plasticizers — additives used to increase flexibility and workability of plastics and rubber, sold to plastics and rubber manufacturers.
- Process Aids Process aids — additives used to improve processing characteristics of rubber and plastics, sold to compounders and manufacturers.
- Process Oils Process oils — used as softeners and extenders in rubber compounding, sold to rubber manufacturers.
- Resins Resins — tackifying and reinforcing resins used in rubber and adhesives formulations, sold to rubber and adhesives manufacturers.
- SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) SBR (Styrene-Butadiene Rubber) — synthetic rubber used in tire manufacturing and industrial rubber goods, sold to rubber manufacturers.
- SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) SBS (Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene) — thermoplastic elastomer used in adhesives, asphalt modification, and polymer modification, sold to manufacturers.
- Silica Silica — reinforcing filler used in rubber, plastics, and coatings, sold to rubber and plastics manufacturers.
- Slab Dip / Anti-Tack Slab dip / anti-tack agents — used to prevent rubber sheets from sticking together during processing, sold to rubber manufacturers.
- Stearates Stearates — used as lubricants, release agents, and acid acceptors in rubber and plastics processing, sold to manufacturers.
- Sulfur Sulfur — vulcanizing agent used in rubber manufacturing, sold to rubber manufacturers.
- Synthetic Polymers (Miscellaneous) Miscellaneous synthetic polymers — various specialty synthetic polymers used in rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturing, sold to manufacturers.
- Waxes Waxes — used as processing aids and surface modifiers in rubber, plastics, and coatings, sold to manufacturers.
- Zinc Zinc — zinc oxide and zinc-based compounds used as activators in rubber vulcanization, sold to rubber manufacturers.
Companies that use H.B. Chemical
Customer profileSegments3 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
H.B. Chemical technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
H.B. Chemical partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
29 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- Dow (NORDEL EPDM)coreHB Chemical has been the exclusive distributor of Dow's NORDEL EPDM since January 2023. The rubber business including Dow Nordel and G&E Ravaflex lines was realigned under HB Chemical as part of Ravago's organizational structure.
- G&E (Ravaflex)coreG&E Ravaflex product lines were acquired and folded into HB Chemical in 2022. Ravaflex includes chlorobutyl, butyl, bromobutyl, and other masterbatch products.
- J DrasnerminorJ Drasner and Co. was acquired in April 2022 and folded into HB Chemical, adding low melt poly bags and film to the product line.
- Evonik (Silicas)coreHB Chemical has been selling Evonik silicas since 2016. Products include AEROSIL fumed silica, SIPERNAT precipitated silica, ULTRASIL, and other silica grades for tires, rubber goods, and various industrial applications.
- H.B. Fuller (CILBOND)coreHB Chemical has been selling H.B. Fuller CILBOND adhesives since 2012. CILBOND products are designed for chemical bonding between rubber and various substrates, with applications in automotive, oil & gas, and mining markets.
- Kumho Petrochemical (KNB)coreHB Chemical has been the exclusive distributor of Kumho Petrochemical's KNB (Nitrile Rubber) product line for over 20 years. NBR rubber is used in aeronautical, automotive, footwear, and safety glove applications.
- Alchemy TradingcoreUnique partnership with Alchemy Trading in Shanghai provides boots on the ground presence in Chinese chemical plants to ensure quality standards. Also involved at Chinese ports and with shipping lines to provide transparency in logistics.
- BST ElastomersminorListed as a supply partner. BST Elastomers is a Thailand-based manufacturer.
- ClariantminorListed as a supply partner. Global specialty chemicals company.
- DowcoreListed as a supply partner. HB Chemical is exclusive distributor for Dow NORDEL EPDM products.
- Erie International GroupminorListed as a supply partner.
- EvonikcoreListed as a supply partner. HB Chemical has been selling Evonik silicas since 2016.
- Goldsmith-Eggleton (G&E)coreListed as a supply partner. G&E Ravaflex and black masterbatch products included in portfolio.
- Hoffman Quality TapesminorListed as a supply partner.
- HimadriminorListed as a supply partner.
- Uhoo ChemicalminorListed as a supply partner.
- J DrasnerminorListed as a supply partner. Acquired in April 2022.
- Kolon IndustriesminorListed as a supply partner.
- KonoshimaminorListed as a supply partner.
- Kumho PetrochemicalcoreListed as a supply partner. Exclusive distributor of KNB nitrile rubber for over 20 years.
- China SunsineminorListed as a supply partner.
- MexichemminorListed as a supply partner.
- Crystal PMCminorListed as a supply partner.
- Premier MagnesiaminorListed as a supply partner.
- Sasco ChemicalminorListed as a supply partner.
- Synthos GroupminorListed as a supply partner.
- Technick ProductsminorListed as a supply partner.
- Zinc NacionalminorListed as a supply partner.
- ZolfindustriaminorListed as a supply partner.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves12 records
Expansion highlights7 records
H.B. Chemical competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Azelis: Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with focus on life sciences, industrial chemicals, and advanced materials. Comparable exclusive distribution partnerships and vertical specialization strategy.
- IMCD: Specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with strong rubber, plastics, and coatings vertical coverage. Comparable high-touch, technically-supported distribution model with exclusive supplier partnerships.
- Channel Prime Alliance: Polymer and elastomer distributor serving rubber and plastics compounders in North America. Direct overlap with HB Chemical's synthetic rubber (EPDM, NBR, SBR) and polymer distribution lines.
- Polysource: Specialty polymer and chemical distributor with focus on engineering resins, thermoplastics, and elastomers. Comparable product mix and customer base in plastics and rubber compounding.
- TCC Chemicals (Triple S Chemical): Specialty chemical distributor focused on rubber, plastics, and coatings markets. Similar size and product breadth with overlapping supplier relationships in accelerators, antioxidants, and processing aids.
- Harcros Chemicals: US-based chemical distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals serving rubber, plastics, coatings, and industrial end-markets. Closely comparable footprint, product catalog overlap, and customer profile.
Broad incumbents
- Univar Solutions: Major North American chemical distributor serving industrial, rubber, plastics, and coatings end-markets with a broad multi-supplier catalog. Directly comparable GTM and customer overlap with HB Chemical.
- Brenntag: World's largest chemical distributor with extensive specialty chemicals portfolio serving rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturers. Direct competitor in North American rubber-chemical distribution.
- Ravago Holdings: Global chemical and plastics distribution giant and HB Chemical's parent company. Ravago is a direct peer and parent; it operates overlapping specialty chemical distribution at far larger scale across multiple regions.
Regional players
- Chemsolv: Regional chemical distributor serving Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern US with industrial, rubber, and coatings chemistries. Smaller-scale regional peer with overlapping product categories.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
H.B. Chemical social profiles
Digital presenceH.B. Chemical compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
H.B. Chemical financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
H.B. Chemical leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles3 records
H.B. Chemical subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
H.B. Chemical funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
H.B. Chemical M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about H.B. Chemical
What does H.B. Chemical do?
H.B. Chemical distributes specialty chemicals and raw materials — including elastomers, polymers, additives, fillers, pigments, and process aids — to rubber, plastics, and coatings manufacturers. The company stocks 600+ products across 30+ North American warehouses and holds exclusive distribution rights for premium global brands such as Dow Nordel EPDM, H.B. Fuller CILBOND, Kumho KNB, Arlanxeo Vinoprene, and Rianlon.
Is H.B. Chemical a public or private company?
H.B. Chemical is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was H.B. Chemical founded?
H.B. Chemical was founded in 1985. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is H.B. Chemical based?
H.B. Chemical is headquartered in Twinsburg, United States, in the North America region.
How does H.B. Chemical make money?
One revenue line is on record: chemical Distribution.
Who are H.B. Chemical's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Azelis, IMCD, Channel Prime Alliance, Polysource, TCC Chemicals (Triple S Chemical) and Harcros Chemicals. Broad incumbents are Univar Solutions, Brenntag and Ravago Holdings. Chemsolv is listed as a regional player.
Does H.B. Chemical have an API?
No public API is recorded for H.B. Chemical.
What industry is H.B. Chemical in?
H.B. Chemical's product category is Specialty Chemical Distribution. Its primary akta.pro industry code is TLALAHAI, Chemical Drum, IBC & Packaged Chemical Warehousing, with a secondary code of EUALAHAI, Carbon Black & Coker Products Feedstocks (Petroleum Coke, Carbon Black oils). Its NAICS code is 4246 and its SIC code is 5160.