ViVoChem

What ViVoChem does

ViVoChem (legal entity: Vivochem B.V.) is a Netherlands-based wholesale distributor of chemical raw materials operating from Almelo as a wholly-owned subsidiary of the German BÜFA Group (acquired 2006). The company distributes more than 450 chemical raw materials — including acids, alkalis, glycols, amines, phosphates, solvents, phthalates, peroxides, and surfactants — to industrial B2B customers across six primary verticals: agricultural/feed, food/life sciences, cleaning and personal care, coatings/paints/adhesives, industrial and technical, and professional laundries. ViVoChem also holds exclusive distribution rights for FerSol® (Ferrate(VI) liquid, a green oxidant for wastewater treatment developed with partner Ferr-Tech) and operates proprietary branded surfactant (Tensidol®) and iron hydroxide (Ferroxol®) lines.

The business is anchored by a hypermodern ADR-compliant (BRZO 2015 / Seveso III high-threshold) warehousing facility at XL Businesspark Twente near the Port of Twente, currently holding 9,000 pallet spaces and under expansion to 20,000, with temperature-controlled MCD systems for FerSol logistics, an automated drumming installation for IBC and drum filling, and a fleet of 10 ADR-certified trucks. The company holds ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 22000, HACCP, GMP+ B3, AEO, RSPO, and EcoVadis Gold certifications, supporting feed-grade and food-grade distribution as well as hazardous chemical handling.

ViVoChem operates a direct field sales model with dedicated Sales Managers covering each Dutch region, Belgium, and an Export department handling worldwide container shipments from Rotterdam. Pricing is quote-based with EUR 500 minimum order thresholds and returnable packaging (statiegeld) systems. Revenue is generated through chemical product sales, value-added drumming, warehousing, and export services for a broad mix of SMB and mid-market industrial customers, with no disclosed public financials.

Name

ViVoChem

Legal name

Vivochem B.V.

Website

https://vivochem.nl

Company type

Private

Founded year

1883

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

ViVoChem is a Netherlands-based B2B wholesale distributor of 450+ chemical raw materials serving industrial customers across feed, food, cleaning, coatings, and water-treatment verticals, operating an ADR-compliant Almelo warehouse and holding exclusive distribution rights for FerSol® green oxidant.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Chemical Distribution

NAICS

Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246)

SIC

Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)

akta.pro primary industry

Commodity Surfactants & Detergent Base Chemicals (IMAEAAAI)

Keywords

• Chemical raw materials distribution
• ADR warehousing services
• Chemical drumming services
• Industrial surfactants supply
• Wastewater treatment chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Almelo

HQ country

Netherlands

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical Distribution: Vivochem distributes over 450 chemical raw materials (acids, alkalis, glycols, amines, phosphates, solvents, phthalates, peroxides, surfactants) to industrial customers in the Benelux, parts of Europe, and worldwide. Revenue is generated through the sale of chemical products delivered in various packaging formats (IBC, drums, cans, bags, bulk tank) and through associated drumming, warehousing, and logistics services.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

ViVoChem is a wholesale B2B distributor of more than 450 chemical raw materials (acids, alkalis, glycols, amines, phosphates, solvents, surfactants, and food/feed-grade chemicals) supplied to industrial customers in the Benelux and worldwide. The company combines chemical distribution with value-added ADR-compliant warehousing (9,000 pallet spaces), automated drumming and contract packaging into IBCs, drums, cans and bags, and global export coordination from its Almelo headquarters. It also sells exclusive branded lines such as FerSol® (Ferrate(VI) for wastewater treatment), Tensidol® surfactants, and Ferroxol® iron hydroxide.

Product overview

ViVoChem is a chemical distribution company offering a portfolio of over 450 chemical raw materials across various product lines. The core offerings include: (1) FerSol® - a green oxidant (Ferraat VI) for wastewater treatment developed in partnership with Ferr-Tech; (2) Tensidol® surfactants product line including APG, CAPB, LAO, LAS, SLES, and SLS for cleaning and personal care applications; (3) Ferroxol® iron hydroxide products; (4) BÜFA-Care environmentally friendly washing products and dosing systems; (5) Industrial Coolants; and (6) food-grade chemicals like Natronloog E 524. ViVoChem provides these products through chemical distribution, warehousing (ADR storage), drumming (filling into various packaging), and export services, with packaging options ranging from IBCs (1000L) and drums (200L) to bulk tankwagen deliveries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Tensidol: Brand name for a selection of high-quality surfactants for cleaning and personal care products, including APG, CAPB, LAO, LAS, SLES, and SLS.
• Ferroxol
• FerSol
• BÜFA-Care

Products and services

• FerSol® A green oxidant containing Ferraat(VI) in liquid form (Ferrate(VI)), used by industrial operators for wastewater treatment — enables water reuse, reduces discharge costs, replaces harmful chemicals, and achieves energy savings by enabling treatment at lower cleaning temperatures. Distributed exclusively by ViVoChem in partnership with Ferr-Tech.
• Tensidol® APG (Alkylpolyglycosides) Non-ionic surfactants (Alkylpolyglycosides / APG) derived from renewable plant-based raw materials, biodegradable and non-toxic, used by formulators in cleaning products, detergents, soaps, and cosmetic products. Eco-certified options available.
• Tensidol® CAPB (Cocoamidopropyl betaine) Amphoteric surfactant (Cocoamidopropyl betaine / CAPB) used by personal care and cleaning formulators for its mild cleansing and foaming properties.
• Tensidol® LAO (Lauramine oxide) Non-ionic surfactant (Lauramine oxide / LAO) used in cleaning and personal care applications for its foam stability and mildness.
• Tensidol® LAS (Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid) Anionic surfactant (Linear alkylbenzene sulfonic acid / LAS / dodecylbenzeensulfonzuur) used in dishwashing detergents, detergents, and cleaning products.
• Tensidol® SLES (Sodium laureth sulfate) Anionic surfactant (Sodium laureth sulfate / SLES / Natriumlaurylethersulfaat) with strong cleaning and foaming properties, used in cleaning products and cosmetics.
• Tensidol® SLS (Sodium lauryl sulfate) Anionic surfactant (Sodium lauryl sulfate / SLS / Natriumlaurylsulfaat) used as a cleaning agent and foaming agent in cosmetics and cleaning products.
• Ferroxol® (Iron hydroxide bags) Branded iron hydroxide sack product used for industrial applications including biogas production and water treatment.
• BÜFA-Care laundry chemicals and dosing systems Environmentally friendly washing products, dosing systems, washing machines, and tunnel washing systems sold directly to professional laundries, dry cleaners, and OPL operators in the Benelux.
• Vivochem Industrial Coolants Industrial coolant solutions for protecting installations and pipelines against freezing temperatures during winter conditions.
• Natronloog E 524 (Food-grade sodium hydroxide) Sodium hydroxide (food grade / E 524) meeting the highest standards for additives and auxiliary substances in the food and beverage industry, with maximum safety and full traceability.
• Chemical Distribution Service B2B wholesale distribution of over 450 chemical raw materials (acids, alkalis, glycols, amines, phosphates, solvents, phthalates, peroxides, surfactants) to industrial customers in the Benelux and worldwide, with delivery in 2-3 business days from stock.
• ADR Warehousing Service Safe and responsible PGS-compliant ADR storage of dangerous goods (ADR classes 3, 4.1, 5.1, 6.1, 8, 9) at the XL Businesspark Twente facility with 9,000 pallet spaces (expanding to 20,000). Includes 84 MCD-conditioned pallet spaces for FerSol storage.
• Drumming Service (Contract packaging) Automated drumming and filling of chemical bulk goods into 1000-liter IBCs or 200-liter drums using an ultramodern automated drumming installation with liquid-tight floors, sprinkler systems, and air filtration at the Almelo facility.
• Chemical Export Service Worldwide chemical export with customs expertise via the in-house Export department, leveraging AEO certification; containers can be shipped from Rotterdam within 1.5 weeks for most exported chemical raw materials held in free stock.

Quantifiable outcome

• 450+ chemical raw materials available from stock for rapid delivery
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles7 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• VSD Food MachinerycoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025Vivochem and Ferr-Tech announced a new collaboration with VSD Food Machinery to expand the application of FerSol in the food machinery and industrial cleaning sector. The partnership combines FerSol's green oxidant technology with VSD's equipment for enhanced wastewater treatment outcomes.
• Ferr-TechcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 31 January 2022Vivochem and Ferr-Tech signed a partnership agreement on January 31, 2022, making Vivochem the 'preferred' distribution partner for FerSol (Ferrate(VI) in liquid form). Ferr-Tech produces FerSol using a patented process; Vivochem handles storage (84 conditioned pallet spaces at Almelo), transport, and distribution. The partnership aims to green industrial wastewater treatment processes. BÜFA Group has also taken a minority stake in Ferr-Tech, deepening the strategic relationship.
• BÜFA GroupcoreOthersBÜFA Group (founded 1883, Oldenburg, Germany) acquired 100% of Vivochem in 2006. Vivochem belongs to the Chemicals division. BÜFA Group also focuses on cleaning products (BÜFA Cleaning) and composites (BÜFA Composites). Under the slogan 'nieuwe chemie' (new chemistry), the group pursues climate neutrality. BÜFA has taken a minority stake in Ferr-Tech, further deepening the Vivochem-Ferr-Tech relationship within the group.
• CleanwashminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerVivochem and Ferr-Tech initiated a 3-month pilot with Cleanwash Hoogeveen, a company that cleans reusable packaging (crates, pallets, Dolav pallet boxes) for food production companies. The pilot tests FerSol in Cleanwash's crate washing machine to demonstrate sustainable cleaning performance.
• VHCP (including Responsible Care)minorOthersVivochem is an active member of VHCP (Association of Chemical Products Trading Companies), which includes participation in the Responsible Care program — a chemical industry initiative for continuous improvement in environmental, health, and safety performance.
• Safety Network Midden- en Oost-NederlandminorOthersVivochem actively participates in this regional safety network for companies in mid and east Netherlands, contributing to and benefiting from shared safety best practices and incident learning.
• Veiligheid VooropminorOthersVivochem is an active member of Veiligheid Voorop, a safety improvement initiative for companies in the Dutch chemical and logistics sectors.
• FenedexminorOthersVivochem is an active member of Fenedex, the Dutch association of exporters, supporting international trade and export best practices.
• FenexminorOthersVivochem is an active member of Fenex, the Dutch freight forwarding and logistics association.
• Duurzaam Netwerk AlmelominorOthersVivochem participates in the Sustainable Network Almelo, a local sustainability initiative bringing together companies committed to environmental and social responsibility in the Almelo region.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• IMCD: Specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with strong European footprint. Directly competes with ViVoChem in surfactants (Tensidol-style), coatings, personal care, and food/feed ingredient distribution with technical sales focus.
• Azelis: Specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor active across EMEA. Highly comparable to ViVoChem in distributing eco-certified surfactants, food-grade additives, and water treatment chemistries to industrial and consumer goods customers.
• Barentz: European-headquartered life sciences and specialty ingredients distributor. Comparable to ViVoChem in personal care, cleaning, food, and animal nutrition verticals with strong Benelux presence and broad chemical raw materials portfolio.
• Brenntag: World's largest chemical distributor with broad specialty and commodity product lines across EMEA. Directly comparable to ViVoChem in distribution of acids, alkalis, solvents, and surfactants to industrial customers, though at much greater scale and global reach.
• Univar Solutions: Major North American and EMEA chemical distributor covering specialty and commodity ingredients. Comparable to ViVoChem in serving cleaning, personal care, food, and industrial customers with a broad chemical raw materials portfolio.
• Biesterfeld: Hamburg-based chemical distributor operating across specialty and industrial chemicals in Europe. Closely comparable to ViVoChem in solvents, surfactants, and industrial chemical distribution to coatings, cleaning, and personal care customers.
• Caldic: Rotterdam-based specialty ingredients distributor serving food, personal care, cleaning, and industrial markets. Directly comparable to ViVoChem in Benelux-rooted specialty distribution with broad chemical raw materials coverage.
• TER Chemicals: Hamburg-headquartered distributor of specialty and commodity chemicals across Europe. Highly comparable to ViVoChem in distributing acids, solvents, surfactants, and industrial chemicals to mid-market industrial customers.
• Nordmann (NRC Group): European chemical and natural raw materials distributor headquartered near Rotterdam. Closely comparable to ViVoChem in Benelux-rooted multi-vertical chemical distribution with focus on specialty additives and industrial chemicals.

Regional players

• Overlack: German specialty chemicals and raw materials distributor with similar mid-sized European footprint. Comparable to ViVoChem in product breadth across cleaning, coatings, and industrial chemicals, with primary DACH regional orientation.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCBvnYNhfKNTMvSfufBM9Hag
• Xx.com/ViVoChem
• Facebookfacebook.com/Vivochem

Compliance13 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles21 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 ViVoChem