Fluid-competence Gmbh

What Fluid-competence Gmbh does

Fluid Competence GmbH is a family-run, privately held industrial technology company headquartered in Kamen, Germany, with 1–10 employees. It develops water-based Smart Fluids intended to replace mineral and bio-oils in cooling, lubrication, movement, corrosion protection, and hydraulic applications. The portfolio includes cooling lubricants, HFC-E and HFA hydraulic fluids supplied through TotalEnergies, chainsaw and slideway fluids, frost and corrosion protection fluids, and the RELEASESAVE concrete release-agent line; products are described as non-flammable, biodegradable, and adaptable to customer processes.

The business sells customized fluids through direct, consultative enterprise sales and a six-step transformation service covering initial consultation, requirements analysis, conversion design, system cleaning and filling, cost optimization, and ongoing monitoring. Pricing is quote-based and considers total cost of ownership, with contract terms described as multi-year. Fluid Competence serves mining and tunnel construction, metalworking, maritime, plastics processing, concrete and construction, agriculture, and forestry customers, combining field service, laboratory support, and technology partners such as TotalEnergies, Bosch Rexroth, and Syskem.

Name

Fluid-competence Gmbh

Legal name

Fluid-Competence GmbH

Website

https://fluid-competence.de

Company type

Private

Founded year

1995

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Fluid Competence develops customized water-based technical fluids that replace mineral and bio-oils in industrial cooling, lubrication, and hydraulic processes, serving enterprises through direct sales and transformation services across mining, metalworking, plastics, maritime, construction, agriculture, and forestry.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Kamen

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Smart Fluids Products: Sale of water-based cooling lubricants, hydraulic substitutes, and other technical functional fluids. Products are individually adapted to customer requirements. Revenue is generated through product sales with associated transformation services.
2. Transformation Services: Comprehensive 6-step transformation service including case consultation, requirements analysis, transformation concept development, system setup, connection cost optimization, and ongoing process monitoring. Services are provided as bundled consulting and implementation packages alongside product sales.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Fluid Competence develops and sells water-based Smart Fluids that replace mineral and bio-oils in industrial cooling, lubrication, hydraulics, and motion processes. Its portfolio includes process-adapted cooling lubricants, hydraulic substitutes, chainsaw fluids, frost and corrosion protection fluids, slideway fluids, and RELEASESAVE concrete release agents. The company also provides a six-step transformation service covering consultation, requirements analysis, system conversion, cost optimization, and ongoing monitoring.

Product overview

Fluid Competence is a family-run company developing water-based Smart Fluids that replace mineral and bio-oils in industrial processes. The product portfolio centers on Smart Fluids as the core offering, comprising cooling lubricants and lubricants, hydraulic fluids (HFC-E and HFA lines via TotalEnergies partnership), chainsaw fluids, frost and corrosion protection fluids, and slideway fluids. A specialized sub-brand, RELEASESAVE, addresses release agent needs in the concrete and construction industry. All products are water-based, non-flammable, and biodegradable. The offering is complemented by Transformation as a Service—a six-step consulting and implementation service guiding customers through analysis, system conversion, and ongoing monitoring. The company positions itself as a transformation partner rather than a traditional lubricant supplier.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• RELEASESAVE: Water-based release agent product line for the concrete and construction industry, replacing mineral oil-based release agents of previous generations.

Products and services

• Smart Fluids — Cooling Lubricants and Lubricants Water-based fluids that combine cooling, lubrication, and rinsing functions for industrial machining and can replace mineral and bio-oils.
• Hydraulic Fluids — HFC-E and HFA Product Lines Water-based hydraulic substitutes produced and distributed by technology partner TotalEnergies for mining, maritime, and industrial applications; the fluids are non-flammable and biodegradable.
• Chainsaw Fluid Oil-free chainsaw fluid providing lubrication and adhesion while remaining biodegradable and compatible with materials, for forestry and landscape-maintenance equipment.
• Frost and Corrosion Protection Fluids Oil-free protective fluids for cylinders, machine parts, complete systems, and the transport or storage of metal components to prevent frost damage and corrosion.
• Slideway Fluid Mineral-oil-free slideway fluid providing adhesion and wear protection for CNC systems and machining centers.
• RELEASESAVE Water-Based Release Agents Rapidly biodegradable, ready-to-use water-based release agents for the concrete and construction industry that replace mineral-oil-based products.
• Transformation as a Service A six-step consulting and implementation service that takes industrial customers from initial case consultation and requirements analysis through transformation design, system cleaning and filling, connection-cost optimization, and ongoing process optimization and monitoring.

Quantifiable outcome

• Up to 30% longer operating times, reducing production downtime
• +5 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments6 records

Ideal customer profiles6 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature7 records

Partnerships

Three partnerships are on record, tiered core and supporting.

• TotalEnergiescoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner for hydraulic substitutes. TotalEnergies produces and distributes hydraulic substitutes of the HFC-E and HFA product lines. Fluid Competence advises customers on these products and facilitates contact. Together they provide comprehensive transformation services including analysis, compatibility testing, conversion and monitoring. The partnership combines TotalEnergies' manufacturing capabilities with Fluid Competence's transformation expertise.
• Bosch RexrothsupportingTechnology or IntegrationMentioned as partner in setting new standards for efficiency, less downtime and more environmentally friendly production. Specific partnership details not elaborated.
• SyskemsupportingTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partner with logo displayed on company website. Specific partnership details not elaborated.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves4 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Broad incumbents

• BASF SE: German-headquartered global chemical major with a significant industrial fluids and additives portfolio serving metalworking, plastics, and chemical processing. Comparable on the chemistry side and German industrial customer base, but operates at vastly larger scale across many non-overlapping businesses.
• Shell Lubricants: One of the world's largest lubricant suppliers with broad hydraulic, metalworking, and biodegradable product lines (e.g., Naturelle). Comparable product scope and customer overlap in mining, marine, and industrial hydraulics, though at vastly larger scale.
• TotalEnergies: Global integrated energy major that produces and distributes Fluid-Competence's HFC-E and HFA hydraulic substitutes. Directly comparable as a hydraulic fluid manufacturer with vastly larger scale, plus overlapping specialty lubricant lines serving mining, maritime, and industrial customers.

Emerging players

• MotulTech: Specialty lubricants arm of Motul developing water-miscible and environmentally conscious industrial fluids. Emerging competitor in the niche of sustainable metalworking and hydraulic fluids with overlapping target verticals in metal processing.

Others

• Bosch Rexroth: Global leader in hydraulic components, systems, and fluid power technology. Named Fluid-Competence partner and an adjacent enabling player whose hydraulic systems specification determines which fluids gain OEM approval — important channel/ecosystem participant rather than direct lubricant competitor.

Direct peers

• Quaker Houghton: Global leader in industrial process fluids including metalworking fluids, hydraulic fluids, and specialty chemistries. Directly comparable product portfolio and serves overlapping verticals such as metalworking, plastics, and heavy industry with comparable lab-monitoring service models.
• Klüber Lubrication: German specialty lubricant manufacturer (part of Freudenberg Group) focused on high-performance industrial lubricants including biodegradable and water-miscible formulations. Comparable as a German-based specialty lubricant competitor with overlapping metalworking and industrial customer base.
• Fuchs Petrolub SE: German-headquartered global leader in specialty industrial lubricants, hydraulic oils, and metalworking fluids. Closest direct peer by product category (hydraulic fluids, coolants, corrosion protection) and customer overlap in metalworking, mining, and general industry.
• Panolin AG: Swiss manufacturer of environmentally acceptable lubricants (EALs) and biodegradable hydraulic fluids. Closest comparable niche competitor in the water-based and biodegradable industrial fluid space, serving forestry, marine, and industrial hydraulics.

Regional players

• Hangzhou Hangdong Lubricant Technology: Chinese manufacturer of water-based metalworking fluids and biodegradable lubricants. Listed as a Fluid-Competence partner (Beijing StKailun) in the source data and represents a regional Asian competitor pursuing the same water-based industrial fluid opportunity.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/fluid-competence

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 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 Fluid-competence Gmbh