What SEQENS Custom and Specialties does

SEQENS Custom and Specialties is a France-headquartered business division of SEQENS Group operating as a B2B Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) for fine chemicals and advanced intermediates. Founded in 1868 and headquartered in Écully, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, the company employs approximately 132 people across four manufacturing sites in France and the United Kingdom (Roussillon, Billingham, and two additional sites), with a total reactor capacity of 600m³ and ISO 9001, ISO 14001, ISO 45001, ISO 50001, ISO 22716, ISCC Plus, ExciPact, Ecovadis Platinum, and Seveso III/COMAH certifications. It serves industrial customers in batteries, coatings-adhesives-sealants-elastomers (CASE), lubricants and greases, oil and gas, electronics, cosmetics/flavors/fragrances, defense and aerospace, polymers, and textiles, executing a structured 4-step CDMO process from customer needs analysis through R&D study (10-500g), kilo-lab (1-5kg), pilot (10-200kg), scale-up, and multi-ton industrialization with 40 dedicated site-based scientists running approximately 70 projects per year.

The company operates a highly flexible technology platform spanning more than 40 chemistries including multistep synthesis, sulfurization, phosphorus chemistry, calcium sulfonate chemistry, anionic polymerization for SBS and s-SBR, biotechnologies, continuous flow chemistry, hazardous reaction handling, high-pressure chemistry (up to 100 bars), and low-temperature synthesis down to -80°C. Differentiated proprietary capabilities include a one-step carbonatation process for overbased calcium sulfonates (40+ years of production), Coasol non-VOC coalescent technology, methyl chloride and epichlorohydrin handling at chloride-resistant Billingham reactors, three distinct sulfurization processes, sulfuric-acid trimerization for triazines, and anionic polymerization control. Commercial revenue derives from two streams: project-based custom chemical manufacturing fees (CDMO engagements) and catalog sales of specialty ingredients organized under brands such as SULFAD, ROSCAN, ARCOT, KELICO, LOSMA, MODENS, VICURE, TEXTENS, Coasol, and the neo sustainable range, complemented by solvent recovery and MEG/methanol regeneration services at the UK facilities.

SEQENS distributes exclusively through direct B2B enterprise engagement with dedicated project management, customized packaging and labeling, and worldwide logistics. Pricing is not publicly disclosed and is bespoke by project. The company is privately held as part of SEQENS Group, which also operates Pharmaceuticals, Personal Care, Cell & Gene, and Biotechnologies divisions. No venture capital, private equity, or public-market funding events are disclosed in the source material, and revenue figures are not publicly reported.

Name

SEQENS Custom and Specialties

Legal name

Seqens

Website

https://customspecialties.seqens.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

101–250 employees

Short description

SEQENS Custom and Specialties is a France-based B2B CDMO providing custom chemical manufacturing and specialty ingredients — including lubricants, CASE additives, solvents, and sustainable alternatives — to industrial customers across batteries, coatings, oil & gas, electronics, and cosmetics via four certified plants in France and the UK.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals Manufacturing

NAICS

Custom Compounding of Purchased Resins (325991)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Drug Substance–Drug Product Integrated CDMO (HLAGABAG)

akta.pro secondary industries

Manufacturing Quality Assurance & GMP Compliance (batch release, deviation/CAPA, tech transfer QA) (HLAGAKAJ), Ingredient Blends & Systems / Custom Formulation (Seasoning Systems, Functional Blends) (CRADAOAO)

Keywords

• Custom chemical manufacturing
• Specialty chemical additives
• Lubricant grease additives
• Industrial solvent production
• Contract development manufacturing

Headquarters

HQ city

Roussillon

HQ country

France

HQ region

Europe

Offices3 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Custom Chemical Manufacturing (CDMO): SEQENS generates revenue primarily through custom chemical manufacturing services as a CDMO. This involves multi-step synthesis from R&D through scale-up to multi-ton industrial production for customers across demanding sectors. Projects follow a structured 4-step process: understanding customer needs, R&D study (10-500g synthesis, kilo-lab 1-5kg, pilot 10-200kg), scale-up, and industrialization. Development timelines range from 3-12 months. Revenue is project-based with custom product development and manufacturing fees.
2. Specialty Ingredients Catalog Products: SEQENS sells catalogue specialty ingredients including CASE additives, lubricant and grease additives, metal protection additives, phenol and specialties, solvents, and textile additives. Revenue is generated through product sales of standard and specialty formulations.
3. Solvent Recovery Services: SEQENS UK facilities offer solvent recovery and recycling services, including toll recovery where customer's by-product streams and waste solvents are purified and returned for reuse, as well as processing and re-purposing solvents for resale. Revenue generated through service fees and product sales of recovered solvents.
4. Sustainable/Specialty Solvents (neo Range): Sale of sustainable solvent portfolio including low-carbon ISCC Plus certified solvents (neo phenol, neo acetone, neo alpha-methylstyrene, neo isopropanol, neo isopropyl acetate), circular solvents, and bio-based solvents. Revenue from product sales of higher-value sustainable alternatives.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

SEQENS Custom and Specialties operates as a Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization (CDMO) providing custom chemical synthesis, scale-up, and industrial manufacturing of fine chemicals and advanced intermediates for industrial customers across batteries, coatings, cosmetics, electronics, lubricants, polymers, oil & gas, defence, and aerospace. The company also sells a catalogue of specialty ingredients (CASE additives, lubricant and grease additives, metal protection additives, phenol and specialties, solvents, textile additives) including a portfolio of sustainable, bio-based, and low-carbon products under the neo, SULFAD, ROSCAN, KELICO, ARCOT, LOSMA, MODENS, VICURE, TEXTENS, and Coasol brands, and offers solvent recovery and regeneration services from its UK facilities.

Product overview

SEQENS Custom and Specialties is a specialty chemicals company operating as a CDMO (Contract Development and Manufacturing Organization) offering a diversified portfolio of specialty ingredients and custom manufacturing services. The product portfolio comprises three interconnected areas: (1) Core solvents and phenol specialties including high-purity phenol, cumene, acetone, isopropanol, acetates, lactates, ethers, and diesters available in both standard and sustainable neo versions; (2) Performance additives organized under brands including SULFAD (sulfurized extreme pressure additives), ROSCAN (extreme pressure and antiwear additives), KELICO V (biodegradable greases), ARCOT (calcium sulfonate corrosion protection), LOSMA (sodium sulfonate emulsifiers), MODENS (polar modifiers for polymers), VICURE (photoinitiators), and TEXTENS (cross-linking agents); (3) Sustainable solutions including ISCC Plus certified low-carbon solvents, bio-based solvents, and circular/recycled materials; and (4) Solvent recycling and recovery services including MEG and methanol regeneration for the oil and gas industry. The company provides end-to-end support from lab-scale R&D through multi-ton industrial manufacturing across four plants in France and UK.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• neo: Sustainable solvents portfolio including neo phenol, neo acetone, neo alpha-methylstyrene, neo isopropanol, neo isopropyl acetate, neo cumene, neo diisopropyl ether, neo Coasol, neo Isoamyl Alcohol - low carbon and biobased solvents
• SULFAD
• ROSCAN
• ARCOT
• KELICO
• TEXTENS
• VICURE
• Coasol
• MODENS
• LOSMA
• RHEOPOL
• GELCOT
• HYDROSIL HT20E

Products and services

• Custom Chemical Manufacturing Services (CDMO) Worldwide custom chemistry services for industrial customers, providing R&D, kilo-lab and pilot scale-up, and multi-ton industrial manufacturing of fine chemicals and advanced intermediates via multistep synthesis from grams to metric tons scale.
• Phenol High-purity phenol (CAS 108-95-2) used in manufacturing bisphenol A, phenolic resins, caprolactam, insulation materials, coatings, and food additives.
• Cumene Chemical intermediate (CAS 98-82-8) primarily used as raw material for phenol production and cumene hydroperoxide, with additional applications in surfactants, propylene oxide, and fuel additives.
• Acetophenone Versatile chemical intermediate (CAS 98-86-2) used across agrochemicals, fragrances, and pharmaceuticals, including as a building block for decongestants and active pharmaceutical ingredients.
• Alpha Methylstyrene (AMS) Colorless liquid co-monomer (CAS 98-83-9) used to improve impact and heat resistance in ABS resins, adhesives, tackifying resins, printing inks, and fragrances.
• Isopropanol (IPA) Multi-purpose solvent (CAS 67-63-0) available in six grades (technical, cosmetic, biocide, electronic, pharma, and GMP pharma), with sustainable neo versions including mass balanced and circular options.
• Acetone Universal solvent (CAS 67-64-1) available in standard, premium pharma, ultra pure, and low-carbon neo grades for coatings, adhesives, and cleaning applications.
• neo Sustainable Solvent Range ISCC Plus certified portfolio of low-carbon, bio-based, and circular solvents offering carbon footprint reductions of 12–70% versus conventional fossil-based products across applications in coatings, adhesives, pharma, and personal care.
• Coasol Coalescing Esters Proprietary non-VOC coalescent esters providing biodegradable, non-hazardous solvents for water-based paint formulations and coatings, available in bio-based versions with up to 64% lower carbon footprint.
• SULFAD Extreme Pressure Additives Light-colored, low-odor sulfurized extreme pressure additives with a minimum of 50% biosourced and biodegradable raw materials, suitable for LuSC-listed and European Ecolabel lubricant formulations such as metalworking fluids, deep hole drilling, grinding, and honing oils.
• ROSCAN Extreme Pressure and Antiwear Additives Durable extreme pressure and antiwear phosphate-based additives available in light and dark variants for industrial lubricants, metalworking applications, and as polymer plasticizers for PVC, PUR, NBR, SBR, and EPDM.
• KELICO V Biodegradable Calcium Sulfonate Greases Biodegradable overbased complex calcium sulfonate grease bases for high load and high temperature applications, including environmentally acceptable lubricant (EAL) grades for marine, agricultural, and forestry equipment.
• ARCOT Calcium Sulfonate Metal Protection Additives Overbased calcium sulfonate corrosion and rust prevention additives for ballast tanks, industrial gears, automotive undercoating, cavity protection, and wax formulations in storage, transportation, and handling applications.
• LOSMA Sodium Sulfonate Emulsifiers Sodium sulfonate additives combining emulsification and rust inhibition functions for soluble oils and semi-synthetic metalworking fluids, available with boron- and secondary amine-free anticorrosion packages for ferrous metals and aluminium alloys.
• MODENS Polar Modifiers Polar modifiers (MODENS BR, MODENS BS), polymerization solvents (MODENS SV), and coupling agents (MODENS DEAP) for anionic polymerization of styrenic block copolymers (SBS, s-SBR) used in bitumen, tires, sealants, and adhesives.
• VICURE Photoinitiators Photoinitiators (VICURE 25, VICURE 40, VICURE 55) for UV radical polymerization of polyvinyl, polyacrylate, and polyester polymers used in pressure sensitive adhesives, UV-curable inks, and coatings.
• TEXTENS Cross-Linking Agents Triazine-based cross-linking agents (TEXTENS TA 135 for Lyocell fibers, TEXTENS GM 192 for cellulosic fibers) that reduce fiber fibrillation, improve wet abrasion resistance, enhance dye fixation, and enable standard dyeing machine processing.
• Solvent Recovery and Regeneration Services UK-based solvent recovery, regeneration, and desalination services including fractional, azeotropic, reactive, and extractive distillation; MEG and methanol regeneration for oil & gas pipelines; and resale of recovered solvents with processing capacity of tens of thousands of tons per annum.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 70% lower carbon footprint (neo diisopropyl ether vs. conventional fossil-based)
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments10 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature10 records

Scale indicators10 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hovione: Portugal-headquartered CDMO with 65+ years of experience in custom synthesis, particle engineering, and active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing. Comparable in custom chemistry capabilities, hazardous reaction handling, and integrated R&D-to-commercialization model.
• Symeres: European CDMO (formerly Mercachem + Synexent) offering contract research and custom synthesis for pharma and specialty chemicals. Comparable in offering multistep custom synthesis from grams to kilograms with deep chemistry expertise.
• EUROAPI: French CDMO spun off from Sanofi producing active ingredients and intermediates. Most direct geographic and operating-model peer, with comparable European CDMO positioning across pharma and specialty chemistry end markets.
• Novasep: France-based CDMO specializing in small-molecule active ingredients, custom synthesis, and chromatography services. Most directly comparable European CDMO with similar pharma-adjacent specialty chemistry positioning and multi-ton industrial scale-up capabilities.

Broad incumbents

• Solvay: Belgian specialty chemicals major with broad portfolio in advanced materials, composites, and additives across CASE, lubricants, batteries, and electronics end markets. Overlaps with SEQENS' specialty additives and sustainable chemistry positioning but at significantly larger scale.
• IMCD: Dutch specialty chemicals and ingredients distributor with deep formulation and technical support capabilities. Comparable in serving CASE, personal care, and industrial end markets with specialty additives, though primarily a distributor rather than manufacturer.
• Evonik Industries: German specialty chemicals company with leading positions in additives, coatings, and high-performance materials. Comparable in serving CASE, lubricants, and personal care end markets with sustainability-certified product lines.
• Clariant: Swiss specialty chemicals company focused on care chemicals, natural resources, and catalysis. Comparable in sustainable additives, coating additives, and personal care ingredients — overlapping end markets with SEQENS' CASE and cosmetics segments.
• Croda International: UK specialty chemicals company serving personal care, life sciences, and performance technologies. Comparable in high-purity specialty ingredients, sustainability positioning, and serving cosmetics/lubricants/coatings end markets — though at meaningfully larger scale.

Emerging players

• Italmatch Chemicals: Italy-headquartered specialty chemicals group producing performance additives for lubricants, plastics, oil & gas, and personal care. Comparable mid-sized European peer with similar specialty additive portfolio and sustainability focus on bio-based chemistries.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seqenscsutomandspecialties

Compliance15 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 SEQENS Custom and Specialties