What UNIKEM does

UNIKEM is a privately held specialty chemicals manufacturer of drilling fluid additives, founded in 1991 in Neuquén, Argentina and currently operating through its legal entity UNIKEM SRL, headquartered in San Casciano in Val di Pesa, Florence, Italy. The company operates a single-digit headcount platform of approximately 17 employees supported by regional warehouses in Calenzano (Tuscany) and Rovigo (Veneto) for distribution within Italy and to export markets. Through its UNIKEM Oilfield Chemicals division, heritage dates back to 1987, providing the firm with roughly three decades of formulation experience in water-based and oil-based drilling fluid systems.

The company's product portfolio spans approximately 50 SKUs across five categories: mud additives (clay inhibitors, filtration control polymers such as FLOWPAC and STARFLO, viscosifiers, lubricants, defoamers, LCM materials, and sludge solidifiers such as DRYMUD and MAX BREAKER), bentonite mud systems (BENTOMAXX HDD for horizontal wells, BENTOMAXX SW for seawater, BIOFLUID clay-free biodegradable mud, and GUARFLO), oilfield additives (emulsifiers like INVERTDRILL P/S, rheology modifiers like RHEOMUL, HPHT fluid loss control like DUROIL, shale stabilizers like BOREMASTER and ALKEM, and torque-and-drag reducers like ROLLBEAD), measurement instrumentation (HDD TEST KIT, Marsh Cup, Marsh Funnel, Mud Balance), and a mud disposal solution delivered via partnership with Kugler (KUGLER BTC static dewatering system). Underlying technical components include polyanionic cellulose derivatives, modified tall-oil emulsifiers, organophilic polyphenolic tannins, gilsonite-based shale stabilizers, and borosilicate microsphere lubricants.

UNIKEM generates revenue primarily through one-time sales of chemical additives and bentonite products directly to drilling contractors and operators across five end-uses: horizontal directional drilling (HDD, the primary segment), oil and gas drilling, geothermal drilling, mining drilling, and coil tubing operations. Go-to-market is sales-led and event-driven, combining direct outreach from mud engineers and consultants, B2B contact via the company website, and an active trade-show calendar (NoDig 2025 Milan, NoDig Live, IATT events, Latin American Trenchless Congress). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; customers contact the company directly for quotes. Customer segments are diversified by use case and geography, with no named enterprise anchors and a stated global footprint claim supported by Italian warehousing and international event participation.

Name

UNIKEM

Legal name

UNIKEM SRL

Website

https://unikem.net

Company type

Private

Founded year

1991

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

UNIKEM is a privately held specialty chemicals manufacturer, founded in 1991 and headquartered in Italy, that develops and sells a portfolio of drilling fluid additives, bentonite mud systems, oilfield specialty chemicals, and instrumentation for HDD, oil and gas, geothermal, mining, and coil tubing contractors worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Drilling Fluid Additives

NAICS

All Other Chemical Product and Preparation Manufacturing (32599), Petrochemical Manufacturing (32511), Petroleum Lubricating Oil and Grease Manufacturing (324191)

SIC

Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890), Chemicals & Allied Products (2800), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860)

akta.pro primary industry

Oilfield & Refining Specialty Chemicals (IMAEABAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Drilling Fluids, Solids Control & Waste Handling (EUALABAG), Drilling & Well Construction (E&P Operator-led) (EUALAAAD), Fuel Additives & Lubricant Additives (IMAEAMAL), Production Services & Artificial Lift (ESP, Rod Lift, Gas Lift, Chemicals) (EUALABAH)

Keywords

• Drilling fluid additives
• Oilfield specialty chemicals
• Horizontal directional drilling
• Bentonite mud products
• Drilling mud disposal

Headquarters

HQ city

San Casciano in Val di Pesa

HQ country

Italy

HQ region

Europe

Offices5 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Drilling Fluid Additives Sales: UNIKEM generates revenue through the production and sale of chemical additives for drilling fluids. The company offers a full range of drilling mud products for various applications including HDD, oil & gas, geothermal drilling, mining drilling, and coil tubing operations.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

UNIKEM develops and manufactures specialty chemical additives for drilling fluids used in oil & gas, horizontal directional drilling (HDD), geothermal drilling, mining drilling, and coil tubing operations. The company produces a comprehensive product portfolio including mud additives (clay inhibitors, filtration control agents, viscosifiers, lubricants, antifoams), bentonite mud products, oil-based drilling fluid additives, drilling fluid testing instrumentation, and partnered mud dewatering/disposal solutions. Their offerings are sold directly to drilling contractors, oil & gas operators, and service companies through a sales-led B2B model supported by warehouses in Italy.

Product overview

UNIKEM is a manufacturer of chemical additives for drilling fluids, established in 1991 in Neuquén, Argentina with operations in Italy. The company produces a comprehensive portfolio of drilling fluid products organized across multiple categories: (1) Mud Additives including POLYMAX, DDETERGENT, CLAYBUSTER, CUTFOAM, FLOWPAC, STARFLO, MIXPLUG, POLYLOCK, SOLUBRIDGE, TEKLUBE, MAX BREAKER, DRYMUD, FLOWVIS, KEMTHIN, NOCHLOR, SODA ASH, and WELLFLUSH for various drilling fluid management functions such as clay inhibition, filtration control, viscosity management, and lubrication; (2) Bentonite Mud Products including BENTOMAXX HDD, BENTO, BENTOMAXX SW, BIOFLUID, MUDPLEX, DRILLFOAM, and GUARFLO for different drilling conditions including horizontal directional drilling, saltwater environments, and biodegradable applications; (3) Instrumentation including HDD TEST KIT, MARSH CUP, MARSH FUNNEL, and MUD BALANCE for measuring drilling fluid parameters; (4) Mud Disposal Solutions through the KUGLER BTC System for dewatering drilling sludge; and (5) Oil & Gas Additives including INVERTDRILL P/S, RHEOMUL, OILTHIN, DUROIL, KEMWET, DRILLFLO, THERMALITE, STAREX, BOREMASTER, ALKEM, BLACK MUD, KEMLUBE, KEMLUBE EP, LUBRIFYBER, COIL LUBE, ROLLBEAD, and BIOCEL B for specialized oil and gas drilling operations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• UNIKEM Oilfield Chemicals: Specialty chemical additives division developing and supplying additives for drilling fluids used in oil and gas operations worldwide, supporting both water-based and oil-based fluid systems.

Products and services

• POLYMAX Polymer additive with a stabilizing effect on incoherent formations, used as an encapsulant and inhibitor of clays. Also serves as an excellent viscosifier and lubricant for drilling fluid systems.
• DDETERGENT Cleaner formulated to reduce mud surface tension and inhibit hydration of clays. Increases drilling speed and facilitates debris separation, keeping the drill bit clean.
• CLAYBUSTER Clay inhibitor and anti-swelling system designed for drilling fluid applications.
• CUTFOAM Reduces the tendency to foam in a variety of water-based fluids. Effective and easy-to-mix product proven at low concentrations.
• FLOWPAC (LV and REG) Polyanionic cellulose (PAC) that regulates the filtration process and stabilizes the borehole. Available in FLOWPAC LV (low viscosity) and FLOWPAC REG (higher viscosity) versions.
• STARFLO Carboxymethylated starch that acts as a filtration reducer and viscosifier for drilling fluid systems.
• MIXPLUG Mixture of granular materials, fibers and flakes used to seal any type of fracture without altering the rheological properties of the fluid.
• POLYLOCK Polymer that, as it expands in cracks, seals both large and small fractures with exceptional effectiveness.
• SOLUBRIDGE Acid-soluble inorganic fiber solution designed to reduce circulation losses. Formulation is coated with a surfactant layer that accelerates fiber separation.
• TEKLUBE Nontoxic vegetable oil-based lubricant used to reduce friction and twisting. Also reduces the chisel's tendency to knead.
• MAX BREAKER Powerful oxidizing agent designed to destroy polymers, thus facilitating sludge disposal.
• DRYMUD Superabsorbent polymer (SAP) that solidifies sludge by absorbing water. Mechanical mixing is recommended to accelerate solidification.
• FLOWVIS (LIQ and DRY) Biodegradable polymer used to increase viscosity and improve suspension and transport of drilling debris. Available in liquid (FLOWVIS LIQ) and powder (FLOWVIS DRY) versions.
• KEMTHIN Dispersing liquid used to reduce viscosity and frost formation, as well as promote sludge deflocculation.
• NOCHLOR Neutralizes chlorine in mains water, improving sludge performance and preventing the destruction of polymers.
• SODA ASH Used to raise the water pH of bentonite and polymer-based drilling fluids by precipitating soluble calcium.
• WELLFLUSH Synthetic fiber-based additive used to prepare well cleaning pills.
• BENTOMAXX HDD Sodium bentonite enriched with a mixture of special polymers. Designed to maintain borehole integrity in horizontally drilled wells.
• BENTO Untreated bentonite for drilling applications.
• BENTOMAXX SW Seawater mud composed of a blend of minerals, specifically designed for use in brackish or seawater applications.
• BIOFLUID Clay-free blend of biodegradable polymers specially designed for special conditions associated with horizontal well drilling where clay-based drilling fluids are prohibited.
• MUDPLEX Inorganic additive based on magnesium and aluminum. When mixed with pure bentonite, it forms an inorganic complex that transforms mud into a high-performance solution.
• DRILLFOAM Biodegradable anti-dust foaming agent that facilitates debris recovery, especially suitable for stiff-foam applications.
• GUARFLO Natural guar gum-based viscosifying polymer designed for water well drilling. Offers an excellent alternative to bentonite.
• HDD TEST KIT Horizontal Directional Drilling mud kit containing a Shearometer and essential testing equipment to check fluid density, viscosity, sand percentage, and pH.
• MARSH CUP Instrument used to measure the viscosity of drilling fluid. Graduated beaker in liquid ounces and cubic centimeters designed for use with the MARSH FUNNEL.
• MARSH FUNNEL Standard instrument for measuring fluid viscosity, commonly used with the MARSH CUP.
• MUD BALANCE 4-scale metal mud scale with CNC manufacturing process, offering improved durability and accuracy compared to older cast iron methods.
• KUGLER BTC System Complete drilling mud dewatering solution developed in partnership with Kugler. Separates drilling mud into solid material and clear filtrate through flocculation/conditioning and static dewatering.
• INVERTDRILL P and S High-activity, 100% active primary emulsifier (INVERTDRILL P) based on modified tall oil derivative, and secondary emulsifier (INVERTDRILL S) for forming and stabilizing water-in-oil emulsions in oil-based drilling fluids.
• RHEOMUL Rheology modifier used in hydrocarbon and synthetic-based drilling fluids to increase low-shear-rate viscosity and improve suspension of solids.
• OILTHIN Oil-dispersible dispersant used to control plastic viscosity and improve solids dispersion in oil-based drilling fluids.
• DUROIL HPHT fluid loss control additive for oil-based and invert emulsion drilling fluids. Based on chemically modified organophilic polyphenolic tannin.
• KEMWET Blend of biodegradable surfactants for promoting oil-wetting of drilled solids and weighting materials in invert emulsion drilling fluids.
• DRILLFLO Chromium-free dispersant based on modified tannin used to control viscosity and improve solids dispersion in water-based drilling fluids.
• THERMALITE High-temperature fluid loss control additive based on chemically modified tannin for water-based drilling fluids.
• STAREX Biodegradable filtration control additive designed for use in mixed metal hydroxide (MMO) drilling fluid systems.
• BOREMASTER Water-dispersible gilsonite-based resin used to stabilize reactive shale formations and reduce filtrate invasion.
• ALKEM Powdered aluminium complex used to control hydration and dispersion of water-sensitive clays and shales.
• BLACK MUD Liquid gilsonite-based additive containing polyglycols for stabilizing reactive and microfractured shale formations.
• KEMLUBE and KEMLUBE EP Environmentally compatible lubricant (KEMLUBE) based on modified vegetable oils for water-based drilling fluids, and high-performance lubricant (KEMLUBE EP) for extreme pressure and high-load conditions.
• LUBRIFYBER Fiber-based additive designed to reduce torque and drag in water-based drilling fluids.
• COIL LUBE Specialized lubricant for coiled tubing operations to reduce friction and mechanical wear.
• ROLLBEAD Borosilicate microsphere lubricant used to reduce torque and drag through micro ball bearing technology.
• BIOCEL B Fine fibrous cellulose additive composed of chemically modified fibers for controlling seepage losses in porous formations.

Quantifiable outcome

• Producing top-quality chemical additives since 1991 with regular strict quality controls

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature3 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• KuglercoreTechnology or IntegrationUNIKEM partners with Kugler to provide complete drilling mud disposal solutions. The KUGLER BTC system is a dewatering technology that separates drilling mud into solid material and clear filtrate. This partnership enables UNIKEM to offer an efficient and cost-effective solution for sludge disposal that is robust, simple, and user-friendly without requiring controls, sensors, or electronics.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• CES Energy Solutions: Production-focused oilfield chemistry company supplying drilling, completion, and production fluids across North America — direct competitor in drilling fluid additives with overlapping specialty additive portfolio.
• CIMBAR Performance Minerals: Specialty minerals and bentonite-based drilling fluid producer serving oil & gas, HDD, and industrial drilling applications; closest mid-sized specialty additive peer to UNIKEM's bentonite mud and additive business.
• Clariant Oil Services: Specialty chemicals division of Clariant focused on oilfield and HDD drilling fluid additives — closest comparable by product type, end-market, and business model, though with broader global scale than UNIKEM.
• Newpark Resources: Pure-play drilling fluids and composite matting supplier; competes with UNIKEM in water-based and oil-based drilling fluid systems for oil & gas and HDD markets globally.
• Wyo-Ben: US-based specialty bentonite and drilling fluid additive manufacturer serving HDD, water well, oil & gas, and mining drilling markets — highly comparable product portfolio and end-market focus to UNIKEM.

Broad incumbents

• SLB (Schlumberger): World's largest oilfield services company with extensive drilling fluids, specialty additives, and mud engineering offerings; competes head-to-head with UNIKEM in oil-based and water-based drilling fluid systems.
• TETRA Technologies: Oilfield services and chemistry company offering drilling fluids, completion fluids, and production chemicals — overlaps with UNIKEM's oil & gas and coil tubing additive offerings.
• Baker Hughes: Oilfield services major with drilling fluids, production chemistry, and specialty chemicals divisions serving oil & gas and HDD drilling markets globally — overlapping with UNIKEM's core product set.
• Halliburton: Global oilfield services giant whose Baroid division supplies drilling fluids and additives for oil & gas, HDD, geothermal, and mining — directly competing with UNIKEM across nearly every product category but at vastly greater scale.
• Solvay Oil & Gas: Global specialty chemicals major with oilfield chemistry offerings including drilling additives, rheology modifiers, and surfactants — competes with UNIKEM's INVERTDRILL, RHEOMUL, and KEMWET product lines.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/unikem-drilling-fluid-additives
• Instagraminstagram.com/unikem.hdd

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 UNIKEM