WISTEMA

What WISTEMA does

WISTEMA GmbH is a privately-held, family-owned German chemical trading and distribution company founded in 1990 in Dielheim, near Heidelberg. The company specializes in secondary raw materials, by-products, and industrial waste streams, serving as an intermediary that transforms chemical waste into reusable raw materials for industrial customers. Its portfolio comprises approximately 250 chemical products, by-products, and waste streams organized across eight categories: solvents, polymers (including the proprietary Wistowax wax line), acrylates, fine chemicals, recycling services, sustainable feedstocks (glycerin, pyrolysis oil, tall oil, fatty acids, bioethanol, HVO), and nutrition raw materials through a wholly-owned subsidiary (WISTEMA Nutrition GmbH). The company's technical differentiation rests on an in-house laboratory used to test and verify application suitability of secondary materials before commercial deployment, supplemented by certified waste management capabilities (Entsorgungsfachbetrieb) and a 10,000 m² polymer logistics center in Kerpen acquired in 2021 and operational since January 2023. WISTEMA also offers blending, diluting, bottling, and bagging services alongside REACH compliance, customs clearance, and dangerous goods management.

WISTEMA operates a sales-led B2B distribution model, generating revenue primarily through transactional chemical trading, complemented by managed services (logistics, storage, waste disposal) and professional consulting on circular economy and by-product optimization. The company sells directly to enterprise customers across chemical, biodiesel, paint/coatings, plastics, food, and feed industries, with a global footprint spanning 60+ countries through offices and representatives in Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Turkey, India, Brazil, Colombia, and Costa Rica. Distribution is supported by ports of Antwerp and Rotterdam, membership in industry associations (BDE, VCH, LAV), and trade show participation at Chemspec Europe. According to the company, WISTEMA handles 164,000+ tonnes of goods and recycles 100,000+ tonnes annually, and reported revenue exceeding €70 million, with a team of 40 employees. The company is currently in its second generation of family ownership following a 2023 generational transition, and expanded in 2025 with a Turkish subsidiary established to comply with KKDIK (Turkish REACH) regulations.

Name

WISTEMA

Legal name

WISTEMA GmbH

Website

https://wistema.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1990

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

WISTEMA GmbH is a family-owned German B2B chemical trading company that distributes approximately 250 secondary raw materials, by-products, and waste streams—including solvents, polymers, acrylates, fine chemicals, and sustainable feedstocks—to industrial customers across 60+ countries worldwide.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Chemical Distribution and Trading

NAICS

Chemical and Allied Products Merchant Wholesalers (4246)

SIC

Wholesale-Chemicals & Allied Products (5160)

akta.pro primary industry

Chemicals, Ingredients & Raw Materials Marketplaces (CRAFAHAK)

akta.pro secondary industries

Chemical Drum, IBC & Packaged Chemical Warehousing (TLALAHAI), Hazmat Warehousing & Segregated Storage (Bonded/Compliance Facilities) (TLAIAJAB), Hazardous Materials (Hazmat) TL Carriers (TLADADAH)

Keywords

• Chemical trading
• Secondary raw materials
• Waste stream management
• Polymer distribution
• Circular economy

Headquarters

HQ city

Dielheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices10 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Chemical Trading and Distribution: WISTEMA trades and distributes approximately 250 different chemical products, by-products, and waste streams including solvents, polymers, acrylates, fine chemicals, and sustainable feedstocks. Revenue is generated through the sale of these materials to industrial customers.
2. Consulting Services: Advisory services supporting companies in achieving long-term sustainability goals. WISTEMA provides technical expertise for waste avoidance and optimization of value chains in by-product streams, co-products, and surplus inventory. Services include comprehensive solution concepts that are thoroughly managed.
3. Logistics Services: Storage and transport of chemicals with comprehensive services including mixing, diluting, bottling, and bagging. The company handles the entire supply chain including customs clearance, REACH compliance, and dangerous goods management.
4. Waste Management: Certified waste management facility (Entsorgungsfachbetrieb) providing proper recovery and disposal of waste, including organizing transport, auditing disposal partners, and offering energy recovery options.

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels2 records

Core offering

WISTEMA trades and distributes approximately 250 chemical products, by-products, and waste streams including solvents, polymers, acrylates, fine chemicals, waxes (Wistowax brand), sustainable feedstocks (glycerin, pyrolysis oil, tall oil, bioethanol, HVO), and nutrition raw materials. The company sources secondary raw materials from the chemical industry and sells them to industrial customers, while also providing logistics, mixing, blending, and packaging services alongside consulting on circular economy and waste avoidance. WISTEMA serves as a B2B preferred partner for chemical companies from mid-sized businesses to large corporations globally.

Product overview

WISTEMA is a B2B chemical trading company offering approximately 250 different products, by-products, and waste streams. The portfolio is organized into eight product categories: Lösemittel (Solvents) for industrial applications; Polymere (Polymers) including various plastic types and additives; Wachse (Waxes) under the Wistowax brand; Acrylate for paints, adhesives, and plastics manufacturing; Feinchemikalien (Fine Chemicals) for specialty applications; Recycling services for recovering materials; Nachhaltige Rohstoffe (Sustainable Feedstock) replacing fossil materials; and WISTEMA Nutrition for food-grade ingredients. The company also provides complementary services in raw material distribution, consulting, logistics, and waste management.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Lösemittel (Solvents) Versatile solvents (freshware and distillates) for applications in paints, lacquers, cosmetics, and pharmaceuticals, supplied to industrial chemical customers. Specific offerings include Tetrahydrofuran, Methanol, Methylacetat, Dimethylformamid, Cyclohexanon, Toluol, Ethylacetat, Isopropanol, Acetonitril, and Ethanol.
• Polymere (Polymers) Polymers including freshware and off-spec materials for packaging, clothing, and construction applications. Specific products include LDPE, PP, APP, HDPE, EVA, APAO, PVC, SBS, Engineering Plastics, and additives (Anti-Fog, Process Aid, Pigments, Plasticizer, Anti-Statics, UV Stabilizer, Impact Modifiers, Anti-Oxidants, Optical Brighteners, Titanium Dioxide).
• Wachse - Wistowax Series (Waxes) WISTEMA's own Wistowax brand wax product line including PE Waxes, EVA Waxes, Paraffin Waxes, PP Waxes, EBS Waxes, Oxidised Waxes, FT Waxes, and Microcrystalline Waxes, supplied to industrial customers.
• Acrylate Standard acrylate products serving as reactive building blocks in the manufacture of paints, lacquers, adhesives, textiles, elastomers, and plastics. Specific offerings include Butylacrylat (BA), Methylmethacrylat (MMA), Ethylacrylat (EA), 2-Ethylhexylacrylat (2-EHA), and Ethylmethacrylat (EMA).
• Feinchemikalien (Fine Chemicals) Specialty fine chemicals tailored to customer needs, including 1,4 Dioxan, 2-Methylchinolin, 6-Chlor-2-hexanon, Dibutylether, Dimethyl Benzyl Carbinol, Aldehyde, Diphenylmethan, and 2-Methyltetrahydrofuran. Used for solvents and intermediates in pharmaceutical active ingredient synthesis and production, as well as technical applications.
• Recycling Services Solutions for giving new life to by-products and waste streams. Recycling services cover precious metals, plastics, acetic acid, catalysts, and sulfuric acid. Includes waste management and emergency trading services for organic and inorganic chemicals and plastic waste, with certified Entsorgungsfachbetrieb status.
• Nachhaltige Rohstoffe (Sustainable Feedstocks) Sustainable raw materials replacing fossil feedstocks, including Glycerin, Pyrolyseöl (pyrolysis oil), Tallöl (tall oil), Fettsäuren (fatty acids), Bioethanol, and HVO (hydrotreated vegetable oil), certified under ISCC Plus and REDcert EU.
• WISTEMA Nutrition Raw Materials Raw materials for better nutrition and a healthy lifestyle, including plant oils, proteins, fruit acids, natural hydrocolloids, phosphates, and starch. Offered under WISTEMA Nutrition GmbH subsidiary with BIO organic certification.

Quantifiable outcome

• Reduction of CO2 emissions through circular economy - Randi Group saves approximately 10,000 tonnes of CO2 annually through their closed-loop production process
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature1 record

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Galvachem GmbHcoreOthers · 1 January 2023Acquired in October 2023 and officially merged into WISTEMA GmbH on October 18, 2024. Originally founded as Deca-Chemie GmbH in 1983 and renamed in 1989. Offers diverse product portfolio including applications in food, feed, plastics, and paint/coatings industries. Products include acetic acid, phosphoric acid, polyethylene glycols, ammonium chloride, and specialty products like 4-Methoxybenzylamine.
• MEHK Chemicals Pvt. Ltd.coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ Distributor · 1 January 2015MEHK Chemicals is WISTEMA's exclusive partner in Europe since 2015 for the distribution of high-quality solvents and intermediates for pharmaceutical active ingredient synthesis and production, as well as technical applications. MEHK has been producing at its facility in Navi Mumbai, India since the 1970s, well-connected to the port of Nhava Sheva. WISTEMA and MEHK jointly exhibit at Chemspec Europe.
• Giovanni Randi S.p.A. / Randi GroupcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012WISTEMA has been the exclusive sales representative of the Randi Group in Germany since 2012. Randi Group produces natural tartaric acid and derivatives, bioethanol, and high-quality grape seed oil from wine industry by-products like pomace and cream of tartar. The company operates 6 plants in 5 countries (Italy, Spain, USA, Argentina, Australia). Partnership includes raw material sourcing and marketing of Randi and Villapana product ranges in Germany.
• Nuova Solmine S.p.A.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Partnership began in 2012. WISTEMA develops new projects in Germany in close coordination with Nuova Solmine to recycle waste sulfuric acid and sulfur-containing solids in Italy, returning them as recycled quality back into the production cycle. Nuova Solmine is the leader in sulfuric acid and oleum in Italy with production capacity of approximately 550,000 tonnes/year at Scarlino, Tuscany.
• Ingenieurbüro LischkaminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCooperation partner located in Neukirchen-Vluyn, Germany. Contact at Keplerstraße 1, 47506 Neukirchen-Vluyn.
• Gemeinnütziger Förderverein Association maison familiale rurale Beni Snassen e.V.minorOthersNon-profit association founded in 2019 under the flag of German-Moroccan friendship. Supports an agricultural school project in the Beni Snassen mountains south of Berkane, Morocco. WISTEMA employee Abdi El-Akrouche originates from this region and has been involved in social engagement.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves14 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Stockmeier Chemie GmbH & Co. KG: German family-owned chemical distributor with focus on industrial chemicals, specialty products, and recycling. Comparable to WISTEMA in family ownership, German base, and emphasis on chemical distribution with recycling/circular economy services.
• Ter Group (TER Chemicals): European specialty chemical distributor focused on personal care, food, animal nutrition, and industrial applications. Comparable to WISTEMA in mid-sized European distribution with diversified industrial and life-sciences end markets.
• Helm AG: Hamburg-based family-owned chemical distribution and trading company with a broad specialty chemicals and agricultural inputs portfolio. Comparable to WISTEMA in mid-sized, privately held European chemical distribution with global sourcing reach.
• Biesterfeld AG: Hamburg-based distributor of specialty chemicals, plastics, and rubber with strong presence in polymers and industrial additives. Closely comparable to WISTEMA's polymer/specialty distribution profile and mid-sized privately held European footprint.
• Overlack GmbH: German specialty chemicals and raw materials distributor serving coatings, adhesives, plastics, and food/feed industries. Highly comparable to WISTEMA in mid-sized German chemical distribution with cross-industry end-market exposure.
• Häffner & Co. GmbH: German family-owned chemical distribution and toll manufacturing company with broad specialty and industrial chemical portfolio. Comparable to WISTEMA in privately held German mid-market chemical distribution with custom blending/manufacturing services.
• Nordmann, Rassmann & Co. Major Hamburg-based European chemical distributor covering polymers, specialties, and industrial chemicals. Highly comparable to WISTEMA's diversified chemicals distribution model and head-to-head competitor in polymers; WISTEMA even hired Erol Erdogan from Nordmann Rassmann Türkei.

Broad incumbents

• Azelis Group: Global specialty chemicals and food ingredients distributor with strong European presence. Comparable to WISTEMA in specialty distribution focus and European customer base, though at significantly larger scale and with public-market discipline.
• Brenntag SE: World's largest chemical distribution company with global operations across specialty and industrial chemicals. Overlaps with WISTEMA in industrial and specialty chemicals distribution but operates at vastly greater scale across many more product lines and geographies.
• IMCD N.V. Dutch-headquartered global specialty chemicals distributor serving coatings, plastics, personal care, food, and industrial markets. Comparable to WISTEMA in specialty chemicals distribution and European roots, though at much larger scale and broader geography.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/WistemaGmbH
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/wistema-gmbh

Compliance9 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles8 records

Subsidiaries5 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 WISTEMA