RST-5
RST-5 is a Netherlands-based cleantech company that sells a proprietary water-based industrial cleaner (Resin Separation Technology) and pre-saturated wipes, serving aerospace (Boeing, Airbus), marine (Cranchi), wind energy and composites manufacturers via regional distributors across Europe and Asia.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1998
- HeadquartersBentveld, Netherlands
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What RST-5 does
RST-5 is a Netherlands-based cleantech company that develops and sells industrial cleaners, synthetic resins and polymers built around its proprietary Resin Separation Technology (RST). The core product is a soap-based aqueous cleaner that is 100% solvent-free and 100% limonene-free, used at approximately 40°C and diluted 1:20 with water; the technology breaks the molecular structure of cured and uncured resins, polymers and contaminants without dissolving the substrate, making it suitable for mold cleaning, surface preparation and tooling maintenance. The portfolio consists of RST-5 Concentrate (supplied in 5L, 200L and 1000L IBC formats) and Power Towels, a pre-saturated wipe format relaunched in March 2024 with 70 pieces per canister.
The company operates a B2B, quote-based, one-time-sale model with no recurring subscription mechanic, distributing through Vanguard Clean B.V. (the Dutch parent/owner since April 2023) and a network of regional distributors across Europe and Asia. Customers include tier-1 aerospace OEMs and tier-1 suppliers (Boeing, Airbus), marine and yacht manufacturers (Cranchi), windmill/blade manufacturers, and surfboard producers, with the company signalling intent to extend into medical instruments and additional composite materials. Distribution is handled by named partners including MarineMan (Finland), CL and ERG Chemical (Poland), Decatlo (Portugal), SPS (Balkan region), UAB (Lithuania), LC (India) and IMCD (pan-Europe). Headcount is 11-50 employees and the company is privately held with no disclosed revenue.
RST-5 firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- RST-5
- Legal name
- Vanguard Clean B.V.
- Website
- https://rst-5.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1998
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- RST-5 is a Netherlands-based cleantech company that sells a proprietary water-based industrial cleaner (Resin Separation Technology) and pre-saturated wipes, serving aerospace (Boeing, Airbus), marine (Cranchi), wind energy and composites manufacturers via regional distributors across Europe and Asia.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Where RST-5 is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Bentveld
- HQ country
- Netherlands
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
RST-5 business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Personnel
Revenue model
- RST-5 Concentrate Sales: RST-5 is sold as a concentrate that is diluted 1:20 with water before use. Available in 5L cans, 200L barrels, and 1000L IBC containers. Revenue is generated from product sales of varying volumes to industrial customers across multiple sectors.
- Power Towels Sales: Advanced cleaning wipes sold in canisters of 70 pieces each. Positioned as a convenient companion product for cleaning stubborn residues. Revenue from individual wipe canister sales.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Quote-based pricing for industrial volumes |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels9 records
Marketing channels6 records
RST-5 product offering
Product offeringCore offering
RST-5 is a soap-based, water-based industrial cleaning concentrate that uses proprietary Resin Separation Technology (RST) to remove uncured synthetic resins, paints, printing inks, greases, silicones, and sealants from tools, surfaces, and hands without solvents. It is sold as a concentrate diluted 1:20 with water and used at approximately 40°C, available in 5L cans, 200L barrels, and 1000L IBC containers. Power Towels, a complementary line of advanced cleaning wipes (70 pieces per canister), extends the offering to portable residue removal.
Product overview
RST-5 is a single-product industrial cleaning brand offering two related products: RST-5 Concentrate (a water-based industrial soap concentrate diluted 1:20 for cleaning tools, hands, and surfaces) and Power Towels (pre-moistened cleaning wipes for on-the-go residue removal). Both products use Resin Separation Technology to clean uncured resins, paints, inks, greases, and sealants without solvents. The concentrate is the primary offering available in multiple packaging sizes (5L, 200L, 1000L IBC), while Power Towels serve as a complementary portable cleaning solution.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Power Towel: Advanced cleaning wipes designed to tackle stubborn residues including uncured resins, paint stains, oil spills, and adhesive residues. Available as 70 pieces per canister.
Products and services
- RST-5 Concentrate Aqueous industrial cleaner concentrate (diluted 1:20 with water) that replaces solvents such as acetone for removing uncured resins, paints, printing inks, greases, silicones, and sealants from tools, surfaces, and hands in industrial settings. Available in 5L (RST5-5 Black), 200L (RST5-200 Black), and 1000L (RST5-1000 Black IBC) packaging for industrial customers across aerospace, marine, windmill, surfboard, pool/tank, pipe-winding, printing, and automotive sectors.
- Power Towels Advanced cleaning wipes sold in canisters of 70 pieces each, designed to tackle stubborn residues including uncured resins, paint stains, greasy oil spills, and adhesive residues. The industrial-strength formula safeguards hands during use and serves as a portable companion to the RST-5 Concentrate.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% cost reduction per liter compared to Acetone
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use RST-5
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles5 records
RST-5 technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
RST-5 partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core, regional and minor.
- Mulder-Hardenberg BVcoreMulder-Hardenberg BV developed and produced RST-5 for over two decades before transferring ownership to Vanguard Clean BV in April 2023. The acquisition included all RST-5 activities and brand rights, with Mulder-Hardenberg describing the transition as 'entrusting ownership to a capable successor' for market evolution.
- MarineMan (Finland)regionalExclusive distributor for Finland market, handling local sales and distribution of RST-5 industrial cleaning products.
- CL (Poland)regionalExclusive distributor for Poland market, handling local sales and distribution of RST-5 industrial cleaning products.
- Decatlo (Portugal)regionalExclusive distributor for Portugal market, handling local sales and distribution of RST-5 industrial cleaning products.
- SPS (Slovenia, Croatia, Serbia, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Macedonia, Montenegro, Kosovo)regionalExclusive distributor covering multiple Balkan and Eastern European countries, handling local sales and distribution of RST-5 products.
- UAB (Lithuania)regionalExclusive distributor for Lithuania market, handling local sales and distribution of RST-5 industrial cleaning products.
- LC (India)regionalExclusive distributor for India market, handling local sales and distribution of RST-5 industrial cleaning products.
- ERG Chemical (Poland)minorAdditional distributor for Poland market, providing secondary distribution channel for RST-5 products.
- IMCD (Europe)regionalMajor specialty chemicals distributor covering broader European market for RST-5 products.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
RST-5 competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Zep: U.S.-focused manufacturer of industrial and institutional cleaning and maintenance chemicals. Comparable as a broad incumbent selling degreasers, parts cleaners, and aqueous industrial cleaners into manufacturing and MRO customers.
- CRC Industries: Manufacturer of specialty chemical products for industrial MRO, including degreasers and precision cleaners. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose industrial degreaser/cleaner portfolio overlaps with RST-5's resin, paint, and grease cleaning applications.
- 3M: Diversified industrial conglomerate with a broad portfolio of cleaning, degreasing, and surface-preparation chemistries (including Novec and aerosol solvents). Comparable as a broad incumbent selling industrial cleaning solutions into overlapping aerospace, manufacturing, and MRO customer bases.
- Henkel: Global specialty chemicals group with industrial cleaning and surface-treatment lines (Loctite, Bonderite, P3). Comparable as a broad incumbent offering resin and process-cleaning chemistries to industrial manufacturers, though typically as part of a much wider adhesives/sealants portfolio.
- Ecolab: Global leader in water, hygiene, and infection-prevention solutions with significant industrial cleaning exposure. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose industrial-cleaning chemistries serve overlapping heavy-industry customers and increasingly emphasize sustainable, water-based formulations.
- Diversey Holdings: Specialty cleaning and hygiene solutions provider serving industrial, foodservice, and healthcare customers. Comparable as a broad incumbent with an institutional/go-industrial sales motion that overlaps with RST-5's B2B cleaning-chemical positioning.
- SC Johnson Professional: Industrial and institutional cleaning products business of SC Johnson, selling degreasers, hand cleaners, and surface cleaners. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose industrial-degreaser line directly overlaps with RST-5's resin/grease/paint cleaning use cases.
- Chemetall (BASF Coatings): Specialty chemicals brand within BASF supplying surface treatment and process chemistries, including cleaners for metals and composites. Comparable as a broad incumbent whose cleaners touch resin, paint, and metalworking cleaning workflows adjacent to RST-5's composites use cases.
Direct peers
- Simple Green: Manufacturer of non-toxic, biodegradable aqueous industrial and household cleaners. Most directly comparable to RST-5 in the eco-friendly, water-based industrial-cleaner category where both target resin, grease, and general industrial soils without aggressive solvents.
Others
- Houghton International: Specialty chemicals supplier of metalworking fluids, cleaners, and corrosion preventives serving industrial manufacturers. Comparable as an adjacent specialty-chemicals player whose industrial cleaning and process-fluid range overlaps with RST-5's broader industrial cleaning applications.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
RST-5 social profiles
Digital presenceRST-5 financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
RST-5 leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
RST-5 funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
RST-5 M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about RST-5
What does RST-5 do?
RST-5 is a soap-based, water-based industrial cleaning concentrate that uses proprietary Resin Separation Technology (RST) to remove uncured synthetic resins, paints, printing inks, greases, silicones, and sealants from tools, surfaces, and hands without solvents. It is sold as a concentrate diluted 1:20 with water and used at approximately 40°C, available in 5L cans, 200L barrels, and 1000L IBC containers. Power Towels, a complementary line of advanced cleaning wipes (70 pieces per canister), extends the offering to portable residue removal.
Is RST-5 a public or private company?
RST-5 is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was RST-5 founded?
RST-5 was founded in 1998. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is RST-5 based?
RST-5 is headquartered in Bentveld, Netherlands, in the Europe region.
How does RST-5 make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. RST-5 Concentrate Sales are the primary driver. The others are power Towels Sales.
Who are RST-5's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Zep, CRC Industries, 3M, Henkel, Ecolab, Diversey Holdings, SC Johnson Professional and Chemetall (BASF Coatings). Simple Green is listed as a direct peer. Houghton International is listed as an others.
Does RST-5 have an API?
No public API is recorded for RST-5.