What Velsicol does

Velsicol Chemical LLC is a specialty chemical manufacturer founded in 1931 and headquartered in Rosemont, Illinois (suburban Chicago). The company produces four core performance chemical product lines: Velsiflex® benzoate plasticizers (used in adhesives, sealants, coatings, PVC, and polyurethane applications), Chlorendic Anhydride (a reactive flame retardant with 54.5% chlorine content for resins, coatings, and composites), Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HEX, a versatile intermediate used in bonding agents and semiconductor etching and as the key feedstock for Chlorendic Anhydride), and Benzoic Acid (used in alkyd and polyester resins, paints, coatings, and as an industrial preservative). Velsicol was one of the original inventors of DiBenzoate Plasticizers in the 1950s and claims world market leadership in cyclopentadiene chemistry; the portfolio is supported by 24 product patents, ISO 9001-certified operations, and REACH-registered products from a modern Asian production site.

The company operates a hybrid manufacturing and distribution model. Manufacturing is concentrated at two sites in China — the Chemical Industrial Development Zone in Huanggang City (Hubei Province) and Hongshangang Industrial Park in Wuwei City (Gansu Province) — while sales, warehousing, and distribution span 20 global locations in 30 countries. Velsicol serves global industrial markets through direct sales (managed from its European office in Dublin) and a network of exclusive regional distributors, including The Chemical Company for North America, Trigon Chemie for Germany/Austria/Switzerland, Caldic B.V. for France/Spain/Portugal/Nordic/Benelux, and Garzanti Specialties SpA for Italy. End-use markets span adhesives and sealants, flexible PVC and plastics, polyester and epoxy resin systems, and transport/semiconductor applications.

Velsicol generates revenue through one-time industrial sales of its specialty and commodity chemicals; pricing is not publicly disclosed and contracts are negotiated with the sales team or via distributors. The company is privately held by its executive management team following a 2012 buyout from Arsenal Capital (which had owned the company since 2005). Recent strategic milestones include the 2010 divestiture of sister company Genovique Specialties, the 2015 launch of Benzoic Acid Technical Grade, the March 2024 appointment of The Chemical Company as exclusive North American Velsiflex distributor, and the February 2026 European launch of Velsiflex through three newly appointed exclusive distributors.

Name

Velsicol

Legal name

Velsicol Chemical LLC

Website

https://velsicol.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1931

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

Velsicol Chemical LLC is a specialty chemical manufacturer (founded 1931) producing benzoate plasticizers, flame retardants, and chemical intermediates for global industrial markets across 30 countries, manufacturing in China and distributing via exclusive regional partners.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Cyclic Crude, Intermediate, and Gum and Wood Chemical Manufacturing (325194), Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255)

SIC

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

akta.pro primary industry

Polymer Additives & Modifiers (Stabilizers, Plasticizers, Impact Modifiers, FRs) (IMAEANAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Plasticizers & Solvents (Phthalates/Alternatives, Commodity Solvents) (IMAEADAK), Flame-Retardant & Smoke-Suppressant Compounds (IMANABAG), Coating & Finishing Chemicals Application (Resins/Softening/Water-Repellent/FR/Antimicrobial) (IMAOACAD)

Keywords

• Specialty chemicals
• Benzoate plasticizers
• Flame retardants
• Chemical intermediates
• Polymer additives

Headquarters

HQ city

Chicago

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices21 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemical Manufacturing and Sales: Velsicol generates revenue through the manufacture, distribution, and sale of performance chemicals including Velsiflex® plasticizers, Chlorendic Anhydride, Hexachlorocyclopentadiene, and Benzoic Acid to global industrial markets. The company operates manufacturing facilities in China, maintains warehouses and distribution centers globally, and serves customers through direct sales and distributor networks across North America, Europe, Latin America, and Asia.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

Velsicol Chemical LLC manufactures, distributes, and sells a portfolio of performance and specialty chemicals for global industrial markets. The core product range consists of four lines: Velsiflex® benzoate plasticizers (non-phthalate plasticizers for adhesives, sealants, coatings, PVC, urethanes, and plastisols), Chlorendic Anhydride (reactive flame retardant for resins and composites), Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HEX, a chemical intermediate for bonding agents, semiconductor etching, and downstream flame retardant production), and Benzoic Acid (technical-grade chemical intermediate for alkyd/polyester resins, paints, coatings, and industrial preservatives).

Product overview

Velsicol Chemical LLC is a specialty and commodity chemical company that manufactures, distributes, and sells a diverse range of performance chemicals for global industrial markets. The company's product portfolio consists of four core product lines: Velsiflex® Plasticizers (a comprehensive line of benzoate plasticizers including variants 290, 314, 318, 320, 328, 332, 342, and 342S for adhesives, sealants, PVC, and polyurethane applications), Chlorendic Anhydride (a reactive flame retardant for resins and coatings), Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (a versatile chemical intermediate for flame retardants and bonding agents), and Benzoic Acid (a chemical intermediate for resins and industrial applications). These products serve adhesive, caulk, paint, coatings, PVC, plastisol, unsaturated polyester resins, flame retardant, and epoxy resin markets.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Velsiflex®: High-performance benzoate plasticizers product line including Velsiflex 290, 314, 318, 320, 328, 332, 342, and 342S. Used in adhesives, sealants, coatings, urethanes, plastisols, and flexible PVC applications.

Products and services

• Velsiflex® Plasticizers High-performance non-phthalate benzoate plasticizers providing excellent polymer compatibility, efficiency, softness, and permanence across adhesives, sealants, coatings, urethanes, plastisols, and flexible PVC applications. Includes variants Velsiflex 290, 314, 318, 320, 328, 332, 342, and 342S. For industrial manufacturers and formulators of polymers requiring non-phthalate plasticizers with superior solvating properties, UV resistance, and stain resistance.
• Chlorendic Anhydride Reactive flame retardant with 54.5% chlorine content that imparts permanent flame retardance, high heat distortion, and excellent corrosion and abrasion resistance. Used in unsaturated polyesters, alkyds, epoxy resins, and UV-curable coatings for demanding industrial applications including composites and corrosion-resistant piping/tanks.
• Hexachlorocyclopentadiene (HEX) Versatile chemical intermediate used in bonding agents for rubber-to-metal adhesion (automotive bumpers, brakes, seals, transport bridges), in semiconductor etching for computer chips, and as the key raw material for Chlorendic Anhydride production. Provides flexibility, strength, abrasion resistance, and enables environmentally controlled etching processes.
• Benzoic Acid High-quality technical-grade chemical intermediate used in alkyd and polyester resins, paints, coatings, pharmaceuticals, personal care, and industrial applications to improve gloss, hardness, chemical resistance, and storage stability. Also used as a preservative in select industrial applications such as liquid detergents, waxes, and polishes.

Quantifiable outcome

• REACH-registered products meeting European regulatory standards
• +1 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Trigon Chemie GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2026Independent, privately held company based in Schluechtern, Germany supplying specialty chemicals for over forty years with focus in organic chemicals including benzoates. Exclusive distributor for Velsiflex® in Germany, Austria, and Switzerland.
• Caldic B.V.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2026Global specialty chemical distributor headquartered in Rotterdam, Netherlands, operating in forty-four countries around the world. Markets cover a large portfolio of specialty chemicals including benzoates. Exclusive distributor for Velsiflex® in France, Spain, Portugal, Nordic and Benelux regions.
• Garzanti Specialties SpAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 February 2026Independent specialty distributor founded in 1921 and headquartered in Milan, Italy. Serves key chemical sectors including polymers, coatings and textiles. Exclusive distributor for Velsiflex® in Italy.
• The Chemical Company (TCC)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 March 2024The Chemical Company is located in Jamestown, Rhode Island and has been a successful leader in the global chemical distribution business since 1988. Exclusive North American distributor for Velsiflex® DiBenzoate Plasticizer product line covering United States, Canada and Mexico.
• Shanghai Bingchem Co., LTDminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office representing Velsicol in Shanghai, China region.
• Shin Han Fine ChemicalsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office representing Velsicol in South Korea.
• Neuto (Brenntag)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office representing Velsicol in Taipei, Taiwan.
• Okahata Sangyo Co., LTD.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office representing Velsicol in Osaka, Japan.
• Cinnamon Co., LTD.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office representing Velsicol in Bangkok, Thailand.
• Caldic IbéricaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office serving Spain and Portugal.
• Altima International GroupminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSales office serving Latin America, headquartered in Coral Gables, FL.
• LR InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarehousing and distribution center in Bensenville, IL, USA.
• Adams WarehouseminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarehousing and distribution center in Houston, TX, USA.
• CTG Logistics BVminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarehousing and distribution center in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
• Liverpool Storage SolutionsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorWarehousing and distribution center in Liverpool, UK.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Eastman Chemical Company: Global specialty chemical producer with a long-standing Benzoflex® benzoate plasticizer line overlapping directly with Velsicol's Velsiflex® portfolio. Also produces adhesives/coatings intermediates and serves PVC, sealants, and polyurethane customers with comparable chemistries.
• Vertellus Specialties: Specialty chemical manufacturer with the VelvoFlex™ line of benzoate plasticizers directly competing with Velsiflex® in adhesives, sealants, coatings, and PVC applications. Closest direct competitor in the benzoate plasticizer niche.
• DIC Corporation: Japanese specialty chemical producer with the Uniplex™ series of benzoate plasticizers serving adhesives, coatings, and flexible PVC end markets globally. Particularly strong in Asia-Pacific where Velsicol also manufactures.
• Hexion: Producer of epoxy resins, phenolic specialties, and adjacent flame-retardant intermediates including chlorendic anhydride derivatives. Overlaps with Velsicol's flame retardant and resin system portfolio.
• Olin Corporation: Major North American producer of chlorinated organic chemicals including Hexachlorocyclopentadiene intermediates for flame retardants and rubber bonding. Direct competitor for HEX and chlorendic anhydride upstream chemistry.
• ICL Group: Global specialty chemicals and brominated/chlorinated flame retardant producer with overlapping customer base in unsaturated polyester, epoxy, and coatings applications. Competes for flame retardant share in adjacent chemistries.
• Emerald Kalama Chemical (LANXESS): Producer of benzoic acid, benzoate preservatives, and related intermediates — competing directly with Velsicol's Benzoic Acid and plasticizer feedstocks. Now part of LANXESS, giving it additional distribution and regulatory scale.

Regional players

• Polynt Group: European-headquartered specialty chemicals producer with benzoate-based plasticizers, unsaturated polyester resins, and intermediates — meaningful overlap with Velsicol's European customer base in coatings, resins, and PVC.

Broad incumbents

• LANXESS AG: Major European specialty chemicals player producing plasticizers, flame retardants, benzoic acid derivatives, and rubber chemicals. Broader portfolio than Velsicol but with direct overlaps through Emerald Kalama and additive chemistries.
• BASF SE: Global chemical industry incumbent producing plasticizers, benzoic acid, and a wide range of intermediates and performance chemicals for industrial applications. Overlaps with Velsicol's portfolio across multiple product lines.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 Velsicol