Contego International
Contego International is a privately held US manufacturer of intumescent thin-film fire-protection coatings for structural steel and combustible substrates, serving architects, contractors, and fireproofing applicators across commercial, industrial, and institutional construction in North America.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2000
- HeadquartersRochester, United States
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Contego International does
Contego International, Inc. is a privately held US manufacturer of intumescent thin-film fire-protection coatings, founded in 2000 and headquartered in Rochester, Indiana. The company operates a two-product line: Contego High Solids RFB, a thin-film intumescent coating engineered specifically for structural steel fire-resistance ratings of 1 to 3 hours (UL and Intertek listed to ASTM E-119, UL 263, and CAN/ULC S101, with ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-5314 for IBC code acceptance), and Contego Original Formula RFB, a zero-VOC, water-based fire-retardant coating for interior combustible substrates such as wood, foam, and SIP panels, tested to ASTM E84 and UL 1715. Both formulations are 100% designed and manufactured in the United States under an ISO 9001:2015-registered quality system.
The business model is project-driven specialty chemical sales, not subscription or recurring SaaS. Contego sells product directly to contractors, applicators, and through distribution via custom per-project quotes based on square footage, substrate type, dry film thickness, and fire-rating requirements, supplemented by pre-sale technical support including section factor calculations, CAD details, test data, and submittal packages. Distribution combines enterprise field sales — a US regional sales representative and a dedicated Canada representative — with a Certified Applicator Program that trains and certifies third-party fireproofing contractors, plus architectural-specification platform listings on MasterSpec and Speclink.
Contego serves architects, general contractors, and fireproofing contractors across commercial, industrial, and institutional construction in North America. Marquee reference projects include Boeing and U.S. Air Force facilities, Marriott properties, Honda, Hornady Manufacturing's 150,000 sq ft Nebraska production facility, the Michigan State University $67M Duffy Daugherty Football Building, and the Tim Horton Events Centre in Cochrane, Ontario. The company claims 25+ years in business, 9,000+ completed projects, and 17,000+ architect-specified projects. No funding rounds, acquisitions, leadership changes, or public-company signals are disclosed in the source material.
Contego International firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Contego International
- Legal name
- Contego International, Inc.
- Website
- https://contegointernational.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2000
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Contego International is a privately held US manufacturer of intumescent thin-film fire-protection coatings for structural steel and combustible substrates, serving architects, contractors, and fireproofing applicators across commercial, industrial, and institutional construction in North America.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Contego International industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Intumescent Fire Protection Coatings
- NAICS
- Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)
- SIC
- Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Fireproofing & Intumescent Coatings (IMAIAKAH)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fire-Resistant & Intumescent Coatings (IMADAKAL), Exterior Coatings & Surface Protection (Anti-corrosion, Fireproofing, Protective/Reflective Coatings) (IMAFAMAJ)
Keywords
Where Contego International is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Rochester
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
Contego International business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Intumescent Coating Product Sales: Sale of Contego High Solids RFB and Contego Original Formula RFB coatings. Products are sold directly to contractors, applicators, and through distribution. Pricing is quote-based with project-specific estimates. Volume and project size determine pricing.
- Technical Support and Specification Services: Pre-sale technical support including section factor calculations, fire rating documentation, CAD details, test data, and submittal package preparation. Application guidance and contractor training through Certified Applicator Program.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Custom Project Quoting |
Go-to-market motion2 records
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Contego International product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Contego International manufactures and sells thin-film intumescent fireproofing coatings for commercial and industrial construction. Its two core products are Contego High Solids RFB, a thin-film intumescent fire-resistive barrier for structural steel (1-3 hour fire ratings, UL/Intertek listed to ASTM E-119, UL 263, CAN/ULC S101), and Contego Original Formula RFB, a zero-VOC water-based fire retardant for interior combustible substrates such as wood, foam, and SIP panels (ASTM E84, UL 1715). Products are sold project-by-project via direct sales, inside estimating, and a Certified Applicator Program of trained contractor partners.
Product overview
Contego International offers a two-product line of intumescent fireproofing coatings. Contego High Solids RFB is a thin-film intumescent fire resistive barrier engineered for structural steel (beams, columns, HSS, and composite metal decking), providing 1–3 hour fire-resistance ratings tested to ASTM E-119/UL 263. Contego Original Formula RFB is a water-based fire-retardant coating for interior combustible substrates (wood, foam, SIP panels), targeting flame spread reduction per ASTM E84. Both products are architectural-grade, code-compliant, and support LEED v4/v4.1 projects. The company also operates a Certified Applicator Program for contractor training.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Contego High Solids RFB: Thin-film intumescent fire protection engineered for structural steel with fire-resistance ratings from 1 to 3 hours.
- Contego Original Formula RFB
Products and services
- Contego High Solids RFB Thin-film intumescent fire-resistive coating engineered for structural steel (wide flange beams, HSS columns, and composite metal decking), UL and Intertek listed to ASTM E-119, UL 263, and CAN/ULC S101. Delivers 1-3 hour fire-resistance ratings with low dry-film-thickness requirements and an architectural-grade smooth finish suitable for exposed steel; LEED v4/v4.1 compliant and ICC-ES Evaluation Report ESR-5314 approved. Sold to architects, general contractors, and certified applicators for commercial, institutional, industrial, and government building projects.
- Contego Original Formula RFB Water-based (55-60% solids) zero-VOC fire-retardant coating for interior combustible substrates including wood, foam, and SIP panels. Tested to ASTM E84 (UL 723 / CAN/ULC S102) for flame spread and smoke development and to UL 1715 for wall assemblies; achieves Class A flame spread reduction. Applied by brush, roller, mitt, or standard sprayer without specialized equipment. Sold for interior building applications to contractors and specifiers.
Quantifiable outcome
- 25+ years in business with 9,000+ completed projects
- +4 more outcomes
Companies that use Contego International
Customer profileNamed customers7 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
Contego International technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration2 records
Feature5 records
Contego International partnerships and signals
Strategic signalScale indicators6 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
Contego International competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Hempel A/S: Hempel offers Hempafire intumescent coatings for structural steel, directly overlapping Contego's product category and customer segments (commercial, energy, infrastructure). Acts as a global specialty coatings incumbent peer in intumescent fire protection.
- Sherwin-Williams (Industrial & Protective Coatings): Sherwin-Williams operates the Firetex intumescent coatings line within its industrial coatings division, competing with Contego for fire-rated structural steel applications across commercial, institutional, and industrial projects. Massive distribution network and specification-writing relationships make it a critical incumbent peer.
- Jotun Paints: Jotun's Jotachar intumescent coatings product line targets the same structural steel fire protection market as Contego, with strong presence in offshore, marine, and infrastructure globally. Overlaps on product technology and customer base from a global incumbent's vantage.
- PPG Industries (PPG Protective & Marine Coatings): PPG is a multi-billion-dollar global coatings giant whose Pitt-Char and other intumescent products compete head-on with Contego in structural steel fire protection. While PPG offers a vastly broader portfolio, its fire-protection coatings sit directly in Contego's addressable market and benefit from massive R&D and global distribution.
- AkzoNobel (International Paint brand): AkzoNobel, through the International Paint brand, sells intumescent fire protection coatings (e.g., Chartek) competing for structural steel fire-rated projects globally. Comparable product technology with vastly broader coatings portfolio and geographic reach.
Direct peers
- Carboline: Carboline is a major manufacturer of intumescent fireproofing coatings (e.g., Pyrocrete, Thermo-Lag) for structural steel, with shared UL/ULC listings, ASTM E-119 testing, and a direct overlap with Contego on commercial and industrial construction projects. Operates as both a direct competitor and a clear reference point for Contego's go-to-market.
- Nullifire (part of Tremco CPG): Nullifire is a focused intumescent coatings brand sold through Tremco's construction products group, offering thin-film fire protection for structural steel with direct overlap in product and customer base to Contego. Comparable certifications and specialty contractor channel model.
- Isolatek International: Isolatek International (Cafco-branded) is a direct intumescent fireproofing and SFRM manufacturer serving structural steel fire protection markets. Closely comparable product offering and target customer base (architects, contractors, specifiers) to Contego, with both competing for the same UL-listed fire ratings on steel assemblies.
Others
- Hilti (Firestopping systems): Hilti is a global leader in firestopping sealants, collars, and through-penetration fire protection systems used alongside intumescent structural fireproofing. While not a direct intumescent coating competitor, Hilti competes for the firestopping share of project budgets and is frequently involved in the same specification packages as Contego.
Emerging players
- 3M (Fire Protection products): 3M offers fire barrier sealants, wraps, and related passive fire protection products adjacent to Contego's intumescent coatings. While 3M's intumescent thin-film coatings presence is limited, it competes in the broader fire protection specification ecosystem and is increasingly relevant where multi-product fire-stopping systems are specified together.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Contego International social profiles
Digital presenceContego International compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance9 records
Contego International financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Contego International leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Contego International funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Contego International 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 Contego International
What does Contego International do?
Contego International manufactures and sells thin-film intumescent fireproofing coatings for commercial and industrial construction. Its two core products are Contego High Solids RFB, a thin-film intumescent fire-resistive barrier for structural steel (1-3 hour fire ratings, UL/Intertek listed to ASTM E-119, UL 263, CAN/ULC S101), and Contego Original Formula RFB, a zero-VOC water-based fire retardant for interior combustible substrates such as wood, foam, and SIP panels (ASTM E84, UL 1715). Products are sold project-by-project via direct sales, inside estimating, and a Certified Applicator Program of trained contractor partners.
Is Contego International a public or private company?
Contego International is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Contego International founded?
Contego International was founded in 2000. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Contego International based?
Contego International is headquartered in Rochester, United States, in the North America region.
How does Contego International make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Intumescent Coating Product Sales are the primary driver. The others are technical Support and Specification Services.
Who are Contego International's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Hempel A/S, Sherwin-Williams (Industrial & Protective Coatings), Jotun Paints, PPG Industries (PPG Protective & Marine Coatings) and AkzoNobel (International Paint brand). Direct peers are Carboline, Nullifire (part of Tremco CPG) and Isolatek International. Hilti (Firestopping systems) is listed as an others. 3M (Fire Protection products) is listed as an emerging player.
Does Contego International have an API?
No public API is recorded for Contego International.
What industry is Contego International in?
Contego International's product category is Intumescent Fire Protection Coatings. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAIAKAH, Fireproofing & Intumescent Coatings, with a secondary code of IMADAKAL, Fire-Resistant & Intumescent Coatings. Its NAICS code is 32551 and its SIC code is 2851.