ZET Chemistry

What ZET Chemistry does

ZET-CHEMIE GmbH is a family-owned German specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 1989 by Nicola and Jürgen Zimmerhackl and headquartered in Ehingen (Donau), with a second manufacturing site in Deißlingen. The company produces industrial lubricants and metalworking fluids — including cooling lubricants, cutting oils, grinding oils, corrosion protection products, industrial cleaners, and machine oils — primarily serving metalworking industrial customers. Production is supported by an in-house laboratory and a library of more than 500 proprietary formulations, with branded specialty lines such as the mineral oil-free ZET-viscowas range and a recently launched ESG-branded line of CO2-reduced cutting oils.

The business operates across two primary channels. First, branded direct and partner-led sales distribute finished lubricants into industrial metalworking accounts. Second, the company monetizes spare capacity through white-label/toll manufacturing for partner brands. Internationally, ZET-CHEMIE reaches 31 countries, with named distribution entities in India (Zavenir Daubert) and China (Shanghai Zhete) and a Dubai-based Middle East presence; export volume accounts for roughly 25% of activity. The combined Ehingen and Deißlingen footprint supports 16 million liters of annual production capacity. The company holds EMAS environmental certification (since 2010) and ISO 9001:2015 quality certification.

Revenue mechanics are B2B industrial with no public pricing schedule disclosed. The customer base is not named in available materials, suggesting a distributed end-customer footprint served through technical consultation and fluid-management services. ZET-CHEMIE has used M&A as an inorganic lever — most notably the 2019 acquisition and 2024 merger of BEKU Oil GmbH — alongside repeated capacity expansions (1995, 2007, 2011, 2017). As a family-owned mid-market manufacturer with ~50 employees and no disclosed funding history, the company is positioned as a niche specialty lubricants specialist rather than a scale lubricant major.

Name

ZET Chemistry

Legal name

ZET-CHEMIE GmbH

Website

https://zet-chemie.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1989

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

ZET-CHEMIE GmbH is a family-owned German manufacturer of industrial lubricants, cooling fluids, and metal cleaners serving metalworking companies in 31 countries through branded sales, partner distribution, and white-label manufacturing.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Metalworking Lubricants

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Bio-Based & Environmentally Acceptable Lubricants (EALs) (IMAEAMAN)

Keywords

• Metalworking lubricants
• Cooling lubricants
• Cutting oils
• Industrial cleaners
• Corrosion protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Ehingen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Industrial Lubricants and Metalworking Fluids: Production and sale of cooling lubricants, cutting oils, grinding oils, corrosion protection products, industrial cleaners, and machine oils for metal processing operations.
2. White-Label Manufacturing: Production under white-label for various trading companies domestically and internationally. Corporate designs of trading partners are implemented on packaging and required documentation.
3. Laboratory Services: In-house laboratory provides product quality control, raw material testing, state analyses of customer samples, and product lifecycle extension services.
4. Fluid Management Services: Full-service offerings including analysis, care, and documentation services for metalworking fluids, plus transport and logistics services for lubricants.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels3 records

Core offering

ZET Chemistry develops, produces, and sells industrial cooling lubricants, cutting oils, grinding oils, corrosion protection products, industrial cleaners, and machine oils for metalworking operations. The company also offers white-label manufacturing, in-house laboratory services, and fluid management services to industrial customers across 31 countries.

Product overview

ZET-CHEMIE is a medium-sized family business (founded 1989) specializing in lubricants, cleaning agents, and corrosion protection for metalworking. The product portfolio centers on five main categories: (1) Kühlschmierstoffe including the ZET-viscowas mineralölfrei (mineral oil-free) line and conventional emulsions; (2) Schneid- & Schleiföle including GTL-based oils, ZET-CUT ESG CO2-reduced cutting oils, and specialty oils (Stanzöle, Erodieröle, Räumöle, Hon- & Läppöle); (3) Maschinenöle for hydraulic, spindle, gear, compressor and slidingway applications; (4) Reiniger (cleaners) in solvent-based and water-miscible formulations; and (5) Korrosionsschutz (corrosion protection) products. The company also offers Umformöle (forming oils), Minimalmengen-Schmierung (MMS) systems, greases, and a full range of accessories including filter media, mixing systems, and skin protection products. Products are developed and manufactured in Germany (Ehingen/Donau and Deißlingen) with distribution to over 30 countries.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ZET-viscowas: Mineral oil-free, water-clear cutting fluid of the latest generation for all machining processes from grinding to heavy machining of aluminum. Features foam-free high-pressure performance, significantly reduced consumption, skin-friendly and biostable properties.

Products and services

• ZET-viscowas Mineral Oil-Free Cooling Lubricants Mineral oil-free, water-clear cooling lubricant for all machining processes from grinding to heavy machining of aluminum. Features foam-free performance at high pressure, up to 30% lower consumption, skin-friendly yet biostable properties, and clean machines with minimal cleaning effort. Used by industrial metalworking manufacturers.
• ZET-CUT ESG Cutting Oils CO2-reduced cutting oils using sustainable re-refinate base oils that save up to 80% CO2 emissions versus fresh oils, manufactured in EMAS-certified zero-wastewater production. Targeted at metalworking manufacturers seeking sustainable lubricant solutions.
• GTL-Based Cutting and Grinding Oils Cutting and grinding oils based on Gas-to-Liquid (GTL) technology with extremely high flash points, very good air separation capability, and very low oil mist formation. Designed for industrial metalworking operations requiring enhanced process safety and minimized evaporation losses.
• Emulsion-Based Cooling Lubricants Water-miscible cooling lubricants (emulsion concentrates) based on mineral oil-containing emulsions for machining all materials with finely dispersed cooling. Used in industrial metalworking operations.
• ZET Honing and Lapping Oils Honing oils adapted to honing stones for consistent highest surface quality, and lapping fluids based on highly oxidation-stable base oils that maintain consistent properties over long periods under stress. Used in precision finishing of metal parts.
• ZET Broaching Oils High-pressure lubricating oils for broaching, deep-hole drilling, and thread cutting with optimized extreme-pressure and wear-protection additives. Used in heavy-duty metalworking operations.
• ZET EDM Dielectric Fluids Dielectric fluids for electrical discharge machining (EDM) with optimal viscosity and high flash point for maximum process safety. Used in EDM metalworking operations.
• ZET Stamping Oils Stamping oils for precise and clean sheet metal processing with optimal balance between performance and wear-protection additives. Used in sheet metal stamping operations.
• Forming Oils Oils for non-cutting metal forming including deep drawing, stamping, broaching, and rolling, with friction reduction and skin-friendly properties. Used in metal forming operations.
• ZET Machine Oils High-performance machine oils for hydraulic, spindle, gear, compressor, and slideway applications with high oxidation stability and lubricity. Used to maintain and lubricate metalworking machinery.
• ZET Industrial Cleaners Industrial cleaners for metal processing and machine maintenance available in solvent-based and water-based variants for dipping, spraying, vapor degreasing, and ultrasonic cleaning. Used in metalworking manufacturing facilities.
• Corrosion Protection Products Solvent-based or water-miscible corrosion protection products with or without dewatering properties for storage periods ranging from days to many months, including sea transport. Used by metalworking manufacturers to protect finished and semi-finished parts.
• Minimum Quantity Lubrication (MQL) Products Lubricants for machining processes requiring less than 50 ml of cooling lubricant per hour, available as biodegradable, VOC-free, or residue-free evaporating formulations. Used in minimum quantity lubrication machining applications.
• Greases for Metalworking Greases for rolling and sliding bearings with high pressure absorption capacity and temperature resistance, including specialty greases on request. Used in metalworking machinery and equipment.
• Motor and Gear Oils Oils for passenger cars, trucks, and agricultural applications with numerous manufacturer approvals for engine and transmission use.
• White-Label Manufacturing Service White-label manufacturing of metalworking lubricants and fluids for trading companies domestically and internationally. ZET-CHEMIE produces products with partner corporate designs on packaging and required documentation.
• Laboratory Services In-house laboratory providing product quality control, raw material testing, state analyses of customer samples, and product lifecycle extension services. Offered to industrial metalworking customers.
• Fluid Management Services Full-service offering including analysis, care, and documentation services for metalworking fluids, plus transport and logistics services for lubricants. Provided to industrial customers managing fluid lifecycles.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% reduction in coolant consumption with ZET-viscowas mineral oil-free products
• +4 more outcomes

Segments2 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

19 partnerships are on record, tiered flagship and core.

• BEKU Oil GmbHflagshipChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2019Acquired all shares of BEKU Oil GmbH in Deißlingen in 2019. The company became a 100% subsidiary covering the Schwarzwald-Baar-Heuberg region sales territory. Merged with ZET-CHEMIE GmbH effective 01.01.2024. All product formulations, designations, and contacts remain unchanged.
• Master 11 Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Bulgaria. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Bulgarian market.
• Shanghai Zhete Co Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for China. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Chinese market.
• ZET-CHEMIE Denmark ApScoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Denmark. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Danish market.
• DICEA EURO OILcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Greece. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Greek market.
• Zavenir Daubert Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for India. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Indian market.
• LINEA TECNICA srlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Italy. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Italian market.
• TeSe AGcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Switzerland. Located at Alte Winterthurerstrasse 11B, CH-8309 Nürensdorf. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Swiss market.
• Köb Schmierstoffe GmbHcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Austria. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Austrian market.
• SAPTEC s.r.o.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Czech Republic and Slovakia. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in these markets.
• Glavitech b.vcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Netherlands. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Dutch market.
• EUROFLUID Sp. K.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Poland. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Polish market.
• SC Remcar srlcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Romania. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Romanian market.
• BECHEM SCANDINAVIA ABcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Sweden. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Swedish market.
• Tribotim d.o.ocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner covering Slovenia, Croatia, Bosnia, Serbia, and Macedonia. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in these Balkan markets.
• Tungsten & Tool Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for New Zealand. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the New Zealand market.
• Hardt Oil KftcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Hungary. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Hungarian market.
• Machentech LLCcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Ukraine. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Ukrainian market.
• MB TribolinacoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorDistribution partner for Lithuania. Manages sales and distribution of ZET-CHEMIE products in the Lithuanian market.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves10 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• MotulTech (Motul): French-headquartered lubricant group with a dedicated industrial fluids division serving metalworking and machining customers. Comparable as a competing supplier of high-performance cutting fluids and grinding oils across European markets.
• Quaker Houghton: US-listed global leader in metalworking fluids and process fluids. Comparable because it directly competes with ZET's core cutting fluid, grinding fluid and corrosion protection categories, though it operates at multi-billion-dollar scale and serves large OEM accounts.
• FUCHS SE: Germany-headquartered global leader in industrial lubricants with a broad metalworking fluid portfolio. Comparable because it directly competes with ZET in industrial cutting fluids, grinding oils and corrosion protection, but at vastly larger scale and a much wider product range.
• Klüber Lubrication (Freudenberg): German specialty lubricant manufacturer owned by Freudenberg, offering tribological solutions including industrial and metalworking fluids. Comparable in DACH origin and specialty chemical positioning, but part of a much larger industrial group.
• TotalEnergies Lubricants: Global lubricants arm of TotalEnergies offering metalworking fluids, industrial oils and corrosion protection products. Comparable as a direct competitor in cutting and forming fluids, with far greater scale and international reach than ZET.
• Castrol Industrial (BP): Global industrial lubricant brand under BP supplying metalworking fluids, cutting oils and corrosion protection. Comparable as a major incumbent competing for the same end-customers and contract slots as ZET.

Emerging players

• Hangsterfer's Saws + Coolants: US-based specialty manufacturer of metalworking fluids and cutting oils serving precision machining customers. Comparable as a focused, formulation-led competitor in coolants and cutting fluids, but with a more limited geographic and channel footprint than ZET.

Direct peers

• Carl Bechem GmbH: German medium-sized specialty lubricant manufacturer focused on metalworking fluids, corrosion protection and forming oils. Closely comparable in size, geography and product scope to ZET, and notably listed among ZET's distribution partners for Sweden and Italy.
• Blaser Swisslube AG: Swiss specialty manufacturer of metalworking fluids and cutting oils with a strong DACH presence. Comparable as a similarly sized, formulation-led competitor focused on high-performance cutting and grinding fluids for precision machining.
• Cimcool (Milacron / Quaker Houghton successor): Long-established metalworking fluids brand focused on coolants, cutting oils and cleaners for machining operations. Comparable as a direct competitor in the same product categories ZET serves, with strong North American and European presence.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zet-chemie

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Subsidiaries1 record

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 ZET Chemistry