The story
Foundation and company structure
The company Kluthe Fabrikation chemisch-technische Erzeugnisse was founded in 1950 by Maria and Wilhelm Kluthe. Initially operating a laboratory out of a garage, the company’s first product was a universal paint solvent and thinner. In 1953, Kluthe introduced Controx, the first liquid cold paint stripper for air-drying paints and stoving enamels available in Europe. Unlike the highly alkaline, corrosive hot paint strippers requiring a boiling process, Controx could be used at room temperature in an immersion process - an advance on the then-customary hot alkaline de-lacquering.
In 1954, the company acquired property on Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße in Heidelberg (Germany), where a small distillation plant was installed for the regeneration of organic solvents. This location now serves as the administrative headquarters of the Kluthe Group.
The idea of supplying chemicals and recovering valuable resources from residual materials led to the development of the firm's "5-C-Concept": cut, clean, coat, conserve, and clear.
Product range extension and expansion
Kluthe expanded its operations significantly beginning in 1969 with the acquisition of Sahm-Chemie. This acquisition established the foundation for supplying paint wholesalers and specialist retailers with a broader range of products, including paints, primers, and paint solvents. Over time, this product range was further developed to meet the needs of these markets.
In 1972, Kluthe expanded internationally by acquiring the Dutch paint factory De Graaff en Baas B.V. in Alphen aan den Rijn. This acquisition led to the formation of Kluthe Benelux BV in 2001, solidifying the company’s presence in the Netherlands.
To address capacity demands at the Gottlieb-Daimler-Straße plant, a new facility was constructed in Heidelberg-Wieblingen in 1973. This site now houses Kluthe’s research and development center for all surface pre-treatment products.
In 1997, Kluthe further expanded its product portfolio by acquiring Continental Lack- und Farbenwerke Friedrich Wilhelm Wiegand Söhne GmbH in Oberhausen. This acquisition added the Contilack brand of building protection paints to the company's offerings, broadening its reach into construction-related coatings.
Recycling plants and international expansion
In 1991, Kluthe acquired the Lipsia chemical factory in Mügeln near Leipzig from the Treuhand agency. The facility became a cornerstone of the company's recycling efforts with the installation of its first solvent distillation plant in 1997. This innovation in recycling used solvents earned Kluthe the environmental protection award from the Federation of German Industries in 1998. The company expanded its recycling activities further in 2007 with the addition of another recycling plant in Heidelberg. These operations are managed by Kluthe's subsidiary, Rematec GmbH, which was founded in 2007 and has leased the Mügeln and Heidelberg sites since 2009.
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Kluthe began its international expansion in 2010 by forming a joint venture with the Turkish chemical company Duraner. In subsequent years, the company established subsidiaries in Brazil (2012) and Mexico (2014), further expanding its global footprint. A joint venture with the Indian company Zavenir followed in 2017, enhancing Kluthe's presence in South Asia.
In 2016, the company restructures its operations under the parent entity Kluthe Chemicals GmbH & Co KG. Continuing its international growth, Kluthe founded its Canadian subsidiary, Kluthe Sustainability Management, in 2019 to focus on sustainable solutions within the industry.
From Wikipedia’s article on Chemische Werke Kluthe, shared under CC BY-SA 4.0.5