AICELLO-HARKE GmbH

What AICELLO-HARKE GmbH does

AICELLO-HARKE GmbH is a specialty chemicals and plastics distribution joint entity operating within HARKE GROUP, a second-generation family-owned chemical distributor headquartered in Mülheim an der Ruhr, Germany. The company serves as the European distribution arm for Aicello Corporation (Japan), commercializing SOLUBLON water-soluble PVAL films, Boselon VCI corrosion protection films, and CleanProducts cleanroom-grade packaging across industrial customers in Europe. Underlying technology centers on PVAL-based film formulations with cold-water-soluble (CS at 1°C) and hot-water-soluble (EF at 70°C) variants, plus patented VCI PE-film corrosion protection systems.

HARKE GROUP, the parent entity, operates across 8 divisions and 25 business units covering Life Sciences (pharma, nutra, food), Home & Personal Care I&I, Chemistry, Coatings/Plastics/Polymers, Plastic Products, Packaging & Services, and Imaging. It distributes specialty chemicals from principals including Solvay, Syensqo, Mitsubishi Chemicals, PCBL, Aditya Birla, and others, alongside its own contract packaging capability at Bochum, Germany (SoluPack, ChemPack). The company executes more than 40,000 deliveries per year across 50+ countries via 16 subsidiaries in Europe and Asia, supported by 3 in-house laboratories and full ISO 9001 / Responsible Care / REACH / IFS-HPC2 / EU Organic / Halal / Kosher compliance.

The business model is primarily B2B technical distribution with consultative sales, supplemented by direct e-commerce via harke.com. Revenue is generated through product distribution margins on chemicals, specialty films, and equipment; contract packaging service fees; and B2C/B2B online shop sales. Pricing combines publicly listed unit prices for standard packaged goods (kg, IBC, barrel) with quote-based pricing for bulk industrial chemicals and multi-year contract packaging projects. The customer base spans 30+ industries with a long-tail of small-to-mid industrial buyers rather than anchor accounts.

Name

AICELLO-HARKE GmbH

Legal name

HARKE International Services GmbH & Co. KG

Website

https://harke.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

AICELLO-HARKE GmbH is the European distribution entity for Aicello Corporation Japan's specialty films (water-soluble SOLUBLON, Boselon VCI corrosion protection, CleanProducts cleanroom packaging), operating within HARKE GROUP — a 60+ year family-owned German specialty chemicals distributor serving 30+ industries across 50+ countries via 16 subsidiaries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Distribution

NAICS

Plastics Packaging Film and Sheet (including Laminated) Manufacturing (326112), Paint, Coating, and Adhesive Manufacturing (3255), Paint and Coating Manufacturing (32551)

SIC

Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Unsupported Plastics Film & Sheet (3081), Paints, Varnishes, Lacquers, Enamels & Allied Prods (2851)

akta.pro primary industry

Coating & Adhesive Raw Materials (Resins, Additives, Solvents) (IMAEAGAK)

Keywords

• Chemical distribution
• Specialty chemicals
• Water-soluble films
• Contract packaging
• Corrosion protection

Headquarters

HQ city

Mülheim an der Ruhr

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices14 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical product distribution: Distribution of high-quality chemical raw materials and additives across 8 divisions (Life Sciences, Home & Personal Care I&I, Chemistry, Coatings Plastics & Polymers, Plastic Products, Packaging & Services, Imaging). Products sold directly to industrial customers through technical sales teams and online shop. Revenue from product margins and volume-based pricing.
2. Contract packaging services: Contract packaging using water-soluble film at Bochum facility. Services include design and development of custom water-soluble packaging, filling, sealing, handling of hazardous chemicals, pharmaceutical ingredients, and powder goods. Revenue from service fees and material margins.
3. E-commerce / Online shop sales: B2C/B2B online shop selling chemical products, imaging products, and equipment. Customers can purchase directly through the website with pricing shown for many items.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

AICELLO-HARKE GmbH distributes Aicello Corporation Japan's specialty films (SOLUBLON® water-soluble PVAL films, Boselon® VCI corrosion protection films, CleanProducts cleanroom packaging) across European markets. As part of HARKE GROUP, it also distributes a broad portfolio of chemical raw materials (surfactants, polymers, plasticizers, flame retardants, solvents, pharmaceutical excipients) across 8 divisions serving life sciences, home and personal care, coatings, plastics, and industrial markets, complemented by contract packaging services at the Bochum facility for water-soluble film mono-doses and hazardous chemicals handling.

Product overview

HARKE GROUP is a high-performance chemicals and plastics distributor operating across 8 divisions and 25 business units. The company offers a multi-brand portfolio organized into Life Sciences (Pharma, Nutra, Food), Home & Personal Care I&I, Chemistry (BaseChem, PureChem, AquaCare, Agrochemicals), Coatings Plastics & Polymers (CASE Raw Materials, Plastic Additives, Special Resins, Organic Intermediates, Rubber Chemicals), Plastic Products (SOLUBLON® water-soluble films, Boselon® corrosion protection films, CleanProducts), Packaging & Services (SoluPack contract packaging, ChemPack), and Imaging (ImageBlast, IkonArt Screen Print, Hydrokon). Key product brands include SOLUBLON® (AICELLO Corporation Japan water-soluble PVAL films), Boselon® (VCI PE-film corrosion protection), Mirapol®/Mirasoft® (biobased surfactants and polymers), and various specialty chemicals including plasticizers, flame retardants, carbon blacks, and coating raw materials. The company operates with 60 years of experience, more than 40,000 annual deliveries, and 16 subsidiaries across Europe and Asia.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• HarkePlus®: Memory complex product line including RemindPro proven to boost total memory by up to 10.1%.
• Boselon®
• Solublon®
• CleanProducts
• HYPERCLEAN™
• ImageBlast
• IkonArt
• Hydrokon

Products and services

• SOLUBLON® Water-Soluble Films PVAL (polyvinyl alcohol) water-soluble films distributed in Europe from Aicello Corporation Japan. Available in multiple variants including CS (cold water-soluble at 1°C), CT, EF (hot water-soluble at 70°C), GA, GA-B, GH, GH-B, GS-BTX. Films are transparent, biodegradable, heat sealable, with excellent barrier properties, resistant to solvents, printable, and compliant with CLP/REACH, Halal/Kosher certified. Used for mono-dose detergent pods, chemical packaging, and industrial applications.
• Boselon® VCI Corrosion Protection Films VCI (Volatile Corrosion Inhibitor) PE-film product line for corrosion protection of cast iron, forged, sintered, welded parts, engines, and transmission parts. Multiple variants including 103 (cast iron/ferrous metals), 205 (iron/non-ferrous metals), 507 (large stamped parts), AC (air bubble laminated for breakable parts), PX (poly cross-laminated for heavy/sharp parts), ST (stretch film for steel coils). Features multiple patented properties acknowledged worldwide.
• CleanProducts Cleanroom Packaging Cleanroom-manufactured packaging materials from Aicello Corporation Japan serving pharmaceutical, diagnostic, electronic, and ink jet printing industries. Product line includes Clean Bottle, Clean Container, Clean Drum, and CLEANBARRIER™ Bottle with multi-layer construction. Includes HYPERCLEAN™ containers for ultra-pure formulations.
• SoluPack Contract Packaging Service Contract packaging service using water-soluble films for mono-dose systems, specializing in home care, personal care, and industrial chemical applications. The Bochum, Germany facility handles design, development, filling, and sealing of liquid, powder, and paste products. Provides customized water-soluble packaging with full REACH/GHS compliance.
• ChemPack Chemical Packaging Service Chemicals packaging service for hazardous chemicals, pharmaceutical ingredients, and powder goods with full compliance to safety and regulatory standards including REACH and GHS. Operated at the Bochum, Germany production site with expertise in handling dangerous goods and active chemical ingredients.
• Life Sciences Chemical Distribution (Pharma, Nutra, Food) Distribution of certified raw materials for pharmaceutical, nutraceutical, and food industries. Products include pharmaceutical excipients (acrylates, cellulose derivatives, macrogol, polyvinyl pyrrolidone, capsules, primary packaging), nutraceutical ingredients (astaxanthin, beta-glucans, hyaluronic acid, enzymes, coenzyme Q10, plant extracts), and food ingredients (cellulosics, rice products, tapioca products, proteins, antioxidants, fibers).
• Home & Personal Care, I&I Chemical Distribution Distribution of certified raw materials for home care, personal care, industrial & institutional cleaning, and automotive care products. Products include surfactants (ether sulfates, betaines, ANTAROX), rheology modifiers (Rheozan, JAGUAR), film formers and performance polymers (Mirapol Surf N, Mirapol Hygiene Boost, Mirasoft SL, REPEL-O-TEX CRYSTAL), biocides, bleaching agents, builders and chelates, and specialty solvents (AUGEO).
• Coatings, Plastics & Polymers (CPP) Chemical Distribution Distribution of raw materials for coatings, adhesives, sealants, elastomers, polyurethane, PVC, and general polymer processing. Products include plasticizers (DOTP, DINP, DOA, DPHP, DEHCH), flame retardants (Ammonium Polyphosphate APP), specialty carbon black (Austin Black 325, Orient Black series), barium sulfate (Bianco Fisso), chlorinated paraffins (Cloparin/Cloparol), polytetrahydrofuran (PTMG), adipic acid, benzoic acid, benzyl alcohol, benzoin, and dibasic ester (DBE).
• Chemistry / BaseChem Distribution Distribution of base chemicals including acetates, acids, alkalis, carbonates, chlorides, fluorides, hydroxides, nitrates, phosphates, silicates, sulfates. PureChem business unit covers electrolytes and customized specialties. AquaCare covers biocides and salts. Agrochemicals cover rheology modifiers, solvents, and surfactants. Competence center for potash-containing products on German market. Includes Mahlschwefel (sulfur >99.9% purity) and battery-grade diethyl carbonate.
• ImageBlast Sandblasting Films and Equipment Phototechnical sandblasting films and automated sandblasting systems (ImageBlast 1600-2600 series) for surface finishing of glass, stone, ceramics, and metal. Includes photoresist films (R-Series, UltraPro, RapidMask, I-HE Photoresist Film), manual/automated sandblasting units, CrystalBlast Pro X2 cabinet, mask making, training, and prototyping services. Over 20 years of market experience.
• IkonArt Screen Printing System Screen printing stencil system including Starter Kit 3.0 (EU) with UV LED light, stencil/textile films, exposure sheets, printer films, squeegees. For creating personalized stencils on glass, ceramics, textiles, wood. Includes FilmMaker 11 RIP software, Dmax Black Dye Ink, ImageBlack Premium printable films, and complete EPSON ET-8550 imaging system sets.
• Hydrokon Water Transfer Printing Film PVA Water Transfer Printing Film for hydrodipping projects. Blank PVA film on clear polyester backing with built-in fluorescent indicator for PVA removal verification. 35µ thickness available in rolls. For decorative surface finishing on three-dimensional objects.

Quantifiable outcome

• HarkePlus RemindPro shown to boost total memory by up to 10.1%

Segments8 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

15 partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Aicello CorporationcoreTechnology or IntegrationAicello Corporation (Japan) is the manufacturer of SOLUBLON water-soluble PVAL films and Boselon VCI corrosion protection films. HARKE serves as the European distributor and sales representative for Aicello's product lines, including cleanroom packaging products (CleanProducts, Clean Bottle, Clean Container, Clean Drum, CLEANBARRIER).
• SolvaycoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSolvay is a key principal/supplier of specialty chemicals to HARKE. HARKE distributes Solvay products including AUGEO solvents and other specialty chemicals across their product portfolio. Solvay products are featured as key brands on HARKE's Home Care product pages.
• SyensqocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSyensqo (spun off from Solvay) supplies specialty chemicals including Rheozan rheology modifiers distributed by HARKE.
• ICT (Industrial Chemical Technology)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorICT supplies specialty surfactants and fluorochemicals (e.g., Thetawet FS series) that are distributed through HARKE's Home & Personal Care, I&I division.
• VerdantminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVerdant supplies specialty surfactants including Mackamine foamers and wetting agents distributed by HARKE.
• Aditya Birla / Thai SulphitescoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorKey supplier of sulphite chemicals to HARKE's Chemistry division. Part of the Aditya Birla Group network.
• PCBL Chemicals LimitedcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorPCBL Chemicals Limited supplies ASTM Carbon Black products (Orient Black series) for rubber and polymer applications distributed by HARKE.
• Mitsubishi ChemicalscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMitsubishi Chemicals is listed as a key principal supplying specialty chemicals to HARKE's Coatings, Plastics & Polymers division.
• CaffarominorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorItalian chemical supplier included in HARKE's CPP supplier network.
• CFI Carbon ProductscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCFI Carbon Products supplies Austin Black 325 specialty carbon filler for rubber, plastics, PVC, coatings, and construction industries.
• Chimcomplex SAminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRomanian chemical producer supplying products through HARKE's distribution network.
• VB Technochemicals SAcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorVB Technochemicals SA supplies synthetic barium sulphate (Bianco Fisso series) for coatings, plastics, and rubber applications.
• Yuanli ChemcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorYuanli Chem supplies Dibasic Ester (DBE) and other specialty chemicals distributed by HARKE.
• BaorayminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of fine chemicals including 1-Methylpyrrolidin distributed through HARKE's Life Sciences division.
• Partnerships PageminorOthersHARKE Group maintains a dedicated Partners page listing various collaboration partners in the chemical distribution industry.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Brenntag: Global #1 chemical distributor with ~$15B+ revenue following the Univar acquisition. Comparable across virtually every division HARKE serves (Life Sciences, Coatings/Plastics, Home Care, Industrial) but at vastly greater scale and broader geographic reach.
• HELM AG: Hamburg-based family-owned chemical distribution and marketing company with global reach across base chemicals, specialty products, and fertilizers — comparable in heritage, scale, and breadth to HARKE Group.

Direct peers

• Biesterfeld: Hamburg-based family-owned specialty chemical distributor (similar heritage to HARKE) with overlapping portfolios in Life Sciences, Coatings, Plastics, and Home Care. Direct mid-sized European peer.
• Barentz: Dutch-headquartered specialty distributor (formerly Barentz International) with strong presence in personal care, pharma, and food ingredients across Europe — comparable principal-driven specialty model and segment overlap.
• Azelis: Specialty distributor focused on Life Sciences, Industrial Chemicals, and Personal Care — closely comparable to HARKE's principal-based specialty distribution model, with strong principal relationships across European markets.
• TER Chemicals: German-headquartered specialty chemical distributor focused on CASE raw materials, plastics additives, and personal care ingredients — direct overlap with HARKE's CPP and Home & Personal Care I&I divisions.
• IMCD: Specialty chemicals distributor with strong focus on coatings, plastics, personal care, and pharma/nutra — directly overlapping HARKE's Coatings/Plastics/Polymers and Life Sciences divisions. Listed European specialty peer with similar technical sales model.
• Caldic: Dutch-headquartered specialty distributor with focus on Life Sciences, Personal Care, and Industrial Chemicals — closely comparable to HARKE's European principal-distribution model and segment mix.
• Nordmann, Rassmann: Hamburg-headquartered specialty chemical distributor (part of Nordmann Group) serving CASE, personal care, food, and pharma with a similar principal-led, technical sales model — a natural German mid-market comparable.

Others

• Aicello Corporation: Japanese manufacturer of SOLUBLON water-soluble films and Boselon VCI films — HARKE's core principal partner. While technically a supplier rather than competitor, Aicello's direct expansion into Europe would be the principal-related competitive threat to HARKE's specialty franchise.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks1 record

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/aicello-harke-gmbh

Compliance8 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles15 records

Subsidiaries13 records

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 AICELLO-HARKE GmbH