What Zerust Excor does

Zerust Excor is the Brazilian operating subsidiary of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC), a US-headquartered publicly traded company that pioneered Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) film technology over 50 years ago. Operating from Sorocaba, São Paulo, the company sells VCI-based products and corrosion-management services to industrial customers across Brazil and through NTIC's global network spanning 60+ countries. Its core offering is a chemistry platform in which organic salts emit vapor molecules that deposit a monomolecular protective layer on metal surfaces, preventing corrosion from moisture, oxygen, salts, and contaminants without the need for application or removal of traditional conservation products.

The product portfolio is organized into VCI packaging films and kraft papers, VCI emitters and diffusers (including QR-code-tracked capsules integrated with the ZERUST ZAP app), water-based and oil-based rust preventatives (Axxatec and Axxanol lines), industrial cleaners and degreasers (AxxaClean), and rust removers. Verticalized sub-brands target oil and gas (Zerion, Flange Saver, Auto Fog) and sustainability-mandated buyers (Natur-VCI biodegradable packaging, PCR30 film with 30% post-consumer recycled content). Products carry multi-jurisdictional certifications including MIL-PRF-22110, NACE, REACH, RoHS, TSCA, EU CLP, GADSS, and Brazil's LGPD, qualifying the portfolio for military, aerospace, and global automotive OEM supply chains.

Zerust Excor monetizes primarily through one-time product sales combined with professional-services consulting delivered via the proprietary Z-CIS methodology: relationship building, project planning, regional-laboratory sample testing, application/implementation, and ongoing monitoring. GTM is sales-led and relationship-driven, with direct B2B sales in Brazil plus authorized representatives and regional laboratories worldwide. Customers span automotive, oil and gas, aerospace, heavy equipment, metalworking and stamping, marine, foundry, electrical and electronics, mining, wastewater, military, and electric vehicles. Pricing is quote-based and not publicly disclosed, consistent with customized industrial-chemicals procurement.

Name

Zerust Excor

Legal name

ZERUST EXCOR

Website

https://zerust.com.br

Company type

Private

Founded year

1970

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Zerust Excor is the Brazilian subsidiary of Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC), selling VCI (Vapor Corrosion Inhibitor) chemistry products and corrosion-management services to industrial customers in automotive, aerospace, oil & gas, marine, heavy equipment, and related verticals.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Industrial Corrosion Protection Chemicals

NAICS

Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551), Chemical Manufacturing (325), Coating, Engraving, Heat Treating, and Allied Activities (33281)

SIC

Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Specialty Cleaning, Polishing And Sanitation Preparations (2842)

akta.pro primary industry

Industrial Protective Coatings (Steel/Concrete/Equipment) (IMAIAKAB)

akta.pro secondary industries

Industrial Protective Coatings (IMADAKAB), Rust Repair & Corrosion Treatment (TLAKAEAK)

Keywords

• Corrosion protection products
• Vci packaging solutions
• Rust prevention chemicals
• Metal preservation services
• Industrial cleaning chemicals

Headquarters

HQ city

Sorocaba

HQ country

Brazil

HQ region

Latin America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. VCI Packaging Products: Sale of VCI-impregnated films, kraft papers, and packaging materials for corrosion protection during storage and transportation of metal components.
2. Industrial Cleaners and Rust Removers: Sale of chemical products for rust removal, surface preparation, and industrial cleaning including AxxaClean, AxxaVis product lines.
3. Rust Inhibitors and Preventatives: Sale of liquid rust prevention products including water-based (Axxatec series) and oil/solvent-based (Axxanol series) coatings and films.
4. Technical Consulting and Corrosion Management Services: Specialized consulting services following the Z-CIS methodology: feasibility study, relationship building, project planning, laboratory testing, application/implementation, and ongoing monitoring.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Zerust Excor manufactures and distributes Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) packaging materials, rust preventatives, industrial cleaners, and rust removers used to protect metallic components during storage, transportation, and processing. The company also delivers specialized technical consulting and corrosion management services through its proprietary Z-CIS five-phase methodology covering feasibility study, sample testing, application, and ongoing monitoring.

Product overview

Zerust Excor is a global leader in Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor (VCI) technology, offering a comprehensive portfolio of anti-corrosion products and services for metal protection across diverse industries. The product portfolio centers on VCI-based solutions including VCI Packaging Films, VCI Kraft Packaging Paper, VCI Emitters & Diffusers, Industrial Cleaners & Degreasers (AxxaClean line), Rust Inhibitors/Preventatives & Coatings (Axxanol and Axxatec lines), and Industrial Rust Removers. The company also provides specialized solutions for Oil & Gas applications (Zerion, Flange Saver VCI Covers, Auto Fog) and sustainable packaging with PCR30 biodegradable films. Services are delivered through the proprietary Z-CIS approach, a five-phase methodology encompassing Relationship, Planning, Sample Testing, Application, and Monitoring. The company serves over 60 countries with support from regional laboratories and maintains partnerships with Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC). Target industries include aerospace, automotive, electric vehicles, heavy equipment, marine, oil & gas, mining, military, and wastewater treatment.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Natur-VCI: Sustainable VCI packaging solution line
• Z-CIS®
• Zerion®
• Flange Saver®
• Auto Fog
• Axxanol™
• Axxatec™
• AxxaClean™
• AxxaWash™
• Activ™
• ICT®
• AxxaVis™
• PCR30

Products and services

• VCI Packaging Films
• VCI Kraft Packaging Paper
• VCI Emitters and VCI Diffusers
• Industrial Cleaners and Degreasers
• Rust Inhibitors, Preventatives and Coatings
• Industrial Rust Removers
• Z-CIS Corrosion Management Consulting Service

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 64% reduction in carbon footprint compared to traditional solutions
• +11 more outcomes

Segments12 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Broad incumbents

• Northern Technologies International Corporation (NTIC): Public parent company of the ZERUST/EXCOR brand; manufactures and markets the same VCI technology globally through joint ventures and subsidiaries. As the listed entity behind Zerust Excor, it is the broadest direct comparable for revenue scale and product mix.
• 3M: Industrial conglomerate offering corrosion protection films, rust inhibitors, and surface treatment products through its industrial division. Competes with Zerust particularly in VCI packaging for electronics and precision components.
• Henkel Adhesive Technologies: Diversified industrial chemicals giant offering corrosion protection coatings, surface treatments, and metalworking chemicals. Competes with Zerust at the OEM level via broader portfolio and global service footprint.
• Chemetall (BASF Coatings division): Global surface treatment and corrosion protection chemical supplier owned by BASF, serving automotive, aerospace, and industrial OEMs. Broad incumbent with overlapping rust preventative and temporary coating chemistries.

Direct peers

• Cortec Corporation: US-based direct competitor and pioneer of VCI chemistry, offering VCI films, papers, emitters, and rust preventatives across automotive, O&G, and industrial markets. Competes head-to-head with Zerust's core product portfolio globally.
• Armor Protective Packaging: Manufacturer of VCI film, paper, and bag products for metal parts protection during storage and shipping. Direct competitor in industrial VCI packaging with similar customer base in metal stamping and automotive.
• Branopac: European VCI packaging manufacturer offering films, papers, and emitters with global distribution. Direct peer in VCI packaging, particularly relevant for Zerust's European market presence.
• Daubert Cromwell: Leading manufacturer of VCI packaging films, papers, and corrosion prevention products serving automotive, heavy equipment, and metalworking OEMs. Closely comparable to Zerust's core VCI film and paper offerings.
• MetPro Group: Specializes in VCI products, rust removers, and corrosion protection packaging for industrial metal preservation. Direct competitor in the rust removal and VCI emitter segments relevant to Zerust's AxxaClean line.

Emerging players

• RUST-X USA: Provider of VCI films, rust preventatives, and corrosion management solutions with growing presence in automotive, O&G, and heavy equipment. Comparable product portfolio with emphasis on export markets similar to Zerust.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/@ZerustBrasil-m7p/featured
• Facebookfacebook.com/zerust.excor
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/zerust-brazil
• Instagraminstagram.com/zerust.excor

Compliance29 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 Zerust Excor