REFCOTEC

What REFCOTEC does

REFCOTEC, Inc. is a privately-held, founder-owned U.S. manufacturer of specialty consumables for iron, steel, and non-ferrous foundries, headquartered in Orrville, Ohio. Founded in 1989, the company develops and produces custom-formulated refractory coatings (REFCOHOL alcohol/solvent-based and REFCOBAR waterborne systems), a comprehensive line of foundry resin binders and catalysts spanning furan, phenolic, alkyd, sodium silicate, phenolic urethane, and non-ferrous systems, MACOR sand additives and OPTIMULL green sand additives, and a REFCOSTIX industrial adhesives line for mold sealing and core assembly. All products are formulated and quality-controlled in an in-house laboratory that also performs sand sieve analysis, acid demand value, loss on ignition, moisture analysis, and tensile strength testing, and the company explicitly offers custom formulation as a core capability when standard products do not meet a customer's casting requirements.

The company operates a multi-facility manufacturing and distribution network across the United States (Orrville OH headquarters with 1997 build, 2008 doubling, and 2018 20% expansion; plus Detroit, Reading PA, St. Louis, Columbus, Dallas, Lorain, East Palestine, Hamburg PA, and a new Mississippi warehouse in Pachuta), with international reach through a Mexican distribution partnership (Jupiter Productos de Calidad Americanos) and a new Lima, Peru production base launched in 2026. Through the THERMOTEC joint venture with Koremart Limited (formed 2022), REFCOTEC is the largest riser sleeve and feeding aid manufacturer in the United States.

Revenue is generated through one-time product sales via direct sales representatives with technical service support in North America, channel partners internationally, and quote-based custom pricing for customer-specific formulations; there are no public pricing tiers, and customers engage via phone or website contact form. The company has grown primarily through more than 14 acquisitions since 1989 rather than external funding, remains under founder ownership (Bill DeWood and Tim Sheehan), and is ISO 9001 certified. Industry verticals served include foundry, automotive, railroad, mining, and agriculture end markets.

Name

REFCOTEC

Legal name

Refcotec, Inc.

Website

https://refcotec.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

REFCOTEC is a privately-held U.S. manufacturer of custom-formulated refractory coatings, foundry resin systems, sand additives, and industrial adhesives serving iron, steel, and non-ferrous foundries across North America and, increasingly, South America.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Foundry Consumables

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (325510), Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991), Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Coating & Adhesive Raw Materials (Resins, Additives, Solvents) (IMAEAGAK)

akta.pro secondary industry

Plasticizers & Solvents (Phthalates/Alternatives, Commodity Solvents) (IMAEADAK)

Keywords

• Refractory coatings
• Foundry resin systems
• Sand additives
• Industrial adhesives
• Foundry consumables

Headquarters

HQ city

Orrville

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices11 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Refractory Coatings Sales: REFCOTEC manufactures and sells refractory coatings (alcohol/solvent-based REFCOHOL and waterborne REFCOBAR) for core and mold applications in foundries. Products are applied via spraying, brushing, swabbing, flow coating, or dipping. Revenue is generated through direct product sales to foundries.
2. Foundry Resin Systems Sales: Comprehensive product line of foundry resin systems (furan, phenolic, alkyd, sodium silicate, phenolic urethane) for mold and core manufacturing. Sold as 2-part and 3-part systems with catalysts. Revenue from ongoing product sales with established distribution channels.
3. Sand Additives Sales: Sale of MACOR sand additives and OPTIMULL green sand additives. Products address veining, gas defects, and metal penetration in foundry sand systems. Sold in bulk sacks, 50lb bags, and liquid form.
4. Industrial Adhesives Sales: Sale of REFCOSTIX product line including water-based silicate adhesives, solvent-based core pastes, specialty heat-activated shell pastes, and mold sealants. Multiple viscosity grades and application methods (squeeze bottles, caulking guns, pump systems, automated dispensing).
5. Feeding Aids and Riser Sleeves (via THERMOTEC JV): Through the THERMOTEC joint venture (formed 2022 with Koremart Limited), REFCOTEC offers exothermic sand mini risers, riser sleeves, fluxes, and hot toppings. Joint venture is the largest riser sleeve and feeding aid manufacturer in the United States.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

REFCOTEC manufactures and supplies a comprehensive portfolio of foundry consumable products, including refractory coatings (REFCOHOL alcohol/solvent-based, REFCOBAR waterborne, STYRAWASH lost foam), foundry resin systems (furan, phenolic, alkyd, sodium silicate, phenolic urethane), sand additives (MACOR, OPTIMULL), and industrial adhesives (REFCOSTIX product line). The company serves iron, steel, and non-ferrous foundries across North America with custom formulation services supported by an in-house laboratory.

Product overview

REFCOTEC is a U.S.-based manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of foundry consumable products serving iron, steel, and non-ferrous foundries. The product portfolio is organized into four main categories: (1) Refractory Coatings including REFCOHOL (alcohol/solvent-based), REFCOBAR (waterborne), and STYRAWASH (lost foam coatings); (2) Foundry Resin Systems spanning multiple technologies including ALKAST, DURAKAST, PHENKAST, ESTABOND, INSTAKAST, TRIKAST, POLYKAST, REFCOBOND, CHEMKURE, and COROIL for various binding and catalytic applications; (3) Sand Additives including MACOR sand additive for de-veining and OPTIMULL liquid green sand additive for clay activation; (4) Industrial Adhesives under the REFCOSTIX brand including water-based (1000, 1003, 1004), solvent-based (6000 series), and specialty products (3000, 3400/3400M, 4100). Additional products include REFCOSLIK mudding compounds, REFCOPART parting compounds, and Twisted Steel Gaggers. REFCOTEC also distributes THERMOTEC products (risers, sleeves, fluxes), ARMOUR SPRAY SYSTEMS equipment, ECIL/RELIACHECK temperature measurement tools, and DRACHE Zirconia Filters through partnerships. The company offers custom formulation services and operates a full-service laboratory for sand testing.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• THERMOTEC: Joint venture brand for riser sleeves, feeding aids, and hot-topping products serving the North American foundry market
• REFCOSTIX
• REFCOHOL
• REFCOBAR
• MACOR
• OPTIMULL

Products and services

• REFCOHOL Core and mold coatings incorporating alcohol or solvent blends as the carrier. REFCOHOL coatings may be air dried or lit-off and are engineered to withstand severe casting applications across iron, steel, and non-ferrous foundries.
• REFCOBAR Waterborne core and mold coatings produced in an array of refractory minerals depending on the application and casting type. Can be torch, air, or oven dried, each drying process yielding the same end result. Includes DMC-based VOC-free grades with higher flash point (63°F) added in March 2019.
• STYRAWASH Waterborne coatings for use in lost foam and full mold casting processes. Formulated in various refractory blends to handle different casting sizes and metal types.
• ALKAST Alkyd-based resin blends exhibiting good plasticity and minimal sensitivity to foundry variables. Requires polyisocyanate coreactant with reaction speeds from 10 minutes to 2 hours.
• CHEMKURE Acid catalysts used with furan and phenolic no-bake resin systems. Available in toluene sulfonic acid (TSA), benzene sulfonic acid (BSA), or blended solutions.
• COROIL Oils used with water and cereal to develop initial green strength and strong chemical bond when baked. Used for intricate shapes with high strength and good shakeout.
• DURAKAST Furan resins offering excellent dimensional accuracy, high strength, and effective reclamation by thermal or mechanical equipment.
• ESTABOND Phenolic ester no-bake resin selected for low odor, high hot strength, and excellent pattern release.
• INSTAKAST Phenolic urethane cold box resin systems designed for high production core and mold manufacturing operations using amine gas catalyzation.
• PHENKAST Phenolic resins cured by acid catalysts, favored for excellent pattern release, hot strength, resistance to metal penetration, and economy.
• POLYKAST Resin systems designed for non-ferrous casting applications, demonstrating excellent shakeout for low-temperature solidifying metals.
• REFCOBOND Sodium silicate binders, catalysts, and co-binders that are virtually odor-free and smoke-free. Cured by carbon dioxide gas or liquid catalysts.
• TRIKAST Three-part phenolic urethane no-bake systems with adjustable strip times using liquid catalyst.
• MACOR Sand Additive Core and mold sand additive available in organic, inorganic, and mixed system formulations designed to eliminate casting defects related to veining, gas, and metal penetration. Used for grey and ductile iron, steel, and non-ferrous alloys. Can reduce thermal expansion by up to 78% when added to silica molding sands.
• OPTIMULL Engineered liquid green sand additive that helps foundries better control sand by increasing mulling efficiency and clay activation. Reduces clay requirements by 10% to 35% and changes how water interacts with bentonite clays by reducing surface tension.
• REFCOSTIX 3400 / 3400M High-strength foundry adhesive and mold sealant. A proprietary blend of clays and resins designed to replace traditional cope rope, conforming to irregular surfaces to eliminate runouts and flashing. Available in standard (3400) and high-viscosity (3400M) formulations.
• REFCOSTIX 1000 Medium-viscosity water-based adhesive for no-bake sand mold and core assemblies. Also effective as non-hazardous mold seal to prevent parting-line runouts.
• REFCOSTIX 1003 High-viscosity sodium silicate adhesive specifically engineered for large core assemblies and heavy-duty mold sealing.
• REFCOSTIX 1004 Highest viscosity silicate-based adhesive for demanding large-scale core assemblies and mold sealing tasks. Thick, trowelable consistency for filling significant gaps.
• REFCOSTIX 6000 Series Fastest drying solvent-based core paste designed for high-speed production. Forms tacky bond within 2 minutes. Available in Thin (TE), Standard (Blue), and Extended Storage (Red) grades.
• REFCOSTIX 3000 Organic resin-based adhesive offering high-performance alternative to traditional silicate blends. Used for no-bake core assemblies, mold patching, and parting line securing.
• REFCOSTIX 4100 Heat-activated shell paste specially formulated for hot shell sand applications. Creates superior rapid bond using latent heat at 475-600°F.
• REFCOSLIK Low volatile mudding compounds for use with all sand binder and metal types. Will not dry out or crack and is easily smoothed with molder's tools.
• REFCOPART Parting compounds designed to aid in the release of cores or molds from patterns. Available in dry powder, water-based, solvent-based, or oil-based formulations.
• Twisted Steel Gaggers Steel gaggers with lighter weight and superior sand gripping power compared to rebar gaggers. Provide better handling and cost savings.
• THERMOTEC Feeding Aids and Riser Sleeves Feeding-aid and hot-topping products including exothermic sand mini risers, riser sleeves, fluxes, and hot toppings. Offered through THERMOTEC joint venture with Koremart Limited. THERMOTEC is the largest riser sleeve and feeding aid manufacturer in the United States.
• ARMOUR SPRAY SYSTEMS Equipment Application equipment including mixers, flowcoat equipment, and spray equipment for applying foundry coatings.
• ECIL/RELIACHECK Temperature Measurement Temperature measurement and thermal analysis products for foundry quality control.
• DRACHE Zirconia Filters Zirconia filters for molten metal filtration in foundry casting operations.

Quantifiable outcome

• REFCOSTIX 3400 delivers 50% reduction in overall flashing, 30% reduction in cleaning and finishing time, and >80% reduction in runout-related molds
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Five partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• PC CampanaminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 27 February 2023THERMOTEC (REFCOTEC joint-venture) acquired PC Campana's (Lorain, OH) sand mini-riser division in February 2023. PC Campana had been servicing the metals manufacturing industry since 1969, and their mini-riser division launched in 1984 producing exothermic sand mini risers. This acquisition diversified THERMOTEC's feeding-aid offerings.
• Koremart Limited (KML)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 10 January 2022Joint venture agreement between REFCOTEC and KML for sleeve and feeding aid manufacturing, operating under the name THERMOTEC, LLC. KML (Hamburg, PA) has supplied riser sleeves and consumable products to North American foundries since 1981. The JV makes THERMOTEC the largest riser sleeve and feeding aid manufacturer in the United States with three manufacturing locations.
• Jupiter Productos de Calidad AmericanosminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 4 March 2013Distribution agreement covering Mexico. Jupiter stocks and distributes REFCOTEC and Protech products including core and mold coatings, core pastes, and partings from three locations: Mexico City, Guadalajara, and Monterrey. Contact: Alberto Garcia at 427-106-0460.
• Mancuso ChemicalscoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2004Distribution and R&D agreement formed in 2004 alongside the acquisition of Capital Resin Binders & Coatings (Columbus, Ohio). Mancuso resin products are consolidated with REFCOTEC products at the Mississippi warehouse hub opened in 2026.
• THERMOTEC, LLCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerJoint venture created in 2022 combining EXOCHEM (acquired by REFCOTEC) and Koremart Limited's riser sleeve operations. THERMOTEC is the largest riser sleeve and feeding aid manufacturing conglomerate in the United States with three facilities (Lorain OH, East Palestine OH, Hamburg PA). Produces exothermic mini risers, riser sleeves, fluxes, and hot toppings. REFCOTEC represents and sells THERMOTEC products.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Saint-Gobain (Refractory/Foundry): Global materials group with refractory and ceramic product lines serving metalcasting, comparable in mineral-based formulations though spanning many more adjacent end markets than REFCOTEC.
• HarbisonWalker International: Largest U.S. refractory supplier serving steel, foundry, glass, and cement with monolithic and shaped products, providing a broader portfolio into which REFCOTEC's foundry-focused coating line competes.
• Morgan Advanced Materials: Diversified manufacturer of ceramic and carbon components for industrial applications, including some foundry crucibles and feeder consumables, overlapping with REFCOTEC's specialty carbon/graphite coating minerals.
• Imerys: Specialty minerals supplier whose refractory minerals (graphite, zircon, chromite, olivine, talc) overlap with REFCOTEC's full-line refractory mineral selection, although Imerys operates as a raw-material supplier rather than a formulator.

Direct peers

• ASK Chemicals: Global supplier of foundry binders, coatings, feeders, and release agents, directly overlapping REFCOTEC's resin systems, refractory coatings, and core paste lines for iron, steel, and non-ferrous foundries.
• Foseco (Vesuvius): Foundry consumables division of Vesuvius supplying filters, feeding systems, refractories, and binders globally, competing head-to-head with REFCOTEC's coatings, resin, and THERMOTEC riser/sleeve products.
• HA International: North American manufacturer of foundry resin systems, cold-box binders, and refractory coatings, overlapping REFCOTEC's phenolic, furan, and urethane resin lines (ALKAST, DURAKAST, INSTAKAST, etc.).
• Allied Mineral Products: Manufacturer of monolithic refractories and specialty refractory products serving foundries and steel mills, comparable to REFCOTEC's REFCOHOL and REFCOBAR mineral-based coating formulations.
• Pyrotek: Global supplier of engineered ceramic and refractory solutions for foundries, including molten metal filters and feeder sleeves, directly comparable to REFCOTEC's THERMOTEC feeding-aid portfolio and DRACHE zirconia filters.

Emerging players

• Capital Refractories: Smaller specialty refractory coatings and feeder-product supplier serving steel and iron foundries, comparable in scope to REFCOTEC's foundry-focused offerings though with a narrower product set.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/refcotec

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries6 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 REFCOTEC