What Köster Bauchemie does

Köster Bauchemie AG is a privately held German specialty construction chemicals manufacturer headquartered in Aurich, Lower Saxony, founded in 1982 and operating as a German stock corporation (Aktiengesellschaft) under the KÖSTER Gruppe umbrella. The company designs, produces, and distributes a comprehensive portfolio of waterproofing, sealing, injection, and building-protection systems organized across 11 product categories, including basement and tank waterproofing, masonry restoration, horizontal barriers, concrete repair and protection, self-leveling underlayments, coatings, joint sealants, wet room waterproofing, facade protection and paints, and plastic roof membranes. Notable proprietary technologies include the KÖSTER Crisin 76 pressureless injection system, which uses a suction-angle method with capillary rods to distribute sealing resin into the finest wall capillaries for horizontal barriers against rising damp, and the ETAG 022 certified KÖSTER BD System for waterproofing wet rooms under ceramic coverings.

The company sells through a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct sales via country subsidiaries and distribution partnerships, reaching customers in more than 40 countries across Europe, North America, South America, Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Oceania. Its primary customers are professional contractors, restoration specialists, and construction companies executing projects ranging from residential basement waterproofing and bathroom renovation to large-scale infrastructure such as wastewater treatment plants, power plants, stadiums, tunnels, bridges, and historic masonry restoration. Pricing is project-specific and quote-driven and is not publicly disclosed. Köster supports demand generation through a multilingual technical website (German, English, Spanish, French, Russian), an extensive reference-project database organized by geography, product, and building type, downloadable technical data sheets and Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs), and a recurring training seminar calendar for applicators and specifiers.

Key certifications include the RAL Quality Mark for Flat Roof Systems (RAL Gütezeichen für Flachdachsysteme), which covers economics, reliability, environmental performance, safety, and personnel competence, and drinking-water approval for the KÖSTER Sewer and Shaft Mortar. The firm operates a dedicated flat-roof-systems division through roofing.koester.eu, anchored by the KÖSTER TPO Pro thermoplastic polyolefin membrane line. Köster reports 51–100 employees at its Aurich headquarters and discloses no external investors, private equity ownership, public listing, or M&A activity.

Name

Köster Bauchemie

Legal name

KÖSTER BAUCHEMIE AG

Website

https://koester.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1982

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Köster Bauchemie AG is a privately held German specialty construction chemicals manufacturer, founded 1982 and headquartered in Aurich, that produces waterproofing, sealing, injection, and restoration systems for professional contractors and construction companies across more than 40 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Construction Chemicals and Waterproofing Products

NAICS

Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Adhesive Manufacturing (32552), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510)

SIC

Adhesives & Sealants (2891), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Concrete, Gypsum & Plaster Products (3270)

akta.pro primary industry

Adhesives & Sealants Chemicals (IMAEABAA)

akta.pro secondary industries

Waterproofing Membranes & Systems (Liquid-Applied & Sheet) (IMADAOAC), Roofing Adhesives, Sealants & Leak Repair (IMADAOAF), Concrete Repair, Crack Injection & Grouts (IMADAOAD), Concrete Repair, Sealing & Waterproofing (Coatings/Membranes) (IMAIAKAK)

Keywords

• Construction chemicals
• Waterproofing systems
• Building protection
• Masonry restoration
• Roof membranes

Headquarters

HQ city

Aurich

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

Köster Bauchemie manufactures and sells a comprehensive range of construction chemical waterproofing and building protection products, including mineral waterproofing slurries, bituminous and synthetic membrane systems, injection resins, restoration plasters, joint sealants, tile adhesives, and roof membranes. The portfolio is organized into 11 product groups covering waterproofing from foundation to roof, masonry restoration, concrete repair, and facade protection. Products are sold through subsidiaries and distribution partners in over 40 countries, primarily to professional contractors and construction firms.

Product overview

Köster Bauchemie (KÖSTER BAUCHEMIE AG) is a construction chemicals manufacturer specializing in waterproofing and building protection solutions. The product portfolio consists of physical construction chemical products organized into 11 main product groups: waterproofing systems (Abdichtungssysteme), masonry restoration (Mauerwerksinstandsetzung), injection systems (Injektionssysteme), concrete repair and protection (Betoninstandsetzung und Betonschutz), self-leveling underlayments (Verlaufsmassen), coatings (Beschichtungen), joint sealants (Fugenabdichtungen), moisture and wet room waterproofing (Feucht- und Nassraumabdichtungen), facade protection and paints (Fassadenschutz, Farben), plastic roof membranes and roof waterproofing (Kunststoff-Dach- und Dichtungsbahnen, Dachabdichtungen), and accessories (Zubehör). The company also operates a dedicated flat roof systems division (roofing.koester.eu) offering TPO Pro membranes. Key products include the KÖSTER BD 50 solvent-free elastic waterproofing system, KÖSTER Crisin 76 pressureless injection resin for horizontal barriers, KÖSTER NB mineral coatings, restoration plasters (Sanierputz series), and joint sealants (Joint Sealant FS series). The products are used across applications including basements, swimming pools, tunnels, bridges, facades, roofs, and industrial facilities, distributed through subsidiaries in over 40 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• KÖSTER TPO Pro: Roofing membrane product line for professional use on industrial roofs

Products and services

• KÖSTER BD 50 Solvent-free, elastic waterproofing coating used as the core layer of the ETAG 022 certified KÖSTER BD-system for sealing wet rooms and bathrooms under ceramic coverings. Designed for professional contractors in residential and commercial bathroom waterproofing applications.
• KÖSTER Crisin 76 Pressureless Injection System A very thin liquid resin applied using the KÖSTER suction angle method for pressureless horizontal barriers against rising moisture in masonry. The resin penetrates the finest capillaries, making the building material water-repellent without applied pressure. Used by specialist contractors for masonry restoration and basement waterproofing.
• KÖSTER Crisin Creme Cream-based injection medium for pressureless horizontal barriers against rising damp in masonry. Applied for masonry damp-proofing in renovation projects by professional applicators.
• KÖSTER NB 1 Grey Mineral waterproofing coating used as negative-side waterproofing (waterproofing against water pressing from the substrate side). Applied in crossed layers with KÖSTER NB 1 Flex to achieve crack-bridging properties for basement and below-grade waterproofing.
• KÖSTER NB Elastic Grey Two-component elastic mineral waterproofing slurry that bridges cracks up to 2 mm and resists pressurized water. Applied on balconies, terraces, concrete elements, and under-tile surfaces for abrasion-resistant waterproofing.
• KÖSTER Sanierputz Restoration Plaster System Specialized renovation plasters available in grey, white, fast-setting, and light variants for salt-damaged masonry restoration. Diffusion-open properties allow walls to dry while preventing salt crystallization damage. Includes variants usable without additional finish coatings.
• KÖSTER Polysil TG 500 Primer Substrate primer that hardens mineral substrates and reduces salt mobility prior to application of Köster waterproofing coatings. Used in renovation projects on damp or salt-laden masonry.
• KÖSTER Sperrmörtel WU Water-Stop Mortar Water-stop mortar for filling and leveling surfaces before applying Köster waterproofing coatings in below-grade construction. Provides a sound substrate for subsequent waterproofing layers.
• KÖSTER Joint Sealant FS-V Grey Form-stable two-component polysulfide-based joint sealant with high resistance against mechanical stresses, water, seawater, salt solutions, petroleum, and mineral oils. Root and rot resistant. Used in infrastructure, industrial, and below-grade joint sealing applications.
• KÖSTER TPO Pro Roofing Membranes Thermoplastic polyolefin (TPO) roofing membranes marketed as sustainable, economical, and long-lasting for professional use on industrial lightweight flat roofs. Backed by the RAL Quality Mark for Flat Roof Systems.
• KÖSTER Sewer and Shaft Mortar Fiber-reinforced, fast-curing, water-tight restoration mortar for sewers and shafts. Workable under flowing water and approved for drinking water applications. Used in municipal and industrial infrastructure repair.
• KÖSTER NB 4000 Waterproofing Coating Crack-bridging waterproofing material resistant to foot traffic and tileable. Adheres to moist substrates and is used for positive-side waterproofing of swimming pools and other water-retaining structures.
• KÖSTER SB Bonding Emulsion Solvent-free multi-purpose liquid plasticizing dispersion added to cement-based mortars, plasters, and sealing slurries. Increases elasticity and reduces water absorption of mineral systems. Used as a mortar additive in repair and waterproofing applications.

Quantifiable outcome

• Systems certified to ETAG 022 for wet room waterproofing
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 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

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Tremco Construction Products Group: Specialty construction products group covering waterproofing, joint sealants, and roofing — overlaps with Köster's flat roof membrane and joint sealant portfolio.
• Remmers GmbH: German building protection specialist focused on waterproofing, wood protection, and facade coatings — closest German head-to-head competitor to Köster in restoration plasters and below-grade waterproofing.
• Schomburg Group: German family-owned construction chemicals manufacturer with comparable portfolio in waterproofing, concrete repair, and tile systems — direct niche competitor of similar size and geography.
• Fosroc International: International construction chemicals specialist offering waterproofing, sealants, and concrete repair solutions — comparable mid-sized niche player with similar global distribution model.
• PCI Augsburg (BASF): German construction chemicals brand under BASF focused on tile adhesives, waterproofing, and restoration — direct overlap with Köster's wet room and BD-System offerings in the German market.

Broad incumbents

• Sika AG: Swiss global specialty chemicals leader with a major waterproofing, sealing, and concrete repair portfolio serving construction contractors worldwide — the most direct broad incumbent comparable to Köster.
• BASF Master Builders Solutions: BASF's construction chemicals division covering waterproofing, concrete repair, sealants, and coatings — overlaps directly with Köster's product range as a much larger incumbent.
• Mapei S.p.A. Italian construction chemicals group with strong waterproofing, tile-adhesive, and concrete repair offerings — competes with Köster in pool, basement, and wet room waterproofing systems globally.
• Bostik (Arkema): Global adhesives and sealants manufacturer under Arkema; competes with Köster in polysulfide and polyurethane joint sealants as well as construction adhesives.
• Henkel (Construction Adhesives): German multinational with a construction adhesives and sealants business unit serving contractors and OEMs — broader portfolio competitor with overlap on sealants and tile adhesives.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

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 Köster Bauchemie