50 Years Quimica

QUIMICA: With consistency and flexibility to success

On 14 April 2021, the branch Química, the Spanish sister company of DEKOTEC, celebrated its 50th anniversary of operations in Spain. A good reason to look back and into the future.

PLASTELEN tape: the synonym for reliable corrosion protection

The company’s presence on the Iberian Peninsula, however, goes back much further: the foundation stone was laid in the 1940s with an own factory, which mainly sells petrolatum products. The “PLASTELEN®-Tape” (petrolatum tape) is also becoming a synonym for the perfect corrosion protection in Spain.

The official founding of the branch marks the beginning of a success story and a sales organisation that concentrates first on the Spanish market 50 years ago. Over the next decades, it consistently expands its activities from corrosion prevention to road construction, followed by the Latin American markets. Especially during difficult times, the company convinces with flexibility: it quickly reacts to market changes and offers individual customer solutions. The branch’s guarantees of success are the same today as they were 50 years ago: flexibility, service orientation and quality assurance.

From Leverkusen to Madrid

14 April 1971: Foundation of the company Química with the aim of selling its own products in Spain. The company name is a direct translation of the German company name at that time.

From Leverkusen to Madrid
Development of the gas distribution network: BUTYLEN tapes offer protection

Development of the gas distribution network: BUTYLEN tapes offer protection

The 70s to 90s: In 1973 the parent company invents the world’s first co-extruded three-ply tape for welding connections on pipes and pipelines. The right product at the right time for the branch Química: the BUTYLEN tapes allow the company to tap into the Spanish market and meet with good conditions. The gas pipelines for supra-regional networks and private households are just being built, until then they are supplied via gas bottles.

More capacity for more business

1990: After Spain joined the EU in 1986, business in Spain expands considerably. In order to meet the growing demand, the company moves into its own warehouse on the outskirts of Madrid. San Sebastián de los Reyes becomes the company headquarters.

More capacity for more business
 Greater product diversity for new markets

Greater product diversity for new markets

2002: The Madrid distribution facility is being expanded once more in order to open up new markets with a larger product portfolio. The branch and the factory, which focuses on the production of grease tapes, officially part ways.

TOK®-Band: Quality on Spanish roads

2003: By expanding the existing offer of corrosion prevention products, the branch is now able to gain a foothold in road construction. The TOK® product range brings quality to Spanish roads. In the same way, innovative products support the application in construction site operations: Química offers solutions that make work easier for its customers from a single source via its cooperation partners.

Three years later the branch headquarters moves to Tres Cantos in Madrid, where it has remained to this day: again, larger storage capacities enable faster deliveries to the customer.

Entering the growth markets of Latin America

Entering the growth markets of Latin America

From 2006 onwards: During the Spanish economic crisis, the dynamic Latin American markets promise growth potential. Together with its international sales partners, Química starts supplying the South American continent from Spain in the years to follow. 

Flexibility as a recipe for success

2010: With the completion of the gas network expansion in Spain, once again Química is reorienting itself by opening up innovative fields of application. Besides from its classic oil and gas business, the corrosion protection products are now successfully being used in refrigerating lines in the food and beverage sector, as well as in thermally insulated pipes.

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