ADAL
ADAL is a French non-profit certification body and industry association, founded in 1965, that manages the Qualanod, Qualilaquage, and Qualimarine quality certifications for aluminum anodizing and powder coating. It serves anodizers, powder coaters, extruders, and joinery manufacturers in France as the sole COFRAC-accredited certifier (No. 5-0008).
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1965
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingServices
What ADAL does
ADAL (Association pour le Développement de l'Aluminium Anodisé ou Laqué) is a French non-profit industry association founded in 1965 by three industry bodies — GLFA, SATS, and SNFA — to certify the quality of aluminum surface treatments. Headquartered at 17 rue Hamelin in Paris's 16th arrondissement with 37 employees, ADAL operates as the only COFRAC-accredited certification body (accreditation No. 5-0008) for the French aluminum surface treatment sector. It governs three registered certification programs: Qualanod (sulfuric anodizing, covering four anodization types and 5–25 µm thickness classes), Qualilaquage (powder coating pretreatment and thermosetting, requiring ≥60 µm coating thickness and 1000h salt spray resistance), and Qualimarine (high-quality powder-coated aluminum for marine and demanding environments, requiring full traceability, controlled pickling, and 1440h corrosion resistance).
ADAL's business model rests on two recurring revenue streams: annual membership dues paid by anodizers, powder coaters, extruders, joinery manufacturers, and powder/chemical suppliers, plus certification fees for the three Qualanod, Qualilaquage, and Qualimarine labels. Certified facilities are subject to 100% unannounced inspections conducted twice yearly, with samples designated exclusively by ADAL inspectors to ensure independent verification. Distribution is asset-light: a public website (adal-aluminium.fr) hosts a member directory used by architects and specifiers to identify certified applicators, complemented by a dedicated member portal (adherents.adal-aluminium.fr), technical documentation, and the Livre Blanc de l'Aluminium white paper targeting construction-industry prescribers.
ADAL's strategic positioning is governed by its COFRAC accreditation and its co-founding roles in ESTAL and QUALANOD Int., giving it influence over European and international anodizing standards. The organization is governed by a Conseil d'Administration composed of senior industry executives (e.g., PDG of Coloralu, DG of Profils Systèmes, Directeur d'usine at Hydro Extrusion Puget, Site Director at Constellium France), embedding member-company leadership into the certification body's governance. Recent moves have been incremental rather than transformational: the 2017 expansion of Qualanod to four anodization types, ongoing editions of the Livre Blanc, and a new Déléguée générale appointment. No funding rounds, M&A activity, or revenue figures are disclosed in the source data.
ADAL firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- ADAL
- Legal name
- ADAL – Association pour le Développement de l'Aluminium Anodisé ou Laqué
- Website
- https://adal-aluminium.fr
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1965
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- ADAL is a French non-profit certification body and industry association, founded in 1965, that manages the Qualanod, Qualilaquage, and Qualimarine quality certifications for aluminum anodizing and powder coating. It serves anodizers, powder coaters, extruders, and joinery manufacturers in France as the sole COFRAC-accredited certifier (No. 5-0008).
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
ADAL industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Industrial Certification Services
- SIC
- Services-Testing Laboratories (8734)
- akta.pro primary industry
- International Standards, Norms & Technical Regulatory Bodies (BPADAAAJ)
Keywords
Where ADAL is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
ADAL business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Certification Fees: ADAL generates revenue through certification fees charged to member companies for Qualanod, Qualilaquage, and Qualimarine certifications. The association conducts inspections and issues certificates.
- Membership Dues: Association revenue from membership fees paid by anodizing and powder coating companies, aluminum extruders, and exterior joinery manufacturers.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels1 record
Marketing channels5 records
ADAL product offering
Product offeringCore offering
ADAL (Association pour le Développement de l'Aluminium Anodisé ou Laqué) is a non-profit certification body and industry association founded in 1965 in France. It manages three certification programs — Qualanod (sulfuric anodization), Qualilaquage (powder coating process), and Qualimarine (high-quality powder-coated products) — through COFRAC-accredited twice-yearly unannounced inspections of member companies' aluminum surface treatment facilities.
Product overview
ADAL (Association pour le Développement de l'Aluminium Anodisé ou Laqué) is a certification and industry association that operates three distinct certification programs: Qualanod® for anodization, Qualilaquage® for powder coating process, and Qualimarine® for powder-coated products. These certifications verify quality standards, process control, and product performance for companies in the aluminium surface treatment industry. The association also publishes the Livre Blanc de l'Aluminium, a technical reference document for architects and industry professionals. ADAL functions as an accreditation body rather than a software or product company.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Qualanod Certification Quality certification for sulfuric anodization of aluminium verifying process control, thickness classes (5-25 µm), and quality standards for architectural, industrial, decorative, and hard anodizing applications. Awarded to member companies after COFRAC-accredited unannounced inspections.
- Qualilaquage Certification International certification for the pretreatment and powder coating process of aluminium, ensuring minimum 60 µm coating thickness, controlled powder and chemical products, total batch traceability, and independent unannounced inspections twice yearly.
- Qualimarine Certification High-quality certification for powder-coated aluminium products with enhanced requirements including traceability of the entire quality chain, substrate composition control, total pickling ≥2 g/m², alkaline pickling ≥0.5 g/m², acid pickling ≥0.7 g/m², and resistance to filiform corrosion (TCF 1440h) and salt spray (BSA 1440h) for marine environments.
- Livre Blanc de l'Aluminium (White Paper) Technical white paper dedicated to aluminium surface treatments, intended for all users and specifiers of aluminium in construction including architects, engineering firms, project managers, designers, manufacturers and installers of aluminium joinery. Editions published 2021-2026.
Quantifiable outcome
- 50+ years proven durability for anodized aluminum (with regular maintenance)
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use ADAL
Customer profileNamed customers5 records
Segments5 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
ADAL technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Feature3 records
ADAL partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Four partnerships are on record, tiered core and major.
- ESTAL (European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminium)coreADAL is a co-founding member of ESTAL, participating in actions and working groups concerning sustainable development and European surface treatment standards for aluminum.
- QUALANOD Int.coreCo-founding member of QUALANOD Int., the international organization overseeing anodizing quality standards.
- SNFA (Syndicat National de la Fenêtre et ses activités)majorADAL is a founding member and adheres to SNFA, the professional organization representing aluminum window designers, manufacturers, and installers. ADAL was originally founded in 1965 by SNFA and other industry bodies.
- UITS (Union des Industries des Technologies de Surface)majorADAL participates in UITS actions and working groups, representing the aluminum surface treatment sector within the French surface technology industry.
Scale indicators2 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights4 records
ADAL competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- QUALANOD International: International umbrella organization for anodizing quality labels that ADAL co-founded. Oversees Qualanod licensing across national licensing bodies — directly comparable certification/standards function, but operating at pan-European rather than French national level.
- GSB International: German-based international quality association for premium coatings on aluminum and steel. Direct competitor offering master-quality certification for powder coating and anodizing on architectural aluminum, often co-specified with QUALICOAT.
- QUALICOAT: International label for high-quality coating on aluminum and steel, the most direct competitor to ADAL's Qualilaquage/Qualimarine programs. Operates a parallel licensing network across Europe for powder coating certification, addressing the same architectural aluminum market.
- ESTAL: European Association for Surface Treatment on Aluminium, of which ADAL is a co-founding member. Industry-association peer operating at EU level to promote aluminum surface treatment quality — overlapping scope with ADAL but pan-European remit.
Broad incumbents
- AFNOR Certification: French national standards body and certification organization. Operates accreditation/certification services across many industries; competes for general product certification mandates but lacks ADAL's aluminum surface treatment specialization.
- Bureau Veritas: Global testing, inspection and certification (TIC) giant. Provides third-party certification for construction and industrial products including surface treatments, but as part of a broad TIC portfolio rather than specializing in aluminum finishing.
Others
- SNFA (Syndicat National de la Fenêtre et ses activités): French trade association for aluminum window/facade designers, manufacturers and installers — one of ADAL's founding organizations. Closely adjacent industry association covering ADAL's downstream customers rather than competing directly.
Regional players
- European Aluminium: European aluminum industry association representing the full value chain at EU policy level. Adjacent industry voice rather than a direct certification peer; relevant for understanding the broader aluminum ecosystem ADAL operates in.
Market position
Strengths4 records
Weaknesses4 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
ADAL social profiles
Digital presenceADAL compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance4 records
ADAL financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
ADAL leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
ADAL funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
ADAL 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 ADAL
What does ADAL do?
ADAL (Association pour le Développement de l'Aluminium Anodisé ou Laqué) is a non-profit certification body and industry association founded in 1965 in France. It manages three certification programs — Qualanod (sulfuric anodization), Qualilaquage (powder coating process), and Qualimarine (high-quality powder-coated products) — through COFRAC-accredited twice-yearly unannounced inspections of member companies' aluminum surface treatment facilities.
Is ADAL a public or private company?
ADAL is a private company. It is classified as nonprofit foundation owned and is currently operating.
When was ADAL founded?
ADAL was founded in 1965. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is ADAL based?
ADAL is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does ADAL make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Certification Fees are the primary driver. The others are membership Dues.
Who are ADAL's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are QUALANOD International, GSB International, QUALICOAT and ESTAL. Broad incumbents are AFNOR Certification and Bureau Veritas. SNFA (Syndicat National de la Fenêtre et ses activités) is listed as an others. European Aluminium is listed as a regional player.
Does ADAL have an API?
No public API is recorded for ADAL.
What industry is ADAL in?
ADAL's product category is Industrial Certification Services. Its primary akta.pro industry code is BPADAAAJ, International Standards, Norms & Technical Regulatory Bodies. Its SIC code is 8734.