What Pointner & Rothschädl does

Pointner & Rothschädl GmbH (PORO) is a privately held Austrian specialty chemicals distribution company founded in 1945 and headquartered in Puch bei Salzburg. It operates as a technical sales bridge between approximately 50 international specialty chemicals producers — including KRONOS, Lubrizol, Cabot, Nouryon, Solenis, Imerys, CLiQ SwissTech, Buckman, Repsol, and Thor — and more than 2,000 mid-sized industrial customers across 17 Central and Eastern European countries. The company is organized around five wholly-owned subsidiaries (in Hungary, Germany, Switzerland, Poland, and Bulgaria) and four application segments: paints and construction chemicals, plastics/polymers, water treatment, and specialty applications. Its product portfolio spans additives (wetting, dispersion, rheology, biocides, UV stabilizers), pigments (TiO2, organic pigments, effect pigments, masterbatches), fillers (talc, kaolin, calcium carbonate), binders/resins, and water-treatment chemicals (flocculants, coagulants, ferrous sulfate), combined with an own-brand range sold through subsidiary PORO Additive GmbH (PORO WHITE, Lora, POROSOFT, and PORO additives).

The business model is sales-led technical distribution with no public pricing: revenue is generated primarily through product markups on distributed specialty chemicals, supplemented by technical consulting, formulation support, and regulatory documentation services that strengthen customer relationships and drive product adoption. PORO distinguishes itself via three service layers: (1) a partner laboratory arrangement with CLiQ SwissTech in Groningen, Netherlands (1,400 m2) for rheology, spray application, coloristic, pigment, and VOC/SVOC testing; (2) regulatory compliance and documentation support handled by a dedicated specialist; and (3) 24/7 just-in-time logistics through a central warehouse in Salzburg and local forwarders across CEE. The technology stack is anchored on SAP S4 HANA (since 2021), and the company holds ISO 9001:2015 certification and a 2024 EcoVadis Silver Medal.

Ownership sits entirely with CEO Thomas Linnemann, who completed a full takeover of the group in 2018 after the Rothschädl founding family exited. Since 2021 the company has invested in a new headquarters, a high-bay warehouse with hazardous-materials storage and refilling capabilities (2022), and continued supplier portfolio expansion, while maintaining a stable 65-employee headcount. Revenue is not publicly disclosed and there is no evidence of external institutional investment.

Name

Pointner & Rothschädl

Legal name

Pointner & Rothschädl Ges.m.b.H.

Website

https://poro.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1945

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

51–100 employees

Short description

Pointner & Rothschädl (PORO) is an Austrian specialty chemicals distributor founded in 1945 that serves over 2,000 mid-sized industrial customers across 17 Central and Eastern European countries with additives, pigments, fillers, and water-treatment chemicals from ~50 international producers, supported by technical consulting, regulatory documentation, and partner laboratory services.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals Distribution

NAICS

Other Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (42469)

SIC

Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Surfactants & Performance Additives (IMAEABAL)

Keywords

• Specialty chemicals distribution
• Industrial chemical additives
• Coatings and construction chemicals
• Polymer additives distribution
• Water treatment chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Puch

HQ country

Austria

HQ region

Europe

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Specialty Chemicals Distribution: Distribution and sale of specialty chemicals including additives, pigments, masterbatches, binders, and custom solutions from internationally renowned manufacturers to mid-sized industrial customers. Revenue generated through product markups and potentially commission-based arrangements with supplier partners.
2. Technical Consulting Services: Technical consulting, formulation optimization, and regulatory support services provided alongside product sales to enhance customer relationships and drive product adoption.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

Pointner & Rothschädl (PORO) distributes a portfolio of over 1,500 specialty chemical products from approximately 50+ international manufacturers to mid-sized industrial customers across paints & coatings, construction chemicals, polymers, and water treatment sectors in 17 Central and Eastern European countries. The company also provides own-brand specialty products (PORO WHITE masterbatches, Lora, POROSOFT, PORO additives), supplemented by technical consulting, formulation support, laboratory testing through its CLiQ SwissTech partner facility in Groningen, regulatory documentation, and 24/7 logistics services.

Product overview

Pointner & Rothschädl (PORO) is a specialty chemicals distribution company founded in 1945, operating as a bridge between chemical producers and consumers. The company distributes a broad portfolio of over 1,500 specialty chemical products from approximately 50+ international manufacturers across four main market segments: paints/coatings and construction chemicals, polymers/plastics, water treatment, and specialty applications. Their own PORO brand includes fumed silica, cellulose acetate butyrate, aldehyde resins, pigments, and redispersible polymer powders. The portfolio encompasses additives (wetting, dispersion, rheology, biocides, UV stabilizers), pigments (TiO2, organic pigments, effect pigments, masterbatches), fillers (talc, kaolin, calcium carbonate), binders and resins, and water treatment chemicals (flocculants, coagulants, ferrous sulfate). Services include technical laboratory testing through their CLiQ SwissTech partner facility in Groningen, regulatory consulting, and 24/7 logistics across 17 Central European countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Specialty Chemicals Distribution (Core Offering)

Quantifiable outcome

• Serving over 2,000 customers across 17 countries
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

30 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CLiQ SwissTech AGcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 2015Exclusive general representation of CLiQ SwissTech AG since 2015. PORO leverages their state-of-the-art laboratory in Groningen, Netherlands (over 1,400 m2) for customer application testing including rheology, spray application, coloristic measurements, and formulation optimization.
• KRONOS Titan GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 195750+ years of representation since 1957. PORO sold 196,397 tons of KRONOS titanium dioxide over this period. Products include TiO2 pigments and slurries for pigmentation applications.
• voestalpineminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of voestalpine's ferrous sulfate products for water treatment applications (precipitants and flocculants).
• SoleniscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation since 1996. Products include Praestol (flocculants) and Antispumin for water treatment applications using polyacrylamide chemistry.
• Thor GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Thor's Acticide (biocides for pot and film preservation, disinfection) and Microcare (preservatives for personal care) product lines.
• Novozymes A/SminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Novozymes' enzyme products including Intensa, Lipex, Savinase, Stainzyme, and Blaze for industrial applications.
• LubrizolcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation since 1997. Products include surface modification, dispersion and rheology additives (Lanco, Lubrizol, Aquaslip, Solsperse, Solplus), waxes, hyperdispersants, and polymers.
• Cabot GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of CAB-O-SIL pyrogenic silica (rheology, anti-caking), carbon black products (Emperor, Monarch, Regal, Vulcan, Elftex, Black Pearls), and black masterbatch/conductive compounds.
• CINIC Chemicals Europe SàrlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation since 2010. Products include CINILEX high-performance organic pigments, solvent-soluble dyes, and CINIPOL polymer solutions.
• BuckmancoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation since 2013. Products include MFP, Butrol, Bubond (borates for corrosion inhibitors and tannin blockers).
• NouryoncoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation since 1986 (originally BERORL/AKZO BEROL). Products include Bermocoll and Finnfix cellulose ethers for rheology and open time applications.
• RepsolminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Repsol's polyolefins and EVA/EBA products including Alcudia, Ebantix, Isplen, and Primeva brands.
• PORO Additive GmbH (Own Subsidiary)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorOwn subsidiary producing and distributing PORO branded products including Lora and PORO brand organic/inorganic pigments, fumed silica, cellulose acetate butyrate (CAB), aldehyde resins, redispersible polymer powders (RDP), and PORO WHITE masterbatches.
• Kronos Titan GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLong-standing representation of KRONOS titanium dioxide products for pigmentation in paints, coatings, and plastics.
• Nan Ya Plastics Corp.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Nan Ya's epoxy resin products including NPCN, NPEF, NPEK, NPEL, and NPPN grades.
• Valtris Specialty Chemicals Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of PVC additives including Lankroflex, Santicizer, Vulcabond, Intercide, and Lankromark stabilizers and biocides.
• Plastron SARLminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of PLASTRONFOAM, PLASTRON NUC, and PLASTIFLOW additive masterbatch products.
• PolygelminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of PUREsorb, PURETi (HALS, organic titanates for UV protection and adhesion promoters), and PUREfos, PUREstab (antioxidants, UV stabilizers).
• Polytechs SASminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of additive masterbatches including AB PE/PP, AID PE/PP, AF PE (adhesion, anti-block, anti-fog, viscosity modifier, cleaning granules).
• Ultrabatch SrlminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of additive masterbatches for polyolefins including UV, antioxidants, and antiblock/slip products.
• Ultramarine & Pigments Ltd.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Ultramarine Blue Pigments (Vibfast brand) for coloration applications.
• euroMineralsminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of intalc and incomp talc and carbonate-talc co-mills for fillers.
• Imerys Talc Austria GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation since 1998. Products include Luzenac, Mistron, Plastorit, Jetfine, Celite, Eco-Phyl, Polstar, Polwhite, Socal talc, diatomaceous earth, leucophylite, clays, and carbonates for fillers.
• Innovative Kunststoffaufbereitung GmbH & Co. KGminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Eurostab, Greenstab, IKAFLOW, IKALUB, IKAMOD PVC additives including stabilizers, impact modifiers, processing aids, lubricants, and flow aids.
• Donau ChemiecoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Donau Klar iron (III) chloride products for drinking water and waste water treatment.
• EGE KimyaminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of EGEDry solvent and water-based siccatives (dryers) for coatings.
• Crosspolimeri S.p.A.minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Crossvinil, Efrhatan, Epigum, Fragom, Getilan, Poligom cable compounds.
• BRB InternationalminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Silanil, Siloen silanes, siloxanes, silicones for adhesion promotion, coupling additives, water repellency, and high-temperature resins.
• Aralon Color GmbHminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRepresentation of Aragen, Araglo, Arastir fluorescent/phosphorescent pigments and dry dispersions; Aralon, Araplast, Araco masterbatches.
• Lubrizol (detailed)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorFull range including surface modification (Lanco, Lubrizol, Aquaslip), dispersion/rheology (Solsperse, Solplus), waxes, polymers (Turboset, Vycar, Sancure, Permax), and carbosperse products.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves13 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• IMCD N.V. Global specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with strong EMEA presence. Closely comparable in offering specialty additives, pigments, and fillers to coatings/polymer customers with technical selling, though at much larger scale and listed on Euronext Amsterdam.
• Caldic B.V. Rotterdam-based specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor with pan-European operations across industrial and life-science markets. Comparable product mix and end-market exposure, particularly in paints/coatings and polymer additives.
• Brenntag SE: Global market leader in chemical distribution with extensive CEE presence. Operates as a far larger, multi-segment chemical distributor serving the same end-markets (paints, coatings, polymers, water treatment) but at materially greater scale and with broader geographic reach.
• Azelis Group: European-headquartered specialty ingredients and chemicals distributor with EMEA coverage across paints, polymers, and industrial markets. Comparable in product categories, principal-supplier model, and technical sales approach.
• Barentz International B.V. Dutch-headquartered specialty ingredients distributor with strong EMEA presence in paints, coatings, plastics, and personal care. Competes with PORO for European mid-market accounts on overlapping principal portfolios.

Direct peers

• Biesterfeld AG: Hamburg-headquartered specialty chemicals distributor operating across Europe with strong focus on polymers, additives, pigments, and rubber processing chemicals. Closest direct peer to PORO in terms of mid-market customer focus, supplier-agency model, and DACH-CEE geographic footprint.
• Häffner & Co. GmbH: German specialty chemicals distributor serving paints, coatings, plastics, and personal care customers across Europe with technical consultation and a broad multi-principal portfolio — directly comparable in business model and customer segments.
• HSH Chemie GmbH: Hamburg-based specialty chemicals distributor serving paints, coatings, plastics, and adhesives customers in CEE. Direct competitor for principal agencies (e.g., specialty additives, pigments) in overlapping geographies.
• Nordmann, Rassmann GmbH & Co. KG: Hamburg-based chemical distribution company with a long history of distributing specialty additives, pigments, and raw materials across European industrial markets. Operates on a similar principal-agency model targeting mid-sized industrial customers.

Regional players

• Ravasini S.p.A. Italian specialty chemicals distributor active in polymers, paints, coatings, and industrial applications. A Southern European counterpart to PORO that competes for some principal agencies and shares a similar mid-market customer focus, though operating primarily in Italy and adjacent markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

Subsidiaries5 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 Pointner & Rothschädl