What CLiQ SwissTech does

CLiQ SwissTech is a privately held specialty chemicals company that develops, manufactures, and distributes high-performance additives used in the formulation of coatings, inks, construction chemicals, thermoset systems, and related industries. The company was founded in 2009 in Sargans, Switzerland, with its primary operating headquarters now in Groningen, Netherlands, and additional owned subsidiaries in Germany, Italy, the United States (established 2023), and India (established June 2026). It serves a horizontally diversified customer base across architectural and industrial coatings, wood coatings, marine and protective coatings, printing inks, construction systems, thermosets, leather and textile coatings, PVC plastisols, and adhesives and sealants.

The company's product portfolio is organized under three registered sub-brand trademarks: CLiQFLOW® (rheological additives covering polyurethane associative thickeners, smectite clay thickeners, and acrylic inverse emulsion thickeners for aqueous and non-aqueous systems), CLiQSMART® (polysiloxane and polymeric defoamers, humectants, and surface tension reducers), and CLiQSPERSE® (polyglycolether, phosphate ester, and polymeric wetting and dispersing agents). The portfolio spans more than 100 product variants supported by a dedicated R&D laboratory and technical-service team. The company filed its first patent in 2016 and has invested in proprietary formulation capabilities across multiple chemistry platforms (smectite clay, polyurethane, acrylic, polysiloxane, polyglycol, and phosphate ester).

CLiQ SwissTech operates a hybrid go-to-market model combining direct enterprise sales through its five wholly-owned subsidiaries with an extensive third-party distributor network covering 35+ countries. Tier-1 distribution partners include Brenntag (Southeast Asia and Oceania), Ravago/Vidara (Americas and parts of Europe), DKSH (Benelux), and Caldic (Brazil). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; the model is B2B with sample-driven evaluation and direct technical engagement. The company holds EcoVadis Platinum Medal status (top 1% globally for sustainability, awarded June 2025) and DIN ISO 14001 environmental management certification, credentials that increasingly serve as procurement prerequisites in the coatings and inks value chain.

Name

CLiQ SwissTech

Legal name

CLiQ SwissTech B.V.

Website

https://cliqswiss.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2010

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CLiQ SwissTech is a privately held specialty chemicals producer that designs and sells high-performance additives — rheology modifiers (CLiQFLOW), defoamers and special additives (CLiQSMART), and wetting/dispersing agents (CLiQSPERSE) — to formulators of coatings, inks, construction chemicals, and thermoset systems across more than 35 countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemical Additives

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Adhesives & Sealants (2891)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives (IMAEABAL), Electroplating & Metallization Chemicals (Cu/Ni/Au plating, additives) (IMAEAKAK)

Keywords

• Coating additives
• Rheological additives
• Defoamers
• Wetting dispersing agents
• Specialty chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Bergisch Gladbach

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices6 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Coating Additives Sales: Sale of high-performance additives including rheological additives (CLiQFLOW), defoamers and special additives (CLiQSMART), and wetting/dispersing agents (CLiQSPERSE) to coatings, inks, construction, and thermoset manufacturers worldwide.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels16 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

CLiQ SwissTech develops and manufactures high-performance chemical additives for coatings, inks, construction, thermosets, and related industries. Its portfolio spans three proprietary product ranges: CLiQFLOW rheological additives, CLiQSMART defoamers and special additives, and CLiQSPERSE wetting and dispersing agents for aqueous and non-aqueous systems.

Product overview

CLiQ SwissTech is a global supplier of high-performance chemical additives organized into three core product sub-brands: CLiQFLOW® (rheological additives for flow control and viscosity management in aqueous and non-aqueous coating systems), CLiQSMART® (defoamers and special additives for foam control, surface modification, and humidity management), and CLiQSPERSE® (wetting and dispersing agents for pigment dispersion and color enhancement). The portfolio serves coatings, inks, construction, thermosets, and related industries. Products include approximately 28 CLiQFLOW variants (including associative thickeners, smectite clays, and specialty thickeners), over 30 CLiQSMART variants (including polysiloxane and polymeric defoamers, humectants, and surface tension modifiers), and over 50 CLiQSPERSE variants (including polyglycolethers, phosphate esters, and specialty dispersants). Technical data sheets are available for download and product samples can be requested through the distributor portal.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• CLiQFLOW®: Rheological additives for smooth application and precise flow control in aqueous and non-aqueous systems.
• CLiQSMART®
• CLiQSPERSE®

Products and services

• CLiQFLOW® Proprietary product range of rheological additives designed for smooth application and precise flow control in both aqueous and non-aqueous systems. Includes associative thickeners (polyurethane-based), smectite clay-based thickeners, and acrylic inverse emulsion thickeners used by coatings, construction, and paint manufacturers to control viscosity, sag resistance, and levelling.
• CLiQSMART® Proprietary product range of defoamers and special additives that control foaming and provide various functions in aqueous and non-aqueous systems. Includes polymeric defoamers, polysiloxane-based defoamers, humectants, and surface tension reducers for coatings, inks, and industrial manufacturers.
• CLiQSPERSE® Proprietary product range of wetting and dispersing agents designed to enhance color vibrancy and ensure seamless compatibility in aqueous and non-aqueous systems. Includes polyglycolethers, phosphate esters, and specialty dispersants used to improve pigment wetting, dispersion, color strength, and stability in coatings and inks.

Quantifiable outcome

• Top 1% sustainability ranking globally according to EcoVadis assessment
• +1 more outcomes

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Twelve partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, supporting and regional.

• Ravago Chemicals MexicomajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 July 2024July 2024 partnership with Ravago Chemicals Mexico significantly broadening footprint in the Mexican market. Allows distribution of full additive portfolio including CLiQSPERSE, CLiQFLOW, and CLiQSMART product ranges. Follows successful ventures in USA, France, UK, Turkey, and Spain/Portugal.
• Brenntag CASEmajorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 April 2024April 2024 partnership with Brenntag CASE marking expansion into key markets across Southeast Asia and Oceania. Brings high-quality additive solutions to Vietnam, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Singapore, Australia, and New Zealand. Two-week intensive product training conducted with Brenntag team to ensure smooth and effective product launch.
• Ravago Chemicals (USA, France, UK, Turkey, Spain/Portugal)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing distribution partnerships with Ravago Chemicals across multiple regions including North America (Orlando), France, United Kingdom, Turkey, Spain/Portugal. Each market has experienced transformative benefits from innovative solutions.
• Ravago Chemicals North AmericacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAttended American Coatings Show 2024 in Indianapolis at invitation of Ravago Chemicals North America (RCNA). Provided opportunity to connect with key industry players and demonstrate unique value of products.
• AquaChemiesupportingGTM or Marketing PartnerPartnered with AquaChemie at Middle East Coatings Show in Dubai. Engaged in insightful discussions and showcased latest innovations to diverse audience despite challenging weather conditions.
• DKSH BeneluxregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Benelux region (Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg) located in Roermond, Netherlands.
• Pointner & Rothschädl / PORO GmbHregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner covering Germany, Austria, Switzerland, Albania, Bosnia-Herzegowina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Hungary, Macedonia, Montenegro, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Poland, Romania.
• CaldicregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorBrazil distribution partner located in São Paulo.
• Shanghai Conero New Materials / GuangZhou CCTregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorChina distribution partners covering East China (Shanghai Conero) and South China (Guangzhou CCT).
• Essex SpecchemregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIndia distribution partner located in Mumbai.
• Chemical PartnersregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partners covering Jordan, Egypt, Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Uganda.
• TRANSMAREregionalChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Morocco and Algeria, located in Antwerp, Belgium.

Scale indicators3 records

Recent moves15 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Elementis plc: Specialty chemicals company focused on rheology additives (RHEOLATE, BENAQUA, BENATHIX) for coatings and personal care. Direct competitor to CLiQFLOW rheological additives.
• BYK (Altana AG): World-leading producer of coating additives including rheology modifiers, defoamers, and wetting/dispersing agents. Most direct competitor to CLiQ SwissTech's CLiQFLOW/CLiQSMART/CLiQSPERSE portfolio, serving the same coatings and inks customers globally.
• Münzing Chemie: German specialty additive manufacturer focused on defoamers, wetting agents, and dispersing additives for coatings, inks, and construction. Closely comparable mid-sized European specialty additive peer.

Broad incumbents

• Croda International: Specialty chemicals company supplying additives (wetting, dispersing, defoaming) to coatings and inks markets via its Coatings & Polymers segment. Larger, publicly listed peer with comparable product categories.
• Lubrizol (Berkshire Hathaway): Specialty chemical producer with a strong coating additives portfolio including hyperdispersants (SOLSPERSE), defoamers, and rheology modifiers. Directly competes with CLiQSPERSE wetting/dispersing agents and CLiQSMART defoamers.
• Evonik Industries: Major specialty chemicals company producing coating additives (under brands including TEGO, AIRASE, SURFYNOL) covering defoamers, surfactants, and rheology modifiers. Overlaps with all three of CLiQ SwissTech's product platforms but within a much broader specialty chemicals portfolio.
• Arkema (Coating Solutions): Major French specialty chemicals producer with coating additives including rheology modifiers, surfactants, and dispersants under the Coatex and other brands. Direct overlap with CLiQ SwissTech's portfolio, particularly for architectural and industrial coatings.
• Ashland: Global specialty chemical company producing coating additives including rheology modifiers (Jaypol, Drewthix), defoamers (Drewplus), and dispersants. Direct competitor across multiple CLiQ SwissTech product categories.
• BASF Coatings & additives division: World's largest chemical company with broad additives portfolio (Efka, Dispex, Foamaster, Rheovis) including defoamers, dispersing agents, and rheology modifiers. Competes with all three CLiQ SwissTech product lines, though additives are a small slice of its overall business.

Emerging players

• Siltech Corporation: Specialty silicone additive manufacturer producing defoamers and wetting agents for coatings, inks, and personal care. Niche competitor focused on the polysiloxane-based portion of CLiQSMART's portfolio.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/cliq-swisstech-ag

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries4 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 CLiQ SwissTech