What RoCo does

RoCo, the commercial brand of Liquid Ion Solutions, LLC, is a Pittsburgh-based specialty chemicals manufacturer founded in 2014 that develops and supplies ionic liquids, metal salts, battery materials, and chemical precursors for energy storage, polymer composites, and advanced materials applications. Its core product portfolio spans ionic liquids with multiple cation/anion combinations (imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, ammonium, phosphonium paired with TFSI, FSI, PF6, BF4, OTf, DCA, OAc, NO3, and halides), high-purity metal salts, lithium battery electrolyte components (LiTFSI, LiPF6), synthesis precursors, and a functional polyurethane powder derived from recycled foam waste. The company is vertically integrated into characterization and processing, operating in-house capabilities including cryomilling, film extrusion, polymer processing, gas chromatography, FTIR, rheology, density and viscosity measurement, DSC, and TGA to support both catalog products and bespoke development.

The company operates a multi-revenue-stream business model combining one-time product sales through a direct e-commerce storefront (roco.global) with professional services including custom synthesis, contract R&D, and consulting. Catalog pricing is unit-based (per gram or kilogram) and tiered by purity grade (Technical Grade >95%, High Purity >99%, Ultra Pure/Battery Grade >99.5%), with prices ranging from approximately $50 to $10,000 per order; bulk and custom synthesis orders are quote-based. Distribution is handled through direct e-commerce globally and through a North American distribution partnership with IoLiTec, with shipments compliant with DOT/IATA hazardous materials regulations via FedEx Ground, Express, and International to the U.S. and Canada.

RoCo serves a diverse customer base across academic research (Texas A&M, MIT), aerospace and defense (NASA, US Army, BAE Systems), national laboratories (Idaho National Laboratory), automotive (GM, Ford), chemicals and polymers (LyondellBasell), and healthcare (Abbott Laboratories). Its primary segments are energy storage and battery manufacturers and researchers in polymer and materials science, with secondary exposure to chemical processing, catalysis, and academic research. The company is independently and privately held, with no disclosed institutional investment, no parent company, and no subsidiaries.

Name

RoCo

Legal name

Liquid Ion Solutions, LLC

Website

https://roco.global

Company type

Private

Founded year

2014

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

RoCo (Liquid Ion Solutions, LLC) is a Pittsburgh-based specialty chemicals company that manufactures ionic liquids, metal salts, battery electrolytes, and precursors for energy storage, polymer composites, and advanced materials applications, serving enterprise, government, and academic customers worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Specialty Chemicals

NAICS

Chemical Manufacturing (325), Other Basic Inorganic Chemical Manufacturing (325180), Urethane and Other Foam Product (except Polystyrene) Manufacturing (32615)

SIC

Industrial Inorganic Chemicals (2810), Industrial Organic Chemicals (2860), Miscellaneous Chemical Products (2890)

akta.pro primary industry

Battery & Energy Storage High-Purity Chemicals (Electrolyte salts/solvents, additives) (IMAEAKAM)

akta.pro secondary industries

Electrolytes & Additives Manufacturing (Liquid, Gel, Solid-State) (EUAFABAD), Electronic-Grade Solvents & Thinners (IMAEAKAD)

Keywords

• Ionic liquid synthesis
• Specialty chemical manufacturing
• Battery electrolyte materials
• High-purity metal salts
• Custom chemical synthesis

Headquarters

HQ city

Pittsburgh

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Product Sales: Sale of ionic liquids, metal salts, battery materials, precursors, and functional polyurethane powder through e-commerce platform with pricing ranging from approximately $50 to $10,000+ depending on product type and quantity
2. Custom Synthesis Services: Tailored compound synthesis to meet specific client needs for various industrial uses, subject to separate quotation and agreement
3. Contract R&D Services: Research and development partnerships for developing innovative new materials to help grow client businesses
4. Consulting Services: Expert guidance and consultation in ionic liquids and advanced materials

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

RoCo manufactures and sells specialty ionic liquids (imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, ammonium, and phosphonium-based) paired with anions such as TFSI, FSI, PF6, BF4, OTf, DCA, OAc, NO3, and halides, along with high-purity metal salts, battery electrolyte materials (LiTFSI, LiPF6), chemical precursors, and recycled functional polyurethane powder. The company complements its catalog with custom ionic liquid synthesis, contract R&D, and technical consulting services for energy storage, polymer composites, and green chemistry customers.

Product overview

RoCo is an ionic liquids and advanced materials supplier offering a comprehensive portfolio of specialty chemicals. The core product lines include ionic liquids (with various cations including imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, ammonium, and phosphonium paired with anions such as TFSI, FSI, PF6, BF4, OTf, DCA, OAc, NO3, and halides), metal salts, battery materials (including lithium salts and electrolyte components), precursors for ionic liquid synthesis, and functional polyurethane powder for circular economy applications. These products serve energy storage, polymer composites, materials additives, and green chemistry applications. The company complements its product portfolio with custom synthesis, contract R&D, and consulting services.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Ionic Liquids Room-temperature molten salts with tunable properties spanning cations (imidazolium, pyrrolidinium, piperidinium, ammonium, phosphonium) and anions (TFSI, FSI, PF6, BF4, OTf, DCA, OAc, NO3, halides), available in HP >99%, UP >99.5% battery grade, and TG >95% technical grades. Used by researchers and manufacturers in energy storage, electrochemistry, catalysis, and green chemistry.
• Metal Salts High-purity metal salts used as precursors for ionic liquid synthesis, electrolyte formulations, and materials processing applications. Sold to industrial customers and research institutions.
• Battery Materials and Electrolytes Electrolyte components and battery-grade materials including lithium salts (LiTFSI, LiPF6) and ionic liquid electrolytes designed for lithium-ion, sodium-ion, and next-generation battery systems. Targeted at energy storage developers and automotive OEMs.
• Precursors Starting materials for ionic liquid synthesis including imidazoles (1-methylimidazole, 1,2-dimethylimidazole), pyrrolidines, and other heterocyclic compounds used in custom synthesis. Sold to manufacturers and research customers.
• Functional Polyurethane Powder Recycled polyurethane powder derived from foam waste, enabling circular economy applications in various polymer formulations. Sold to polymer manufacturers and sustainability-focused customers.
• Custom Synthesis Services Tailored ionic liquid synthesis services where RoCo scientists custom-engineer compounds to meet specific client requirements for various industrial applications. Quote-based engagement with negotiated statements of work.
• Contract Research & Development Research partnership services for developing innovative new materials, helping clients grow their business through collaborative R&D programs. Quote-based, multi-year engagements.
• Ionic Liquid Consulting & Expert Guidance Expert consultation services providing insights and guidance on ionic liquids and advanced materials applications and implementation. Targeted at industrial and research customers needing technical advisory support.

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles4 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Nine partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• IoLiTeccoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNorth American distribution agreement enabling expanded reach of RoCo's ionic liquids and advanced materials solutions through IoLiTec's distribution network.
• FTIminorOthersListed as a partner in RoCo's ecosystem.
• America MakesminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerListed as a partner, suggesting collaboration in advanced manufacturing and materials development.
• NextCycleminorOthersListed as a partner in RoCo's sustainability-focused ecosystem.
• CEO for SustainabilityminorOthersListed as a partner, indicating shared focus on sustainable chemistry initiatives.
• GRC (Glass Resources Coalition)minorOthersListed as a partner in RoCo's ecosystem.
• Sustainable PGHminorOthersPittsburgh-based sustainability initiative partner.
• Reclamation FactoryminorOthersListed as a partner, suggesting collaboration in materials reclamation and circular economy.
• U.S. Research Impact AllianceminorOthersListed as a partner indicating research collaboration focus.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• Solvay: Global specialty chemicals major with a significant battery materials and electrolyte salts portfolio (including LiTFSI). Comparable as a large-scale incumbent in the same battery-grade electrolyte chemistry that RoCo addresses at smaller volumes.
• SACHEM: Specialty chemical manufacturer with strong positions in electrolytes, high-purity salts, and advanced materials for energy storage. Overlaps with RoCo's metal salt and battery materials portfolio at an industrial scale.
• Strem Chemicals: US-based specialty chemicals manufacturer and distributor serving academic and industrial research customers, including ionic liquids and metal salts. Comparable in channel (catalog/e-commerce) and customer mix.
• TCI Chemicals: Japan-based specialty chemicals supplier with a deep catalog of ionic liquids, metal salts, and battery materials. Comparable as a broad-line e-commerce chemical supplier targeting the same R&D and industrial customer base.
• BASF: Global chemical incumbent producing a broad range of ionic liquids, metal salts, and battery materials under its Intermediates and Performance Chemicals divisions. Represents the upper bound of scale competition for RoCo's catalog.
• Merck (Sigma-Aldrich): Global life science and specialty chemicals incumbent offering an extensive ionic liquid catalog alongside thousands of other reagents. Represents the scale competitor against which RoCo competes on breadth, documentation, and logistics.

Direct peers

• IoLiTec (Ionic Liquids Technologies): Germany-based specialist manufacturer of ionic liquids and a broad catalog of cation/anion combinations, comparable to RoCo's core ionic liquid product line. Notably, IoLiTec is also RoCo's North American distribution partner, confirming direct product overlap and channel adjacency.
• Proionic: Austrian ionic liquid and electrolyte manufacturer focused on energy storage and industrial applications. Directly comparable as a niche specialty player in the same cation/anion chemistry space, including battery-grade materials.
• Tatva Chintan Pharma Chem: India-based manufacturer specializing in ionic liquids, phase-transfer catalysts, and electrolyte salts. Directly comparable to RoCo's ionic liquid and battery materials business, including custom synthesis.
• Solvionic: French specialty producer of ionic liquids and electrolytes for energy storage and electrochemistry. Closely comparable to RoCo in product focus (ionic liquids + battery electrolytes), target customers, and custom synthesis offering.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights5 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/roco-global

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

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 RoCo