kolb Cleaning Technology
kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH, founded 1988 in Willich, Germany, designs and manufactures industrial cleaning systems, aqueous cleaning chemistry, and water management modules for the global electronics manufacturing industry, serving PCBA, SMT, stencil and aerospace electronics customers in 52 countries.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1988
- HeadquartersWillich, Germany
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What kolb Cleaning Technology does
kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH is a privately held German industrial company founded in 1988 in Willich, Germany, specializing in cleaning systems, aqueous cleaning chemistry, and related process technology for the electronics manufacturing industry. The company designs and manufactures a portfolio spanning the AQUBE® high-end Industry 4.0-capable systems (with networking, traceability, remote control and remote maintenance), PSE economy-line systems, AF-series AirFlow systems for filter and condensate trap cleaning, and WPCL/WPSD water management modules, supported by an installed base of more than 2,312 cleaning systems globally (as of 2018). Its chemistry business covers 50+ branded detergents and additives including MultiEx® (product cleaning), ContraFlux® (maintenance/flux removal), and service products (AntiFoam, PowerBooster®, CarrierSeal®), with proprietary platform technologies (AirFlow invented 1991, PowerSpray, TernarySequence) protected as registered brand identities.
Revenue is generated through four streams: hardware sales of cleaning systems and water management modules, recurring sales of proprietary detergents and additives (consumables), service and spare parts, and paid training programs (Campus B at €1,760 and Campus S at €440 per registration). kolb operates a hybrid go-to-market combining direct enterprise sales from its German headquarters with wholly-owned regional subsidiaries in India (liaison office), China (Shanghai), USA (Longmont, CO) and Australia (Bankstown), supported by an extensive distribution partner network covering 52 countries including named partners Cabiotec (Italy), SIP Technology (multiple Asian markets), Suba Engineering (Australia/NZ), BeSSco (Korea), Dynatech (Japan), Magnifitec (Israel), Quiptech (Mexico), Pro SMT (Turkey), ATT (Slovenia), and Ulbrich (Slovakia). Named enterprise customers include Siemens Electronics Plant Amberg and a Leading US Space Company, with primary end markets being electronics manufacturing (PCBAs, DCBs, power electronics), SMT/SMD production facilities, and — most recently — aerospace electronics manufacturing served by the 2026-launched PSE MV3 ONE XXL, the world's largest cleaning system by process chamber size.
kolb Cleaning Technology firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- kolb Cleaning Technology
- Legal name
- kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH
- Website
- https://kolb-ct.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1988
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- kolb Cleaning Technology GmbH, founded 1988 in Willich, Germany, designs and manufactures industrial cleaning systems, aqueous cleaning chemistry, and water management modules for the global electronics manufacturing industry, serving PCBA, SMT, stencil and aerospace electronics customers in 52 countries.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
kolb Cleaning Technology industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Cleaning Equipment for Electronics Manufacturing
- NAICS
- Soap, Cleaning Compound, and Toilet Preparation Manufacturing (3256), Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing (325612), Soap and Other Detergent Manufacturing (325611)
- SIC
- Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842), Soap, Detergents, Cleang Preparations, Perfumes, Cosmetics (2840)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning Chemicals (IMAEABAG)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAN)
Keywords
Where kolb Cleaning Technology is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Willich
- HQ country
- Germany
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices5 records
Markets served
kolb Cleaning Technology business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Cleaning Systems/Equipment: Sale of industrial cleaning equipment including AQUBE series, PSE series, AF series, and related water management systems
- Cleaning Chemistry/Detergents: Sale of proprietary detergent products including MultiEx series, ContraFlux series, and specialty cleaners for various cleaning applications
- Service and Training: Kolb Campus training programs (Campus B and Campus S), service support, and technical training services
- Accessories and Spare Parts: Washing frames, options, features, service products and spare parts for cleaning systems
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | One-time | Campus B Training - Manufacturer-independent intensive training with theory (e-learning) and 2-day practical component |
| Hybrid | One-time | Campus S Retraining - Complementary training for existing customers |
| Hybrid | One-time | Campus S Initial Installation Training - Included with system purchase |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels6 records
kolb Cleaning Technology product offering
Product offeringCore offering
kolb Cleaning Technology manufactures industrial cleaning systems, proprietary aqueous detergents, and water management modules for the electronics manufacturing industry. Its product portfolio covers PCBA cleaning, stencil and screen cleaning, solder frame and carrier cleaning, and filter/condensate trap cleaning, sold through two main system families (AQUBE high-end and PSE economy) plus a comprehensive MultiEx and ContraFlux detergent line.
Product overview
kolb Cleaning Technology offers a comprehensive portfolio of industrial cleaning solutions for the electronics manufacturing industry, consisting of two product lines: AQUBE® (high-end, Industry 4.0 capable systems) and PSE (economy line systems). The product range includes PCBA cleaning systems (AQUBE® X/LH series, PSE LH series), stencil and screen cleaning systems (AQUBE® MV series, PSE MV series, PSE 300 series), solder frame and carrier cleaning systems (AQUBE® MH series, PSE MH series), and filter/condensate trap cleaning systems (AF series). Supporting the cleaning systems is an extensive range of MultiEx® and ContraFlux® branded detergents and cleaning chemicals for various applications including product cleaning, maintenance cleaning, and specialty cleaners for ESD areas and solder ovens. Water management add-on modules (WPCL IU for water recycling, WPSD IU for wastewater treatment) enable sustainable operations. The portfolio is complemented by service products (AntiFoam, PowerBooster®, ServiceCase kits) and training programs (Campus B for comprehensive education, Campus S for system-specific training).
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- AQUBE: High-end Industry 4.0-capable cleaning system family
- PSE
- MultiEx
- ContraFlux
- kolb Campus
- WPCL/WPSD
- PowerSpray
- TernarySequence
- AirFlow
Products and services
- AQUBE X series High-end PCBA cleaning system part of the AQUBE platform featuring Industry 4.0 capabilities including networking for traceability, remote control, and remote maintenance. Designed for cleaning printed circuit board assemblies for electronics manufacturers.
- AQUBE LH series High-end PCBA cleaning system for loaded circuit assemblies within the AQUBE Industry 4.0 platform.
- PSE LH series Economy line PCBA cleaning system for loaded circuit assemblies based on the successful PS series.
- AQUBE MV series High-end stencil and screen cleaning system with advanced features including Industry 4.0 connectivity for traceability and remote control.
- PSE MV series Economy line stencil and screen cleaning system.
- PSE 300 series
Quantifiable outcome
- Cycle time: approx. 4 minutes per stencil for PSB700 H90
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use kolb Cleaning Technology
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
kolb Cleaning Technology technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature8 records
kolb Cleaning Technology partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
13 partnerships are on record, tiered major, core, standard, historical and academic.
- Cabiotec S.r.l.majorDistribution partner for Italy starting December 2025. Partnership signed at productronica Munich to strengthen presence in the Italian market. Cabiotec will competently market cleaning systems and professionally support customers from the electronics manufacturing industry on-site.
- SIP TechnologymajorRegional distribution partner covering multiple Asian markets: Thailand, Vietnam, Taiwan, Singapore, Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, and China
- Suba Engineering Pty Ltd.coreDistribution partner for Australia and New Zealand since 2006, originally established as first kolb foreign subsidiary in Banksstown, Australia for South-East Asia business region
- BeSScostandardDistribution partner for Korea handling marketing and customer support for kolb products
- Dynatech CorporationstandardDistribution partner for Japan with local sales and technical support
- MagnifitecstandardDistribution partner for Israel handling local market representation
- Quiptech International Ltd.standardDistribution partner for Mexico covering the Mexican market
- Pro SMT Elektronik A.ŞstandardDistribution partner for Turkey based in Istanbul handling local sales and support
- ATT Vertriebsgesellschaft mbHstandardDistribution partner for Slovenia handling local market representation
- Ulbrich Slovensko s.r.o.standardDistribution partner for Slovakia covering the Slovakian market
- Ing. G. Linker GmbH, Chemische FabrikenhistoricalHistorical partnership starting 1990 for development and production of first aqueous detergents for the electronics industry. Start product: ContraFlux flux remover for solder carriers.
- Hochschule NiederrheinacademicResearch cooperation started 2019 for innovative processes in cleaning and water management. Various departments research with kolb process experts.
- Fontys University VenloacademicResearch cooperation started 2020 in sustainable production and neutral climate footprint area
Scale indicators6 records
Recent moves8 records
Expansion highlights6 records
kolb Cleaning Technology competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Cleaning Technologies Group: Cleaning Technologies Group manufactures industrial parts washing and cleaning equipment including aqueous and solvent systems for industrial and electronics applications, overlapping with kolb's PSE and AQUBE equipment lines.
- Inertech: Inertech designs and manufactures aqueous and semi-aqueous cleaning systems for electronics manufacturing including stencil, misprint, and PCBA cleaning — overlapping with kolb's AQUBE MV and PSE product families.
- Zestron: Zestron is the most direct competitor to kolb — a global leader in precision cleaning chemistry and processes for the electronics manufacturing industry, offering aqueous and solvent-based detergents plus process engineering for PCBAs, stencils, and power electronics. Highly comparable product portfolio and target customer base in electronics OEM/EMS.
- Kyzen Corporation: Kyzen is a US-based specialty chemical manufacturer focused on aqueous and engineered cleaning chemistries for electronics and precision manufacturing — directly competing with kolb's MultiEx and ContraFlux lines in PCBA and stencil cleaning.
- Stoelting Cleaning Equipment: Stoelting designs and builds aqueous and solvent cleaning systems for electronics and industrial customers, with comparable stencil, PCBA, and parts washing applications to kolb's systems portfolio.
- ECD (Electronic Controls Design): ECD manufactures specialized cleaning, soldering, and process control equipment for electronics manufacturing, including stencil and pallet cleaning systems that compete directly with kolb's MV and MH product lines.
Broad incumbents
- Atotech (MKS Instruments): Atotech, now part of MKS Instruments, is a broad specialty chemicals and equipment supplier to the electronics industry including plating, surface finishing, and cleaning chemistries — much larger and broader portfolio than kolb but competes in adjacent cleaning chemistry segments.
- Brenntag: Brenntag is a global chemical distribution giant that also supplies industrial and institutional cleaning chemistries; while not a direct manufacturer peer, it is a comparable scale player in the cleaning chemistry value chain serving industrial customers.
Emerging players
- RBP Chemical Technology: RBP Chemical Technology supplies specialty cleaning chemistries and process materials for electronics manufacturing, including stencil cleaners and flux removers — competing with portions of kolb's MultiEx and ContraFlux product lines.
Others
- SCHUNK Group: SCHUNK is a major German equipment supplier to electronics manufacturing (tooling, clamping, and SMT accessories) that runs LineXchange events where kolb participates. Comparable as a German Mittelstand electronics-adjacent industrial peer rather than a direct competitor.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks5 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
kolb Cleaning Technology social profiles
Digital presencekolb Cleaning Technology compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance3 records
kolb Cleaning Technology financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
kolb Cleaning Technology leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles5 records
kolb Cleaning Technology subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries2 records
kolb Cleaning Technology funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
kolb Cleaning Technology 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 kolb Cleaning Technology
What does kolb Cleaning Technology do?
kolb Cleaning Technology manufactures industrial cleaning systems, proprietary aqueous detergents, and water management modules for the electronics manufacturing industry. Its product portfolio covers PCBA cleaning, stencil and screen cleaning, solder frame and carrier cleaning, and filter/condensate trap cleaning, sold through two main system families (AQUBE high-end and PSE economy) plus a comprehensive MultiEx and ContraFlux detergent line.
Is kolb Cleaning Technology a public or private company?
kolb Cleaning Technology is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was kolb Cleaning Technology founded?
kolb Cleaning Technology was founded in 1988. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is kolb Cleaning Technology based?
kolb Cleaning Technology is headquartered in Willich, Germany, in the Europe region.
How does kolb Cleaning Technology make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Cleaning Systems/Equipment is the primary driver. The others are cleaning Chemistry/Detergents, service and Training and accessories and Spare Parts.
Who are kolb Cleaning Technology's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Cleaning Technologies Group, Inertech, Zestron, Kyzen Corporation, Stoelting Cleaning Equipment and ECD (Electronic Controls Design). Broad incumbents are Atotech (MKS Instruments) and Brenntag. RBP Chemical Technology is listed as an emerging player. SCHUNK Group is listed as an others.
Does kolb Cleaning Technology have an API?
No public API is recorded for kolb Cleaning Technology.
What industry is kolb Cleaning Technology in?
kolb Cleaning Technology's product category is Industrial Cleaning Equipment for Electronics Manufacturing. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMAEABAG, Industrial & Institutional (I&I) Cleaning Chemicals, with a secondary code of IMAEABAN, Water Treatment & Process Specialty Chemicals. Its NAICS code is 3256 and its SIC code is 2842.