KIESOW France

What KIESOW France does

KIESOW France S.à.r.l. is a French limited liability company (Société à responsabilité limitée) headquartered at Route de Charnoz, 01800 Meximieux, France. Originally founded in 1946 in Lyon/Villeurbanne, the company was acquired in 1965 by the German KIESOW Group (KIESOW OBERFLÄCHENCHEMIE GmbH & Co. KG, headquartered in Detmold) and now operates as the French subsidiary serving the French market with the full KIESOW delivery programme. The entity employs between 11 and 50 people and is legally led by Jan Brinkmann as Président, with Loubna Nekkaa serving as Data Protection Officer and Denis Marandet as technical specialist for the SYSTOPASS silver antitarnish product line.

The company develops, produces, and commercialises chemical and mechanical surface treatment processes for metal and plastic surfaces, spanning the complete process chain from polishing to final coating (vitrification). Its portfolio of more than 500 products includes polishing compounds and emulsions, industrial degreasing agents, zinc phosphatation systems (SURFACOTE series), electrolytic metal deposition baths (zinc, zinc-nickel, copper, nickel, tin, chrome — including the SAPHIR 2000 trivalent chrome process and OPAL 5000/7000 alkaline zinc-nickel processes), passivation systems (PROSEAL and SURFASEAL series), electroless nickel plating processes, base metal anodes, silver antitarnish treatments (SYSTOPASS AG 118 and 180), and industrial wastewater treatment chemicals (AW Sorb, SEDAC 705, REPLEX 420/864/1000). Documented proprietary innovations include REACH-aligned chemistries such as nickel-free phosphatation, chrome(VI)-free blue passivation, and cobalt-free thick-layer passivation meeting automotive industry standards.

KIESOW France generates revenue through direct sales of its chemical products to industrial customers, with a minimum order value of €70 net excluding tax and free shipping for orders exceeding 500 kg. The go-to-market model is sales-led, relying on a commercial service and field technical support team that assists customers on site and operates an in-house laboratory in Meximieux. Customers include household appliance manufacturers (Miele), automotive suppliers (Hella, Metalsa), financial and retail technology vendors (Diebold Nixdorf), sanitary fixture producers (Kaldewei), galvanising companies (Niedax Galvanik), and lock manufacturers (Lehmann GmbH). Distribution is direct domestic sales, supported by the parent group's international subsidiary network spanning more than 30 countries across Europe, China, and beyond.

Name

KIESOW France

Legal name

KIESOW France S.à.r.l.

Website

https://kiesow.fr

Company type

Private

Founded year

1946

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

KIESOW France is the French subsidiary of Germany's KIESOW Group, developing and selling 500+ chemical and mechanical surface treatment products for metal and plastic finishing, serving industrial customers in automotive, household appliances, sanitary, metal finishing, and electronics.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Surface Treatment Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Polish and Other Sanitation Good Manufacturing (325612), Soap and Cleaning Compound Manufacturing (32561)

SIC

Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYIMAEABAL

Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives

Industrials, Manufacturing & Construction/Chemicals & Industrial Materials/Specialty Chemicals

SECONDARYCRAJACAF

Stainless Steel & Metal Surface Cleaners & Polishes

Consumer Products & Retail/Household Products & Cleaning Supplies/Hard Surface Cleaners

SECONDARYCRAJAKAD

Acids & Descalers (Muriatic, Phosphoric, Sulfamic)

Consumer Products & Retail/Household Products & Cleaning Supplies/Household Chemicals & Specialty Cleaners (Bleach, Ammonia, Solvents)

Keywords

• Metal surface treatment
• Electroplating chemicals
• Industrial cleaning products
• Phosphatation coatings
• Wastewater treatment chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Meximieux

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Surface Treatment Chemicals and Products: KIESOW develops, produces, and commercializes polishing agents, industrial cleaning products (degreasing agents), process baths for electrolytic metal deposition, post-treatment systems (passivations/TOP-Coats), phosphatation for pretreatment in powder coating, as well as base chemicals, anodes, and accessories. Revenue is generated through product sales with minimum order value of €70 net excluding tax.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

KIESOW France develops, produces, and commercializes chemical products and process solutions for the mechanical and chemical surface treatment of metal and plastic parts. Its portfolio covers the complete surface treatment chain — polishing pastes/emulsions, industrial degreasing agents, zinc phosphatation systems, electrolytic metal deposition baths (zinc, zinc-nickel, copper, nickel, tin, chrome), passivations and TOP-Coats, electroless nickel processes, anodes/base chemicals, silver antitarnish systems, and industrial wastewater treatment chemicals. The offering is targeted at industrial customers in automotive, household appliance, sanitary, electronics/ATM, and general metal finishing sectors, with technical support and on-site customer service from a French-based commercial and laboratory team.

Product overview

KIESOW France is a surface treatment chemical company offering a comprehensive system of over 500 products spanning mechanical and chemical surface treatments. They are the only system supplier offering complete process chains from polishing to final coating (sealing/vitrification). The product portfolio includes: polishing pastes and emulsions, industrial degreasing/pretreatment chemicals, zinc phosphatation systems (SURFACOTE series), electrolytic metal deposition processes including alkaline zinc-nickel (OPAL series) and trivalent chrome (SAPHIR 2000), passivation systems (PROSEAL and SURFASEAL series for zinc and aluminum), chemical nickel processes, base metal anodes and chemicals, silver tarnish protection (SYSTOPASS), and industrial wastewater treatment products (AW Sorb, SEDAC, REPLEX). The company also distributes ECROMAL polishing agents for end consumers.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• PROLECTRO: Trade name under which KIESOW France operated and sold products, as referenced in the General Terms and Conditions of Sale.

Products and services

• Polishing pastes and emulsions (Pâtes à polir / émulsions de polissage) Polishing compounds and emulsions for mechanical surface treatment and finishing of metal and plastic surfaces, used as the first step in KIESOW's full process chain.
• Industrial degreasing and pretreatment (Dégraissage / Prétraitement) Industrial cleaning products (degreasing agents) for surface preparation prior to coating processes.
• Zinc phosphatation systems (Phosphatations) Phosphatation treatments for steel surfaces providing fine-crystal phosphate layers as a base for subsequent powder or liquid painting.
• SURFACOTE 222/223 nickel-free zinc phosphatation Nickel-free zinc phosphatation system forming homogeneous fine-crystal phosphate layers on steel, offering corrosion protection and an adherent base for subsequent powder or liquid paint application.
• SURFACOTE 240 low-temperature thin-layer zinc phosphatation Low-temperature thin-layer nickel-free zinc phosphatation for efficient pretreatment.
• SURFACOTE 333/334 zinc phosphatation Zinc phosphatation system used in combination with SURFACLEAN products for powder coating pretreatment.
• Electroplating / galvanoplasty processes (Galvanoplastie) Electrolytic metal deposition baths and systems for electroplating processes including zinc, zinc-nickel, copper, nickel, tin, and chrome.
• OPAL 5000 alkaline zinc-nickel process (barrel) Alkaline zinc-nickel electroplating process specifically adapted for barrel applications.
• OPAL 7000 alkaline zinc-nickel process (rack) Alkaline zinc-nickel electroplating process specifically developed for rack/hook applications.
• SAPHIR 2000 trivalent chrome process Trivalent chromium (III) electroplating process free from complexing agents, suitable for decorative and functional chromium coatings with reduced environmental impact and compatibility with existing wastewater treatment.
• SAPHIR 2000 EPT passivation mechanism Passivation mechanism for trivalent chrome processes, providing a protective film or conversion layer that prevents corrosion on trivalent chrome deposits.
• Passivation systems and TOP-Coats (Passivations / Filmogènes) Post-treatment passivation systems and TOP-Coat sealing films for protective and decorative finishes on plated surfaces.
• PROSEAL XZ 130 chrome(VI)-free blue passivation Chrome(VI)-free blue passivation that forms a bright blue passive film on zinc layers, with heat-resistant color tones up to 200°C and room-temperature application.
• PROSEAL CF 270 cobalt-free passivation Cobalt-free thick-layer passivation for zinc and zinc-iron layers, providing particularly high corrosion protection meeting automotive industry standards.
• PROSEAL CF 560 black cobalt-free passivation Black cobalt-free passivation specifically formulated for high corrosion protection on zinc coatings.
• PROSEAL XZ 160 black trivalent passivation Black trivalent passivation specifically formulated for acidic zinc processes.
• SURFASEAL 440 conversion coating Conversion coating with QUALICOAT and GSB approvals for architectural aluminum coating applications.
• Electroless nickel processes (Procédés de nickel chimique) Electroless nickel plating processes for uniform nickel deposits applied without external electrical current.
• Anodes and base chemicals (Anodes / Produits chimiques) Base metal anodes (nickel, copper, zinc, tin) and associated chemicals including nickel sulfate, nickel chloride, copper sulfate, zinc chloride, tin sulfate, and accessories.
• SYSTOPASS AG 118 silver antitarnish (metallic) Metallic passivation chemical conversion treatment protecting technical silver deposits from tarnish, with high durability and easy maintenance.
• SYSTOPASS 180 silver antitarnish (organic) Organic passivation for decorative and technical precious metal applications, usable chemically or electrolytically, providing oxidation protection and a hydrophobic effect.
• Wastewater treatment chemicals (Eaux usées) Industrial wastewater treatment chemicals for processing production effluents to remove metals and organic compounds from surface treatment operations.
• AW Sorb oil/grease binding agent Absorbent for oils, greases, organic solvents, varnishes, and wetting agents in aqueous solutions; binds dissolved heavy metals through ion exchange and improves floc sedimentation and shear stability.
• SEDAC 705 sedimentation accelerator Liquid sedimentation accelerator that optimizes floc formation and improves decontamination quality without requiring swelling time.
• REPLEX 420 / 864 / 1000 heavy-metal precipitation Heavy-metal precipitation products that quantitatively precipitate complexed metal ions in the presence of strong complexing agents (ammonium salts, EDTA, NTA, gluconates, citrates).
• SURFACLEAN 688 neutral pickling agent Neutral pH (6.0–7.0) pickling agent for removing oxide layers and scale from iron and steel surfaces.
• SURFACLEAN 995 borate-free cleaning agent Borate-free liquid cleaning agent for removing stubborn soiling (polishing paste residues, machining oils) on aluminum and non-ferrous metals.
• PROQUEL OF PFOA/PFOS substitute surfactant Polyfluorinated surfactant substitute for PFOA or PFOS used in chrome electrolysis baths to lower surface tension and reduce CrO3 in exhaust air.
• ECROMAL metal polishing agent Metal polishing agent for stainless steel, chrome, brass, aluminum, nickel, and copper, intended for end consumers.

Quantifiable outcome

• Trivalent chrome SAPHIR 2000 can be processed in existing wastewater treatment installations due to absence of complexing agents
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers7 records

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature8 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core.

• PROLECTROcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPROLECTRO is part of the KIESOW group, mentioned in General Terms and Conditions as the seller/vendor. The company was founded in 1946 and became a subsidiary of the KIESOW group in 1965.
• KIESOW OBERFLÄCHENCHEMIE GmbH & Co. KG (Germany)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerParent company headquartered in Detmold, Germany since 1950. Responsible for production of polishing products, degreasing agents, additives for electrolytic deposits, and phosphatation. Also houses administrative services, application technology development, service laboratories, and central warehouse.
• KIESOW ChemTec (Shanghai) Co. Ltd.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerChinese subsidiary operating in Shanghai's Songjiang District, serving the Asian market with surface treatment products.
• KIESOW Austria GmbHcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAustrian subsidiary established in 1968 in Aurolzmünster near Ried im Innkreis. Produces and develops proven treatments in surface treatment. Exports to Eastern European countries and represented by own subsidiaries in Poland, Hungary, Serbia, Czech Republic, and Ukraine.
• KIESOW Polska Sp. z o.o.coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPolish subsidiary located in Zabrze, serving the Polish market.
• PROLECTROOthers

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Chemetall (BASF Coatings): Chemetall (now part of BASF) supplies surface treatment chemistries for aerospace, automotive and industrial applications, including pretreatment, coating and corrosion protection. It directly overlaps with KIESOW's phosphatation, passivation and pretreatment product lines.
• SurTec: SurTec is a German-headquartered specialty chemical company offering surface treatment products including cleaning, activation, plating and post-treatment. Its European footprint and chemistry focus closely mirror KIESOW France's product portfolio and customer segments.
• Coventya: Coventya is a European specialty chemicals producer focused on electroplating, pretreatment and passivation for metal finishing. Its mid-sized, chemistry-led profile and European customer base make it one of the closest comparables to KIESOW France in scale and product mix.
• Technic Inc. Technic supplies specialty plating chemistries, equipment and engineered materials for electronics and industrial surface finishing. It overlaps with KIESOW's electroplating bath and base chemical offerings, particularly for functional finishes.
• C. Uyemura & Co., Ltd. C. Uyemura is a Japanese supplier of plating chemicals, surface treatment chemistries and electronic materials, with direct overlap in zinc, zinc-nickel and passivation technologies. It is a relevant competitor for KIESOW's automotive and electronics-adjacent customers.
• Atotech (MKS Instruments): Atotech is a global leader in specialty chemicals and equipment for surface finishing, with overlapping product lines in electroplating, passivation and pretreatment. It is the most direct global comparable to KIESOW France's chemistry portfolio and end-market focus.
• MacDermid Enthone Industrial Solutions (Element Solutions): MacDermid Enthone supplies decorative and functional electroplating chemistries, including trivalent chrome, zinc-nickel and passivation systems that compete head-on with KIESOW's SAPHIR 2000 and OPAL series. It is among the largest direct competitors to KIESOW in industrial surface treatment.

Broad incumbents

• BASF SE: BASF is a global chemical conglomerate that owns Chemetall and supplies broader industrial chemicals relevant to surface treatment customers. It competes through scale, R&D budget and cross-category bundling rather than KIESOW-style specialty focus.
• Henkel AG & Co. KGaA: Henkel operates an Adhesive Technologies segment that includes metal pretreatment and surface treatment chemistries (e.g., Bonderite) alongside much larger industrial and consumer businesses. It is a broader incumbent with overlapping but non-specialized offerings versus KIESOW's niche chemistry focus.
• PPG Industries: PPG is a global coatings and specialty materials supplier with industrial pretreatment products adjacent to KIESOW's phosphatation line. It competes indirectly through downstream coating systems rather than direct chemistry overlap.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 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 KIESOW France