Vi-Chem
Vi-Chem is a privately held US specialty polymer compounder founded in 1982 that produces thermoplastic elastomers, PVC, and PVC-based polymer alloy compounds. Headquartered in Grand Rapids with 101-250 employees, it serves industrial B2B customers through custom compounding and formulation.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1940
- HeadquartersGrand Rapids, United States
- Headcount101–250
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Vi-Chem does
Vi-Chem is a privately held, for-profit US manufacturer founded in 1982 and headquartered in Grand Rapids, with a workforce of 101-250 employees. The company produces and supplies thermoplastic elastomers (TPEs), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PVC-based polymer alloy compounds, serving industrial customers in specialty polymer end-markets.
The underlying business is a B2B specialty compounding operation. The supplied product and technology records describe a portfolio spanning custom color and additive masterbatches, functional thermoplastic additives (flame retardants, UV stabilizers, antimicrobials, softening agents), engineered performance compounds, and customized base resins, alongside branded specialty lines such as nDuramax® UV stabilizers, InLube™ internally lubricated compounds, mBrace™ softening additives, and ColorRx® medical-grade polymers. Application focus spans healthcare, transportation, electronics, building and construction, packaging, fibers and textiles, and industrial markets, with regulatory compliance to ISO 14001, REACH, RoHS, FDA, and Prop 65 standards.
The revenue model is direct enterprise B2B sales of custom-formulated compounds and masterbatches, with quote-based pricing, consultative technical engagement, and customer-specific formulation development. The associated Americhem entity (with which Vi-Chem appears to share corporate identity assets, given the shared favicon and brand infrastructure) operates from Cuyahoga Falls, OH, and holds an EcoVadis Gold sustainability rating placing it in the top 5% of its sector. Pricing is not publicly disclosed, and the model is project- and specification-driven rather than self-serve or transactional.
Vi-Chem firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Vi-Chem
- Legal name
- Americhem
- Website
- https://vichem.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1940
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 101–250 employees
- Short description
- Vi-Chem is a privately held US specialty polymer compounder founded in 1982 that produces thermoplastic elastomers, PVC, and PVC-based polymer alloy compounds. Headquartered in Grand Rapids with 101-250 employees, it serves industrial B2B customers through custom compounding and formulation.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Vi-Chem industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Specialty Polymer Compounding
- NAICS
- Plastics Material and Resin Manufacturing (325211), Resin and Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (32521), Synthetic Rubber Manufacturing (325212), Resin, Synthetic Rubber, and Artificial and Synthetic Fibers and Filaments Manufacturing (3252)
- SIC
- Plastic Materials, Synth Resins & Nonvulcan Elastomers (2821), Plastic Material, Synth Resin/Rubber, Cellulos (No Glass) (2820)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE/TPV) Compounding (IMANAJAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- PVC & Chlorinated Polymers (IMAEANAB), PVC & Chlor-Vinyl Chain (Chlor-Alkali, EDC/VCM, PVC) (IMAEADAF), Specialty Polymers & Resins (Engineered Materials) (IMAEABAK)
Keywords
Where Vi-Chem is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grand Rapids
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Vi-Chem business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Custom Compounding and Masterbatch Manufacturing: Americhem generates revenue through custom formulation and manufacturing of thermoplastic compounds and masterbatch products. They collaborate closely with customers to deliver application-specific plastic compounds, suggesting a project-based custom manufacturing revenue model with formulation development services integrated.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels6 records
Vi-Chem product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Vi-Chem produces and supplies thermoplastic elastomers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PVC-based polymer alloy compounds. Its materials are formulated for industrial converters and OEMs requiring custom-engineered flexible and rigid PVC grades as well as TPE and alloy compounds for profile extrusion, molding, and related converting applications.
Product overview
Americhem is a custom compounding and masterbatch manufacturer offering a portfolio of polymer solutions. The core product families include Masterbatch Technology (custom color and additive masterbatches), Functional Technology (thermoplastic additives including flame retardants and UV stabilizers), Performance Compounds (engineered for strength and impact resistance), and Engineered Compounds (custom formulations). The portfolio also includes branded specialty products such as nDuramax® UV stabilizers, InLube™ internally lubricated compounds, mBrace™ softening additives, and ColorRx® medical grade polymers. The company serves industries including healthcare, transportation, electronics, building materials, fibers, packaging, and industrial manufacturing.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- nDuramax®: UV stabilizers that extend product life by minimizing color fading, brittleness, and surface wear
- InLube™
- mBrace™
- ColorRx®
Products and services
- Thermoplastic Elastomers (TPE)
- Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) Compounds
- PVC-Based Polymer Alloy Compounds
Companies that use Vi-Chem
Customer profileSegments7 records
Ideal customer profiles1 record
Vi-Chem technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
Vi-Chem partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators2 records
Recent moves1 record
Vi-Chem competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Teknor Apex: Private specialty compounder producing thermoplastic elastomers, vinyl compounds, and engineered polymer materials for automotive, consumer, and industrial applications—directly analogous to Vi-Chem's TPE and PVC alloy compound focus.
- RTP Company: Custom engineered thermoplastic compounder producing specialty compounds, color masterbatches, and conductive materials across automotive, electronics, and industrial end markets—comparable custom-compounding business model to Vi-Chem.
- Kraton Corporation: Specialty polymer producer of styrenic block copolymers (SBCs) and other engineered TPEs for adhesives, paving, roofing, and consumer applications. Directly comparable as a TPE-focused specialty polymer manufacturer.
- Dynasol Elastomers: Specialty elastomer producer (SBS, SEBS, liquid polybutadiene) serving adhesives, asphalt modification, and polymer modification end uses. Comparable specialty TPE manufacturer serving adjacent compounding markets.
Broad incumbents
- Avient Corporation (formerly PolyOne): Large public specialty polymer materials company offering engineered materials, color masterbatch, and TPE/vinyl compounds across a global footprint. A broader incumbent that overlaps Vi-Chem's core product categories but serves them across a much wider portfolio.
- Hexpol Compounding: Global leader in polymer compounding (rubber and TPE), serving automotive, construction, and industrial markets worldwide. Comparable in TPE compounding capability and customer base to Vi-Chem, though at significantly larger scale.
- Americhem: Custom compounding and masterbatch manufacturer, founded 1940, headquartered in Cuyahoga Falls, OH. The data signals Americhem is the broader group to which Vi-Chem belongs, sharing polymer compounding capabilities and serving overlapping end markets.
- Lubrizol (Engineered Polymers): Specialty chemicals division producing TPU and other thermoplastic elastomers for automotive, consumer, and industrial applications. Overlaps Vi-Chem's TPE offering with broader specialty chemicals portfolio and global reach.
Regional players
- Westlake Chemical: Vertically integrated producer of PVC resins, vinyl compounds, and downstream fabricated products with a strong North American manufacturing base. Comparable in the PVC compounds portion of Vi-Chem's portfolio, though operating at a vastly larger integrated scale.
Emerging players
- Formulated Polymers (FP International): Smaller independent specialty PVC and TPE compounder focused on wire and cable, medical, and industrial applications—comparable mid-market customization profile to Vi-Chem.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat3 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights4 records
Customer concentration
Vi-Chem social profiles
Digital presenceVi-Chem compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance6 records
Vi-Chem financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Vi-Chem leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Vi-Chem funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Vi-Chem 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 Vi-Chem
What does Vi-Chem do?
Vi-Chem produces and supplies thermoplastic elastomers, polyvinyl chloride (PVC), and PVC-based polymer alloy compounds. Its materials are formulated for industrial converters and OEMs requiring custom-engineered flexible and rigid PVC grades as well as TPE and alloy compounds for profile extrusion, molding, and related converting applications.
Is Vi-Chem a public or private company?
Vi-Chem is a private company. It is classified as unknown and is currently operating.
When was Vi-Chem founded?
Vi-Chem was founded in 1940. It employs 101 to 250 people.
Where is Vi-Chem based?
Vi-Chem is headquartered in Grand Rapids, United States, in the North America region.
How does Vi-Chem make money?
One revenue line is on record: custom Compounding and Masterbatch Manufacturing.
Who are Vi-Chem's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Teknor Apex, RTP Company, Kraton Corporation and Dynasol Elastomers. Broad incumbents are Avient Corporation (formerly PolyOne), Hexpol Compounding, Americhem and Lubrizol (Engineered Polymers). Westlake Chemical is listed as a regional player. Formulated Polymers (FP International) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Vi-Chem have an API?
No public API is recorded for Vi-Chem.
What industry is Vi-Chem in?
Vi-Chem's product category is Specialty Polymer Compounding. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMANAJAC, Thermoplastic Elastomer (TPE/TPV) Compounding, with a secondary code of IMAEANAB, PVC & Chlorinated Polymers. Its NAICS code is 325211 and its SIC code is 2821.