🇺🇸 Based in the USA. supporting manufacturers Worldwide.
Industrial and Specialty Chemical Manufacturing for Demanding Processes
We are PICO Chemical, an industrial chemical manufacturer that develops and manufactures workhorse chemistry for demanding production and maintenance applications.
Since 1976, we have supported manufacturers with proven industrial chemicals, specialty fluids, custom chemical formulation, lab testing, blending, and production capabilities. Some customers come to us for an established PICO product. Others call because an off-the-shelf chemical is not getting the job done.
Industry Leader
Since 1976
ISO 9001:2015
Certified
Made in the
USA
Formulated, Blended & Packaged In-House
Industrial and Specialty Chemical Manufacturing Since 1976
PICO Chemical is an industrial and specialty chemical manufacturer based in Chicago Heights, Illinois. We formulate, blend, package, and support chemicals and specialty fluids used in manufacturing, metalworking, coatings, adhesives, steel production, printing, transportation, and industrial maintenance.
Our product lines include machining fluids, metal forming lubricants, industrial cleaners and degreasers, paint and coating removers, rust and surface protection products, cutting table fluids, steel mill fluids, adhesion promoters, and other specialty products.
Our capabilities extend beyond established product lines. We also support custom chemical formulation, lab testing and analysis, chemical toll blending and processing, private label manufacturing, and production from pilot quantities through bulk volumes.
Manufacturers call us when they need a proven workhorse product and when an off-the-shelf chemical is not enough.
Industrial Chemicals and Specialty Fluids
We manufacture industrial chemicals and specialty fluids for processes where heat, friction, wear, contamination, residue, corrosion, surface condition, and equipment reliability matter. Explore our primary product categories below. When a standard product is not the right fit, our team can also evaluate the application and determine whether custom chemistry is the better next step.
Machining Fluids
High-performance coolants, grinding fluids, cutting oils, sawing fluids, and system treatments designed to extend tool life, reduce heat, and improve part quality across machining operations.
Metal Forming Lubricants
Specialized lubricants for drawing, stamping, bending, extrusion, and cold heading. Engineered to reduce friction, prevent wear, and deliver clean, precise forming on ferrous and non-ferrous metals.
Industrial Cleaners & Degreasers
Specialized cleaners and degreasers for industrial applications. Explore water-based and solvent-based solutions for equipment, tanks and reactors, fasteners, floors, and more.
Paint, Ink & Coating Removers
Removers and strippers for paints, inks, adhesives, and resins. Includes paint and coating removers, ink removers, and cleaning accelerators for industrial applications.
Rust & Surface Protection
Specialty solutions to prevent corrosion, remove rust, and protecting metal surfaces. Includes rust inhibitors and scale removers to protect ferrous and non-ferrous materials.
Cutting Table Fluids
Specialized coolants, coatings, and cleaners for plasma, laser, and waterjet cutting operations. Explore plasma and waterjet fluids, table coatings and cleaners, and anti-spatter coatings.
Steel Mill Fluids
Specialized fluids and lubricants for critical steelmaking operations. Find casting lubricants, equipment lubricants, hydraulic fluids, heat transfer fluids, and mold cleaners.
Adhesion Promoters
Adhesion promoters for PVC plastisols and organosols in coatings, sealers, and molded parts. Explore polyamide and blocked isocyanate types for bonding to metal, plastic, and e-coat.
Industries We Support
We work across industries where cleaning, lubrication, corrosion, heat, friction, residue, contamination, and process reliability have direct operational consequences.
Our products are selected around the application and operating conditions, not simply the industry name. The right chemistry depends on the process, equipment, materials, contaminants, and performance requirements involved.
🎨 Paints, Inks & Coatings
Chemical solutions for ink, paint, and coating operations — including resin removers, tank cleaners, rust inhibitors, and booth maintenance products.
🧴 Adhesives, Sealants & Plastisols
Adhesion promoters, cleaners, and custom solutions for plastisol, epoxy, and acrylic systems used in sealing, bonding, and protective coating applications.
⚙ Metalworking & Fabrication
Forming lubricants, vanishing oils, and cleaners engineered for stamping, drawing, tube bending, and surface prep in metal part production.
🏭 Steel Production & Processing
Specialty fluids for continuous casting, hydraulic systems, equipment lubrication, and mold maintenance in steel mills and processing operations.
🔩 Machining & Fasteners
Coolants, cutting oils, MQL fluids, and fastener cleaners designed to manage heat, reduce tool wear, and support high-speed machining environments.
🖨️ Printing & Packaging
Anilox roll cleaners and coating removers for flexographic and gravure printing lines—formulated for UV, water-based, and solvent ink systems.
🚆 Railroad & Transportation
De-icers, switch lubricants, gear oils, and maintenance fluids used in rail operations, transit infrastructure, and transportation equipment.
🧼 Industrial Maintenance
Floor cleaners, degreasers, system flushes, and coatings designed for routine facility upkeep, safety compliance, and process reliability.
Trusted by Manufacturers Across Demanding Industries
Our products and technical support have been used by manufacturers across coatings, chemicals, adhesives, metalworking, printing, and other industrial markets.
SINCE 1976
Manufacturing Industrial Chemicals
100K+
Completed orders
10K+
Customers served
Workhorse Chemistry Since 1976
The “workhorse” idea has been part of PICO for decades.
In 1978, a longtime customer described one of our industrial cleaners as “the workhorse of paint removers.” The description stuck because it matched the kind of products we wanted to make and the kind of company we wanted to build.
In 1978, a longtime customer described one of our industrial cleaners as “the workhorse of paint removers.” The description stuck because it matched the kind of products we wanted to make and the kind of company we wanted to build.
Behind those products is a hands-on industrial and specialty chemical manufacturer. We formulate, test, blend, package, and support chemistry from our Chicago Heights facility.
Some customers need an established PICO product. Others need us to evaluate a process problem, test an application, or develop chemistry around specific requirements.
That is what workhorse chemistry means to us. It has to do the job.
What Customers Are Saying…
Our customers work in environments where chemical performance has an operational consequence. Here is what plant, production, operations, and engineering professionals have said about working with our products and team.
PICO not only solved our reactor cleaning challenge, but we also saw unexpected benefits like reduced chemical use and disposal costs. Their product reliability and responsive support have earned our full confidence.
Mark R.
Operations Manager
We’ve used PICO Quench Guard G for over a year, cutting a lot of aluminum — and hydrogen gas bubbles are now a thing of the past. The safety and performance improvements have been outstanding.
Doug M.
Production Manager
PICO’s fastener cleaner kept our production running when we unexpectedly ran out late on a Friday. Our rep personally delivered product to get us through the weekend. That kind of service is rare.
Carlos R.
Plant Manager
PICOCOOL has eliminated coolant waste, improved tool life, and reduced our chemical costs by nearly 50%. No staining, no irritation, and great support — it’s outperformed every coolant we’ve tried.
Erin C.
Process Engineer
