In 1984 a group of like minded individuals with backgrounds in the international lubricant industry got together to create Polartech. Based on a unique business model, Polartech positioned itself to supply Additives, Packages and finished metalworking fluids to lubricant companies wishing to participate at the highest level in the metalworking fluid marketplace.
A core principle, however, was that Polartech would not supply directly to end users. A principle that still holds true today.
Polartech began trading from the premises of a toll manufacturer in Manchester, UK. Three of the first four customers were export customers, setting the pattern for the future. The origination of the company coincided with the wider introduction into the UK market of long-life metalworking fluid technology. Having the capability to develop and manufacture the appropriate Additives and Packages to create this type of fluid meant that during the early years sales also expanded rapidly in the home market.
Technically, Germany was quickly recognised as a likely trend-setter in the health, safety and ecological aspects of metalworking fluids, and a decision was made to pursue active contacts with German-based companies, on the basis that this would provide first-hand experience of the differing product types developed out of such restrictions.
In retrospect the decision to centre the technological focus on Germany was extremely fortunate, as product development trends based upon such issues as chlorine and secondary-amine-free requirements have enabled Polartech to develop technologies that have pre-empted these issues in other countries.
During the later part of 1989, the decision was taken to begin the search for dedicated manufacturing, and after lengthy negotiations, the company was successful in purchasing a site north-west of Manchester UK from Shell. Polartech took possession of the site in early 1991 and embarked upon a program of adapting the site and of expanding the business to fund the acquisition.
And expand it did. Today, in addition to the UK site, Polartech Group has manufacturing facilities in the USA and in India, warehousing and sales offices in Canada and Hong Kong and representative offices in Shanghai and Malaysia. Add to this a global network of specialised distributors in a further 22 countries, and you have a company that is firmly committed to the international metalworking fluid market. Investment has been high in terms of establishing not only a team of expert people, but also operations, which, increasingly, use the most up-to-date techniques for manufacture, filling and laboratory control.
In recent years Polartech has continued the trend of significant reinvestment. The opening of a new manufacturing facility in India in late 2006 and the construction of a new high bay warehouse and new R&D laboratories in the UK will be followed by another landmark achievement for Polartech in early 2008, with the opening of a state of the art production facility in Shanghai, China.
In all of these investments Polartech has shown the highest regard for environmental considerations, with the UK site being IPPC accredited.
Polartech Additives are used in varying fields and Polartech has the expertise to develop or manufacture on behalf of its customers an ever increasing portfolio of products.
Polartech Products Overview
The Polartech Finished Product Range includes:
- Long-life grinding fluids
- Fully synthetic, inherently stable, cutting fluids
- Oil containing general purpose, extreme pressure and special purpose fluids
- A complete spectrum of secondary amine free cutting fluids
- Unlabelled Metalworking Fluids
- System treatments and cleaners
The Polartech Additive range includes:
- Emulsifiers & coupling agents
- Corrosion Inhibitors
- Lubricity and extreme pressure Additives
- Ancillary products including antifoams, biocides & system cleaners
Polartech Packages are available in variants to enable the blending of most products, from basic 'milky' types through to higher performance long-life fluids. The Packages are designed specifically for individual customer requirements, and it is normal practice for Polartech to provide packages to be blended on customer specific base oils and to offer suggested formulations.
Through assisting customers, and through working on formulating finished products, the development team at Polartech has expanded their considerable expertise in using the range of Additives themselves. It is a strongly held belief that this is one of the key areas which makes Polartech's proposition as an additive supplier different from its competitors and one of the compelling reasons to consider Polartech as a supplier.
For years Polartech has actively supported Trade Associations in the industry with membership of UKLA, UEIL and ILMA. Having been the driving force behind the formation of The Metalworking Fluid Stewardship Committee and holding the Presidency of both UEIL and its Environment Committee Polartech continues to demonstrate its commitment to best practice in metalworking fluids.