Quaker Chemical Corporation (doing business as Quaker Houghton) is the global leader in industrial process fluids.
With a robust presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, the company’s customers include thousands of the world’s most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, can, mining, and metalworking companies. Quaker Houghton develops, produces, and markets a broad range of formulated specialty chemical products and offers chemica...
Quaker Chemical Corporation (doing business as Quaker Houghton) is the global leader in industrial process fluids.
With a robust presence around the world, including operations in over 25 countries, the company’s customers include thousands of the world’s most advanced and specialized steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, offshore, can, mining, and metalworking companies. Quaker Houghton develops, produces, and markets a broad range of formulated specialty chemical products and offers chemical management services (which it refers to as Fluidcare) for various heavy industrial and manufacturing applications throughout its three segments: Americas; Europe, the Middle East and Africa (EMEA); and the Asia/Pacific.
The major product lines of Quaker Houghton include metal removal fluids, cleaning fluids, corrosion inhibitors, metal drawing and forming fluids, die cast mold releases, heat treatment and quenchants, metal forging fluids, hydraulic fluids, specialty greases, offshore sub-sea energy control fluids, rolling lubricants, rod and wire drawing fluids and surface treatment chemicals.
The company owns the Sutai Group (Sutai). Sutai is based in Japan and provides impregnation treatment products and services to the automotive and other industries. Sutai is reported as part of the Asia/Pacific reportable segment. The company owns I.K.V. Tribologie IKVT and its subsidiaries (IKV).
Sales Revenue
The company’s sales worldwide are made directly through its own employees and its Fluidcare programs, with the balance sold through distributors and agents. The company’s employees typically visit the plants of customers regularly, work on site, and through training and experience, identify production needs which can be resolved or otherwise addressed either by utilizing its existing products or by applying new formulations developed in its laboratories.
As part of the company’s Fluidcare business, certain third-party product sales to customers are managed by the company. Where the company acts as principal, revenues are recognized on a gross reporting basis at the selling price negotiated with its customers.
Major Customers and Markets
In 2024, Quaker Houghton’s five largest customers (each composed of multiple subsidiaries or divisions with semi-autonomous purchasing authority) accounted for approximately 12% of consolidated net sales, with its largest customer accounting for approximately 3% of consolidated net sales. A significant portion of the company’s revenues are realized from the sale of process fluids and services to manufacturers of steel, aluminum, automotive, aerospace, industrial equipment, and durable goods and, therefore, Quaker Houghton is subject to the same business cycles as those experienced by these manufacturers and their customers.
Patents and Trademarks
Quaker Houghton has a limited number of patents and patent applications including patents issued, applied for, or acquired in the U.S. and in various foreign countries, some of which may be material to its business, with the earliest patent expiry in 2026. Quaker Houghton products are identified by numerous trademarks that are registered throughout its marketing area.
Research and Development
The company’s research and development expenses during the year ended December 31, 2024, included $57.3 million.
Recent Acquisition Activity
In February 2025, the company acquired Chemical Solutions & Innovations (Pty) Ltd. (CSI). CSI is a supplier of metalworking fluids and lubricants to the South African market.
History
Quaker Chemical Corporation was founded in 1918. The company was incorporated as a Pennsylvania business corporation in 1930.